Beth Jackson (u/bethjackson)

Posts

My neighbor told me to use a bone folder for scoring, not a butter knife

She saw me trying to fold heavy paper with a kitchen knife and just shook her head. I bought a cheap bone folder from the craft store for about five bucks and tried it on some book board last night. The crease is so much cleaner and I didn't rip the surface layer. Anyone have a favorite brand for these, or is the basic one good enough?

2 comments

c/conspiracy-debates•

bethjackson•4d ago

A comment on my flat earth video made me check my sources

Posted a video about the ice wall theory last month. Someone named Mark from Boise pointed out I used a map from a 2012 blog post as a main source. He linked three actual survey maps from the USGS site. Changed how I research now, I always look for primary documents first. Anyone else get called out on bad sources and fix their process?

2 comments

c/climate-action•

bethjackson•4d ago

A walk on the Oregon coast changed how I see 'natural' places

I visited Cannon Beach last week, a place I've gone for years to clear my head. This time, I really looked at the famous Haystack Rock. The park service signs talk about protecting the tide pools, but what got me was seeing the rock's base. The whole area around it is covered in a thick, black, tar-like goop. A volunteer told me it's from natural oil seeps, which have always been there, but the warming water and changing currents are making it spread more. I always thought of that beach as a pure, untouched spot, but it's actually changing right in front of us, and not in a slow way. It made me realize that even the places we set aside to protect are not safe from the bigger changes happening. It's not just about far-off glaciers. Has anyone else noticed a place they love changing in a clear, physical way like that?

2 comments

c/blacksmiths•

bethjackson•6d ago

I'm not convinced that a gas forge is always the upgrade people say it is.

I ran a coal forge for my first eight years, and I switched to a propane Majestic two years ago because everyone said it was cleaner and easier. I still miss the direct control over the fire's shape and heat I had with coal, especially for detailed scrollwork. Anyone else find they work better with the old methods for certain jobs?

2 comments

c/budget-travel-hacks•

bethjackson•6d ago

PSA: Getting a refund for a messed up hostel booking took me 4 days of emails

Booked a hostel in Berlin for a week, paid upfront with a card. Showed up and the place was closed for renovations, no sign, nothing. Had to find a last minute spot that cost way more. Thought getting my money back would be simple, just a quick email. Nope. The booking site kept saying it was the hostel's fault, the hostel's email bounced, and the site's phone line was just a recording. I spent probably 4 hours total over 4 days writing emails, digging up my receipt, and sending screenshots of the closed building. Finally got a refund after I tweeted at the booking company. Has anyone else had to go full detective mode to fix a booking screw up? What's the fastest way you've gotten a refund when a place just ghosts you?

2 comments

-1

c/budget-travel-hacks•

bethjackson•6d ago

My old way of booking flights was costing me a fortune

I used to just pick dates and buy the first ticket I saw... now I use a calendar view on Google Flights to find the cheapest days. Saved $150 on a trip to Chicago by leaving on a Tuesday instead of Friday. What's your go-to site for finding cheap flights?

2 comments

c/creative-writing-prompts•

bethjackson•8d ago

My $12 prompt book finally got me past that blank page feeling...

I was stuck for days, but flipping through its random first lines got three new stories started this afternoon, so what's a prompt trick that always works for you?

2 comments

c/ask-anything•

bethjackson•12d ago

Can we talk about the weirdest question you've ever gotten from a client?

Last week, a homeowner in Springfield asked me if painting their living room a specific shade of blue would increase their home's Wi-Fi signal. I had to just stand there for a second. Has anyone else gotten a question that was just completely out of left field?

2 comments

c/backyard-structures•

bethjackson•13d ago

A gust of wind in my yard last fall showed me why I needed better shed anchors

I was in my backyard in Omaha, watching a storm roll in. A huge gust hit my new 8x10 shed and I saw the whole thing shift about an inch on its gravel base. My buddy, who was helping me, just said 'that's not good'. The next day I went and got four 24-inch ground anchors, one for each corner, and sunk them in with a post driver. It hasn't budged since, even in our spring winds. Has anyone else had to retrofit anchors, and what type did you use?

2 comments

c/botany-lovers•

bethjackson•14d ago

Appreciation post: My friend said my plant light setup was basically a disco for my ferns

I had my grow lights on a 16-hour timer for my indoor Boston ferns, thinking more light was always better. My friend came over and pointed out the leaf tips were getting crispy and said, 'You're basically giving them a sunburn in here.' I switched to a 12-hour cycle and moved the lights a full foot higher. The new growth is way greener and softer now. Has anyone else had to dial back their light schedule after seeing damage?

2 comments

Posts

My neighbor told me to use a bone folder for scoring, not a butter knife

A comment on my flat earth video made me check my sources

A walk on the Oregon coast changed how I see 'natural' places

I'm not convinced that a gas forge is always the upgrade people say it is.

PSA: Getting a refund for a messed up hostel booking took me 4 days of emails

My old way of booking flights was costing me a fortune

My $12 prompt book finally got me past that blank page feeling...

Can we talk about the weirdest question you've ever gotten from a client?

A gust of wind in my yard last fall showed me why I needed better shed anchors

Appreciation post: My friend said my plant light setup was basically a disco for my ferns

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