An overview of using plastic KAM snaps as a closure for cloth menstrual pads. Snaps for Cloth Pads An overview of using plastic KAM snaps as a closure for cloth menstrual pads. Snaps, buttons or velcro are used to hold the wings of the pad together. In a pinch, you can also use a safety pin. Size 20 KAM snaps are the most common closure for cloth pads. Size 16 KAM snaps are also a great choice because they are easier to unsnap and don’t put as much stress on the wing fabric. Snap Pliers To set the the snaps, you need to get a press. Most people use handheld pliers. You can also get a tabletop press, that offers more leverage with it's long handle. Die Parts There's usually a little plastic piece that you change, depending on which snap part you are setting. It holds the snap in place, so it's aligned perfectly before setting. Where to get snaps Plastic KAM s naps are a very popular closure option for the wings of your cloth pad. This is the brand used by cloth diaper makers, which requires strict regulations for safety. Here's a video about using plastic snaps. Corky Lorenz February 5, 2026

Crested geckos reach an average length of about 8 inches from head to tail, with some adults growing up to 9 or 10 inches. Their body alone, without the tail, measures around 4 to 5 inches, about palm size. Juveniles start much smaller and grow steadily through their first year, reaching full adult size between 12 and 18 months. How big do crested geckos get? Adult crested geckos usually grow to about 8 inches long from head to tail, though some reach up to 9 or 10 inches. Their body without the tail is roughly 4 to 5 inches, about the size of an adult’s hand. Over the past two years, I’ve gone to several reptile expos, including the Tinley Park Reptile Expo three times, and the Goshen Reptile Expo . Crested geckos are a very common reptile to see at these events, and vendors who bring them will often get one out to show people or have them sitting on a perch just hanging out. They’re so chill that they don’t try to take off or escape. In all of these instances, the geckos I’ve seen are usually palm-sized. When they still have their tail, it can extend past an average man’s hand, but their head and body fit comfortably within an adult’s palm. The gecko in the first image was a young one, probably a juvenile, seen at the Tinley Park Reptile Expo. Corky Lorenz November 10, 2025

Join the Christmas Posada 2025 at the Tolson Center in Elkhart. Free entry, live music, piñatas, food, drinks, gifts for children, and family activities. December 19, 4–9 PM. Christmas Posada 2025 A free community Christmas Posada celebrating unity, culture, and the holiday season at the Tolson Center. Location Tolson Center (Centro Tolson) 1320 Benham Ave, Elkhart, IN Date + Time Thursday, December 19, 2025 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Admission No tickets required. Open to the public. Christmas Posada 2025 is organized by Elkhart 05 De Mayo y Otros Eventos and made possible through extensive community coordination and outreach. Here's the link to the official Facebook event post. Related Events This event is organized by the same team as the Cinco de Mayo Celebration that happens in downtown, Elkhart. Corky Lorenz December 20, 2025

Historic images of the Carl D. Greenleaf home. The Ravenscrofts were the last residing family before it's tear down, by the new owners, around 1989. 1415 Greenleaf Blvd, Elkhart, Indiana Originally considered to be the home of Carl D. Greenleaf. The Ravenscrofts were the last residing family before it's tear down, by the new owners, around 1988. Originally built in 1917, and 9,000 square feet, with 3 floors. It was referred to as the "Carl D. Greenleaf" home. The address was 1415 Greenleaf Blvd, Elkhart, IN. Included in the album below: The black & white photo published by The Elkhart Truth after tear down Likely the last photos taken of the home, in color. Exterior views of the front, back, yard, and St. Joseph river. Corky Lorenz December 29, 2025

Learn what hognose snakes eat from hatchling to adult. Includes feeding tips for new owners, starting with chicken hearts and pinkies as they grow. What do hognose snakes eat? When they are first hatched, and are very small, they can eat cut chicken hearts. As they get bigger, they transition to eating pinkies. Feed a hognose like most other pet snakes. Hognose snake diet In the wild, hognose snakes can eat toads and amphibians. As pets, hognose snakes are not unique in what they eat. Hognose snakes are unique in the way that they evolved alongside their poisonous meals so that they're not affected the way other snakes might be. As a pet, feed them like you would feed any other common snake. Pinkie mice: newborn mice (usually frozen/thawed). This is the standard feeder for most pet hognoses once they’re big enough. Fuzzy mice: slightly older/larger mice, used as the snake grows; they’re the next step up from pinkies. Chicken hearts or pieces: often used for newly hatched or picky eaters before they transition to rodents. Feeder size The challenge when they are first hatched, is that they are quite small. You can cut up chicken hearts to give them appropriately sized food. They also might be timid without good skills for hunting their meal with confidence. Over time, baby snakes seem to get the hang of your feeding pattern. When they notice the signs of what usually happens before you feed them, they'll start ramping up behaviors that indicate they're ready for a meal. Chicken hearts as feeders You can get chicken hearts from the meat section in grocery stores. This is convenient in a pinch if you run out of frozen feeders. It's also helpful for picky eaters, since they can be more attracted to the scent. Common frozen feeder As they get bigger, you can store frozen pinkies and thaw them when you need to feed your hungry little hisser. You can often find these feeder mice at reptile expose, in person, so that you can actually see the size of them to get a feel for what your snake might be capable of eating. Consider interacting with your hognose with and without food, so they don't just associate your company exclusively with food. They might confuse you for a snack. Young and shy eaters If you have a very young hognose snake, who is shy about eating, it's possible that they might do better if their food is offered to them under hide or in a part of the enclosure where they feel safe. This five month old hognose snake was not aggressive, like the rest of its siblings and took a while to warm up to the idea of eating. But the pinky was left outside the opening of the black hide and after smelling it for about 20 seconds it then ate the meal. Corky Lorenz October 11, 2025

