Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

dino001

I think there may be shortages of certain foods for a week or so, but it should abate at some point. Last weekend I noticed cheaper meat shelves cleaned up, but there was still something available. I have a few pieces in my fridge, a pork tenderloin, beef round , couple of chicken breast pieces, ground beef, so I hope it will straddle me until it all self-equilibrates. I suspect there's going to be no hand sanitizer on the horizon for months. Whatever comes to stores will be cleaned up long before I even get to the store. Reminds me a little my childhood in communist Poland in early 80s, when butter was delivered once a day in the afternoon and you had to be in line by 2-2:30 pm to get a bar (two stick equivalent). I specifically remember one time I joined that line (my school was over by 1 pm) quite early and was in the front, until just half hour before the delivery, when suddenly all those people showed up and got "their spot" in front of me. Then the delivery came, less than usual, so under pressure of people from the end of the line they sold only half bar to everybody. So after nearly 3 hours of standing in line I brought home equivalent of one stick... Very efficient time use.

I have several packs of Clorox wipes I bought couple of months ago from Costco. My hands won't like it, but oh, well...

venture

oldfarmer50 said:

venture said:

imidazol97 said:

Exercise routines:
I fertilized my yard again yesterday in advance of an overnight light rain. I used starter fertilizer with the middle number high to encourage root growth and it contains a weed killer to stop the spring germinating weeds
that have become pests. I'll apply Halts to kill crabgrass and a few other things later today since more rain a day or so later will water that into the ground for me.

We can't buy fertilizer here that contains phosphorus. Fortunately grass doesn't need much of it and there are other ways of adding it, if necessary.

I need to get moving...the forsythia is blooming. I still need to aerate before applying Halts. It's just been so cold and wet.

A lot of fertilizer is wasted because people don’t check the Ph of their soil. Too acid or base and the nutrients get locked up in the soil and can’t be utilized. Much of the soil in the East is too acidic. Sometimes a little limestone will do more good than a bunch of fertilizer.

I get it tested. I try to do it every year, but it usually ends up every other year...if I'm lucky.

Oddly enough, the pH is usually good. This is a baseball field I am referring to. My grass at home just grows.

venture

ab348 said:

venture said:

imidazol97 said:

Exercise routines:
I fertilized my yard again yesterday in advance of an overnight light rain. I used starter fertilizer with the middle number high to encourage root growth and it contains a weed killer to stop the spring germinating weeds
that have become pests. I'll apply Halts to kill crabgrass and a few other things later today since more rain a day or so later will water that into the ground for me.

We can't buy fertilizer here that contains phosphorus. Fortunately grass doesn't need much of it and there are other ways of adding it, if necessary.

We can't buy fertilizer with weed control here any more. They sell some kind of eco-friendly stuff that has corn gluten in it but reports are the weeds actually like that if it doesn't hit them at exactly the right time.

On the plus side, we don't have crabgrass here.

No crabgrass is a huge plus. That's probably the thing that drives me nuts the most. That and the pitchers leaving the mound and wearing out the grass.

ab348

dino001 said:

I suspect there's going to be no hand sanitizer on the horizon for months. Whatever comes to stores will be cleaned up long before I even get to the store.

Up here several small distilleries are making the stuff. One is selling it for $5, the other is giving it away. They both produce vodka so they take a batch off the still at full strength, cut it to 65% alcohol and mix it with some sort of gel.

stickguy

We haven’t tried ordering good delivered. Wife went out last week and overstocked. So we are probably covered through next week. May need a quick foray to Aldis or produce store for some specific Meat or produce. Maybe milk. And cereal and snacks! Otherwise got some extra stuff frozen and can pare down stock in the pantry.

Good thing we have a spare garage fridge I could turn back on. Not sure how people in apartments or condos with compact fridges get by.

jmonroe

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

I used to go to the gym. 15 minutes to get there, would take an hour to do 40 minutes worth of exercise, waiting for equipment and wiping it down, and 15 minutes to drive home......90 minutes to do 40 minutes of exercise.
Worst part was, I would burn 300 calories, see this great breakfast place across the road when I came out, have some bacon, eggs toast and home fries.....gain 1000 calories. Plus, it cost $50 a month.

So, I bought weights, got a DVD and a little DVD player, have it next to a TV so I can watch TV while I do my weight exercises for 30 minutes, 3X a week....and I do it in 30 minutes! And no big breakfast after.

