Tried a new way to break down a hog shoulder after talking to a guy at the Des Moines meat show.

He said to leave the skin on during the initial split, said it keeps the meat tighter. I tried it on six shoulders last week. The yield was better, but the clean up took longer. Anyone else try this method?

My grandma's 'secret' in her prune cake was just a jar of baby food

Everyone in my family swore it was a special spice blend, but I found her 1972 recipe card that just says 'one jar of plum baby food' in the batter. It explains why my aunt's 'authentic' version always tastes like sawdust. Did anyone else's relatives hide weird shortcuts in their 'famous' recipes?

Finally got the hang of fishing that 22/4 wire through a finished wall in a 1920s bungalow

I used to cut huge holes and patch for an hour, but after watching an old-timer in Cincinnati use a flex bit and a magnet, I can do it with one small access point now. Anyone have a better trick for dealing with plaster and lath?

Heard a guy at the supply yard say he never uses a magnesium float anymore

He was buying a bunch of aluminum ones and told his buddy 'the mag just grabs too much on a hot day, makes it hard to keep it moving.' I've always used a mag float for my first pass, so that got me thinking about different mixes and weather. What's your go-to first float for a standard 4000 psi slab in warm weather?

Question about a weird root flare I saw in a Denver park last week

I was walking through Cheesman Park last Tuesday and saw a mature oak with what looked like a normal root flare, but the soil was mounded up about 8 inches around the trunk. When I poked at it, I found a solid ring of mulch and dirt covering the actual flare. The tree had been planted about 3 years ago and someone just kept piling on material every season. How do you guys handle correcting this when you find it on a public job?

Spent four hours chasing a phantom door lock fault at the Grandview apartments

The call was for a door not closing, but the lock kept showing a fault code that made no sense. I checked every sensor and wire from the cab to the machine room, twice. Turns out a tiny piece of broken plastic from a tenant's moving box was wedged in the sill, just enough to trick the system. Ever have a simple job turn into a half-day puzzle because of something silly like that?

Appreciation post: When a client mimed their dream haircut

I started using a style book so clients can point to what they like. It saves time and avoids confusion.

The take from door sales is shrinking. If you're on the bill, you might see it in your pay.

I almost caused a serious injury by not checking keg shoes properly

Take the extra minute to examine every shoe before you set it to avoid costly mistakes.