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We have 3 horses in livery in England. We are in Australia. It is no longer possible to keep paying for the livery. All the horses are healthy although one is old and has a surgically repaired leg that makes it impossible for him to be worked too hard. Only one of the 3 is said to be saleable. I want to avoid having them put down if possible. What other options are there?
posted by Logophiliac to Pets & Animals at 9:53 PM - 8 answers

I don't wear rings because over the course of the day my fingers tend to swell and shrink enough that rings will either fall off or become too tight. In the past I would have searched on Etsy for jewelry, but these days it's pretty garbage. I'm not sure what to search for or where to search for a selection of simple, elegant rings that can be size-adjusted. [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 3:57 PM - 1 answer

I am in Toronto. I would like one of these free blood glucose metres that supposedly everyone is always giving out. How do I get one? Which one do I get? I am not diabetic. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... to Health & Fitness at 2:23 PM - 12 answers

I took a THC gummy on Sunday, and went to the ER due to the severe and intense reaction. Does this sounds like a THC overdose, or is it possible there was something else in the gummy aside from what's listed on the package? [more inside]
posted by Jangatroo to Health & Fitness at 2:02 PM - 25 answers

After some major dental work, I find myself on an extended period of fork-soft diet. I've also lost a concerning amount of weight and am struggling to regain it. I'm a month into this and I'm bored of the textures and the few foods I can find that fit my restrictions. Recipes? Restaurant suggestions? Protein shake recommendations? I'll take any advice and suggestions I can get. [more inside]
posted by MuChao to Food & Drink at 1:35 PM - 18 answers

I've been experimenting with using notebooks for to-dos and meeting minutes and I have noticed definite improvements to my productivity. What are other ways I can move more of my work processes offline? Please suggest some tools or workflows that could work just as well or better on paper, with the understanding that I will not be able to change the way my organization operates. [more inside]
posted by epanalepsis to Work & Money at 1:11 PM - 7 answers

Today I learned about Jim Rice, a baseball player who scooped up a kid in 1982 who had been hit by a foul ball. He rushed the kid over to a team doctor so the injury could be treated immediately, likely saving the kids life. There are at least two photographs of this that are very similar to each other, and both are moving to me (image search). [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once to Media & Arts at 12:13 PM - 11 answers

You are not my doctor. I'm wondering if you could give me some advice on my next steps. My identical twin brother just got diagnosed with something called avascular necrosis in his left hip and he thinks he will get diagnosed in his right hip after an MRI and xray. My right hip just started slightly bothering me. Should I immediately book an appointment with a Ortho? Looking for some anecdotal advice some add'l details inside: [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv to Health & Fitness at 11:57 AM - 5 answers

The only help I get with my dad as a primary caregiver is from his friends. They’re well intentioned and love him, and they make it possible for me not to have regular meltdowns from caregiver stress. However, he just came out of the hospital for a heart failure exacerbation and they apparently gave him fucking OLIVES because olives are “not that salty”. [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock to Human Relations at 11:48 AM - 9 answers

I'm trying to raise money for a secular program that exists under a religious umbrella organization. I'm trying to find a way to approach this so that won't put people off, and I'm stuck on a particular decision. [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies to Society & Culture at 10:01 AM - 12 answers

I'm looking for structured, ideally automated or semi-automated ways to take requests from a number of different requestors, and feed them at least somewhat efficiently to a number of different fulfilling teams, when the requests will need varying amount of time and effort from one or more of the fulfilling teams. [more inside]
posted by buxtonbluecat to Work & Money at 9:35 AM - 1 answer

Someone I know has joined a WhatsApp group chat which gives investing advice. Is this type of group usually a scam, and if so, how does it work? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne to Work & Money at 7:44 AM - 15 answers

Condo unit and roof deck needs some work. Please advise this first time home buyer? [more inside]
posted by nicodine to Home & Garden at 7:02 AM - 19 answers

My dad is retired and kind of bored and lonely. What can we do jointly but remotely? We do read books together. [more inside]
posted by Frowner to Human Relations at 6:27 AM - 26 answers

Sleepless in suburban Virginia, I find myself channel surfing through infomercial after infomercial. I've never bought anything from an infomercial, but I'd have to say I'm tempted right now bc many of the products look/sound very inventive and useful. I'm keeping my credit card in my wallet for now, but my curiosity is still piqued: fellow mefites, have you ever ended up very happy with an infomercial purchase? How about, on the contrary, very unhappy?
posted by BadgerDoctor to Shopping at 1:27 AM - 20 answers

