Life Style & Travel

UNITED STATES—It typically does not hit you what having a poor credit score means until you see raising interest rates, denial of loan applications, or even increased insurance costs, so it’s important to start building your credit now. Failing to can cost you thousands in extra interest over the years. Check out some of the side effects that can...

UNITED STATES—'Perennial' is a simple adjective that describes something that last for more than a single year. Horticulturally, it is not this simple. After all, every plant that is not an 'annual,' which completes its entire life cycle within only one year, is technically a 'perennial.' Those that develop lignified (woody) parts instead conform to such categories as tree,...

UNITED STATES—Foliar color is not limited to autumn. Some deciduous plants display colorful foliage from spring to autumn. Then, some of these change color for autumn. Some evergreen plants display colorful foliage through the year. Variegation of foliage can be more colorful than associated bloom. So can unvariegated bronze, purple, red, yellow, blue or gray foliage. All sorts of plants...

UNITED STATES—Let’s tackle from today’s woke perspective what would be called diversity in it’s “A Mad Mad Mad Mad World.” In a way it’s a cynical look at humanity, a story of greed and temporary insanity. And you had these European screen writer’s, an Anglified American and his professional and personal partner (William and Tania Rose) extrapolating from their...

UNITED STATES—It does appear we are getting back to a hint of normalcy America. Many states across the country are starting to fully reopen, even though a vast majority of Americans are still unvaccinated. Look, there are people who are going to get vaccinated and there are those people who are NOT going to get vaccinated. No matter what...

UNITED STATES—Succulents, both old and new, have been something of a fad for quite a while now. There are certainly many reasons for them to be popular. They add bold form, texture and color to the garden. Most adapt excellently to container gardening. Many types are resistant to pathogens. Succulents are generally easy to maintain and equally as easy...

UNITED STATES—Tania Rose (1924-2015) was co-screenwriter, creator of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” along with her husband William Rose (1918-1987), an American who stayed on in England after World War II service. Rose penned “The Ladykillers” in a stellar string of Ealing Studio Comedies. The one screenplay for which both husband and wife are credited is “It’s...

UNITED STATES—Roots are innately mysterious. They consume much of the resources that plants require. They stabilize the stems above them. Few plants can survive without them. Yet, roots are very secretive about their work. Almost all are invisibly subterranean. Consequently, they get minimal consideration. A lack of consideration is a root cause of many root problems. Every plant species has...

UNITED STATES—Mowers are for mowing lawns and shallow ground cover. Blowers are for blowing debris from pavement, decking and other flat surfaces. The names of these tools suggest these particular functions. Those of us who use such tools tend to be aware of their limitations. Why are simple concepts of shearing and the associated tools so difficult to understand? 'Mow,...

UNITED STATES—When “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” was re-released in 1970, it got slapped with a G-rating. Heck, I was seven years old and already had a sense that a G-rating was bad yawning Disney juju, fun for the whole family. Like Jerry Seinfeld has said, “Fun for the whole family seldom is.” But MMMMW this is...