That is very surprising. I never would have guessed you were a DIYer. What kind of warranty do you give yourself?

jmonroe

Money back guaranty if I don't like the results.

Old people don't exercise because they're not motivated, it's because they are just tuckered out.

Darned if I am going to work up a sweat, not get anything done, and pay someone to help me do nothing. If I get the urge for exercise I'll do some work of some kind. Mow the yard, walk the dog, vacuum the house, wash the windows, straighten the basement, play a round of golf, play a little basketball, etc. Or maybe just take a nap and pretend I am meditating.

OR, open your mouth to Mrs. @houdini1.

jmonroe

jmonroe

@Mike, you should send your governor a bottle of good booze for implementing his executive order that seniors over 65 are to stay at home. I think he's trying to give you a fighting chance in the produce dept. at Publix.

jmonroe

jmonroe

imidazol97 said:

Exercise routines:
I fertilized my yard again yesterday in advance of an overnight light rain. I used starter fertilizer with the middle number high to encourage root growth and it contains a weed killer to stop the spring germinating weeds
that have become pests. I'll apply Halts to kill crabgrass and a few other things later today since more rain a day or so later will water that into the ground for me.

Just this morning the lawn service guy came by to give us our first application for the year. Got fertilizer and pre-emergent stuff. There is a guy that rides a spreader for the dry stuff and another guy that walks around spraying the edges and does treating of what needs special attention. They're not here even 15 minutes. Last year each application was $38. The price went up to $40 per application this year. For 40 bucks I ain't bothering to do that. I'll cut my grass but I'm not playing around doing anything else and pretty soon I'm going to get out of the grass cutting business too.

jmonroe

jmonroe

driver100 said:

If you are really bored, take a look at the Sultan of Brunei's $5 billion car collection: (4 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zHlrh--ek8
On another video it says he keeps his Rolls Royce running 24 hours a day in case he needs to go somewhere.
What a waste of money and gas! If I had all those cars I wouldn't keep it running all day!

C'mon man, do you really think that shiek is worried about money and gas when he's sitting on billions of barrels of oil.

jmonroe

suydam

I just discovered that our local food co-op has plentiful supplies of everything, including TP. If you’re finding shortages in the chain stores and have one in your area, check it out!

driver100

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

If you are really bored, take a look at the Sultan of Brunei's $5 billion car collection: (4 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zHlrh--ek8
On another video it says he keeps his Rolls Royce running 24 hours a day in case he needs to go somewhere.
What a waste of money and gas! If I had all those cars I wouldn't keep it running all day!

C'mon man, do you really think that shiek is worried about money and gas when he's sitting on billions of barrels of oil.

jmonroe

I am sure he couldn't care less about the cost of his RUG and PUG, all I am saying is if I could afford all those cars, I would be much more sensitive to the environment , because that is the kind of person I am.

fintail

I see non-infrastructure related construction as no more "essential" than any retail mall or knicknack store or recreation venue that has been forced to close with the owners and employees left spinning in the wind. But in my area anyway, the construction/development industry holds endless political clout, and they generally get what they want. Housing is a hilariously coddled industry. Waiting for the bailouts.

Last night's local news featured a shot of a group of construction workers walking side by side and talking on a break, one of them openly coughing on the others, I had to chuckle.

imidazol97 said:

In Ohio construction is considered essential. It's not something you can work-from-home on. A
guest on a morning talk show yesterday said he considered it essential and it's easy to follow the 6-foot distance rule in most cases, since construction workers already are distanced.

Guest was offended that the powers that be are asking construction companies to give their N95 masks to hospitals and others since US has figured out not having companies who were making them here has led to a shortage... He said that his workers need to be protected from the dust hazards as well.

Michaell

Went to Target this AM. Found bagels and bread available, but still no pasta or distilled water.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

If you are really bored, take a look at the Sultan of Brunei's $5 billion car collection: (4 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zHlrh--ek8
On another video it says he keeps his Rolls Royce running 24 hours a day in case he needs to go somewhere.
What a waste of money and gas! If I had all those cars I wouldn't keep it running all day!

C'mon man, do you really think that shiek is worried about money and gas when he's sitting on billions of barrels of oil.

jmonroe

I am sure he couldn't care less about the cost of his RUG and PUG, all I am saying is if I could afford all those cars, I would be much more sensitive to the environment , because that is the kind of person I am.

