The history of the American lawn was driven by technology, desire for social status, and marketing. Its roots are in the estate gardens of the Middle Ages. In the U.S., green, weed-free lawns were rarely seen before the late 19th century. Prior to this, the front yards of rural U.S. homes featured “gardens” of packed…
Garden Birds Are Struggling: Four Ways to Help
More than a quarter of Britain’s birds are now on the RSPB’s red list, meaning that their numbers are in severe decline. Some of the recent additions to the red list are thought of as common garden birds, such as the greenfinch. Others, such as the swift and house martin, only spend spring and summer…
Tips for Finding Social Security Information Online
I’m sure lots of my readers are always looking for Social Security information online. So am I. Even though I’ve got 50 years’ worth of Social Security knowledge stacked up in my brain, it sometimes gets a little muddled and I need to check something out or verify what I think I know. So, I…
Urban Gardens Are Crucial Food Sources for Pollinators – Here’s What to Plant for Every Season
Pollinators are struggling to survive in the countryside, where flower-rich meadows, hedges and fields have been replaced by green monocultures, the result of modern industrialised farming. Yet an unlikely refuge could come in the form of city gardens. Research has shown how the havens that urban gardeners create provide plentiful nectar, the energy-rich sugar solution that pollinators harvest from flowers to…
How to Spring Clean Your Kitchen Like a Pro
Spring is the perfect time of year to deep clean your entire house. With warmer weather comes pollen and allergies and one way to minimize their effects is to make sure the inside of your home is rid of any dust or animal fur. Even though spring cleaning may seem like a chore, it can…
Spring Cleaning: The Fun and Easy Way
It’s that time of year again. Many people begin their spring cleaning rhythms and make their homes sparkling and fresh from top to bottom. I love the idea, but in this season of raising three young kids, it’s a daunting task to undertake. To be honest, spring cleaning has always overwhelmed me. I felt the…
Rose and Bud: A Tale of Two Finches
During Lent, I’ve been contemplating a statement by Paula D’Arcy, “God comes to us disguised as our life.” If this is true, then nothing in the past, present, or future is insignificant or without divine purpose. Pondering this statement has dug up memories of all sorts. As a kid, my mom woke us up for…
How to Prevent Pilling on Flannel Sheets
There are a few things as comforting as slipping between super soft, comfy flannel sheets on a cold winter night. But not all flannel is created equal. The problem with flannel and other raised fiber fabrics like fleece and knits is the heartbreak of “pills” — those little raised balls that develop, creating a lumpy…
A New Real Estate Agent Questions Her Decision
Dear Monty: I am a new agent. A relative asked me to co-list their home with an agent they knew. We both work at the same brokerage. I was to receive a portion of the listing commission with the split between us skewed toward the experienced agent. The experienced agent was to train me, be…
8 Secrets of a Successful Garage Sale
Whether your goal is to purge your home of stuff you no longer need or raise some cash — or both — you have options. You can sell your items on an auction website like eBay, list them in classifieds on Craigslist or give the stuff away. Or, you can create a killer garage sale…
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