No, Marie Kondo never said you should limit yourself to 30 books. She wants you to keep what makes you happy, and for me that was most of my books. Although I kept most of what I already had, it allowed me to reacquaint myself with my collection and inspired my husband to go through his books. He was a little more merciless than I.
After a month of immersive research into various lifecycle impacts of aluminum, steel, and asphalt shingles, we have come to a decision that incorporates product affordability, energy efficiency, ecological impacts, and recycling feasibility. I am confident that we made the best decision, and I am looking forward to the fact that I won’t have to think about roofs again for the next 50 years.
Having spent five years running a home health and weatherization program, I am every contractor’s worst nightmare. I ask tough questions and don’t give an inch. Energy efficiency and health are inextricably tied, and I have seen how cutting corners can jeopardize health. Fortunately, making professional energy improvements in conjunction with getting our new roof will more than pay off in the long run.
Four years ago, I wished that people would pay attention to their elections and get involved wherever possible. For better or worse, it would appear that I got my wish. Pennsylvania is seeing record voter registration and overwhelming activity at the polls already. Here is what you need to know as a PA and Allegheny County voter before heading to the polls (or your mailbox).
Presidential elections have become more divisive in recent years, in part because of our perceptions, which are shaped by social media and the 24-hour news cycle, but also because we seem to be investing more authority in the executive office and federal government. Both sides of the aisle have been skewing economically right and socially authoritarian over time, making each subsequent election more critical.
Lawns are resource-intensive and boring. I have been working for several years now to expand or create new gardens throughout our yard to increase the attractiveness of our property to both human eyes and pollinator bellies. Building new, organic, and eco-friendly garden beds takes a lot time and physical labor. Now four summers in to my project, I’m trying to work smarter, not harder.
Spending a month with my parents in eastern PA allowed me to meet our newest invasive species: the Spotted Lanternfly. This insect has been in Pennsylvania for less than a decade but is already wreaking havoc on a variety of cash crops, including grapes, grains, fruit, and hardwood. This post covers how to recognize them and kill them – because, yes, it is necessary.
Back in the Before Times when I could buy in bulk with my own containers or use reusable mugs at coffee shops, zero-waste challenges were a comparative piece of cake. Plastic-Free July is just one of many things that has been made harder by the presence of the novel coronavirus. Here are some of the decisions I’ve made that take health and waste into account.
A few months ago I wrote a post about the feral kitties in our neighborhood. We’ve been feeding them and providing shelters for them, but have been unsuccessful in trapping them – until now. All of the research for my last post did not prepare me for the actual experience of trapping a feral animal, and this process involved some learning on my feet.
This is a great time of year for birthdays, though I may be slightly biased. For my birthday this year, I had planned to combine my loves of classic literature and craft beer in a joint “Leaves of Grass” poetry reading and Bell’s “Leaves of Grass” beer tasting. Unfortunately social distancing has complicated matters, but I’m still feeling connected, even while apart.