I have this IKEA workbench I'm using in my kitchen in my new rental apartment. The top is, currently, a rather rough plywood. What the heck should I do with it to make it a little nicer? [more inside]
posted by oxford blue to Home & Garden at 8:27 PM - 17 answers

I arrived to our home on my birthday in July 2023 and was confronted with being locked out my home after the door's code failed. I contacted my husband (he was inside of our home with our kids) and he told me that I didn't live there anymore and wasn't welcome. I had no idea there was anything wrong with our marriage and was completely caught off guard. I called the police and they allowed my husband to order a taxi and hotel room for me; I was homeless and destitute in (Bergen) Norway for nearly a year until I relocated back to the USA in May 2024. I have no idea how he was able to get away with any of that; I want to divorce/sue my husband for spousal abandonment and (premeditated) international parental kidnapping and would appreciate advice. [more inside]
posted by dea to Law & Government at 8:20 PM - 15 answers

I think I stepped on a toad, which has activated a spiral of self-hatred. I really like amphibians. I've been active with local toad rescue organizations this last year, so I've held a lot of these little guys, and I've fallen in love with them a little bit. I feel terrible now. [more inside]
posted by toucan to Pets & Animals at 5:35 PM - 27 answers

Looking for fiction that feels like a movie in terms of pacing, intrigue, and plot. Can be action/crime or thriller (but not horror). I like political conspiracies though not too woo-woo - just your usual trope of uncovering something. [more inside]
posted by benimaru to Media & Arts at 5:15 PM - 31 answers

I recently discovered that I am MUCH more comfortable wearing cotton clothing. Looking for cotton business casual style recommendations to keep an eye out for. [more inside]
posted by Eyelash to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 4:58 PM - 10 answers

I am having surgery soon under Monitored Anesthesia Care. When I was in the emergency room for the initial injury, they had to do a nerve block multiple times because it wasn't taking in the first place and then I was metabolizing it so fast and it was excruciatingly painful. My questions: Will I be aware if this is happening, but just won't remember it afterward? And if I'm not aware, then how will they know if the nerve block is not effective or is losing effectiveness? I did have shoulder surgery a few years ago and I remember my dead hand slowly coming to life many hours later so I assume a nerve block can be effective for me. Is the nerve block in the ER different?
posted by HotToddy to Health & Fitness at 2:48 PM - 2 answers

My area of the city has posters up everywhere warning about mosquito spraying tonight. This is a huge section of coastal NYC. Ive seen hundreds of monarch butterflies on my walk home today. I assume they’re migrating because Ive never seen them before. Is the spraying going to kill them? This seems like a nightmare scenario.
posted by octaviabutlerfan to Science & Nature at 1:19 PM - 9 answers

I usually get allergies bad for about two weeks in the spring. I know it's tree pollen by looking at the weather reports when my sniffling and sneezing are at their highest. I didn't get allergies this year because I was out of the country those two weeks. I usually don't get allergies in the fall, but this year I have them bad. Are the phenomena related?
posted by Roy Batty to Health & Fitness at 12:09 PM - 2 answers

Is this memory in my brain an actual 1980s movie or is it just a construction from the flotsam and jetsam of my childhood? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 to Media & Arts at 12:00 PM - 20 answers

My husband is having a hemorrhoidectomy next week. I've read the materials, but I was wondering if you have any personal experience or suggestions that may make recovery easier? [more inside]
posted by socky_puppy to Health & Fitness at 11:43 AM - 6 answers

Vet suggested we put our cat with chronic kidney disease on a renal diet. I told him she has a chicken allergy, and he said he would research and find some chicken free options. The list he gave me are renal wet foods labeled tuna, vegetable, etc. but when you go to the ingredients list for these foods they all include chicken. What can I feed my cat? [more inside]
posted by brook horse to Pets & Animals at 11:38 AM - 3 answers

A colleague has built a website that could attract doxxing or harassers, so wants to stay anonymous. Are there any free, effective ways to promote it that maintain anonymity? [more inside]
posted by kristi to Computers & Internet at 11:32 AM - 5 answers

I am recording myself singing and playing the guitar with my phone (a google phone). I want to put the phone at a certain angle, which I cannot do with my phone tripod or any other way I can figure out. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster to Media & Arts at 10:08 AM - 12 answers

Where can I find Lake Garda trout in Riva? [more inside]
posted by Don_K to Travel & Transportation at 9:11 AM - 0 answers

