Dispatch no. 70 - Updates Podcast

Just found your patreon. Enjoyed this podcast. My family tries to get me out, too. I had way too much fun during lockdown.

P S I hope you love the stained glass classes. Such a wonderful skill to learn. My daughter attended a stained glass class and loved it,

Lovely catch up, and I realise that I have missed listening to it somehow. I have had a very busy and worrying few months, and can now listen. I am so glad that all is so much better in your world, and it is a relief to hear you sound so much more upbeat. I love walking around the churchyard of my local church, so many young people, and so many children too - many of the graves go back to to 1700s. Good to hear you sounding well.

You've had so much on your plate this past year... the move, living far from family, all the responsibilities (and adventures) that go with home ownership, adapting to a different part of the country, different climate... dealing with that many major life changing conditions all at once are a great challenge. Actually I think you are doing a splendid job all things considered. Don't beat yourself up for what you didn't do, be proud of all you did accomplish, which is a lot! No worries here, I still look forward each video and savor them. Keep up the good work and take heart, Spring is in the air! (sneeze, hack, cough, hooray!)

A bit of record player info, in the 50s there was a format shift for records. Modern records are played at 33 rpm, and the old records were played at 78 rpm. So an actual vintage record player from like the 20s would not play a modern record well. They would not be played at the right speed. The 78 rpm records also had a wider groove and the needle used more downward force, so the vintage player would also do some damage to a modern 33 rpm record. So basically you would have to get 78 rpm records to play on a vintage phonograph. They did continue to make them for some years after the 33 rpm records were introduced, but stuff from the 40s and 50s would be easiest to find.

I've been watching John Green's RDR2 streams (i catch them afterwards) and love hearing Stan read it your handle and advise.

So glad things are looking up for you. You don't have to apologise for having a rough winter. The stained glass class sounds amazing. The good thing about classes is that you try out new hobbies without having to invest in all the things at the beginning. Hope you have a great time and I would love to see what you make there. I'm loving the drafting dangerous series.

i'm just one little weirdo out here, nevertheless, in case you need to hear it-- it is ok if you do not respond to every comment! only do it because that it what you want, not because you feel that you must!!

Not a phonograph but it has the horn... https://etwoodcrafts.com/products/mid-century-record-player-stand-for-bedroom-decor

Yessss! Stained glass is so fun! I took a class a while back and very worth it. It’s easier than you might think, and stained glass spider webs look really pretty 🖤

I just came back from a Victorian cemetery myself… I kind of needed you being down so …. sorry? Been down myself a lot this winter… if a strong woman like you can be down… There’s hope for me lol

I'm glad it's the precipice of spring and that you're feeling better. Spring started in February in Tennessee and we've had a record number of 80°+ days this month. (Both not normal) I don't even live in the traditionally hot part of Tennessee. Looking forward to gardening on the surface on the sun this summer. Please take it easy and soak in the birdsong while you can. Warmer, brighter days are on their way, like, literally and metaphorically.

Stained glass class is exciting! I'm certain you'll like it, it's all playing with colors and shapes (and lead lots of lead lol). And soldering would be a handy skill to have in your pocket too I hope your area has a local glass shop somewhere. If my city has one, I'm pretty sure the Capitol region one of the most populous states in the country outta have one somewhere!

People are just houseplants with complicated emotions ... glad the winter blahs are receding <3

I’m glad you’re feeling better, I always feel February and March are the worst months for SAD because they are so gloomy and cloudy. The floor looks great, and I can’t wait to see the finished foyer video. I always get confused by the resale value comments. Maybe worrying about that would make sense if you were flipping a house but you are clearly wanting to be there for many years. You can always repaint it before selling it. The world won’t run out of beige paint between now and then.

Hey Bianca! I did a little research for you about the nails you mentioned. It sounds like they used roofing nails to attach the plywood to the entryway to lock out the weather, which is why you didn't have moisture damage underneath. It sounded like you have annular nails. They would also help to prevent the nails from popping up which protects feet and shoes, but also prevented the area from having "squeaky floor" spots. Threaded nails are also better at gripping soft woods (annular) [like the plywood] and preventing splitting damage to hardwood (spiral) [like your floors] Here are a few quotes from Gemini: "Threaded nails are used for permanent construction where maximum holding power and resistance to pulling out (withdrawal) are required. Because their textured shanks lock into wood fibers, they are significantly harder to remove than smooth nails, making them the standard for structures exposed to high stress, wind, or moisture-related wood movement Ring Shank Nails (Annular Thread): Roofing & Siding: Used to secure shingles and siding where wind uplift is a concern. Subfloors & Underlayment: The "locking" effect prevents nails from "popping" over time, which reduces floor squeaks. Softwoods: Ideally suited for softer species like pine or cedar where wood fibers can easily deform and lock into the rings. Screw Shank Nails (Spiral/Helical Thread): Hardwoods: The spiral allows the nail to turn as it's driven, which helps prevent splitting in dense materials like oak or maple. Decks & Fencing: Often used for outdoor projects that experience seasonal expansion and contraction. Pallet Assembly: Provides the high withdrawal resistance needed for heavy-duty shipping containers and pallets. Why Use Them Instead of Smooth Nails? Withdrawal Resistance: Threaded nails can offer up to 40% more holding power than smooth nails. Vibration Resistance: They stay secure in structures that experience constant movement or vibration, such as floors or pole barns. Environmental Stability: They are less likely to "back out" of wood as it swells and shrinks with the weather." I hope this resolved any curiosity you've had about the nails. 😸😸😸

