RANDOM MUSINGS
This is the junk drawer of the blog. It’s the miscellaneous stuff that defies categorizing, but seems too important to discard.
GOLF COURSES- A CAUTIONARY TALE
This is an eloquent article written by Jeannie Mounger, PhD, plant biologist & field applications scientist. A glossary of terms (that I had to look up!) is below the article. I wrote the statement below for the Jonathan Dickinson group, but it's worth sharing...
JUST HOW TOXIC ARE GOLF COURSES?
Several years ago, one of my friends was relocating near me & I was guiding her in choosing a house to purchase. Many properties were viewed & rejected & we finally found one online that looked promising. When we went to view it, we saw that it was across...
SAVE OUR FLORIDA PARKS
"Because Florida state parks are just what they ought to be: numerous, unsullied, and wild. They should not be marred by big business investors looking to make a profit." ~Jim Harper The Florida Department of Environmental Protection wants to change 9 State Parks...
TIPS TO HELP YOU BUY A HISTORIC BUNGALOW
You have decided that you want to buy a historic bungalow. Not surprising! They are America's favorite house & are highly suited for anyone who values comfort, history & fellowship. Bungalow neighborhoods tend to be friendly & inclusive, attracting...
OLD HOUSE RESTORATION VIDEOS-Home Inspections on Old Houses
I hang out on many old house group boards & read many stories of homebuyers whose inspections failed to find & report major issues. Most of the time, the homebuyer didn't really know what things an inspection is designed to find, or, how to ensure that they...
SELLING YOUR HISTORIC HOUSE
Life changes can interrupt the most heart-felt, best laid plans. A marriage, a divorce, a new baby, a job transfer, a lay-off, a family member in need of care, any one of these things can profoundly affect your circumstances. So, after much soul-searching &...
HAVING A SUCCESSFUL BUNGALOW RESTORATION , Part 1- Know Thyself
If you want to have a successful bungalow restoration, you need to take a hard look at your own goals, your own tolerances, your own proclivities, way before you even start looking for your dream house. Too often people fall in love with a house & as much as it is...
HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BUNGALOW RESTORATION, Part 2- Your Significant Other
So there you are. Standing in front of a derelict house whose potential charm & beauty just need to be revealed by the loving hand in a successful bungalow restoration. Sounds perfect. Well, let’s take a look at this perfection before you decide that it will be...
BEFORE YOU HIRE AN OLD HOUSE CONTRACTOR
Once upon a time, I was standing in line at a Japanese take-out (great place!) & stepped back when I noticed the grungy guy in front of me. He was wearing a t-shirt that had seen 1,000 better days. It was a bit hiked up in the back, & I could almost see his...
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF RESTORING AN OLD HOUSE?
Long ago, when feebly attempting to restore a Folk Victorian, I discovered that the biggest challenge of restoring an old house is battle fatigue. It’s extremely easy to get disheartened. I know I’m not your mother (Disclaimer: I think I’m everybody’s mother.) but I...
