u/Economy_Mail_3497

I wax my canvas garments usually with a 4:1 beeswax/BLO bar that I rub into the fabric using a heat gun. It works great on canvas. I just waxed a poncho made from an old cotton/lyocel bedsheet and it worked great but I am concerned about durability. I have wondered if it would be best to go buy a light weight canvas or a cotton mix fabric from the actual fabric store rather than trying to find high thread count bedsheets. I am just wondering what the opinions are of folks who might have tried different materials and what you ultimately prefer. Points for affordability and weight.

Hello! What do you think the best size/dimensions are for a rain poncho? The reason I am making a rain poncho is because I hate rain jackets and I hate the material they are made out of. I always get sweaty and in a downpour they always wet out anyway. I have been hiking and treeplanting for a few years and have been through just about every kind of rain jacket situation, from frog toggs to goretex and even tried a big rubber slicker that I eventually gave to my foreman. I found the best was just a set of merino wool baselayers but I don't know if that would cut it in a real bad downpour. So I am making a poncho out of a high thread count cotton bedsheet and treating it with a 4:1 beeswax linseed oil blend to make something like a lightweight oilskin poncho. I wear a waxed canvas anorak in the winter and I love it. It is just an experiment. But I can't decide how large to make the poncho and if I should go with a rectangle or square/diamond shape. I've never worn a rain poncho and I am wondering if any of you have any suggestions. I do not imagine it will be too durable as a tarp so I do not plan to use it for that purpose- although I suppose I could in a real pinch. I used to tarp tent but I've ordered a lanshan 2 and plan to bring it with me on the next trip.

Any suggestions highly appreciated!

Age: 9 Sex: Male Weight: 136.5 Lbs Height: 4’9 5/8”

Weight in January: 119 lbs at 4’9 1/4”

I have two children, an 11 year old who is a normal height and weight, although maybe slightly underweight, and a 9 year old who has always been above the 99th percentile for his size. He was born over 10lbs and we were held for observation due to his size and blood sugar. He was exclusively breastfed but continued to be massive for his age, his doctor repeatedly assured me that he was “just a big boy” and they were not concerned. He has always been big, but recently he has started to gain weight very quickly and has become very heavy relative to his height.

He has always had trouble with incontinence, beginning in the 3rd grade we started giving him a gluten free diet based on the results of an elimination diet we tried. His dad started feeding him gluten again which I thought was a bad idea, we were dealing with incontinence again so I took him to the doctor to find out if he had celiacs, it was negative. When his dad left to work in another province again I put him back on a gluten free diet, but it increased his sensitivity, whenever there was a pizza party at school or his grandparents gave him gluten he would have an accident. I brought him back a year later and brought up my concern about his recent weight gain again. The doctor sent him for an abdominal ultrasound and had his liver levels checked which were both normal. On the phone I mentioned he’d gained ten pounds in the past couple months and I was concerned. She made a referral for gastro. A few months later she called about the gastro referral and asked to come in for a bloodwork and stool sample. I mentioned his weight gain again and asked for bloodwork to check for high insulin, she said she would add A1C to the requisition. I asked if she could check for insulin resistance instead and she said it would show up on the A1C, which I didn’t believe, I asked if she could also check his insulin levels and she said she would not because there was no reason to. I asked for a referral to an endo and she said no because there was no reason for it. She agreed to make a referral to a normal paediatrician.

I am extremely worried about his rapid weight gain. He is in baseball, muay thai, we go for runs, we walk the dog, there are no sugary drinks allowed in the house and there never has been. I keep him on a gluten free diet and we generally eat at home and meals are minimally processed whole foods like meat and rice. His older brother has a much better appetite, is given the same foods and is slim and healthy. I think my concerns are being dismissed because his size is common and the cause is considered environmental, and my concern is seen as pathological or something.

I don’t know what to do for my son, I am so afraid he is going to develop life long problems, he has been asking me to help him lose weight, doctors act like I should not be concerned at all. I would be so upset if he became diabetic or something like that. I really don’t think this weight gain is normal or nothing to be concerned about.

https://imgur.com/a/7oMzFPv