Processing Plastics

Plastic is ubiquitous. That's never more apparent than when we try to get a handle on using and recycling it. It's admirable to limit our use of plastic, but in reality it's difficult to avoid some use for modern consumers.

For me the goal is to use only what I can recycle and what does not create health issues (either now or in the future). To be honest I find it confusing. Recently I stumbled upon some pertinent information on » READ MORE

September 01, 2008

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Visions of Cape Cod

Henry David Thoreau wrote about it, a few years later Edward Hopper painted it and now we're guilty of loving Cape Cod too much (think densely built). Hopper made his home at Truro and famously mined the surrounding areas for his spare landscapes.

The New York Times writer Gregory Dicum notes the changing scenery in his article, Cape Cod, in Edward Hopper’s Light. He shows the changes by presenting Hopper's pictures juxtaposed » READ MORE

August 14, 2008

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Au Revoir, Saint Laurent

I've come to believe that all fashion was designed prior to 1980. Since then it's been a long commercially driven re-hash of the greatest hits...

On June 1st, 2008 Yves Saint Laurent, one of Fashion's greatest designers, slipped from this mortal coil. From the color-blocked Mondrian collection through the androgynous Le Smoking to the luxurious Ballets Russes collection, his runway looks were constantly copied and had a seismic » READ MORE

June 01, 2008

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Organic Pest Prevention

The slow arrival of Spring weather has many people putting off garden chores. The slightest promise of decent weather, or a transient break in the clouds, is accompanied by the sound of furious digging.

Anyone who's fought off persistent pests using only organic treatments is, at heart, an optimist. But by mid-summer even the most stouthearted begin stealing glances down the Bug Murder aisle at the store (Groundwater? Never touch » READ MORE

May 30, 2008

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DIY: Tomato Nursery, the Water Wall

The Plant Frost Protector, Wall O' Water Insulating Teepee is a great device that absorbs the heat from the sun through the day and keeps plants warm through the night. Just the few degrees difference can mean a lot when you're incubating tender young tomatoes.

This year I've gone a little crazy with the tomato patch and exceeded my store of six Wall o' Water units. Which meant that I could upgrade to a new one in red (which is » READ MORE

May 28, 2008

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Fighting Fat with Kids ...

Cultural abundance has its drawbacks. Too much food can mean too much tummy. And for many the war is ongoing through life.

The one of the latest health concerns is over obesity in children. The worry is real. Once an eating pattern is developed it is very difficult to change. I was an obese kid and I've fought with weight my entire life (with wildly varying results). It's a war I'd spare any child if I could.

Recently, and sadly » READ MORE

May 28, 2008

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Fuel Efficiency Super Tip!

Happy accident? What if doing the environment a favor saved you money? There's a pretty fair argument for turning off your car's engine when you're not actually moving:

For every two minutes a car is idling, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to go about one mile.

But you're not going anywhere. Idling gets zero miles per gallon.

Restarting the modern engine doesn't use more gas. That thinking is a leftover from the era » READ MORE

May 28, 2008

1 comment  |  221 views

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Home Furnishings: Stylish Savings

Online high-end furnishings merchant Decorati sells the finest To-The-Trade-Only lines. But they've got a little secret... they're selling off the samples to anyone with the cash.

You'll be able to get a lot more mileage out of your budget AND use exquisite pieces. Like:

Jacques Garcia Malmaison Arm Chair, styled after the chairs from the Fontainebleau Palace. Retail: $2615, Clearance: $862.95

Lorin Quilted Sofa, a 92” long sleekly » READ MORE

May 23, 2008

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Fragrance fodder

It began when I was a teenager. My Grandmother Mary looked me straight in the eye and said, "You smell exactly like a French who-who-house." * In her day ladies sprayed cologne in the air and then walked through it. Men smelled clean. She'd caught me over-achieving with my very first fragrance, Canoe (selected entirely due to it's advertising, I'm sure). That seemed like a good cue to start over.

Thirty-plus years later I'm a » READ MORE

May 19, 2008

1 comment  |  197 views

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DIY: Pollock

I have tried to emulate a Jackson Pollock. I was much younger, in dire need of a piece of art within my price range and possessed of art supplies purchased at a garage sale.

Oh yeah, and I was assisted and enabled by a good friend. We were both fueled by Chardonnay (everyone knows what a friend art has in cocktails. Right?).

It was appalling. I was, however, the proud owner of a custom-painted (and truly stunning) pair of Chuck » READ MORE

May 15, 2008

3 comments  |  151 views

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