ToolGirl Mag Ruffman's Official Web Log

Thoughts from the perimeter of prematurity

Research says that 80% of premature aging is related to sun damage, but I think it's responsiblity that does it. 

When you feel responsible (even if it's misplaced, out-of-proportion, or connected to the idea that other people can't manage without your input),  the truth is that when you're feeling responsible, you're usually not feeling great, zingy or inspired.  Chances are you're feeling burdened, serious, driven or overwhelmed.

And often, the more responsible you feel, the less great you feel, and the more your face tenses into that squinty mask of concern known as premature aging.   

It's kind of interesting that, in our culture, people who refuse to take on the burdens of others are considered immature, irresponsible or self-absorbed.   But dang, they look good.   

The expression "It's not how you look, it's how you feel" contains flawed logic.   Because how you look is how you feel.

I'm fairly sure this train of thought has a destination but I may not recognize it until I've gone two stops past it.   Fortunately the ticket was free.

   

Mud Glorious Mud

It's never too early to start planning for spring. 

(Photo: Nikki Bult)

Seth surveys Ontario's fertile Holland Marsh, dreaming of vegetables. 

Get Rid of Mould (or 'Mold' in the U.S.) and Mildew Forever

Golden Mouldies
The joy of conquering rogue fungi

 

Our mudroom recently developed the pong of rot. On the olfactory scale the odour registered somewhere between Teenaged Boy’s Running Shoe and Fried Cabbage.

 

If you sat there for a while you could hear the spores growing.

 

I was putting off dealing with the smell because I had a guilty conscience. The truth is, I had known the roof was leaking during the fall but I ignored it. I kept thinking the cold weather would come soon and the leak would freeze up until spring when, borne on a frenzy of renewed ambition, I would re-shingle the roof.

 

But the cold didn’t come. So the leak persisted. Mould started to colonize on the interior walls.  At first it was a gray blush. Then it turned angry black. Then it reeked.

 

I needed a mould control plan.  And boy did I get one.