Last week, I fielded no fewer than five phone calls from homeowner with the same grim news. They found it nearly impossible to get quotes from contractors to do fairly simple repairs. Each caller’s stress level was running on high. Fortunately I talked each one through what they needed to do to complete the repairs…
Simple Blood Test Detects Heart Disease in Cats
Q: Rambo, my 2-year-old cat, was breathing fast during his annual wellness exam. His veterinarian said his rapid breathing could be due to stress, heart disease or a respiratory condition such as asthma. She did a blood test called NT-proBNP which indicated that he may have heart disease, and she referred me to a cardiologist…
Frugality on the Fun Meter of Life
I was not born with a natural bent toward frugality. Everything in me cries out to spend, acquire, spend, achieve, amass, spend, spend, spend! I am drawn to the extraordinary, the luxurious and the unique. I live with visions of grandeur and opulence. My fondest dreams include tailored clothing, domestic staffs, $600 silk bed sheets,…
Is Drywall as Good as Real Plaster?
Dear James: We are planning a substantial room addition to our dream home. We are not on a tight budget, and we want everything done right. Should we use plaster walls or standard drywall walls? — Sheila T. Dear Sheila: Hmm — plaster?! Most people think that real plaster walls are a relic from yesteryear….
How to Create a Home Winter Wonderland, Even in Florida!
In the 1920s, there was no internet or neighborhood shopping centers, meaning that holiday decorations were crafted from easily obtained materials. Today, we can have everything delivered, but consider some DIY projects to add some winter wow to your home. The easy place to begin to create a winter wonderland is the front yard. There…
A Magnificent Masseria
High on a hilltop in southern Italy is a delightful masseria—Italian for substantial farmhouse—set in the center of a picturesque 8.4-acre estate offering 360-degree views of the marvelous surrounding countryside. From the terraces of the three-bedroom, three-bath, 2,615-square-foot home, owners and guests enjoy spectacular views wherever they may gaze. French doors provide easy access to…
How to Host a Fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner—Even in a Time of Inflation
You don’t have to spend an arm and a turkey leg to host a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t be daunted by scary headlines; the MSM is in the business of keeping viewers watching and readers reading, so take them with a grain of salt. Remember, our grandmothers knew how to throw a meaningful holiday, even…
Two Cleaning Jobs Not to Skip
By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi Whether preparing your home for guests over the holidays or simply performing a deep clean on general principle, don’t overlook these two cleaning tasks. Dryer vents and exhaust fans tend to get skipped, sometimes for years at a time, which can cause both inefficiency and fire risks….
Financial Planners and Other Mysteries of Life
I am noticing a growing trend in my mailbox — readers in search of financial planners or advisors. Or assistants. The problem is that when taking in the message’s context it’s pretty clear that not everyone means the same thing when they refer to a financial “planner-advisor-assistant-helper.” One reader wanted to know where to find…
Inexpensive Kitchen Updates
The dog days of summer are long gone, the leaves have fallen from the trees, and the last of the fragile outdoor potted plants have been brought inside. The kitchen is once again the social center of the family universe, and you’re noticing that it has become a bit drab. No worries! There are plenty…
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