Nothing Lasts Forever

Spoiler Alert: This post is a potpourri of articles read online recently that caught my attention, most even more than the "news" stories.

The bad news is nothing lasts forever, the good news is nothing lasts forever. 

That's especially true when it comes to the US Postal System. 

Soon to cost 66 cents

This Sunday, July 9, the price of First-Class Mail® Forever stamps is going up, again — 63 to 66 cents.

Why?

In an April filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) news release, the USPS cited the increase was needed to offset higher operating expenses fueled by inflation and the effects of a previously defective pricing model. The new rates are projected to keep the USPS competitive while providing the agency with needed revenue. Seems that reasoning has been used before 😲.

Didn't this happen earlier in 2023?

YES, the most recent increase (before this one) was just six months ago in January when a first-class Forever stamp went from 60 to 63 cents. This weekend's hike is the fifth increase since early 2019, back then a Forever stamp cost 50 cents. In 2021, a first-class stamp went from 55 to 58 cents. It's been an uphill rise.

Higher postage prices have not come without criticism. Many folks, including postal experts, have noted that customers now pay more and get less for their $. 

Want to avoid paying more?

Go to your local post office and buy Forever stamps at the current 63 cents before Sunday. They remain valid regardless of price increases and can be used on all first class mail. I bought more this week.

Since 2011, all U.S. first-class stamps have been Forever stamps, no monetary value is shown. They're known generically as non-denominated postage or non-value indicator (NVI) postage.

It isn't over . . .

Because the USPS plans to increase prices twice a year cautioning that increases may be steep. Starting in 2023, there will be twice yearly price adjustments (January and July) that continue to 2024. It wasn't explained how much costs would go up.

There's more . . . 

Not just the cost of stamps is climbing. The price of domestic postcards will be higher as well as a 1-ounce letter to another country. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products like Certified Mail®, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost of insurance when mailing something.

Here's a rundown on certain mail costs after July 9:

• Forever Stamps increase from 63 cents to 66 cents
• 1-ounce letter increases from 63 cents to 66 cents
• 1-ounce metered letter increases from 60 cents to 63 cents
• Domestic postcards increases from 48 cents to 51 cents
• 1-ounce letter mailed to another country increases from $1.45 to $1.50

Vintage U.S. postage

Ironically this month, National US Postage Stamp Day was July 1. The U.S. issued its first postage stamp on July 1, 1847, at that time, stamps were not required. 

A letter could be mailed without a stamp and delivery was paid for by the recipient. In 1855, the postage stamp became mandatory when mailing a letter. The first images on the first postage stamps depicted Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.

Although, I'm a very frequent stamp user for mailing cards and letters, I agree that service is not what is was when postage costs were far less. It seems that instead of encouraging more users, the USPS is actively discouraging them. Those once happy traditions of birthday and holiday card sending and receiving may become obsolete.

Ketchup (or catsup) — refrigerate or not?

Recently, Ketchup manufacturer H.J. Heinz attempted to settle an ongoing debate about where ketchup should be kept by tweeting the company’s thoughts on the matter. The online debate started when Heinz UK tweeted: FYI: Ketchup. goes. in. the. Fridge!

The company conducted an online poll asking people where they stored ketchup. 

Results: About 60% of respondents said they keep the condiment refrigerated.

And, that caused social media users to reply with comments like these:

Why isn't ketchup in the fridge at supermarkets and restaurants?

Heinz only wants it in the fridge because you look in the fridge, more than you do in the cupboard, thus you’ll be tempted to use it more often.

Many restaurants and fast food places don't refrigerate ketchup because they go through it so quickly that it doesn't have time to spoil. 

USDA says refrigeration isn't needed

On its website, the United States Department of Agriculture stated that shelf-stable foods such as ketchup do not need to be refrigerated and are safe indefinitely. But, the agency cautioned that ketchup may not be as fresh and may change texture and color if kept past the expiration date. Be sure to check those dates.

If you don't want to refrigerate condiments after opening, the USDA had this guide:

• Ketchup, cocktail or chili sauce – refrigerate 6 months
• Chutney – refrigerate 1 to 2 months
• Horseradish – refrigerate 3 to 4 months
• Mustard – refrigerate 12 months
• Olives – refrigerate 2 weeks
• Pickles – refrigerate1 to 3 months

Catsup or Ketchup?

