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MUNDANE MYSTERIES: The Difference Between Stock & Broth

Whenever you need to make a soup or stew, what do you go with: broth or stock? What even is the difference between stock & broth? Well, if you’re like me & you’ve thought stock & broth were pretty much interchangeable…we’re all technically wrong.

Both broth & stock are made from meat-and-veggie simmered water to give them their flavor. The primary difference is that stock is typically simmered with chicken or beef bones, because the gelatin in those bones generates a thicker, more savory liquid. In fact, by definition, “vegetable stock” is a misnomer. But even chefs will call broth stock & stock broth interchangeably. So, you actually can totally substitute one for the other.

If you want to be 100% accurate, though, you need to think about whether the liquid has added flavorings. Stock is generally left unflavored to serve as a neutral base, meaning it’s more watery, while broth is usually made with herbs and spices, including salt and pepper, so it’s more savory & flavorful.

So, if you’re thinking of making your own broth or stock at home, but the process seems too daunting, don’t get discouraged. You can always just use Julia Child’s shortcut: just buy a can of broth at the store, simmer the liquid for 15 to 20 minutes with a handful of minced carrots, onions, and celery, then add some dry white French vermouth (or just some dry white wine), and then boom! You’re all set, mission accomplished. Just don’t forget to invite me to dinner!

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via Twitter (@AndyWebbRadio), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

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MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What Do The Colored Exam Room Flags At Your Doctor’s Office Really Mean?

Ever noticed those colored flags on the wall next to the door of the exam room at your doctor’s office? They look a lot like the colored tabs on file folder edges, but they’re different in that, while you can usually write on a slip of paper & insert it inside a file folder tab, those colored exam room flags at your doctor’s office don’t usually say what they’re for. So, what do they mean?

Well, their actual meanings depend on the doctor’s office you’re in. There’s no universal standardized flag color index, so each facility determines their own system. The flags could signify the status of the room (whether it’s occupied or open), what type of care a patient needs, or possibly a combination of the two.

Medical suppliers carry a plethora of variations that offices can order depending on their chosen color-coding system. There are products with just two flags, muted colors, and more. And customizable sets are also available, too. So, what do they mean? Well, one medical supply company, Pyramid Medical Management Services, says: red means the room is empty; green means the patient is waiting on the doctor; yellow means the patient needs a nurse. But that’s just one potential system. Medicus Health, another medical supply company, says: green signifies the room is ready to be occupied; red means the room is currently occupied; blue indicates that a nurse is needed; yellow means the person inside is a fall risk; black means the patient needs an X-ray; and white means the patient needs a physical exam.

But those are just the suggestions of two different companies that make the flags. As for how your doctor’s office actually utilizes them, you’d really have to ask them to know for sure. You could make some educated guesses, though, just based on your own observations while there in the office. For instance, if the nurse were to say, “The doctor will be with you shortly,” and then puts out the green flag, it’d be a safe assumption that green means “the patient is waiting to see the doctor.”

The most reliable way to know what each colored flag means at your doctor’s office, however, would be to simply just ask. It’ll help you learn more about your healthcare provider. But if nothing else, it’d at least be a good conversation starter.

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via Twitter (@AndyWebbRadio), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: When Should You Actually Change Your Car’s Oil?

A bodybuilder needs to care of his heart. In the same way, your car can appear pristine on the outside, but it still needs regular oil changes to stay on the road. That oil keeps your engine lubed & cool while you’re driving. Waiting too long to change your oil can absolutely lead to engine damage. But changing it too frequently actually wastes money (and oil). So, how often should you actually change the oil in your vehicle?

Newer cars tell you when it’s time for an oil change, through their built-in “oil-life monitoring systems”. When your motor oil isn’t doing its job anymore, a light or notification comes up on your dashboard (usually in the shape of a dripping oil can). That icon lets you know that it’s time to get your oil changed. Once that gets done, the lube tech should reset your oil-monitoring system, and you’ll be on your way until the next time.

