Life Style & Travel

UNITED STATES—Rain is at least as relevant as temperature is to the seasons here. Temperature does not change as much. The warmest of summer weather does not seem to be terribly hot. Low humidity helps. The coolest of winter weather is not too terribly cold. Some local climates lack frost. The difference between dry weather and rainy weather is...

UNITED STATES—Finding a therapist is pretty easy these days, especially if you search online, but finding a therapist who's a good personal fit for you isn't always straightforward. What exactly does it mean to find a therapist who's a good fit? Which criteria should you use in your decision? And what steps can you take to ensure a better...

UNITED STATES—ThisSpring is when most rodents are most active. Although they do not hibernate locally, they are a bit less active through winter. Their activity increases with warming spring weather. Their progeny increases their population. Assorted fresh vegetation that sustains them is most abundant. Their activity decelerates slightly through summer because of predation. Although they may be no more active...

UNITED STATES—Fireplaces and wood stoves are not completely obsolete. They are merely less common than they were years ago. Modern building codes prohibit them within new construction. For some that incur damage from earthquakes, removal is more practical than repair. Not many people use fireplaces and wood stoves nowadays anyway. Nonetheless, a few do. Sources of firewood have also changed....

UNITED STATES—Autumn foliar color eventually gets messy. Actually, any deciduous foliage can become messy during its autumn defoliation. Color is not a prerequisite. Some deciduous foliage remains green through the process. Furthermore, some evergreen foliage contributes to the mess. A few evergreen species shed a bit more as the weather becomes more wintry. Contrary to popular belief, deciduous vegetation is...

UNITED STATES—I have to admit I have been skirting around eating my veggies lately and it is something that concerns me. I will admit I don’t eat many veggies in the morning for breakfast, unless I happen to be cooking breakfast on a weekend, where I have an omelet with veggies in it. For lunch, it depends on the...

UNITED STATES—Indian Summer complicates autumn. It is an imposition of pleasant weather that delays inevitable chill. Gardening is a bit more enjoyable while the weather remains summery. However, late warmth confuses a few species that should decelerate growth for autumn. Deciduous species delay dormancy. This delays the development of autumn foliar color. Consequently, autumn foliar color is somewhat late this...

UNITED STATES—While traveling opens you up to fun and fulfilling experiences, we all know it isn’t a cheap affair. This is why we wrote a previous post on ‘7 Ways to Manage Your Money While Traveling Abroad’, starting with comparing domestic and foreign currencies to have an accurate idea of the budget you need throughout the trip. But given these tight...

Halloween seems to be an appropriate time to bury early spring bulbs in shallow graves. The season begins about now, and continues until about the end of the year. Installation of new bulbs might initially be ungratifying. There is nothing to show after their interment. Their spectacular bloom during late winter or early spring should more than compensate. Freesia, narcissus,...

UNITED STATES—Sam early on discovered one of the secrets of his success. He could not fret over what he could not control. He'd be politely reading, even in advanced age this invisible eminence who was flattered by his friends' indifference to his earthly achievements. He would see a lady with a baby stroller struggling with the door during the...