Heinz Ketchup display

Ketchup is the dominant term in American English and Canadian English. Catsup is commonly used in some southern U.S. states and Mexico. Most ketchup or catsup contains the same basic ingredients: tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, salt, allspice, cloves and cinnamon.

The Heinz Company, synonymous with ketchup for most didn't produce a tomato-based ketchup until 1876. It was originally marketed as Heinz Tomato Catsup switching to ketchup in the 1880s to distinguish it from competitors.

The company’s 57 varieties slogan, a key part of its early strategy to attract consumers, is central to the brand’s identity and still on Heinz ketchup bottles. That number is completely made up. There weren’t 57 Heinz varieties when the slogan was created in 1896 and there are far more than 57 now, but hundreds of Heinz varieties.

Largest catsup

The word, catsup is displayed on the giant label of the World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Ill, on a 3-acre site, where the product was once produced. If we ever embark on another cross-country road trip, this roadside attraction will be on our to-see list.

The bottle was constructed in 1949 by the G.S. Suppiger company, which owned a Brooks Catsup factory at the site. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the giant bottle is also a water tower owned by a private company and local residents handle promotion of the attraction.

Our open bottle is always stored in the fridge — How about yours? 

Are almonds nuts?

No, not in the sense of craziness, but they not a nut according to some sources.

In the botanical world, a nut is a dry, hard-shelled fruit. Almonds have a fleshy outer layer. Therefore, technically are not nuts. (Chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts fit the true definition of a nut.) Almonds are seeds harvested from the fruit of the almond tree, prunus dulcis, native to the Mediterranean. 

Almond fruit: online source

Almonds don't fall under the botanical definition of nuts as according to the USDA. Nuts are single-seed fruit with a high oil content, enclosed in a leathery or solid outer layer. Almonds grow in the middle of a fleshy fruit, so are not classified a nut.

Currently, 80% of the world’s almond supply is produced in California’s farmlands; the other 20% in Mediterranean countries like Spain and Italy. California alone produces more than 25 different species of almonds valued at $4.7 billion

The name, almond, comes from the common name of the tree species, but the name is used to identify the edible seed found in the fruit from the tree. The almond tree can grow up to 15 feet tall. It's known for its aromatic, white-pinkish flowers pollinated by honeybees and grows fruit called a drupe which resembles a peach or plum. The drupe fruit contains a small pit in the middle exposed when the fleshy exterior dries and splits open. The pit is machine harvested for consumption.

Would you sail on something this BIG?

Icon of the Seas, a vessel primed to be the world’s largest cruise ship has completed its first round of sea trials ahead of likely delivery in October this year. The first test lasted four days on open water, and more tests are scheduled for later this year.

Icon of the Seas, world's largest cruise ship, during sea trial: online source

This Royal Caribbean International ship recently completed its required first round of sea trials and sailed the open ocean for the first time. Before it debuts, it will complete a second round of sea trials to ensure that everything is operational and issues resolved before passengers board. By January 2024, guests will be ready to set sail from Miami for Caribbean waters. 

Icon of the Seas waterpark: online source

Construction began in April 2022 at Meyer Turku shipyard, one of Europe’s leading shipbuilders, in Turku, Finland. The ship is 365 meters long (nearly 1,200 feet) weighs a projected 250,800 tons, and will hold 5,610 passengers, 2,350 crew and will boost the world’s largest waterpark at sea with six water slides. It also includes seven pools and nine whirlpools for water fun on the water.

The current title holder of world’s largest cruise ship is Wonder of the Seas, another vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Slightly smaller at 1,188 feet, its inaugural voyage was in 2022.

We know many who are avid cruisers, including my cousin and a fellow blogger whose husband was an officer aboard several very large ships. 

A trip on a ship this size or even smaller is not for us — How about you?

Yes, this was a(nother) longish post, folks. Hope you enjoyed the recap of some recent news events, some more noteworthy than others. Remember to get extra U.S. stamps before Sunday — the Forever ones, of course !

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone 

We will be in Brunswick, ME, for Lobstercon, a ham radio event. It's a strange name, but it's happening in New England and 🦞 is included . Grenville is participating; the wife of another attendee and myself are going to the L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport, ME. 

My not good images of Nashua fireworks this week