One Roll or Two?
By: Wayne Coolidge
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What is going on in the world? It is getting scary. First, I keep getting phone calls and texts saying that my social security number has been compromised and suspended and that there are cops on the way to arrest me! Then, there is a threat of a pandemic disease that will eventually befall us all. The world economy is collapsing all around us, more and more each day. Forget about watching sports to pass the time– because every major sport has been suspended or cancelled. Then to top it off, I can’t buy toilet paper anywhere!
I had heard about the run on toilet paper (no pun intended), but I thought it was all media hype. That was until my youngest daughter, who lives 3 hours north of us, called the other day and said there was no toilet paper in any of her local stores. The same day, I told that story to a client and she confirmed it was true here also. She just had to order tp online from Target. What? That’s crazy. I looked at a job yesterday with a repeat client and rather than offering me a coffee or a snack – she offered me some toilet paper. No joke!! In hindsight, I probably should have taken her up on her generous offer!
What happens if we won’t be able to order tp online– what is our next option? Wendy and I did a lot of canoeing and camping in our early days and had to resort to nature on a few occasions. I guess that will be the last resort. You walk into the woods to find the biggest, thickest, and most tender leaf you can find. The problem right now is that the trees haven’t even started budding yet, so that means we need to ration what supplies we have on hand. I have created an Excel spreadsheet based on two peoples’ needs. We have 12 rolls of Charmin toilet paper, each with 426 2-ply sheets per roll. Based on an average of using 60 sheets per day, we can last 85 days before running out. Worst case scenario- that should give us enough time for the trees to blossom. Of course, if we have any guests that need to use our facilities- that will throw off my whole algorithm!
Some friendly advice if you do need to resort to using Mother Nature’s bounty for tp: do not grab the low lying greenish, shiny leaves of three! Even if they are close by and handy to grab! Try sitting still in a canoe after a few hours of using those…
I can see the black market starting to thrive. You walk down a dark alley and you hear, “pssst, hey, over here.” You walk over to the shady character and ask, “You got the stuff?” He replies, “Yah man, one roll or two?”
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DIY Decoupage Eggs
Materials:
Paper Mâché Eggs
Mod Podge
Any thin paper (napkins, paper, flower petals, etc.)
How to:
Apply a generous amount of mod podge to the paper and stick to the egg. Overlap and apply as much paper, in anyway you want. Finish by putting a layer of mod podge over the entire egg. Display however you choose! Candle holders make for a great decoration.
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Courtesy of Chuck Rhoades
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Raised beds can offer a simple, organized way to garden. With many different materials available, you can find a style to fit your budget and design preference.
-Simple wooden frames are a classic look. Make sure to use rot-resistant lumber to provide beds that will last for years to come.
-Woven wicker is a material that although less popular, can be used and gives a nice, rustic look.
-Built-in stone beds last forever and of course, will not rot. These can be designed into your landscape so that even when it is not the growing season, they still fit nicely into your scenery.
-If you’re going for a more modern look, metal can be a great option, especially with a variety of colors available.
-Use planter boxes to create a raised bed by stacking them together and on top of each other for a simple, tiered look.
Years of gardening can be torture on your back. If so, a tall raised bed could be your answer for ease of use. In the right scenario, adding a bench to the side of a raised bed can be very useful for tending to plants. Even better, create a mobile seat that sits right on the edge of your bed that you can sit on and move around the bed as needed. For plants that need to climb, you can easily attach a trellis to one side of your raised bed. Having a frame to work with also makes it easier to attach a frost blanket or fencing to deter animals. If your only option is to put the raised bed on a deck or patio, you won’t want the soil washing out of it. This can be prevented by adding a liner inside of the raised bed frame.
Whichever option you choose, adding raised beds is an easy, non-permanent solution to get you ready for the growing season!
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Backyard Fire Pit Design
As the landscaping season approaches, you may be looking for what you can improve or change in your yard. A perfect project is to add or update your fire pit! There are varying materials and designs for a fire pit, based on your style preference and how you want to utilize it.
For those who desire a more secluded fire, a private area in the yard could be the perfect spot to put one. On the contrary, others may be looking for a place to amp up their entertaining space. For this, you should choose a spot where you want all eyes drawn, like a scenic view. Or, perhaps placing it in a spot where people will be congregating, like a pool or close to/on your patio.
The material and seating you choose for the fire pit will directly change the feel of it. The most popular materials used are brick, stone, or metal. It can be as simple as a metal fire ring with a few benches encircling it. Adding outdoor throw pillows can add a pop of color and tie it into another area of your outdoor living space. Neutral hues and cushions will add a cozier feeling to your area. If you have a large deck, you may opt to add a gas fire pit instead. Thus, adding ambience without the risk of flying ash.
To draw attention to your fire pit, create a pathway leading to it. However, if you want to set it apart from the rest of your outdoor space, encircle the outside with rocks as a division. You can also just keep it simple, by placing your fire pit on a grassy spot or add gravel to make mowing the area easier.
Finish the outdoor look by adding lighting, like tiki torches or hang string lights of your liking.
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Utilize space between joists in your basement or garage. Attach wire shelving underneath the joists and find storage bins to fit perfectly in between. A cheap and easy solution for extra storage!
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