Ask MetaFilter

The recent PNW bomb cyclone knocked two large limbs of a tall tree into our driveway. Amazingly, neither of our cars were damaged; one limb fell between the cars, the other was still barely attached to the tree suspended over the front of one of the cars. Also amazingly, a contractor, doing construction across our street, without our asking said he'd "like to play with his chainsaw" and offered to cut up the limbs for no cost. We now have a manageable pile of debris in our driveway. What sort of gift would you suggest for him? [more inside]
posted by ShooBoo to Human Relations at 3:37 PM - 7 answers

I've been in physical hell for a couple years after much milder issues for about 5. Doctors sort of shug and suggest maybe Fibromyalgia despite saying a lot of my symptoms don't line up, do yoga, keep moving, try this diet or that. I went gluten free, anti-inflammatory , etc. Doctors aren't concerned but I am concerned it could be something bigger and want to rule it out. Where can I get a private pay test for the cheapest? [more inside]
posted by ReluctantViking to Health & Fitness at 1:54 PM - 11 answers

Today I found a guy in the street opposite my apartment. He was in like a prayer position, with his knees in the street against the kerb and his torso held up by his elbows on the sidewalk. He had two bags of groceries which he'd dropped and looked out cold/ nodded out. I called local non-emergency police and the fire dept came and got him up and moving. I don't know if I should've just tried to do that myself first, or if calling for help was the better option? [more inside]
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness to Grab Bag at 1:38 PM - 9 answers

I've tried various tools found via Googling and none of them are working. [more inside]
posted by Jacqueline to Computers & Internet at 1:07 PM - 2 answers

I want to get a little crafting gift for a college student, and I'm looking for a full kit that includes everything. I love Subversive Cross Stitch, but none of her messages are right for this giftee. Who sells a cute, modern kit that might fit my needs? Doesn't need to be cross stitch; could be another type of stitching, but overall needs to be something you can do by hand in a dorm room.
posted by BlahLaLa to Shopping at 12:33 PM - 11 answers

(Asking anonymously because people I care about don't yet know about my plan) I'm going to be splitting with my spouse soon and plan to take about six months in Quebec to heal, plan my next steps, and work on some long-overdue writing projects. I'm a US citizen though, and I'll be there on the automatic tourist entry (up to six months without a visa). I have both (1) health insurance and (2) car insurance in the US. Please help me figure out what insurance I'll be smart to have during the half-year when I'm away. (Details after the jump...) [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Travel & Transportation at 11:37 AM - 2 answers

We've received an insurance company offer for free installation of a Ting sensor to monitor potential arcing or electrical hazard issues on our home wiring. Are there any downsides to accepting this offer? [more inside]
posted by tronec to Technology at 11:35 AM - 10 answers

Hello, it is dreary outside and I want to indulge myself by upgrading my tea time. I have a kettle with temperature control and I have a variety of tea bags from the grocery store and nice mugs that suit me. What's the next stage or two of being a hobbyist tea drinker? Loose leaf tea? A sophisticated brewing technique? Some knowledge to make me appreciate it more? Teach me! Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by matrixclown to Food & Drink at 11:22 AM - 9 answers

I have scenes from two movies, both older science fiction, that have been rattling around my brain forever and I haven't been able to find them, maybe you can help. Details within! [more inside]
posted by mikesch to Media & Arts at 10:18 AM - 8 answers

Personal essays are heavily my thing right now. Have been listening to Best American Essays collections and branching out some from there (Sallie Tisdale's essay about memory and memoir writing got me onto her book about death, though I'm partial to shorter forms, essays over monographs) but I'd love some recommendations for "best of genre." They don't have to be recent, as the ones I've been listening to have. I'm happiest if they're available on audio as I just have lost all power of concentration for eye-reading. Thanks!
posted by less-of-course to Writing & Language at 9:48 AM - 8 answers

Looking for your favorite modern pop/rock hits with swelling horns, kind of like this song. If you have YouTube links, even better!
posted by splitpeasoup to Media & Arts at 8:44 AM - 21 answers

I remember honking into empty boxes of candy when I was a kid. Why did old boxes of candy make good kazoos and modern boxes of candy don't?
posted by dances_with_sneetches to Media & Arts at 8:41 AM - 8 answers

What brands of men's dress shoes are most comfortable for wide, flat feet? Looking for special occasion shoes not everyday work wear. [more inside]
posted by latkes to Shopping at 8:17 AM - 5 answers

