The Garden

Types of Washer:

Front-load: Better cleaning efficiency, gentler on fabrics, uses less water and energy. Downsides: door seals can mildew, must bend to load/unload, generally pricier.

Top-load (impeller): Faster cycles, easier loading, cheaper upfront. Uses more water, may be harsher on clothes.

Top-load (agitator): Good at removing stains, but tougher on fabrics and water-intensive. Mostly phased out in newer models.

Recommendation: If you can find a top-load with agitator within your price range that will fit where you plant to place it: go for it. Front-load looks better, but unless you're running it all of the time it will mildew and the cost is usually not worth that.

Capacity: Look past the cubic ft (or kilograms if you're not in the US), consider how often you do the laundry, how many people will be doing the laundry, and what you expect to be washing.

Recommendation: Aim for 4.0-4.5cu/ft (14-15.75kg), that's a nice happy medium that can do both light and heavy loads without much issue.

Options & Features:

Steam cleaning (sanitizes, reduces allergens)

Quick wash (for lightly soiled items)

Delicates/gentle cycles

Sanitize/high-temp options (good for baby clothes or gym gear)

Automatic soil sensors adjust water/time

Recommendation: Avoid gimmicks you won't touch—extra screens or specialty modes add cost without benefit if unused. Your washing machine doesn't need wifi, bluetooth, or voice commands. It's just more stuff to break.

Brands & Reliability:

This section is a little harder, personally I go with Bosch, Speed Queen, or GE Profile; but depending on where you are and your budget you might not be able to afford them. That being said, an ex of mine worked for an appliance warranty company that serviced multiple brands and they always said one thing: We're never getting a Samsung or LG, they have more warranty repairs than any other brand even accounting for their popularity.

STOP-

Absolutely not! And I don’t want anyone to feel like wanting to be close with animals is wrong or abnormal - it’s why I’m such a huge advocate for accredited facilities that allow close encounters while prioritising safety and animal welfare.

I have been lucky enough to work up close with animals and I know first hand how incredibly inspiring the experience is. My concern is how the movement against zoos and to “just go see them in the wild” is encouraging wildlife harassment and is actively detrimental to animal welfare.

Yet people will think they’re on some moral high ground because they didn’t go to an accredited facility to do a dolphin swim. Instead they chased a pod of wild dolphins while they were foraging and potentially ruined their chance of a meal.

Wanting to be close to animals like orcas is normal - but it’s up to us to ensure that we don’t fall for misleading marketing about “ecotourism” and always research and learn about any tour or zoological facility we go to.

Anyway here are some of my favourite “up close and personal” photos I’ve taken over the years while working in zoological facilities

If you are a Christian and Catholic, reblog this one.