If I owned all those cars I'd be worn out every day from waxing them.

jmonroe

fintail

Someone I know posted this pic from a Bay-area Costco about an hour ago - I see plenty of TP:



It seems pasta is the new item of the day, barely any on the shelves here for at least a week.

driver100

Guess Bealls in Florida is still open for clothing....got an email this morning, 40 to 70% off!

pensfan83

I wonder if the carve outs for essential needs shopping has alleviated concerns people would be cut off completely.

suydam

“ Last night's local news featured a shot of a group of construction workers walking side by side and talking on a break, one of them openly coughing on the others, I had to chuckle.”
I wouldn’t be chuckling. That’s how this virus spreads, and who knows how many people they could wind up infecting?

28firefighter

People are still hoarding. But I thought the first rule of hoarding was amassing your collection over time - not at all once? Rookies.

fintail

It was a chuckle from irony and cynicism. Of course, it is essential that corporate office blocks and condo towers destined for rich speculators proceed without delay.

suydam said:

I wouldn’t be chuckling. That’s how this virus spreads, and who knows how many people they could wind up infecting?

nyccarguy

Michaell said:

Went to Target this AM. Found bagels and bread available, but still no pasta or distilled water.

Very disturbing. Things must be REALLY BAD in CO if you now must resort to buying BAGELS at Target!

suydam

That might be too low for me. There’s no independent bagel cafe there? But who knows how desperate we might get?!

dino001

fintail said:

Someone I know posted this pic from a Bay-area Costco about an hour ago - I see plenty of TP:



It seems pasta is the new item of the day, barely any on the shelves here for at least a week.

You can sh.. do your business only so much.

Michaell

suydam said:

That might be too low for me. There’s no independent bagel cafe there? But who knows how desperate we might get?!

There may be, but I'm not sure they're open and we're OK with having low standards with regards to our bagels.

I know, blasphemy to our east coast friends.

ab348

fintail said:

I see non-infrastructure related construction as no more "essential" than any retail mall or knicknack store or recreation venue that has been forced to close with the owners and employees left spinning in the wind. But in my area anyway, the construction/development industry holds endless political clout, and they generally get what they want. Housing is a hilariously coddled industry. Waiting for the bailouts.

Construction is not a business that deals with the public, so the only risk is to those doing it. The new cautions about distancing and the like are (up here at least) dealt with by the govt decrees having been made part of OSH measures applicable to workplace safety. Shut everything down and govt is on the hook for even more bailouts. As it is the economy will be on life support if the shackles aren't lifted soon.

suydam

Michaell said:

suydam said:

That might be too low for me. There’s no independent bagel cafe there? But who knows how desperate we might get?!

There may be, but I'm not sure they're open and we're OK with having low standards with regards to our bagels.

I know, blasphemy to our east coast friends.

West coasters too!

stickguy

It’s a balancing act. Prevent as many infections and slow the spread to a reasonable degree while still keeping the country reasonably afloat.

fintail

And who they might encounter at the store, gas station, grandma's house, etc.

We're apparently already going to be aiding cruise lines that fly foreign flags to skirt accountability, the property development industries exist under real or de facto subsidies even in good times anyway, what's another bailout? While monies going to actual real people will be lessened and saddled with conditions.

Once this has ran its course, business will return to normal in little time.

ab348 said:

Construction is not a business that deals with the public, so the only risk is to those doing it. The new cautions about distancing and the like are (up here at least) dealt with by the govt decrees having been made part of OSH measures applicable to workplace safety. Shut everything down and govt is on the hook for even more bailouts. As it is the economy will be on life support if the shackles aren't lifted soon.

Michaell

stickguy said:

It’s a balancing act. Prevent as many infections and slow the spread to a reasonable degree while still keeping the country reasonably afloat.

It's official - the 5 suburban counties around Denver (including mine) will be shelter in place starting tomorrow morning and lasting until 4/17. Denver County had already been under a shelter in place order since late last week.

tjc78

We just got notification that our school district will not be opening before 4/20 even if permitted.

The site where our vacation home is located was supposed to open on 3/30, they just sent a message that they have postponed opening until at least 4/17

stickguy

I’ve been figuring 5/1 was more likely for at least most stuff rebooting. Hopefully not longer than that. With various things along the way.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

venture said:

imidazol97 said:

Exercise routines:
I fertilized my yard again yesterday in advance of an overnight light rain. I used starter fertilizer with the middle number high to encourage root growth and it contains a weed killer to stop the spring germinating weeds
that have become pests. I'll apply Halts to kill crabgrass and a few other things later today since more rain a day or so later will water that into the ground for me.