Or at least on certain days? Curious what happened, both to your mood and physically. [more inside]
posted by Eyelash to Health & Fitness at 6:36 AM - 18 answers

What technology smartwatches, apps, smart home systems, tools or similar could I set up to help keep my mum safe and comfortable in the early stages of dementia? Difficulty level: She is also visually impaired. More details below. [more inside]
posted by A! to Technology at 6:34 AM - 5 answers

The office White Elephant Gift Exchange is quickly approaching. This year's theme is "Gifts that start with the first letter of your name". My name starts with T, and the max suggested spend is $30. Participants are all quirky, creative adults. All ideas appreciated.
posted by MuChao to Shopping at 5:23 AM - 27 answers

What kind of exercises / videos / books would you propose to help a kid who seems out of sync in terms of non verbal communication and inadvertently gives off intense or defensive vibes to other kids, thus missing genuine opportunities for connection. [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg to Human Relations at 8:42 PM - 25 answers

I'm hosting a small Thanksgiving next week and because everything is a goddamned nightmare all the time, this is legit the first moment I'm thinking about it. So if you had exactly one week to prepare for one overnight (two nights) guest and a small dinner gathering, where would you start and what would you do? I feel a bit stuck and am thinking a little checklist might help me get moving! [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese to Grab Bag at 1:57 PM - 13 answers

We put up a small greenhouse in our backyard as a COVID project but didn't end up getting serious about it till this year. This year we're making a real effort to overwinter some plants and he's really gotten into it with a heating system and remote monitoring. I'd like to make a sign for the greenhouse as a Christmas present for my spouse, who's doing most of the work, but I need a name for it! Amusing is a must. Puns are welcome.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis to Home & Garden at 12:58 PM - 32 answers

I am trying to answer some tough questions for the young people in my life, and myself, and guide them to where the information can be found. [more inside]
posted by racersix6 to Law & Government at 12:27 PM - 21 answers

#giftideasfilter - What are some things that represent the best quality of their category, but in a small enough quantity that the price still comes in under $50(-ish)? [more inside]
posted by serelliya to Shopping at 11:53 AM - 18 answers

Does anyone know of a good NYC chiropractor (or other specialist) who could be effective in treating a pinched nerve. [more inside]
posted by Liquidwolf to Health & Fitness at 9:44 AM - 10 answers

This seems silly, because doesn't one just....make a leafy green salad? But I'm making one for a crowd and my salad preferences are not universal. [more inside]
posted by Frowner to Food & Drink at 8:47 AM - 34 answers

Found in the depths of my closet is this Strand bookstore shoulder bag purchased 14 years ago. I want to make it my main bag for everyday, but I need a lil help making it less uncomfortable to use. [more inside]
posted by Kitteh to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 8:17 AM - 9 answers

I’ve recently been told by different people that for careers as diverse and seemingly not… self-promotey as ESL teacher and dietitian, in order to be competitive and succeed you need an “online presence” and a “personal brand “. Please tell me this isn’t true. [more inside]
posted by wheatlets to Work & Money at 8:03 AM - 17 answers

I have recently lost a chunk of weight, and my engagement and wedding rings are now too large. I'm terrified of losing them (this question promoted by them falling off as I was folding laundry!) but I also really want to be able to continue wearing them daily, preferably still as rings. How do I that, without getting them resized? [more inside]
posted by In Your Shell Like to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 7:31 AM - 10 answers

Every time I see a character using the scary shiny glasses trope, I spend a while wracking my brain for where I first saw it. When I was a kid (so probably between ~1997-2005 somewhere), I remember reading a 1-2 page comic in the back of some sort of magazine - either something we subscribed to, or something that was omnipresent in dentist waiting rooms and that sort of thing. Hoping someone can help me remember what it was! [more inside]
posted by sagc to Media & Arts at 6:53 AM - 4 answers

What are good businesses to support, for reasons beyond their products or services, such as for good practices in: [more inside]
posted by NotLost to Shopping at 6:10 AM - 20 answers

Hello, looking for Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, whole beans, FAIR TRADE or similar ethical certification. Not a subscription. Where do you recommend probably online in the UK please?
posted by runincircles to Food & Drink at 2:13 AM - 5 answers

