Today I made square newspaper pots and I think I'm going to like them better. I used a square wooden pencil holder as my form. It was part of a desk set. But you could use anything that you want to. This pencil holder is about 3" on all four sides and about 4" tall. I took a sheet of newspaper, already folded once, and cut it along the second fold, where it naturally gets folded before the carrier rolls it into a roll. I took each piece, (about 10" x 28"), and folded it once, long ways. This resulted in a strip about 5" x 28". Then I just wrapped the strip around the form until I got to the end of the paper strip. Put a small piece of tape down to hold it. Then turn over your form and fold the paper down like you're wrapping the end of a Christmas present. Put a little piece of tape down to hold that. Because they're square, they fit together better in a tray (I use old cake pans I buy at garage sales, and just put the pots in rows in the pan). Because the bottoms have been folded flat, they sit up better. I really like the idea of newspaper pots. So economical, so recyclable, so much easier on the plants when it's time to set out, and the newspaper acts like a sponge and helps keep the plant roots moist between rains. There's no need to unfold the pot when you plant because the roots will grow right through, but if you really want to, it's quick and easy. If you like round ones, you can use tomato paste can for the form. I found these to be a little too small and liked to use a soup can better. You can make them as deep as you want, really. Provided that you use enough layers, you can just about make your newspaper pot any size (and shape) that you want. The origami pots are cute, but they take more time to make, and I must be "origami challenged" because mine are always lop-sided. I also like a little more paper at the bottom than these end up having. The wonderful thing about all these options is that you have lots of ways to choose from, whatever works best for you!

mnwsgal, don't feel bad! It's not just you, I've heard of lots who can't seem to 'visualize' that step! Ok, in step 5, you see where it has the letter 'A' on the bottom right corner? (I'm guessing you are shaking your head "yes"? lol) That bottom right corner should be where there's a folded edge across the bottom of the top layer of paper. Stick your finger in the fold starting where the 'A' is and pinch the bottom edge of the fold between your fingers. Now, with that fold pinched between your fingers, pull your hand up and to the left - so the back of your pointer finger ends up against the middle crease mark and you now have your fingers at the top of a triangle 'pocket'. Press the triangle pocket flat. There ya go! If you can't get it, let me know and I'll try to explain it in a different way, but I'm pretty sure you've got it? :) Have fun making tons!

As far as the trash folks are concerned, I tend to agree with lindsey_ca. Granted, the job used to be very smelly and physical, however, talking to several people who know the pay, they are very well paid for the job. Some do an outstanding job and of course some should be fired. I recall the days of 3-4 men manning a a truck. Today, with automation, it's often just one. But some on the older trucks really have to hustle while the new ones drive, push a button, watch the monitor and move on. Not far from a postal carrier IMO. Paper carriers are close to my heart. I carried papers about 20-25 years ago. It was for the big "business" paper which shall remain unnamed. I will say I enjoyed the job. I did it for probably a year and a half and it was a nice second income. Especially on the nice summer days it was very pleasant to be out at 4 or 5am cruising around when it's quiet, peaceful and refreshing. Turn up the radio a bit and off you go. Now of course, rain, snow and the like are the problem days. And in fairness to the carriers, it's not always the carriers' fault when the papers are late. I remember more than once when the plane was late arriving so we didn't have the papers to deliver. So we had to sit and wait for sometimes 3 hours or more and occasionally the paper would be canceled for that day. Many times the carriers lost on that. But the good part was I had the "bad" route. Nobody wanted it because it was so much driving. IIRC it was somewhere around 150-200 papers over 50-55 miles. Nobody wanted to drive that much with their new cars. Well I had a beater and I did all maintenance myself so I made out well on the mileage allowance. Things have changed though. I talked to a carrier for one of the big papers in town and the pay hasn't increased much from when I carried! AND to top it off, they make the carriers pay for the rubber bands and the plastic bags! (For this paper anyway) That really irritated me when I heard that. This explains the higher turnover rate. FWIW I got a couple tips as a carrier and I was the only one I knew of who did. I think it was $5 each. I was a bit surprised but then when I considered the snobs that got this paper wouldn't tip like the ones who got the daily local paper. The ones who tipped me sent it to the company specifying it was for me. That was very flattering. Carriers also put up with one other problem. The ones who keep calling and complaining for the purpose of getting their subscription extended. I had one person who kept saying they had a wet paper and when I delivered in wet weather I would double bag the papers. Paper in the bag, fold the bag over and the open end went in first into the second bag. No way could it get wet, but the complainers kept trying. The boss finally went out and followed me one day and checked the paper. They canceled the customer! :D When I got the paper and got good service I'd tip the carrier $5-$10 about every three months. Percentage-wise, that's pretty good. I was paying 75 per week for the Sunday only paper. But I did the several-times-a-year tip because of turnover. I didn't think it was fair to essentially penalize a new carrier doing a good job because the prior carrier got tipped at the holidays. And I would try to catch them in the morning. I'm usually up early on Sundays so it wasn't a problem. I would prefer to see people tip more frequently rather than at the holidays. A lot of people get jobs for the holiday season and could benefit from the generosity at the time and others are essentially doing the hard work all year long.

Lily, once someone has been assigned to our route, DH goes out of his way to charm and make friends with them. We get lots of little extras that way. We put mail inside for two of his sisters who travel a lot and have homes just up the hill. Sometimes the carrier will leave their packages here so they won't be left on a porch saving DH a trip up the street, or at least tell us they've left something. Our single neighbor has been gone somewhat often too, he has an elderly mother about 4 states away and as a retired doctor sometimes participates in her care. If he's gone longer than he anticipated our mail carrier will alert us mail is building up next door, ask if we can collect it or if he can leave it here. He's left things INSIDE our garage unasked more than once. The young woman who just left to work for another agency sent us a Christmas card this month 😊 A photo card that included her pets. Unlike me, DH makes friends easily and often.....he's on a first name basis with the UPS and FedEx drivers too. Also our electrician, plumber, and HVAC service person. Helpful. A little tip or even cold bottle of water on a warm day doesn't hurt the relationship.