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“When our forefathers arrived here and started clearing fields, they didn’t think about getting exercise.”That was the opening sentence of the introduction to “Great American Nature Writing,” an anthology of stories on nature. The author credited the line to Stephan Leacock, a writer and humorist, at the turn of the last century.That was when Battle Creek, Michigan, was the mecca for personal health and healing. Isn’t it ironic [...]

I have always been a people-watcher. There is so much you can learn about a person by their mannerisms, how they dress, walk and interact with other people.Approaching friendly people, they make eye contact early, smile and prepare to engage you with more than a “Good morning” way before you meet. Then there are the grouches; they look down at the ground and barely acknowledge you with a grunt or a head nod as you pass. It is the same with gardeners.Here we are [...]

How many times have you heard “I was good all week, so I can cheat a little tonight.” There is no such thing as a little cheating; you are either cheating or you aren’t and the person that gets hurt is you.When I hear someone try to rationalize their reason for not gardening responsibly, I barely smile so on the outside I almost look like I have sympathy and agree with them, but inside I am fuming. “Here we go, another one who thinks the rules do not apply [...]

I was attending a plant sale and overheard a young gardener say this was his third season and he now knows what he has been doing wrong. I was impressed; I’ve been gardening for over 40 years and still make mistakes.Plants have been growing, evolving and thriving on planet Earth for 1.7 billion years. I’ll spell that out -- 1,700,000,000.Think about that; they have survived at least five continental shifts, a half-dozen ice ages, volcanic eruptions and asteroid [...]

Are you considering concrete countertop installation? Concrete countertops are very trendy right now for their industrial good looks. They’re also strong — and fairly affordable compared to popular materials like quartz or granite. However, besides their obvious advantages, there are a few negatives to kitchen and bathroom countertops made of concrete. Let’s take a closer look at concrete countertops' pros and cons.Concrete Countertops: ProsUnique [...]

The very beginning of a new year is the perfect time to learn something new. Why not start off 2018 right, by finding out ways to protect and make the most of of that prized possession — your home?Here six important facts that all homeowners should learn this year.Never go to sleep when your dryer is running. This is a bit of homeowner trivia I just learned myself, which is actually not at all trivial. Most likely, you’ve already heard that it’s dangerous [...]

The very beginning of a new year is the perfect time to learn something new. Why not start off 2018 right, by finding out ways to protect and make the most of of that prized possession — your home?Here six important facts that all homeowners should learn this year.Never go to sleep when your dryer is running. This is a bit of homeowner trivia I just learned myself, which is actually not at all trivial. Most likely, you’ve already heard that it’s dangerous [...]

It’s snowing! The first real snowfall of the season started this morning where I live … setting the spirit to discuss holiday entertaining. Funny, Google "holiday entertaining" and you'll find a cornucopia of recipes for green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and fancy cookies of every description. Feeding guests is a worthy tradition but if you’re looking for other ways to help folks feel at home in your home, suggestions are few and far between. These 15 hosting tips [...]

It’s snowing! The first real snowfall of the season started this morning where I live … setting the spirit to discuss holiday entertaining. Funny, Google "holiday entertaining" and you'll find a cornucopia of recipes for green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and fancy cookies of every description. Feeding guests is a worthy tradition but if you’re looking for other ways to help folks feel at home in your home, suggestions are few and far between. These 15 hosting tips [...]

Icicles on the roof were a highlight of my childhood winters. The neighborhood kids thought they were fantastic for both impromptu swordfights and a refreshing snack. But when you grow up and do adult stuff like owning a home, those icicles kind of lose their appeal. Especially after you find out they’re signaling that your roof might be in trouble. Learn why, and what you can do about it.How do icicles form?If you live in a northern state, cold winters and heavy [...]