I've come into possession of quite a lot of tinned, smoked, skinless, boneless trout fillets. Now what do I do with them? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu to Food & Drink at 9:49 PM - 20 answers

So I was reading a book about Marines in Vietnam, and how on some missions dogs were sent out with the Marines to warn of other people, even approximately how many other people. Silence was imperative. Well, these were German Shepards, a pretty basic breed, smart as hell yes but common. Maybe my question is not if dogs can be trained for silence but how.
posted by dancestoblue to Pets & Animals at 8:08 PM - 13 answers

I'm trying to identify the name of an American mail order catalog from the 1990s that sold primarily tchotchkes, personalized clothing, and as-seen-on-TV items. [more inside]
posted by fizzix to Shopping at 6:55 PM - 11 answers

I remember reading a story in an anthology for children (maybe middle schoolers?) and it has bugged me for decades. No, it's not about the one day a year the sun comes out. It's something about how all students have to be equal, and that means smarter students have to wear headphones playing loud noises; there are similar impediments for children with good eyesight, I think, and other abilities. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library to Education at 6:17 PM - 10 answers

Need a recommendation for a practical book on how to divorce one's life from the internet and be more "of the world". [more inside]
posted by RoseyPosey to Computers & Internet at 5:03 PM - 9 answers

Have you personally found wheelchair gloves that aren't a sensory nightmare? Looking for recommendations. [more inside]
posted by moira to Health & Fitness at 2:39 PM - 4 answers

Can you help me build a weekly shopping list of food that tastes good but is also good for me, i.e. not too high in carbs or sodium? I'm not looking for recipes, but for ingredients that I can combine OR that taste good on their own. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser to Food & Drink at 11:24 AM - 23 answers

Trying to remember a book where cats teach a girl to walk through walls-- it is NOT "The Cat Who Walked Through Walls" but of course that's all that comes up when I query about books with cats walking through walls. Help? [more inside]
posted by The otter lady to Writing & Language at 10:37 AM - 2 answers

It's time to move on from my current job, but I am 61, and after 30 years in IT support I need to find something else to do. Flat-out retirement has to wait a few more years. I don't really have good idea of what I might like to do, or what I might reasonably be qualified to do, or what employers will even consider from someone like me. My wife's job is the better-paid one with excellent benefits, and we aren't up to our ears in debt, so there's not too much pressure to find something to match my current salary. I just want to do something I might actually enjoy and won't invite a lot of stress and can make last for the next five years or so. Help me brainstorm this.
posted by briank to Work & Money at 8:37 AM - 15 answers

I feel like all of my past job searches have been dependent on necessity and almost always during an economic crisis or pending hiring downturn. How does one switch from looking haphazardly and taking the first job to having a career built on experience and expertise? [more inside]
posted by Skwirl to Work & Money at 8:33 AM - 4 answers

I have a 50ft run of THWN wiring that I want to check for continuity while it's still in an unpowered state; can I do this given the usual selection of batteries and a multimeter? [more inside]
posted by aramaic to Home & Garden at 8:31 AM - 9 answers

A few years ago, I asked for the best way to summarize everything that happened in baseball the last night and got a great answer. But for other sports I follow—primarily soccer and basketball—I want more video highlights so I can see cool plays breakout without watching 15 minute summaries of each game or seeking them out one-by-one. Is anyone still doing 20-30 minute highlight shows that cover the action of a whole league or sport? [more inside]
posted by thecaddy to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation at 7:03 AM - 3 answers

My father and his large cat have recently moved in with me my wife and our 12 pound dog. Luckily his cat and our dog get along but we haven't figured out a solution to allow the cat to have free range of the house while not allowing my dog into my dad's bedroom where the cat's food and litter are. The cat is a grazer and the dog will vacuum up the food at any chance. Anybody have any tried and true suggestions? [more inside]
posted by lips to Pets & Animals at 6:52 AM - 26 answers

I'm new to taking an SNRI and I'm feeling great, but I also feel like I need to get over the final "hump" of taking better care of myself. Do I need to consider increasing my dosage or am I actually just a bit lazy? [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness at 4:12 AM - 18 answers

I'm looking for a nonfiction biography or history book that covers the life of Gracia Mendes Nasi, also known as Beatriz or Beatrice de Luna Miques, a Portuguese Jewish philanthropist and businesswoman in the sixteenth century. [more inside]
posted by gentlyepigrams to Society & Culture at 10:44 PM - 2 answers