We can't buy fertilizer here that contains phosphorus. Fortunately grass doesn't need much of it and there are other ways of adding it, if necessary.

We can't buy fertilizer with weed control here any more. They sell some kind of eco-friendly stuff that has corn gluten in it but reports are the weeds actually like that if it doesn't hit them at exactly the right time.

On the plus side, we don't have crabgrass here.

For spot treatment of weeds use vinegar right out of the bottle. Kills those little buggers and your lawn will smell like salad.

On a negative note, my go to garage is cutting down to 4 days a week because of lack of business. If I can get my convertible out of the barn I’ll have him do a few repairs just to throw him some business. The rest of my fleet is running good.

imidazol97

Stuff is coming. The whole country has a hoarding problem.

Kroger is not taking returns of any kind. Complaints about quality of Kroger brand items will be handled per their promise of quality items. I guess that's by phone or something...

This is half of one side of a huge warehouse for PG products. There's an end and the other side of the building.

In past about 10-15 trucks would be parked with their backs to the fence in this part of picture, waiting to be moved to the doors of the warehouse for filling or emptying. Now it's 90% filled with trucks just rearing to go. Sorry about the poor picture, I didn't take time to touch up the photo on phone.

There also are trucks at the loading doors of the warehouse. When I went by last evening, about 1/2 of them were in use.

driver100

fintail said:

Someone I know posted this pic from a Bay-area Costco about an hour ago - I see plenty of TP:



It seems pasta is the new item of the day, barely any on the shelves here for at least a week.

What if you don't want Kirkland brand and you want the little bears?
Looks like someone was going to buy the paper towels but then found they had the real thing.

Pasta, and rice, I guess the idea they can last forever in that dry state so the expiry date is probably about 5 years off. Not much nutrient value but they will make you feel full. I hear comfort foods are selling well, popcorn, chips, chocolate, ice cream.....I bet liquor and beer are selling well too.

driver100

Michaell said:

Went to Target this AM. Found bagels and bread available, but still no pasta or distilled water.

Hmmm, bagels, bread and pasta....the staples of life....all your food groups covered.

imidazol97

The local Walmart had about 10 feet of shelf with boxes of TP this morning at 7:30 am, shortly after opening. Total linear TP would be about 50-60 feet total of two layers.

They also put out paper in small quantities through the day, I believe, based on people's comments on our area facebook gossip page.

tjc78

I hear comfort foods are selling well, popcorn, chips, chocolate, ice cream.....I bet liquor and beer are selling well too.

Yes, some places have put a limit on ice cream. We had a local liquor store get shut down for overcrowding. This isn't too far from @stickguy and I

https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2020/03/24/canals-discount-liquors-route-38-mansion-boulevard-pennsauken-coronavirus/2896362001/

imidazol97

The numbers used as data about this are skewed because we don't know how many people have already had the virus and had normal, typical cold symptoms or less. I believe the students going back to schools would be a good approach in communities with _low_ tested infection rates. Many of those students already had the virus in most areas.

Train the students on hand sanitizer, hand washing, and tissues in the classrooms, like they did in 2010 when that Pandemic was coming. Add social distancing and proper cough and sneeze etiquet.

Keep us oldsters on low travel and lockdown.

abacomike

venture said:

ab348 said:

venture said:

imidazol97 said:

Exercise routines:
I fertilized my yard again yesterday in advance of an overnight light rain. I used starter fertilizer with the middle number high to encourage root growth and it contains a weed killer to stop the spring germinating weeds
that have become pests. I'll apply Halts to kill crabgrass and a few other things later today since more rain a day or so later will water that into the ground for me.

We can't buy fertilizer here that contains phosphorus. Fortunately grass doesn't need much of it and there are other ways of adding it, if necessary.

We can't buy fertilizer with weed control here any more. They sell some kind of eco-friendly stuff that has corn gluten in it but reports are the weeds actually like that if it doesn't hit them at exactly the right time.

On the plus side, we don't have crabgrass here.

No crabgrass is a huge plus. That's probably the thing that drives me nuts the most. That and the pitchers leaving the mound and wearing out the grass.

If we ever did away with crabgrass here in South Florida, we'd have only weeds - only Bermuda and Crab Grass flourish here!

imidazol97

Re lawn services vs doing it myself...