I'm maybe interested in getting a Yoto player for my young child. I'm not enthused with the selection of cards they sell and I can't get a clear picture of what it's like to make cards with my own audio. Can you explain what it's like / how easy it is to just put mp3s (or whatever) on a blank card? Can I do it without a smartphone?
posted by Wolfdog to Computers & Internet at 9:07 AM - 5 answers

We are considering the purchase of an Airstream camper/trailer and vehicle. We would eventually like to cross the country for a bit when my wife and I retire in a few years. Never owned a camper before. Thought we might try to get used to a camper and get it partially paid for it before retiring. [more inside]
posted by GernBlandston to Travel & Transportation at 8:00 AM - 7 answers

Looking for memoirs of non-famous people partly because I like writing memoir-ish stuff and want inspiration (and am resoundingly un-famous.) [more inside]
posted by less-of-course to Media & Arts at 7:32 AM - 35 answers

Hi all, I'm in a kind of a tough spot... I took out a $50k home equity loan against my primary (H1) residence 3 years ago at 3.99% (balance on it is now $35k). I now have a different primary (H2) and currently rent H1. Due to cc debt I am looking at options for a 2nd loan. Ideally I'd like to pay off first loan and all cc debt and have one new monthly loan payment. I have listed H1 for sale to try to convert to cash equity to pay off cc debt but H1 is not selling. I know most banks won't allow for loan in 2nd lien position. And I know any loan I take out I'll lose the 3.99 rate and have a higher rate (which I'm OK with - I just don't want to continue to carry the cc debt). Are there any banks that will offer an option for me? I am gainfully employed and credit is in good standing. Any suggestions here are much appreciated :)
posted by matt755811 to Work & Money at 5:46 AM - 4 answers

I came across this story on Metafilter circa 2019. The only detail I remember is that one of the cats chased a skipper (type of butterfly). Searching my Favorites didn't turn it up. Also open to other short stories about cats!
posted by gray17 to Writing & Language at 5:27 AM - 2 answers

Are there any trades you can learn weekends and nights while still studying for a traditional degree? (UK but open to any ideas!) [more inside]
posted by caoimhe to Work & Money at 3:50 AM - 7 answers

I'm a long time red wine drinker, but last year I switched to herbal tea, brewed cold & lightly carbonated, with a splash of fruit juice and a little apple cider vinegar (less than a teaspoon). I've been drinking it in white wine glasses, partly to make it still feel like an adult beverage. It's time to find a better glass! [more inside]
posted by 2oh1 to Food & Drink at 11:45 PM - 20 answers

I have an old college friend X who is visiting from another country to my city, to take a sick family member to hospital. She does this at least twice or thrice a year. In the last five-seven years, she has been interested in getting together, but somehow the circumstances were such that I just wasn't able to. I'm not good at relationships, but I have good memories of my friendship with X and I'd like to keep those without becoming burdened by old expectations. How do I rekindle this friendship without being out of balance? [more inside]
posted by summerfey to Human Relations at 10:54 PM - 7 answers

A mass has been found on my wife's pancreas. I am here to ask about how her cadre of physicians is responding to it. It was discovered during an ER visit on 8/30. After two CT scans, one X-ray and one ultrasound in the ER, they decided to schedule another endoscopy/biopsy seventeen days later; now, next week. [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness at 10:19 PM - 11 answers

My partner and I have been together for several years and have a child together. Partner has always leaned more new agey/woo with curiosity about past lives, parapsychology, near death experiences, psychics, etc. I am agnostic on these and most metaphysical questions. Partner and I agree on ethics, how to treat people, social justice. I didn't give the difference on spirituality much thought until recently. [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Human Relations at 10:18 PM - 21 answers

I have an 18 year old car in good condition except the paint is worn and starting to look really bad. I don't really want a quick paint job that will peel off in a few years, but I don't want something very expensive either. Are there any other options that don't look terrible, but also are not overly expensive for an old car? I'd like to get another 5 years or so out of the car without it looking like a total beater if possible. [more inside]
posted by roaring beast to Home & Garden at 7:06 PM - 9 answers

My iPhone Xr has an otterbox type of bulky case, which I would like to leave on it while on a stand. It also has slightly more bulk with this teeny spectacles pocket. [more inside]
posted by Glinn to Computers & Internet at 6:29 PM - 1 answer

I had a garment drying outside overnight and this morning it was covered with little white bugs. They were also on the straps of a bag that we left out on the porch, but nowhere else. Both things are black. Photo [more inside]
posted by amandabee to Science & Nature at 4:37 PM - 2 answers