Looking for cookbooks/recipies that Michael Pollan would approve of for someone who absolutely hates cooking and has no time. [more inside]
posted by LongDrive to Food & Drink at 10:19 PM - 28 answers

Husband loves history and geography. Also loves gadgets that make life better. [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg to Shopping at 9:44 PM - 15 answers

How do I keep my room cool overnight when it is cold out? I need my room 64-66 degrees Fahrenheit to sleep. I use a in/out air exchanging window fan to cool my bedroom before going to bed, but I can’t keep it in overnight because the streetlights shine in too much. We have central heat on to 65 (thermostat downstairs), but I have the vent closed with a towel in it. [more inside]
posted by catquas to Home & Garden at 6:22 PM - 17 answers

If I buy an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S24 in Canada as a gift for someone in eastern Europe, will they have difficulty with SIM cards and/or carriers there? I have read that this is sometimes an issue with Samsung Galaxy, as there is some kind of regionality to them - though this may apply to older models only. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine to Technology at 5:11 PM - 4 answers

E.g. “clown”, “chump”. TIA
posted by cotton dress sock to Writing & Language at 5:05 PM - 49 answers

I remember this old paperback c. 1990 in my old used bookstore where Greek or Roman voyagers end up in America and meet the Mayans. It was some type of old DAW paperback from the 1970s, or something like that. Does this ring any bells? [more inside]
posted by suburbanbeatnik to Writing & Language at 5:03 PM - 3 answers

I have to pack / discard stuff ready for the movers in 3 weeks. I don't know where to start and what to pack first, what to leave till last. Does anyone have a home-packing strategy for moves? I'm after a 'do this first, then this, then that, then 4 days out do this' kind of plan. I have the movers, cleaners and rental agent all organized. I'm the weakest link. Can you help me get my head around it? [more inside]
posted by Thella to Home & Garden at 4:48 PM - 7 answers

My house came with a well water pump connected to outside spigot. It worked well for a few years, but now does not turn on after I use the water. However, after I use the water that does come out of the hose until it is gone and then wait about 30 minutes, the pump then kicks on until it stops by itself (when it is full?). What could be causing this? (Online research says possibly a bad switch?)
posted by roaring beast to Home & Garden at 1:54 PM - 7 answers

My parent's are aging in place in their home. We turned a back room into their bedroom so that they can live on one floor. There is a door in the bedroom that opens onto a backyard deck. Looking for ideas on having a ramp built [more inside]
posted by Sophont to Home & Garden at 12:48 PM - 14 answers

I have a patch of wall in my condo where I'd like to have some closed storage, about the size of a medicine cabinet. However, this spot also contains a pocket door, so I can't put anything in the wall that sticks too far into the drywall - small, short plastic drywall anchors are fine, but anything longer/sturdier will block the door from sliding into the cavity in the wall. Of course there is no stud in the vicinity either. What kind of lightweight storage can I put in that can hold some small items, and has a closed front? [more inside]
posted by btfreek to Home & Garden at 12:38 PM - 3 answers

I would like recommendations for your favourite film comedies! [more inside]
posted by Ashwagandha to Media & Arts at 12:30 PM - 65 answers

my best friend sent everyone an unexpected bill after her husband's birthday party she planned. Everyone hates it. [more inside]
posted by euphoria066 to Human Relations at 12:28 PM - 35 answers

I am aware of the idea of "experience" gifts but I also need to give multiple children in the 7 to 9 age range physical gifts. [more inside]
posted by vunder to Shopping at 11:54 AM - 15 answers

Know of anyone (company, individual) who assembles and installs IKEA cabinetry/countertops in Seattle (other than thru IKEA)? Leads appreciated, thanks!
posted by tristeza to Home & Garden at 11:37 AM - 4 answers

Several years ago, on a long-borked laptop, I downloaded a wonderful Edwardian ghost story collection by a woman writer...who was she? What was this collection? Also seeking obscure ghost story collection recommendations, with caveats. [more inside]
posted by Frowner to Media & Arts at 11:35 AM - 10 answers

i realized that i have big gaps in my political education/understanding of systems or histories or revolutionary/radical ideology. i prefer narrative to theory. what should i read/listen to/watch to get a better sense of political systems now and through history? [more inside]
posted by lightgray to Education at 11:19 AM - 9 answers