In deep rural Vermont, there’s a handbuilt post-and-beam house made of boards chiseled by hand from logs hauled out of the woods by a man and a horse. Attached to the house is a carpenter’s workshop and a blacksmith’s shop. It was in these workshops that, as a child, Chelsea Miller watched her father do…
Beauty and the Blade: Meet the Knife-Maker Transforming Discarded Farm Tools Into Beautiful, Bespoke Knives
On Gardening: The Early Butterfly Gets the Verbena. Do You Have Them Planted?
By Norman Winter From Tribune News Service Swallowtails were early at The Garden Guy’s house this year. Thank goodness I had Superbena verbenas in full bloom. It is as if they had been given the task of announcing the arrival of spring and the butterfly season. On March 22, I photographed an eastern tiger swallowtail…
Tabby a Common Feline Coat Pattern, Not a Breed
Q: What’s the difference between a tabby and a tiger cat? Is a tabby a purebred cat? A: Tabby is not a breed, but a coat pattern common among purebreds as well as mixed-breed cats, usually referred to as domestic short- or long-haired cats. The classic tabby has a blotched or swirled pattern of dark…
Secrets for How to Grow an Edible Garden Just About Anywhere
Wish you could grow an edible garden but you just don’t have any place to do that? I’ve got good news. Even if you rent and your landlord won’t allow you to dig up part of the property, no problem. You don’t need acreage, a big yard, or “perfect” conditions. In fact, you really don’t…
Enjoy Relaxing by a DIY Garden Sitting Wall
Dear James: I want a patio, butterfly garden and a sitting wall by a slope. I think a simple no-mortar wall would look nice. What is the best way to build a stable wall this way? — Catherine T. Dear Catherine: Butterfly, and pollinator in general, gardens are very popular today and really needed. With…
10 Fantastic and Simple Cleaning Tips to Keep Your House Dust-Free
We’re now at the beginning of the spring season, and quite rightly people are getting prepared for their allergies to hit. Although antihistamines and other over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can help alleviate allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to remove any triggers. This means tackling dust within your own home first and foremost, and it…
On Gardening: Persian Shield Is Beautifully Exotic
By Norman Winter From Tribune News Service Recently I stumbled across a plant recipe called “This is the Life.” Not only was it a collection of some of my favorite plants, it was a wake-up call to an old favorite: the Persian Shield. Known botanically as Strobilanthes dyerianus, it is native to Myanmar and has…
Lori Borgman: One Small Leak, Seven Giant Fans
By Lori Borgman From Tribune News Service Tom Hanks made a movie titled “The Terminal” about a man stuck in an airport indefinitely. We are going to make a movie titled “Jet Engines” about a couple stuck in a house with seven giant fans that sound like jet engines. If you have ever had water…
A Little Appliance Know-How Can Save a Lot of Money
If you’ve been reading this column for any length of time, you know that my husband and I have repaired or performed regular maintenance on a number of our home appliances. And I love hearing when my readers do the same. Today’s first great reader tip is a good reminder for anyone with a dishwasher….
Potato Seeds or Seed Potatoes
Q: I saw a sign in the store that said potato seeds, but it appeared that the boxes for sale had potatoes in them. I have never seen potato seeds. Can I buy potato seeds? A: Both potato seeds and seed potatoes are real, but it is unlikely that you will be able to buy…
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