But what about cars without an oil-life monitoring system? The long-standing belief has always been that a vehicle’s oil should be changed every 3000 miles. But that’s actually no longer the case. In most vehicles nowadays, your oil should be good for at least 7500 miles before needing to be changed. Some vehicles, however, have engines designed for anywhere from 10K to 15K mile intervals. Those intervals, however, are based on your driving habits, so they can vary. Extreme cold or heat, heavy hauling, and excessive stop & go driving…all of that can wear out your oil sooner.

The only reason you should get your oil changed before your dashboard light comes on is if you don’t drive the vehicle frequently. Not much driving means it can take a long while for the accepted mileage to accumulate. But even when your engine is off, oil can still age, so you should change it at least once a year.

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via Twitter (@AndyWebbRadio), or shoot me an email ([email protected]).

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Berryville Graphics

House of the Week – 5/6/22

This beautiful brick front Colonial makes a great first impression! Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, tasteful landscaping greets you before you enter the 2-story foyer which is flanked by the dining room and living room. Proceed to what is sure to be the heart of the home- the open concept kitchen, breakfast area and family room. The gourmet kitchen features a large center island with a gas cook top, a wall oven and a pantry while the inviting family room with wall to wall carpeting and a gas fireplace is the perfect place to settle in for a movie night. French doors lead from the family room onto the large deck which overlooks the fenced rear yard. The property backs to mature trees which offers privacy and a great outdoor setting to be enjoyed year round. After a long day, unwind in your master suite which boasts a tray ceiling, spacious walk-in closet and en suite bath with dual sinks, a jacuzzi tub, walk-in shower and water closet. Completing the top floor is a full hall bath and three additional generously sized bedrooms, all with plenty of closet space. More space awaits in the finished lower level where you will find a rec room, a full bath and the laundry/storage area. Additional highlights include the attached 2 car garage with a workbench, a garden shed, whole house humidifier. Updates include a new water heater (2018) HVAC (2013) refinished deck (2020) and a newer roof and gutters (2014). Many community amenities to enjoy from tennis and basketball courts, a pool, community center, playgrounds, walking trails and more!
See the Full Listing

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Is An Unidentified Person Called “John Doe”?

The news is regularly filled with reports of murders & missing persons cases involving unknown person. And that unknown person is usually referred to as “John Doe”. But why? Why do we call unidentified people John Doe until their real identity is established?

This all comes from a weird, no-longer-in-use British legal procedure called an “action of ejectment”. In old English common law, the things landowners could do in court to evict squatters or tenants in default were usually uber-technical & too difficult to be efficiently useful. So instead, landlords would bring an “action of ejectment” on behalf of one made-up tenant against another made-up person who’d allegedly evicted him. To determine what property rights of the made-up persons, the courts then had to establish that the landlord actually owned the property in question. That would have then settled the landlord’s actual issue, without needing more extensive legal maneuvering.

No one knows what case first used the made-up names, nor has anyone ever learned why they chose the names they did. But we do know that landlords would frequently, for whatever reason, name their made-up plaintiff John Doe, and their fictitious defendant Richard Roe. John & Richard don’t seem to have had any special significance; they likely could’ve been picked because they were just two of the most common names at that time. The surnames (Doe & Roe), on the other hand, both related to deer: a “doe” being a female deer, while a “roe” is a common Eurasian deer species in Britain. But who knows…maybe they were also the real names of genuine people some landlord actually knew & decided to use. We really don’t know.

What we do know, though, is that, over time, they became the standard placeholders in court cases for any anonymous, hypothetical, or unidentified persons. And most jurisdictions still use John Doe even now (as well as “Jane Doe”, its female equivalent). Roe is also still utilized, whenever one case has more than one anonymous or unidentified person involved. Even the federal government uses Doe & Roe; most notably (and back in the news recently), think of Roe v. Wade (where Jane Roe turned out to be Norma Leah McCorvey, who chose to reveal her identity following the Supreme Court’s decision).

The goal for everyone, though, is to never have to use (or be given) the pseudonym of John Doe or Richard Roe. Because there’s very little that’s good usually leading up to that point.

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via Twitter (@AndyWebbRadio), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Berryville Graphics

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