When I first got cats, I swore that I was not going to get any hideous, carpet-covered cat trees for my abode. Then I realized that my cats had no way to see out the upstairs windows. What kind of cruel owner was I? I might as well put them in jail. So I looked for cat tree plans online (warning: … Read more
We had a break in the cold weather this weekend, so I took the opportunity to plant the last of my bulbs. I planted 21 bulbs of two different species tulips, two hyacinth bulbs, and six double narcissus (daffodil) bulbs. I’m not a big fan of daffodils, but the double ones have an intriguing look and they come up earlier than … Read more
How I mended a felted-wool Banana Republic cardigan sweater after my neurotic cat ate a chunk out of it. Same method works for dog- and moth-eaten sweaters. Read more …
I recaulked by bathtub a few weeks ago and decided to clean the bathroom fan while I was at it, figuring a clean bathroom fan would exhaust the fumes more quickly than a dirty one. I’ve cleaned the vent cover but never the fan itself. The fan blades were each covered with about a quarter-inch of dust – enough to almost … Read more
I have nothing against canned beans in a pinch, but I prefer to cook my own because I can make them with less salt and more flavor. I make large batches, then freeze portions in 1- or 2-cup containers for use in recipes or to heat up as a side dish (or, better yet, as refried beans). If you don’t … Read more
The grout next to my bathroom sink was looking a bit piqued. I decided to clean it the way that everybody on the internet says to: by using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Afterward, it looked even worse: I guess the bubbling from the hydrogen peroxide loosened too much of the old grout. I wasn’t about to start a complicated re-grouting project. I am … Read more
I have an insect display box that I picked up at a garage sale for $1 a while back. I bought it for the lepidopterans that were inside more than for the box itself, which had a frame of cardboard and black book tape that was starting to fray around the edges. I moved the specimens into a different shadow … Read more
It’s that time of year when the mere thought of opening the front door fills me with dread: the snot-freezing depths of winter. So out come the winter accessories! In previous years, I’ve kept my hats, gloves, and mittens in a plastic drawer unit in my coat closet. The problem is that my coat closet is nowhere near the front door. As a … Read more