M7 (Merton 7) is actually an ancient French apple bred in 1688 called "reinette doucin", or "doucin vert". Contrary to what some us websites claim, M7 is not a descendant of this apple, it actually IS the doucin vert, at least the virus free version from the malling research station's de-virusing efforts (heat treatment.) Doucin vert has been used as a rootstock for centuries, it's not exactly grown for its fruit. It's definitely NOT a McIntosh-like apple, that's really wishful thinking. See the picture below from the GRIN DB: I recognize this apple from abandoned trees in some orchards around here. It's really just livestock fodder, not even cider grade because it's not very juicy. But then again, it was an abandoned tree, neglected and not watered, so the apples from the rootstock suckers were small and dry. Now MM-111 is a bit closer to your description. It's a red McIntosh looking like apple, except that it's ribbed. And it's a pretty big apple too, looks juicy and tasty in the picture, but I've never tried it, it's most likely very close in taste to Northern Spy. MM-111 is derived from multiple crosses. The first one is Northern Spy X English Paradise, which was then crossed once more with Northern Spy. See the image below: So M7, forget it, graft them over to something decent unless you just want to feed your pigs, but MM-111, there you might have a better chance at a good cider and cooking apple.

Your post really hit "home" for me (no pun intended). When I built my house (moved into home in Dec. 1996), if someone would have suggested that I would still own the house almost 28 years later, I would have laughed. I never intended to stay in this house. But life happened - and here I am. I did not live here the entire time - I lived out in Santa Monica for several years (starting in 2012) - but kept this house. I came very close to moving several times - but something always caused me to change my mind (for example, I ended two engagements - and had plans to build a new home with my then fiancé both times). I wound up paying off my mortgage early back in 2010 - so, other times when I thought about moving, I always decided that I liked not having a mortgage. Plus, I love my neighborhood - beautiful mature trees + curving streets with slight hills. My house is 2800 sf (without counting finished basement - media room, bar area, bathroom, workout room). I'm an empty nester - so is my significant other. When we decided to live together, we thought about moving - but everything that we liked would have added time to work commute + neighborhood would be newer = small trees/straight streets/etc. I've been dealt some rough health issues = working less hours (I'm an attorney) - and not having mortgage has been really nice. We decided to renovate this house to make it "ours." We tore down the large deck and replaced it with a nice patio (it has a large covered portion with a cedar plank ceiling + thick cedar posts + an amazing stereo system + outdoor tv - it also has a nice firepit area + another uncovered large seating area). The backyard isn't large - but there are no neighbors behind us - and with the way I had landscaping installed back in 2003, it feels like a completely private backyard. We've renovated two bathrooms so far - two more to go. We will be gutting the kitchen pretty soon. I wish I wouldn't have let my ex husband talk me out of the third garage space when we built the house - but I never imagined that I'd still own this house - so, it was something that I traded in order to add a much larger kitchen than what was originally planned (also, I recently discovered that since my garage ceiling is a little over 14'high, I can add a car lift on one side iof the garage in order to store my convertible Porsche instead of using a rental garage nearby - I had to give up a space in the garage to my SO when he moved in several months ago). My neighbors directly across the street have lived here the entire time (their youngest daughter has been best friends with my oldest daughter since basically the day we moved in - they were five - they are both pregnant and due in Jan and Feb). It is so nice having them across the street. I have another set of neighbors on one side who purchased the house on the right side of my house about two years after we moved into our house (their daughters used to babysit my girls). We could definitely live in a smaller home. There are three bedrooms + two bathroom upstairs that are rarely used (thinking about converting one of the bedrooms into a large closet/ "dressing room" for my SO (he is an attorney also - and wears a suit/tie to the office every day - even though he doesn't need to - he has more clothes than I do - over 300 ties + 60 pocket squares + a TON of suits/sport coats + dress shirts and MANY nice dress shoes - and that's just work clothes - I don't even want to guess about how many golf shorts/shirts/etc. that he owns + other casual clothes!) My primary closet is 8' x 18.5' - but I am not used to sharing 🤣. I am also converting my formal dining room into a "wine room" - with four leather chairs that form a conversation area - I have seating for four at my island (which is one level - my builder thought that was a crazy idea back then to not have a raised bar area for seating) + a table in the kitchen that sits 6 + extends to sit 10/12. I don't really need a formal dining room also. I don't really need a formal dining room that's rarely used. Whether you should spend $80k on a new kitchen depends upon the FMV of your home now. Also, if you are going to make it your forever home - then resale is less of an issue (I believe that the "guideline" is that you shouldn't spend more than 15% of the value of your home when renovating your kitchen - but if you will be staying for many years, if you have the $$, you should put in the kitchen that makes you happy!) When I look back at the homes I almost moved to, I am happy that I stayed here. This house is more room than we need - I don't know what I would do if I had built the 4,200 sf home I was planning back in 2009! A 2,800 sf house (+ 800-1,000 more sf in basement) is more than what we need. Plus, a smaller home would be easier to take care of as we get older (plus, less maintenance needed). The size of your house doesn't matter as much as the location + your neighbors - there are many people who live in areas where fully gutting (restoring) a 1,400 sf house is worth it due to the location + the cost/size of other homes in the area. I have a friend who lives in Toronto who did a full gut on an attached home - and it's probably between 1,400 - 1,500 sf - and it's beautiful. They made such good choices re: new layout that it functions better than houses that are much larger. It is a very nice home. In Chicago, a 1,400 sf home in the right location (with the right renovation) would be a perfect place to age in place.

But that doesn't rhyme with the rest! I seem to recall it rhymed?

Thanks, I see. [sigh] though I decided for now to postpone decisions. Please don't get upset, but firstly, why would a widely popular company such as WD40 want to risk their reputation by marketing Item #3 above, if its so risky to use compared to dry graphite? Secondly, here's what AI states about Houdini vs dry graphite (also there have been mixed votes on Quora on this topic) Houdini is widely considered the preferred choice among professional locksmiths. While dry graphite has long been used in lock maintenance, it is often viewed by modern professionals as a messy option that can gum up or turn into a thick paste if mixed with residual wet lubricants. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] Why Locksmiths Choose Houdini No Residue: It contains absolutely no oil, grease, Teflon, silicone, or graphite, leaving no sticky buildup to attract dirt. 4-Way Action: It penetrates, cleans, lubricates, and protects locks against rust and corrosion. Safe Application: It is safe for electronic locks and delicate components. [1, 2, 3] Why Dry Graphite Has Fallen Out of Favor The Mess Factor: It frequently leaves a messy, black, metallic powder that can stain keys, pockets, and doors. Humidity Issues: In humid or wet environments, moisture in the air can cause the graphite to clump up or harden, actively jamming the lock instead of freeing it. [1, 2, 3, 4]