I've watched lawn services apply early and late for various applications. I've seen them applying liquid fertilizer and other pesticides or whatever mixed in in the rain washing it away because the ground was already soaked. But they do anything to service the many paying customers.

I'll do it myself with my timing of pre-emergent Halts, herbicides, fertilizer like it used to be with all three numbers representing a full combo of chemicals. I apply slow dissolve and quick dissolving fertilizers as I think needed. I'm trying to refurbish the lawn without having to try to reseed and have the weeds get established while I'm nurturing new grass coming up and hardening off for a few weeks.

laurasdada

Mass Governor just announced schools will be closed to May 4. My friends with young'uns are not overly happy with this news.
My last visit to Costco, much Charmin TP, no Kirkland. Limit one 30 pack per customer.
I have no people, joys of condo living.

fintail

Once things return to normal, gyms and weight loss centers will be raking in the business. It'll be funny to see the average weight gain in locked down areas, as bored office workers turn to comfort food to combat their anxiety.

tjc78 said:

I hear comfort foods are selling well, popcorn, chips, chocolate, ice cream.....I bet liquor and beer are selling well too.

Yes, some places have put a limit on ice cream. We had a local liquor store get shut down for overcrowding. This isn't too far from @stickguy and I

https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2020/03/24/canals-discount-liquors-route-38-mansion-boulevard-pennsauken-coronavirus/2896362001/

28firefighter

My Dad was telling me about the thing at Canals. Apparently that happened after PA announced liquor stores were closing.

fintail

The sacrifices people must endure in a time of crisis : store brand TP. The last time I bought (and actually needed it, was down to a few rolls), all they had was store brand, and not a lot of it - back when the panic was just starting. I hope I can survive.

driver100 said:

What if you don't want Kirkland brand and you want the little bears?
Looks like someone was going to buy the paper towels but then found they had the real thing.

Pasta, and rice, I guess the idea they can last forever in that dry state so the expiry date is probably about 5 years off. Not much nutrient value but they will make you feel full. I hear comfort foods are selling well, popcorn, chips, chocolate, ice cream.....I bet liquor and beer are selling well too.

fintail

Thanks for the pic. As long as transport networks remain intact (no reason to think otherwise), people should be able to wipe to their hearts content.

New conspiracy theory: this is all a plot by the paper goods industry.

I hope nobody takes returns of hoarded goods, and if the buyer balks, they are banned from the store.

imidazol97 said:

Stuff is coming. The whole country has a hoarding problem.

Kroger is not taking returns of any kind. Complaints about quality of Kroger brand items will be handled per their promise of quality items. I guess that's by phone or something...

This is half of one side of a huge warehouse for PG products. There's an end and the other side of the building.

In past about 10-15 trucks would be parked with their backs to the fence in this part of picture, waiting to be moved to the doors of the warehouse for filling or emptying. Now it's 90% filled with trucks just rearing to go. Sorry about the poor picture, I didn't take time to touch up the photo on phone.

There also are trucks at the loading doors of the warehouse. When I went by last evening, about 1/2 of them were in use.

28firefighter

I did a very thorough comparison between Charmin and Kirkland brand TP and the Kirkland brand came out very favorably. Just saying.

laurasdada

Yes, I am currently well Kirkland'd; multiple products. They are usually well rated and a bahgain most of the time.

stickguy

blame Pennsylvania for that problem. That store is one of the first you will come to when you come over the bridge from Philly. They do a ton of business from PA residents (especially heading to the Jersey shore) who find it cheaper to pay the toll and get lower prices in NJ. Now they will have to drive a few extra miles up the road to another store!

that store is pretty tight to start with. definitely not someplace I want to be with a lot of other random people.

ab348

fintail said:

New conspiracy theory: this is all a plot by the paper goods industry.

I like the one that this was an experimental Chi-com biowarfare weapon that accidentally got released in Wuhan thanks to inept sanitation.

stickguy

had to call Farmer and Sandy's (sorta at the moment) employer this afternoon. 10 days after returning my rental (supplied by Geico) a charge from Enterprise hit my CC today. Which was not supposed to happen. So I called and was told that because they gave me an "upgrade" (apparently a 4 banger Rentanox qualifies as an upgrade) they tried to bill insurance more than the usual compact price (they only had the Chevy because it was the smallest car at the location, and had to give me something). Logically that should be there problem, but apparently when the overcharge came through, insurance paid the lower amount, and the default by the rental co. was to charge the renter.

Just had to get a manager to approve reversing it since it is not really my problem.