ypsi~dixit

Baking soda is really good if you need something abrasive for a stain or something. You can just make it into a paste. Since I am not an especially good cook and often burn things onto pans, I use this a lot.

I use Dr Bronners soaps for a LOT of things although I dont use it for dish soap (that's a new one). I sometimes use it for laundry. It just takes a cap full per load. I guess that I mostly use it for cleaning surfaces. I have found that it is pretty good at cleaning skunk odor off of dogs. I use murphy's oil soap on the wood floors although I have used Dr Bronners in a pinch if I was out of the murphy's.

File this under the category of a brush with minor celebrity twice-removed. Back in the early 90's I was teaching English in Xi'an, China and ran into this other American who was working on the opposite side of the city and he said his name was Scott Bronner. "You mean like the soap?" I asked. He replied, "Yeah, that's my granddad." And the subsequent conversation confirmed that, in fact, he was Dr. Bronner's grandson. He wrote a poem called "The Chicken's Last Ride" inspired by the live chickens people would transport home from the market suspended upside-down from the top tube of their bicycles. I'd post it here, but that bit of verse is lost to the world now, I think. My copy didn't survive the multiple moves I've made since, and when I contacted Scott, he couldn't locate it either.

Anyway, that soap sure gets stuff clean, huh?

bronner's is great...and reading the bottle is a hoot too...dilute dilute it's ok...

i use it as shampoo frequently....the oily nature keeps the frizz factor down...i had a friend try it as toothpaste once and he would not suggest that...

lemon juice works well as a bleaching agent...i sometimes will rub the inside of a lemon around my kitchen sink after i've juiced it and it helps some...

but i agree with laura, living with dirt is a good thing...as is waking up with dog tail in my face and ...i revel in both....

Maybe the full moon makes us exaggerate our emotions, or maybe our emotions are just 10 times more passionate under its influence. Either way, the themes of this full moon are responsibility, social standing and what will the neighbors think? Action that is intended to not only fulfill an obligation, but to look fantastic doing it will have special luck.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Self-expression liberates you. You'll have a chance to own up to the good or the bad. Either way, if it's yours, claiming it is lucky. Tonight, an intimate discussion with friends reveals that you're profoundly normal.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Options you hadn't considered are fun to toy with on dreamy days like today. For instance, should you move to a foreign country? Buy an exotic pet? Date someone truly eccentric? No, no and no, but imagining is a blast.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). As a rule, you're not big on saving money, but saving a little here and there is better than saving nothing at all. Now, you'll have extra coins to throw into the travel kitty (or home improvement kitty, or party kitty...).

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You sparkle and shine on the career front as your projects take off at a dynamic pace. Even though you're in the thick of it now, start planning your break. Travel will improve your productivity in the long run.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're a benefactor. Helping others is even more pleasurable than usual because they'll be asking for something you can give with very little effort -- and it means so much to them.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Relationships have potential to become closer and more loving today. It's so relaxing to be surrounded by those who genuinely care. By tonight, heavy feelings have magically lifted.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Invite abundance by getting rid of what you no longer use. If you shop, save receipts and get warranties -- you're easily seduced by appearances but could feel differently about your new product next week.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Psychic currents are strong. Though your instinct is correct, powers that be will want evidence to back it up, but don't let it deter you. Helping someone develop their interests is the best thing you can do for yours.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your emphasis on process over results makes you fun to be with and learn from. A child or student blossoms under your tutelage, encouragement and attention. A Pisces is especially responsive.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Relationships are really quite simple if you approach them as such. Your romantic mistakes are forgiven. Loved ones' faults seem so much more maddening than yours, but you're better off to forgive, too.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're asked to continue waiting. Though it's not in your plan, it's part of a very good plan. Trust that your life is on track. This is an opportunity to keep learning about the amazingly unique individual you are.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Change is the natural state of things in your life now. Through your example, you're once again showing others how to "roll with it." Paying for travel and fun gets expensive. You may even consider selling something.

See, nontoxic cleaning tips, which I have Googled in the past, would have come up with Ypsi-dixit. Weird. See I have these this cool link in my favorites, from MSU: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod02/01500631.html on cleaning alternatives. Everything from hair spray to floor cleaning to laundry alternatives on this list.

Thank you, kind Porch and Floor, for your ever-helpful guidance. Virgo is right on.

HD: That is absolutely delightful and hilarious! So, wow, I now feel like *I've* met old Doc Bronner--by two degrees of seperation. Sheesh. Small world.

I absolutely want to read "The Chicken's Last Ride." Google can't find it, phooey.

Brian: I've used it as a shampoo, too. Just a dab'll do ya. Love that lavendar aroma!

I like the lemon idea--thanks! Didn't know it could be used as a bleach; that is good info.

Living with dirt is a good thing. :)

That is a great list, Lisa; thanks!

Laura wrote: "I absolutely want to read 'The Chicken's Last Ride.' Google can't find it, phooey."

Not TCLR, but this bit from Google's cached pages might tide you over for a bit.

That tided me over for a bit. Thanks, Homeless Dave!

Okay, Laura, I figure I wouldn't be doing Scott Bronner any favors by posting his email here, I did manage to find it in my archives, so I've sent you Scott Bronner's email address to your ypsidixit Gmail account in case you want to appeal to him directly.

Apropos of Gmail and guys named Scott, the one with last name Schnaars, who was the guy behind the GEvil spoof of Gmail, finally executed on my request to create a CafePress thong, which is now available here: http://www.cafepress.com/gevilthings.64964550

The lesson I take from this is something like: Be careful what you ask for. I wonder if Dr. Bronner's soap will leave the GEvil logo intact.

HD: Heh. I've already emailed the Bronner people. But thank you for sending SB's info! I'll pester him, too. :)