Category Archives: Yard & Outdoors

The Incredible History of San Francisco

May 27, 2024   Matt

The Incredible History of San Francisco

I grew up watching cowboy movies and tales of the old Wild West on weekend television with my dad. I can’t help but think of those old black and white movies whenever I think of San Francisco or California in general. Whenever I think of visiting San Francisco there is a part of me that visualizes the San Francisco of old, long before the earthquake of 1906, or not so long before actually.

If you share my vision of a Wild West San Francisco or just wonder what it would have been like to walk down the streets of old, then perhaps one of these museums will help give you a taste of the good ole west without the outhouses (the one thing I never really could wrap my mind around). Even if you can handle a world without indoor plumbing, the idea of enjoying the greatest of the past while still experiencing the comforts of modern existence is quite appealing to me.

That being said, the first Museum on my list is an outdoor museum known as The Gold Rush Trail. To walk The Gold Rush Trail is literally to follow in the footsteps of history. Even though it isn’t a museum that is filled with relics of the past, if you close your eyes and listen intently perhaps you can hear the ghosts of yesterday as they tell you the story of how this fair city began and what it has become today.

The next point of interest is The Society of California Pioneers. The society offers not only a museum but a library as well that are both open to the public and feature programs that focus on California. If you need snapshots of the vibrant history of California as well as San Francisco this is a good place to begin your search. If you don’t find what you are looking for in the museum check out the library and see if they have something that will quench your thirst for historical knowledge.

The Museum of the City of San Francisco is next on my list of places that offer a glimpse into the past of this phenomenal city. If you haven’t found what you are looking for on your first two stops, then perhaps this museum will provide the answers, or simply the moment in time, that you are seeking. This is by far my favorite for learning about the history of San Francisco specifically. With exhibits dedicated to events such as the Gold Rush, the earthquake of 1906, and the building of the Golden Gate Bridge, there is no doubt that you are getting the history of this city, not the state, and not the country. I think there is a lot to be said about history and how it always seems to have such a profound effect upon the future. If you are able to visit this museum I would certainly recommend it above most others in the area for an authentically San Francisco ambiance at the very least.

The history of any city is a vital ingredient in what makes that city the success or failure that it has become. Not only do the events in a cities history have a significant impact on the future of a city, but also the people of a city. It is the people of any city that recover, rebuild, and remain or pack up and leave. Isn’t it incredible that we have the opportunity to learn about these great people?

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The Best Plants for Your Landscaping Project

May 17, 2024   Matt

The Best Plants for Your Landscaping Project

When you deal with plants, information is necessary to ensure that they are right for your landscape, your geographical area, the season suitable for planting, and the proper care that needs to be implemented, and etc. Without this knowledge, you can not assume that the investment is justified..

One practical suggestion is to consider planting an herb garden. Herbs are good for landscaping. The bonus will be herbs are both practical and can be used in cooking. Other options are available but you must you must carefully consider the plants to insure that they are appropriate for your needs.

One consideration that you should not dwell a great deal is the decorative appeal of the plants. You may be attracted to their color, size, and flowers but they may not be appropriate. Select plants that will do well in your area so that do well and provide the desired effect. Take note of the following factors in choosing plants:

• Site and soil conditions. Remember plants have environmental requirements. You need to be aware of your particular conditions and consider the following: exposure to light and wind, soil conditions and structures nearby. If you fail to check on these very important factors, chances are, the plantings will not do good as well as you expected.

• Size and type selection. If you desire a certain plant because of its size and type, you should be aware that they must be handled, planted, and cared for in the proper way. There are three types of ornamental plants: those that are called ball and burlap (B&B), bare root and container grown. If the plants are container grown or ball and burlap plants, you must handle with care and remove the container around the root ball leaving as much soil as possible around the roots. The pot should be totally or the burlap partially removed. Bare root plants, which are smaller in size, are only available in spring and should be planted immediately after purchase.
• Climatic considerations are very important because the plants survival is highly dependent on temperature, etc. Carefully check the plants you are choosing for your landscape and make certain the climates in your area is suitable.
• Prevent pests. There are plants that can resist certain pests. Be sure to choose these plants for your landscape especially if you have identified the pests that are a problem in your area.
• Start healthy. Choose plants from a reputable nursery that you know have been properly cared for. Be aware – do not purchase damaged in plants.

Landscaping is a big investment so as choosing the plants that goes with it. Proper selection and care is needed.

