News

There is a lot going on in the world of finance and investment. Here are some noteworthy news nuggets you need to know: Happy belated birthday to the U.S. Social Security program, which turned 86 years old this past Saturday. Luckily for many older Americans, it hasn't been gutted or dismantled yet. Stocks overall climbed to a new record last week despite mixed signals from a pessimistic consumer sentiment index and an optimistic jobless claims report. But markets are very volatile in Europe and the Middle East after recent events have caused further instability. The economy and markets may fluctuate...

Stay Healthy!  Exercise this past week has been kayaking Lucy around the cove, walking back and forth across the field adding layers to my lasagna garden {seaweed, wood chips and grass clippings} and cleaning out the garage. Seriously, why pay for a gym membership when you can hang out at home and get a boatload of work done?  Weigh What I Weighed When We Got Married  {128 pounds} Weigh-ins are the first Sunday of each month. My August 1st weight in was 131.4 My July 4th weigh in was 129.0 My June 6th weigh in was 129.6 My May 2nd...

When I was a child, I was afraid of bees. I had gone on vacation with my grandparents to Trecco Bay in Porthcawl, Wales. We were staying in a caravan, and the people next to us had a beautiful old English sheepdog. One day, I wandered over to visit him and was stung by a bee. My Nan panicked. My Grandad panicked. I was picked up and thrown into the car before we all dashed over to the chemist to get something to treat the sting. I was fine. The bee was not. Yet despite my physical well-being, the trauma...

You like the idea of taking the kids for a hike. Now it’s just a matter of convincing them it’s a good idea. And that can be a challenge with so many appealing activities vying for their attention. The answer? Make hiking sound even more appealing. Wanna go see a waterfall? Would you believe there’s a place near here where you can see 50 miles — or father — into the distance? Have you ever wondered what giant, prehistoric beavers might be capable of? What kid could resist all that? Having a hook is key to a successful family hike....

Your outdoor space is just as important as your indoor space. So keeping every yard on your property in tip-top shape should be one of your priorities. After all, it’s the space that everyone sees, so that space represents you.  One yard that people tend to forget about, even if they have it, is the side yard. This space is so often neglected that people will let it grow up or use it to store their junk instead of utilizing its potential beauty.  What Is A Side Yard? Image from Folia Horticultural + Design A side yard is simply a...