Recent Comments

1. 3 days ago on Betty

   Aww. Story of my life.

2. 4 days ago on Betty

   I’m always surprised that he isn’t more handy. I know one of the running jokes is “he can’t fix stuff (but still likes to putter)” but he still gives off “can fix things” vibes, IDK.

3. 11 days ago on Heart of the City

   There’s increasingly no reason for me to go into a drug store or Target or whatever because everything’s locked up. Which means if I order online they don’t have to pay employees, which might be part of their plan, but it also means I’m not impulse shopping. Which is great for me, I’m saving money and don’t have to put a bra on and leave my comfy home. I still hate it, though.

4. 15 days ago on Nancy

   Poor kid.

5. 15 days ago on Crabgrass

   Krampus was my first thought.

6. 18 days ago on Wallace the Brave

   He’s talking about Wallace. If it was directed at her she’d probably laugh it off with an eye roll but he’s accusing a small child – her child – of being a criminal to cover up his own neglect. I don’t blame her.

7. 18 days ago on Edge City

   Chicago has a problem where a lot of trade and tech schools were closed or converted to STEM/STEAM schools. Now there’s a glut of young people with great science, technology, engineering, and math skills and a lack of young people with experience in the trades… brick laying, auto repair, HVAC, hair stylists, aestheticians, electricians, etc. Meanwhile a family friend started an electrical apprenticeship at the age of 18. He’s twenty now, no college debt, earning good money, owns a car, and pays his parents really cheap rent until he’s ready to get his own place – which he’ll easily be able to afford, even in our not-cheap area. By the time his peers graduate college he’ll be four years into his current career and, again, with no debt. College isn’t for everyone and that’s fine, and jobs that don’t require college degrees – where you get your hands dirty – are vital.

8. 18 days ago on Edge City

   What you do is start setting money aside while working as a tradesperson then go to school to become a teacher. It’s a four year degree in the USA (unless you want to become a professor or something, a specialist in something), two of which can be knocked out via community or state college. College isn’t reserved for young people. Starting a new career is hard but doable, and especially so if you have practiced the skills needed as a tradesperson – lots of responsibility, hard work ethic, creativity, quick thinking, memorization, etc. Meanwhile you can start your career as an 18 year old with no debt, health insurance, and making a decent wage which gives you a real leg up over your peers.

9. 21 days ago on Edge City

   I got my hair cut at a similar place and the stylist put layers throughout the hair on the right side of my head but not the left side of my head.

   What.

10. 29 days ago on Heart of the City

    I do it when I make beef vegetable or vegetarian vegetable soup. I usually add crushed tomatoes also- the crushed tomatoes make a difference in whether or not the soup has tomatoes. The tomato paste makes a big difference in the flavor of the broth. My kid noticed when I forget to add it/we’re out. But, again, be careful not to burn it.

    I portion out tablespoon sized dollops of tomato paste onto plastic wrap, wrap it up, and freeze it. Some people use ice cube trays! It’s a great way to have it measured out and handy, and also to not waste a can of tomato paste. Most of my recipes don’t call for a full can, just a tablespoon or two.