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Simple Strategies On How To Efficiently Improve Your House

May 12, 2024   Matt

Simple Strategies On How To Efficiently Improve Your House

I guess you could say I’ve been involved in-home improvement projects quite often in my life. At this very minute my husband is finishing the drywall in our living room, and will soon be painting it. While it’s great to see the finished product, the process can be very messy.

Building a rock climbing wall on an outside or inside wall of ones home can be a great improvement. Not only will it be a unique feature for ones home but it will also be able to be used for a fun exercise and will be sure to be a hit with the family.

If your home is an older house there’s a good chance you might have outdated PVC windows, which are difficult to maintain and often yellow with age. Replacing the PVC with modern plate glass can make a significant difference in the look of the house. Glass windows will also allow more natural sunlight into your home, creating a more open, inviting atmosphere.

Don’t throw out paintbrushes and rollers each time you use them! They can be cleaned and reused as long as you take care of them. Paint pans can be cleaned by letting them dry and then peeling off the paint. Don’t waste your money on pan liners as cleaning the pan itself is simple.

Put in an outdoor motion detector for your outside lighting. This way the lights will only be on when they are activated and not all day or all night unnecessarily. Most people don’t need their outside lights other than when they come home or leave after dark.

This tip might seem like it is common sense, but you’d be shocked at just how many people do not shut off the main water supply before attempting plumbing repairs. You might cut off the water to a direct outlet, like the sink or toilet, but as long as the main is still online you could end up flooding your home.

Improving your home’s curb appeal can be as easy as replacing a mailbox. A new, more modern mailbox can make your home feel upgraded. The project can often be completed in less than two hours. Just be sure to follow any Home Owners’ Association guidelines when picking your mailbox out.

If your carpet has lots of unsightly dents from moving furniture around during a home improvement project, use a fork to fluff the carpet fibers back to their original shape. The tines are the ideal size for re-plumping fibers that have been flattened by the heavy legs of your sofa or coffee table.

Put a skirt on your bathroom sink! Tired of seeing those tired old pipes every time you go into your bathroom? Buy a pretty piece of fabric from the sewing center, cut it to size, and hem around all four edges. Run a cord through the top hem and gather the curtain so it hangs daintily in place.

We have a home which is over 100 years old and updating it has been an ongoing process over the past five years. We have a new dining room, two new bathrooms and half of a new kitchen. Recently, my husband installed four new windows and put new siding on half of the house. I can’t wait for the whole thing to be done!

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Can a Termite See

May 02, 2024   Matt

Can a Termite See

Have you been wondering about the age old question, can a termite see? Me either, but it is an interesting question. After all, these small pests can infiltrate a home and cause a huge amount of damage, but how do they find their food source? Do they see a tasty huge old Victorian home and call all their bodies to road trip on into the foundation? The truth is that in most termites, they have no eyes, so the easy answer to the question can a termite see is No. Some of the reproductive members of a termite colony will have eyes because they also have wings, but in general, termites cannot see.

So how do they find their food? That’s almost as good a question as can a termite see! Termites are blind, and they really have no method to their madness, so to speak, when it comes to finding a food source. Basically, they wander around moving about until they encounter some type of resistance at which time they switch directions and keep going until they find something they are able to eat. We’re not talking about a cross country road trip, but let’s just say you have termites in a wood pile behind your home. When they finish up with the wood and decide they want a different kind of wood and head toward your house, the travel across your yard might feel like a cross country journey to them!

Some people consider the question can a termite see frivolous, but it really can mean a lot to the person who is interested in getting rid of or preventing a termite problem. If they can’t see, all they can really rely on is touch. They like wet places – especially wet places with damp wood. Take steps to make sure you have no leaks around your home that may attract your blind enemy. Don’t let the soil underneath your house get wet in any way, and keep the soil away from the foundation of your house if at all possible.

When doing landscaping work, you may want to use a wood mulch to decorate. If you want to do this, keep the mulch away from the foundation of the house and always use black landscaping to keep the termites from emerging from the soil and eating through your mulch. An even better idea is to use stone when landscaping.

We hope we’ve answer your question about can a termite see effectively. For more information, you may also want to consult an encyclopedia or look on the Internet to become fully informed about those pesky termites!

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How To Get Affordable Homeowner’s Insurance In Alabama

April 27, 2024   Matt

How To Get Affordable Homeowner’s Insurance In Alabama

If you have a mortgage on your home it will come as no surprise to you that your lender requires you to purchase homeowner’s insurance. But did you know that almost 90% of Alabama homeowner’s who own their homes free and clear still choose to purchase homeowner’s insurance?