Monthly reptile expo at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center. Next event: December 21 from 10am to 3pm. Admission is $10 for adults with discounts for kids, seniors, and veterans. Location: 2900 Lake St, Kalamazoo MI. Kalamazoo Reptile Expo This is a monthly event occurring most of the year at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center. Vendors bring a wide variety of reptiles and other unique animals, as well as feeders and enclosures. Location The expo is held at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center, located at 2900 Lake St, Kalamazoo MI 49048 . If you are in northern Indiana, you might like to visit the Goshen Reptile Expo . Next planned date The next scheduled expo takes place on December 21 from 10am to 3pm. Admission General admission is $10 for adults. Discounted rates are available for kids, seniors, and veterans. Event overview The Kalamazoo Reptile Expo is a recurring monthly event held at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center. Vendors bring a wide range of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, feeders, and enclosure supplies. The event runs most months of the year and is popular with hobbyists, families, and first-time reptile owners looking to learn more about care or browse available animals. Corky Lorenz December 10, 2025

Shelby green Herbaceous Dharma

Polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya) are non-toxic to cats. Learn why they’re considered safe, what to expect if your cat nibbles on one, and where to check reliable plant toxicity lists for pets. Are polka dot plants toxic to cats? Polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya) are non-toxic to cats, according to verified pet-safety plant lists. A curious cat might nibble on the leaves, but the plant won’t poison them, it’s considered safe. The polka dot plant is Hypoestes phyllostachya, a small tropical houseplant known for its spotted leaves and its world-class ability to act offended if you miss a watering. I didn’t buy this particular one today at Lowe’s, but I’ve had them in the past alongside my two cats, and there were never any toxicity issues. The ASPCA lists this species as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, so if your cat decides to chew on a leaf, the worst consequence is usually just the plant looking even more pathetic than usual. If you want a reliable source for checking pet-safe and pet-toxic plants in general, the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List is the gold standard for cat owners. It’s what most vets, plant hobbyists, and pet forums reference, and it’s the quickest way to confirm whether a houseplant is a threat or just dramatic. And since we’re being honest: even if this plant were toxic, the odds of it lasting long enough to harm anything are slim. Polka dot plants wilt theatrically if you look at them wrong, and if you forget to water it for one day too long, it will go crispier than a fall leaf. Great for color lovers, terrible for commitment minimalists. Corky Lorenz December 7, 2025

Crested geckos can live 5 to 15 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity with proper care. Photos from Critters, Khaos & Creations at the Goshen Reptile Expo show several gecko morphs, enclosures, and supplies for long-term Crested Gecko lifespan support. Crested Gecko Lifespan Crested geckos can live 5 to 15 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in captivity with good care. They do best in environments with stable humidity, low stress, and proper nutrition, which I learned after meeting the vendor Critters, Khaos & Creations. The tail might yeet itself on a random Tuesday, but your crestie will probably live a long time. At the Goshen Reptile Expo, the Critters, Khaos & Creations booth had a wide selection of reptiles and supplies for building enriched enclosures. There were several gecko morphs and color variations on display, each with unique markings and color patterns. As I approached the table with my camera, one of the people tending to guests asked if I wanted to see one of the geckos outside of its container. I said I would be happy to, and she carefully took the gecko out and placed it on top of the light above the display table. The gecko was calm once it got oriented. It didn’t mind being observed closely and gently touched. The vendor answered questions when asked but also gave people space to look around without feeling pressured to talk the entire time. After I got home and looked through my photos, I learned that crested geckos live much longer than many reptiles or insect pets. In the wild, they can live 5 to 15 years. In captivity with ideal conditions, some live up to 20 years. Good care includes consistent humidity, low stress, and a balanced diet with enough protein and limited sugar. Critter Khaos & Creations posts updates about new expo dates on his Facebook account. You might also like to read: Are turtles reptiles? Corky Lorenz November 9, 2025

Sources for powder dye that you can order from online for ice liquid die or other alternative methods of dying shirts. Where do you get your dye? Most of my dye is from Dharma Trading Co, but I also like Jacquard Products. There are several more small shops to get powered dye from. When I first started out with ice dye, I got my powdered dye from Dharma trading Company . I still get their dye often and they are a very reliable source. I also get dye from Jacquard products either through their website or on Amazon. I really love their color jet black for when I am ice dyeing geode style shirts that are tied with artificial sinew. Most powdered MX procion is going to work the same and be great quality. They all come from the same source, but the difference from each place you buy it is usually what ratios they mix the colors in for their custom colors. Corky Lorenz October 4, 2025