We currently have 3 Android phones on Google Fi and want to have 3 iPhones on Xfinity wireless. What's the best way to go about this while limiting any interruptions? Also, one of us lives in a different state. [more inside]
posted by drgonzo2k2 to Technology at 4:14 PM - 7 answers

A friend of mine is looking for books that provide a pure dungeon crawl a la D&D campaign or Diablo, with a focus on the protagonist or party actually navigating the dungeon, monsters, traps, etc. It's surprisingly hard to find such a thing! Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by BlackLeotardFront to Media & Arts at 3:53 PM - 11 answers

Which smart lock should we get for a small office? Ideally, one that doesn't need an app to create codes. [more inside]
posted by ssg to Home & Garden at 3:34 PM - 2 answers

Homeless couple in Superior WI, trying to decide between staying in Superior or moving to Duluth. Wondering about pros/cons. [more inside]
posted by sock puppy to Grab Bag at 3:29 PM - 4 answers

I'll need to see a doctor if this doesn't go away in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, I'm wondering if I can do anything about the pain. Can you help me figure out what this is and what might help? [more inside]
posted by toucan to Health & Fitness at 3:21 PM - 5 answers

I did read some previous questions about this but...I would love help finding a new backpack. [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 to Shopping at 2:18 PM - 3 answers

US American with reactive senior dog considering move to a European (most likely Nordic) city. What do I need to know about dog culture to prepare? [more inside]
posted by mosst to Pets & Animals at 1:38 PM - 5 answers

How can I translate my hearing test results to a music player's graphic equalizer so that I can boost certain frequencies to match how a recorded music track is meant to sound? [more inside]
posted by umbú to Health & Fitness at 1:22 PM - 6 answers

For some years I’ve been traveling with large, heavy Sennheiser over ears headphones with good active noise cancellation during long plane flights. But the size is, well, not terrific for an upcoming multi-city itinerary. I also own Beats Fit Pro buds that have ANC, which will work much better as long as the ANC works well. From your experience, will they?
posted by billsaysthis to Technology at 1:08 PM - 4 answers

Looking for some online exercising. Can you share your favorite, what the class does, and why you like it? I need to get active to compensate for the hours hunched over the keyboard. (Can be on-demand or video)
posted by storybored to Health & Fitness at 1:00 PM - 9 answers

I got cream coloured jeans at a steep discount due to a brown stain from the metal zipper. How can I remove the stain? There are many competing remedies online (Baking soda! Vinegar! Salt! Wishes and dreams!) so I’d like to hear from people who have personally succeeded, or chemistry types who can explain with science. Thanks!
posted by nouvelle-personne to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 12:17 PM - 4 answers

What specifically could be causing new heavy "clunk" in transmission, trouble with dashboard notifiers, and other problems after we paid for major repairs? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano to Grab Bag at 11:32 AM - 7 answers

Please help me be a nice person but not bankrupt myself.... [more inside]
posted by tristeza to Work & Money at 11:22 AM - 18 answers

I'm using Pi-hole to do ad filtering on my home network. It generally works well, but it's had the unfortunate side-effect of disabling a lot of links I get via email messages. How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted by akk2014 to Technology at 10:00 AM - 14 answers

I'm currently starting on lyrics for a song about unresolved matters and how annoying they can be. What can you tell me about your experience with this? [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri to Media & Arts at 9:05 AM - 8 answers

I recently rewatched Fitzcarraldo (and the related doc Burden of Dreams) and it got me wondering-- what other films (fiction and documentary) are about "going up river"? [more inside]
posted by gwint to Media & Arts at 8:37 AM - 30 answers

I'm getting ready to take a long career break to recover from burnout, improve my physical and mental health, and work toward a career shift. At the same time, my mother's health and financial situation are declining; whether or not she can continue to live on her own is seriously in question. This isn't a question about all the ways I could help her. She's a bottomless pit. This is a question about how to decide what my obligations are (ethically and perhaps legally) so that I can protect my own resources and not be derailed from my own goals. [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Human Relations at 7:59 AM - 10 answers

I bumped into a quote this morning: Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgment of the facts of a situation. Then deciding what you're going to do about it. --- Kathleen Casey Theisen The quote says what I believe, but better, so I was curious about the author but all I can find is that quote and one other and that she's listed as "American author" in some places and "American sociologist" in others. I also found what may be her wedding announcement in a 1960 Minneapolis newspaper. [more inside]
posted by Awfki to Society & Culture at 6:00 AM - 7 answers