Tips, tricks & lore related to life at home
I admit that I bought a NeatDesk scanner instead of the Fujitsu ScanSnap because the NeatDesk is a joy to the eyes and the ScanSnap looks like a discarded toner cartridge. But after listening to David Sparks and Katie Floyd rattle on about the Fujitsu iX500 as they do, I’m wondering if I made the…
Our gas grill recently reached the point where it was more blowtorch than barbecue. We figured it was time to pony up for a new outdoor cooker. But face it, a barbecue is a pretty simple machine. Not much more than a bucket with fire inside. So why not fix the old one? The first…
Recently I tried cutting a crusty baguette with a sharp, serrated bread knife. Instead of placing the bread on a cutting board like a reasonable person, I simply held the loaf in one hand and the knife in the other while thinking “this is a bad idea.” Which it was. Ouch. Make: Online has a…
I don’t eat eggs all that often and I find that I make a mess of cracking them when I do. Apparently it is better to crack on the counter than on the side of the bowl, as the video linked below clearly demonstrates. HANDY HINT: If you do mis-crack your egg, a piece of…
Every other year or so I start out with good intentions to try and get a garden going. Now, thanks to Cool Tools maybe I have a shot of making it actually work. John Cowling’s review of the All New Square Foot Gardening highlights a back-to-basics approach that reminds me of Alan Chadwick’s work at…
I’ve been running in Vibram Five Fingers off and on for three years now and they are not the miracle shoes that some would have you believe. For one thing, you won’t win any fashion awards. My college-age daughter won’t be seen with my in public when I’m wearing my Five Fingers. And for another…
Not for the ultralight crowd, though I once ran into some guys who hiked into Tassajara with heavy cast iron cookware, a dutch oven lets you prepare gourmet meals you wouldn’t think possible at the campsite. Casseroles, fresh baked bread — it’s all possible with with a humble cast iron pot and some red hot…
I used to go backpacking with a friend who was kind of a schlump in daily life but on the trail he was in prefect control. His backpack was amazingly organized – everything had its place. When he needed anything it was instantly at his fingertips. I made a vow, “someday, somehow, I’m going to…
I’m hoping Moose will be a good trail dog someday. But first I have to figure out how to take him for a walk, without him walking me. Here’s what happens: Moose is pretty dialed in with having me as his pack leader. But on walks he becomes very focused on what’s ahead. He starts…
Before you stock up on 6V lantern batteries to cash in on Lifehacker’s Get 32 AA Batteries from a Single 6 Volt Battery tip, take a gander at the horrifying discovery I made tonight (in a frantic effort to scrounge up enough batteries to power my Pignose amp.) Inside a 6 volt Heavy Duty Eveready…
