Yeah, I read a DIY article that said a lot of people skip that step to save five minutes. @skyler_kelly69 is right, even a sheet is better than nothing. It's just not worth the risk for such a small job.

Interesting, texture and hydration are huge. That's a good long-term goal.

Push through" sounds like a good way to burn out to me.

Thanks wells.evan, my brain needs the menu option or it just picks the "panic and leave" special every time.

That "river bottom fights back" idea is wild, reminds me of a fishing trip where the mud just ate my boots.