Made me laugh! Thanks!

07:47 SUN 15 MAR 2026 The next time you detect the onset of a viral illness, especially an URI, I recommend you gargle then swallow 17 grams of Nature’s Way (brand), “Sambucus,” (product) every 2 to 4 hours through bedtime. Let it be the last thing on your throat as you begin sleep, hydrating during your waking hours after the Sambucus has had one hour of dwell time following each ‘daylight’ dose. I have an extraordinary track record of success, beating viral URIs OVERNIGHT, with that product. The virus you described does sound unusual and severe, indeed. Sambucus may well have been unsuccessful against THAT one. However, its use is so inexpensive and easy, in my estimation, it’s worth a try. However, waiting 24 hours after onset of an illness to start its use, dramatically reduces its efficacy.

I’m serious: sure cure for mice: get a number of, “Victor,” (brand) snap traps ( large size for rats vs. small size for mice (e.g., field mice, house mice) ) — the old-fashioned design with the wooden plank base. With gloved hands so as to not leave your scent on the trap, tie about 12 inches of braided nylon string (mildly melt the cut ends so the strings don’t fray) to each trap, through the staple that serves as the ‘hinge’ for the trip wire. This gives you a way to pick up the sprung, successful traps without even coming close to the dead mouse. OPTIONAL: you can staple (workshop staple gun (e.g., Arrow) NOT a household stapler (e.g., Swingline, Bostic) the far end of the string to any nearby wood in the rare event that the trap doesn’t instantly immobilize the mouse — these snap traps are usually instantly ‘fatal,’ or at least instantly immobilizing. The staple also protects from the violence of the trap being tripped jerking the string into the vicinity of the ‘instantly’ dead mouse. It is not unusual for the expired mouse to bleed — consider that mess as part of where you put the trap or what you place it upon. Next, tie, with sewing thread, a chunk of, “Snicker,” bar (e.g., one-half of a, “Mini,” size Snicker bar) to the extended end of the treadle ( the flat piece of metal that is intended to hold the bait and communicate its movement to the trip wire ), springing the trap. Next, smear the Snicker chunk, and the thread that is around it, with, “Simply Jiff,” peanut butter. Now you have an irresistible bait combo TIED to the treadle — mice cannot resist it and they can’t steal it — its as close to inevitable as you can get — if they find it, they will trip the trap. Now, you can go up attic and select places to place the traps. Usually best to place it alongside structures where you think or can imagine the mice are running (the often feel their way along structures). Once you’ve selected a spot, NOW you can set the trap catching the free end of the trip wire under a protrusion on the treadle, resisting the tension of the snap. Then, VERY gently place the trap, anchoring the far end of the string, should you elect to exercise that option. You’ll want to check, as quietly and distantly as you can manage, the traps once daily. Replacing successful traps until they stop catching mice. No catches for about a week would suggest you’ve won, you’re done, and you can stand down the traps so as not to leave food out to attract more. When collecting dead mice, together with their traps (I don’t reuse the traps), I would bag them while in the attic so you are not blowing mouse germs everywhere you walk as you take the rubbish to the trash outside.

As info, I have heard that another reason so many buildings in Egypt are unfinished is that property taxes go WAY UP once it becomes, “FINISHED!”

1922, eh?

I am suffering an identical problem: years ago, Walmart bought the Wrangler brand, at least the part of it that produced my everyday trousers I had been buying for years. Walmart then RADICALLY altered the design, construction, and eviscerated the quality of the materials used to make them — they no longer had strength, durability or the full measure of utility they once had. Walmart clearly approached these changes with NO CLUE why the garment existed in the first place! What they produce and offer for that garment, today, is only marginally better than, what was once, the ubiquitous, black, ‘Mao,’ pyjamas of mainland China. In desperation, today, the best I’ve been able to find to, fill the role, is Carhartt brand, “Men’s Cargo Work Pants - Relaxed Fit - Rugged Flex(R) Canvas,” (Style #103574) and similar Carhartt styles. Carhartt actually proves to be MORE durable than what Wrangler used to offer before the Walmart debacle! Carhartt’s weakness is that, contrary to the ethos they want to portray, they seem to have NO IDEA how, ‘real working men,’ are shaped and move, such that, their, “Relaxed Fit,” wears almost as snug as, “skinny jeans!” (I have a reasonable BMI of 22.3, so it’s Carhartt that’s cut too snug, not me being too filled out.) An additional challenge, with Carhartt, is that they are more than twice the price of what Wrangler used to offer, but that’s, at least, understandable as Carhartt quality and durability is SO much better.