Browsing category: Simply Personal

And Sure Enough, It Was

We were in the kitchen one afternoon when one of my sons suddenly looked past me out the window and said something in an odd surprised voice… When I asked him what he had said, he said the same thing again…

Two Spools, Some Knots & a Short Piece of Rope

… this is the simple toy I made for them using two spools, some knots, and a short piece of rope. It helps that the spools are hard plastic and make an interesting clanking noise when they knock together and that the rope is thick and soft and very flexible.

Coping with a Power Outage

Reader question… “We found ourselves in a situation without electrical power for two days last week after the ice storm downed power lines in our neighborhood. We had never experienced a power outage before and weren’t prepared. My question…”

Do I Really Want Another Dishwasher?

Do I really want another dishwasher? I don’t know. We have had some miserable luck with our last three dishwashers, with each one being a “more trouble than it’s worth” situation.

So If There is a Plus Side to this Whole Unfortunate Incident…

The resulting noise was incredible. The ground shook. And suddenly the loud machinery noises stopped as the men all came to stand in front of the collapsed wall. The truck driver’s face was beet red and he kept saying “I am SO sorry” over and over again.

Why There Are No Old Bold Mushroom Hunters

There is an old saying that there are only two types of mushroom hunters. There are the old mushroom hunters and there are the bold mushroom hunters…. but there are no old bold mushroom hunters.

A Little Too Close For Comfort

This year a huge patch of wild blackberries has grown up just a few feet from one end of our vegetable garden. These dense bushes, which cover a radius of twenty or so feet, are almost as tall as I am and they are just loaded with huge, beautiful berries…

This Winter Has Been Something Else

Several emails have come in over the last many days asking how we’re managing here with this winter’s extreme cold temperatures and excessive snow storms. Apparently the New England storms and subzero temperatures have become worldwide news.

Involuntary Tunnel Vision?

The weather people are warning that there is another severe snow storm headed our way. They get a little giddy with their forecasts sometimes…

Everyone Agreed It Was Past Time For a Rest

Our waking hours have been filled to the brim these last several months. There has been the usual garden and yard work, the usual housework and meals, and the usual number of hours spent on the work that brings in our income…