The reason isn’t difficult to figure out. For most people their home is their biggest and most prized asset and they simply want to do whatever they can to protect that asset. And well they should.

On the other hand there’s no benefit to paying any more for homeowner’s insurance than necessary and so many people are looking for ways to get affordable homeowner’s insurance here in Alabama.

Remember, too, that while your lender has every right to insist that you purchase homeowner’s insurance, your mortgage company cannot legally force you to buy insurance from any particular company. And that is your key to finding affordable homeowner’s insurance.

There are several things you can do that will drive down the cost of your insurance each month.

For example, did you know that if you have a retired person living in your home that you may be entitled to a break on your insurance?

Did you know that your credit score affects how much you pay each month for your insurance? It does. So keep your credit good and your credit score high, because the better your credit score the less you pay for your insurance each month.

Did you know that the biggest reason for a homeowner’s insurance claim is not fire, but water damage? The biggest culprit is either a broken water pipe or a broken appliance connection that floods the house at night or when the home is empty during the day.

Ask your agent how much you could save if you made the one-time investment to upgrade your home’s plumbing and wiring. If the numbers make sense, then go ahead.

Install outdoor floodlights that are motion-controlled and also trim back all bushes away from windows to discourage burglars. Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and make certain that every single window has a working lock.

A 24/7 home security system that’s monitored off-site not only helps to protect you from both fire as well as burglary, it can also save you 20% or sometimes more on your homeowner’s insurance – but talk to your agent before installing a system as not all systems merit the full discount on your monthly premium.

Purchasing a kitchen-rated fire extinguisher for your kitchen and installing a full compliment of fire and smoke detectors will also help keep your monthly premium cost down.

Now, taking what you have learned in this article go to 3 different websites that allow you to compare the prices of homeowner’s insurance policies from different insurance companies. Input the same information onto 3 of these websites and then find the company that has the lowest price and which you feel confident will be around for at least another 30 years.

And you’re done. You have now gotten affordable homeowner’s insurance here in Alabama and you can feel confident that you will be saving money month after month and year after year.

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Easy Tips From One Handyman To Another

April 22, 2024   Matt

Easy Tips From One Handyman To Another

Home improvement can be great for the do-it-yourself homeowner, or the homeowner who likes to hire a professional to take on the project. Either way, you can’t go wrong with making repairs and doing some upgrading as long as you follow these tips and advice on how to avoid pitfalls and make the best decisions possible.

When selecting home renovations, consider the savings you will see in the future. For example, a new fridge may save you significantly on electricity bills, and new insulation in the attic could help reduce heating and cooling costs. While these renovations may seem expensive, future savings should always be considered during the planning stage of a home renovation.

Brighten up your kitchen or bathroom with a mosaic backsplash. Backsplashes serve two purposes: they are both utilitarian and a style element. Most people use regular square tile clay for their backsplash, but a mosaic design creates interest and allows you to express your personality. Fortunately, you can buy mosaic tiles on a mesh sheet, saving the time that it would take to lay each tile individually. This provides you with an intricate pattern without having to cut any tile, which can be tricky.

Open up the curtains and blinds during a showing to allow natural light into the home. If the outdoor scenery is not desirable, consider keeping the blinds somewhat closed to draw less attention to it. Turn on all of the lights in the home so the home looks bright and cheery instead of dark and dreary.

If you are the proud owner of an asphalt driveway you need to keep on the lookout for cracks and repair them as soon as possible to keep your driveway in good shape. Keeping your driveway clean and free of debris is the first step in good driveway maintenance.

Check your pipes and plumbing regularly. Clogs in sinks, tubs, and toilets can lead to water back-ups. Flooding from back-ups can create an awful mess and cause massive amounts of expensive damage. Slow moving drains can cause rings of dirt to appear in your tubs and sinks, creating a embarrassing issue. It is best to keep on top of and remove clogs regularly.

If you are looking to improve your house with new appliances, think of how much you are willing to spend as well as the length of time before you will have to replace them. Refrigerators last up to 20 years, microwaves up to 10 years, stoves up to 15 years and washers/dryers last about 13 years.

Don’t throw out your small baby food jars; instead use them to organize your workspace. Superglue or screw the lids of the jars to the underside of a wall shelf. Insert small items into the jars, such as: beads, jewelry parts, screws or nails. Then twist the jars back into place under the shelf. This helps take full advantage of a wall shelf and small jars you didn’t think you would ever need.

Whether you are improving your own personal residence or an investment property that you will use for resale or renting, the tips we have discussed in this article will set you well on your way to higher property values as well as hassle free and financially responsible remodeling projects.

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