Angela Clayton has some antique store/fabric store/trim store hauls from Pennsylvania from a few years ago on her YouTube channel so a field trip to PA might help you find what you are looking for. Winters are rough by the end up here. I have been climbing the walls to the point where I had to start some seeds early so I could see something green growing. The good news is I might have tomatoes and peppers earlier than normal, but I NEEDED to see something green growing bad.

Ottoman inspiration; there is an account on Bluesky called "Crafty Cow Cat Sofas", and she builds and upholsters cat stools and cat sofas/chaises, with in-process illustrations on her account! (Who knows, you might get distracted and build some fainting couches for your cats).

For the lamp situation, I wonder if Christine McConnell’s friend at the Syracuse antique mall (which is huge) could help locate one, like he did for parts refurbishing the light fixture in her sewing parlor?

DUSTING IS THE EVILEST OF PERSONAL PEACE

Oh and Mom’s dream was to drive Route 21, as there are or were many mom & pop antique stores. Route 21 is my preferred way to drive thru CNY. And if you go early, Herkimer has a pretty cool real deal diner & they made a good breakfast. We also ordered our first vanilla shakes of the trip… my Dad loves them, so it’s become a thing… and theirs were tasty. Crazy Otto’s Empire diner, great omelettes! Anyway… my fave day trip as a nursing student was to Ithaca & their art stores, used bookstore with comfy chairs & coffee, and Moosewood. Which is fancier now than back then but still good food. (We stopped there too on the BtoC trip). Makes me a little homesick now 😂

Syracuse has a larger antique store. Several floors and includes architectural salvage from what I have heard. Syracuse Antiques Exchange & there are many other small stores in the area. Plus if you like Polish food, the real deal, there is Eva’s European Sweets which is misnamed a bit as she serves lunch & dinners and it is the real deal. My family is Polish. And being called Syracuse, there are many fine places for Italian foods…. back when I was in nursing school there was a small store for imported foods & also an Italian bread bakery where the loaves came warm in paper…. near St Joe’s hospital… will google it: Lombardi’s imports on Butternut and Nino’s Italian bakery… but I think the places I am remembering are moved/closed… so not sure re the bread. But maybe they have cannoli? North Salina St to west of the hospital is the Little Italy area and there is a Biscotti cafe & bakery with cannoli…. A day trip to Syracuse for antiques, cannoli and a Polish lunch? (& yes I used to eat alone at Eva’s… it is a small space with small tables. I took my Norwegian husband there when we did a sort of Boston to Cincinnati the long way round trip, visiting friends… Eva’s was a must for me. But I love pierogi!! 😂

Whew!! So happy things are turning around… and hey, you are still glam! And we had a chance to show we care! Have fun with the stained glass class, THAT sounds very fun…. I can only imagine what beauties will be the result! Antiquing is a good time.

Have fun at your stained glass class! I started doing weekend courses for different arts/crafts a few years ago and they fill up the cups my fulltime job and life in general empties. They are also a great way to be with people as an introvert. Everyone does their own thing, but in a shared space and if you want, you can talk to each other. A common topic - the art/craft - is also already included. Spring is springing here in Germany and I am sending some sun and warmth to you!

Personally, I love your style Bianca…looking forward to seeing the video of the completed foyer. Where I live (western 🍁 Canada), we are still getting snow ❄️…another 5 cms expected this week 🫤. I do enjoy the winter season, but really??? On the bright side, when the snow does melt, the grass is green underneath.

I took a stained glass course back in 2004 and loved it! I’m sure you will be surprised at how much fun it is but remember it is glass and you will bleed haha Oh with the stove you could always sell it on fb marketplace and put the money toward the smaller one you want. There should be a shutoff either behind it or close by in the basement

Don't waste your time being embarrassed, be incredibly proud of yourself for finishing both your floor and a dispatch! 👑🥳

Congrats on getting the floor done! Spring has not Sprung here in New Brunswick either, I woke up to about 2 cm of snow today.

Community is for the ability to express yourself, in all facets of life not just the positive ones 🖤