Trish Magpie

I got a used Briel Artemis es42 from a friend, but it has no manual. I am unsure how to use the machine. My friend didn't know.

I understand from my last espresso machine, the apparatus type filter should be unscrewed and cleaned. I can't unscrew it because the slot is too worn out and stuck now.

Any advice would be appreciated. I hate to waste something potentially useful and it appears to be a fine machine.

I bought a scooter, a Scarabeo 100. It was delivered yesterday. I don't know how to drive a scooter, but am excited to learn. I am aware that cars making left turns are wicked dangerous. Do you know any tips on how to deal with that?

I want to buy a scooter but may need to park it outside where kids could find it. Can you think of a way to keep the thing from falling over?

I want to buy a scooter but may need to park it outside where kids could find it. Can you think of a way to keep the thing from falling over?

Even with gloves my skin is sensitive to much scrubbing. Is Easy Off a solution for baked on singe with pans? Using steel wool ATM

Since all the ice along certain latitudes is melting would the underlying plates rise? Sounds dangerous.

I went into the bathroom to wash my hands and saw Athena the cat hunched on the seat in a squat. Curiously I peeked and saw, yes, she was peeing into the toilet. That was unbearably cute, but I've had my suspicions in the past seeing what seemed to be her using the toilet, but I never had proof. I feel really guilty now because I put the cover down. I've sat in moisture before (ick) and think it is the cat. Still I feel like if she is that smart she should use it. Guess I could use habitually use wipes, arg.

I want to buy an XP computer online (a second hobby computer). I plan to run Morrowind modded under XP and was wondering if anyone could offer particular suggestions. I would like decent VRAM and perhaps need to upgrade to a new graphics card, but if I were to buy the wrong computer I would not be able to upgrade. Can anyone help please?

I fried a plantain yesterday and had two more plantain ripe so just left the pan out and added more oil today. I'd love to just put the peanut oil in a can and save it for plantains but really don't know if I can save (peanut) oil.

I drove my 2003 Sorento through deep sand and sea rocks. Rocks and sand got into the brakes or wheels. My friend got the rocks out but now a mechanic is looking at squealing in the wheels. The 2003 Sorento fell flat into deep ruts of rocky sand. It never paused and can climb easily out. I never had an off road vehicle before, but with the Kia I can run my family to a sea side camp fire (in this day and age). How do I deal with bad sand in the wheels? Is this normal?

Some people seem to think earth's tilt has changed:

Guy in Dallas sees direct sun in northern windows.

Guy in Greenland says sun's return is two days early.

I've heard it may have to do with the earthquake in Japan or loss of glacial weight in Antarctica.

Oddly we did not get hardly a hard ground freeze this winter in Massachusettes, curious.

I have an old XP computer with no discs and the restore OS on D drive. Is it possible to do anything to upgrade the processor and still keep the operating system?

I suppose there are better ways to run legacy software, (buy Windows 7 virtual OS and such). I do keep XP around as an asset in case of a change of creative venue, or simply would keep XP around out of respect for things past, and so have been thinking about this question.

I have two new babies, they are young but trained and able to eat kitten chow. They seem to scratch a lot.

My beloved cat recently died, and I did a deep spring clean afterwards since I wanted a new companion and a clean environment for him or her. The kittens came from a house with many, many cats and four dogs.I have not seen any fleas and personally have no bites.

I assume they scratch because they are growing but they scratch often. Does anyone know why?

Anyone like a brand or feature of washers or dryers? I have never purchased them, but I have bought things with lots of features I didn't use. I don't know how lasting the new ones are, since they seem to have LEDs and such which makes me think, I just want agitation in a washer. Am I missing something?

I suppose lots of dry cycles would be work for things I would ordinarily not put in a dryer. To me just tumbling clothing is a bit of extra wear, so if I had a very plain washer and dryer that lasted me I would be happy. I need to spend around $1000.

I've had this sculpture forever but never finished it (not a painter). Just curious about your opinions

http://home.comcast.net/~elegans/pwpimages/turtle....

I am limited to how much sanding I can do because of dermatitis. I had thought to finish this turtle and tack down any aged newspaper with a paste. Can I put white glue in there? I have lots of that, though I don't know if it matters. I wonder what colors I should paint the parts of it?

I created a papier mache sea turtle before the millenia. It is about a foot high at the shell and and arm's breadth across the fins. I painted it with gesso, and redid over that. There is paint on the underside. I have a lot of affection for the turtle and never felt up to painting it. Years it spent in the basement (fairly dry) and when I moved to an apartment it was a last thing I brought. The sea turtle is home under my dining room table, and among the overflow of houseplants.

http://home.comcast.net/~elegans/pwpimages/turtle....

I have little money, and have a cat that I took in on the request of the ASPCA. I am concerned with purchasing my own food, so please bare that in mind.

For sanitation, my previously outdoor cat shares a bathroom space. She will stand center in her box and often poops on the sides and tiles. My bottle of Tilex is running low. Is there an easier way?

I noticed she twice had a little blood in her poop. If I were to sacrifice to bring her to a Vet I could not afford much treatment. She seems to have no pain, and is a happy and content cat. What could be going on with that?

Before she was abandoned she must have been raised on dry cereal, as she chooses that over other food she has been offered. She wont eat tuna or chicken when I occasionally offered her those. She did lap at puddles when she was outside, and those days are over. I add water to the dry cereal that is left. She wont eat the moist cereal, but loves the juice. What food should I feed her?