February Home Tips

Hello, Everyone,

Now that winter is here and we should expect more snow, I’d like to remind you of the app called Plowz&Mowz.  Depending on your community, the high schools sometimes have organized snow-shoveling brigades and some cities and towns provide snow removal for homeowners beyond a certain age.

The fund-raising organization, Wounded Warriors, has received bad press recently.  It’s easy to google charities to check on the percentage a charity really donates to its cause.  Homes for Our Troops is based in Taunton, MA, and the last time I checked, only 10% was used for admin compared to 40% by Wounded Warriors.  Homes for Our Troops renovates and provides homes for maimed veterans.

Wondering what to do with your stack of paperback books?    Please consider donating them to operationpaperback.org, which sends “gently-used” books to our troops.

Enjoy the weekend and please remember me when your friends, family or colleagues are thinking of buying or selling.  I am grateful for your referrals.

Best,
Bonny




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November Home Tips

Hello, Everyone! The link to the site doesn’t work, but if you have a “keyless” car, do google the NYT article, “Yes, I Meant to Freeze the Keys.” Keyless cars can be broken into/stolen by thieves using amplifiers. Presumably, David Beckham had his $100K BMW stolen this way. Readers’ comments with the article provide some interesting safety measures. A small bowl of white vinegar set on a kitchen counter is often sufficient to absorb cooking odors and is minus the noxious ingredients of alternative sprays. A little scrubbing with a small amount of baking powder and water cleans the ceramic top of a stove beautifully. Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! Please think of me when you hear of family, friends, colleagues who are planning to buy or sell. Best, Bonny



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September Home Tips

The neatest way to discard wilted, dried or dead flowers from a vase:  open a full-sized newspaper, thick enough to absorb some water and with papers pulled high enough to easily hold any long-stemmed flowers, and place the papers as close to the vase as possible.  Move the vase to the middle of the newspaper and lift the flowers onto the newspaper—no scattered petals, leaves, etc.

To keep squirrels off bird-feeder poles, buy a plastic shower rod cover—available in several colors—and attach it to the pole.  The shower rod cover will be too slippery for squirrels.

To check any recalls on your car and for free repair of the recall repair:  safecar.gov; Vehicle Owners; then Recalls, Complaints, Investigations.  Enter your car’s year and make—then Go.  Any service bulletins will pop up.




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August Home Tips

Hello, Everyone!

Here in Cambridge, we’re sweltering under the hot sun. The Washington Post published an article by Michael Holich, M.D., a dermatologist at the BU Medical Ctr, which appears to be a very measured approach to sun exposure/the need for Vitamin D. Here is the link for “Go Ahead, Soak Up Some Sun.”

The last thing on your mind in July is your heating unit, but in preparation for the late fall and because it will be easier to get a service person now…if you have a vented burner, to ensure your safety, be sure it has a spill switch or have one installed. If the unit malfunctions or snow, etc., blocks the exterior vent, the unit will shut off, preventing the escape of carbon monoxide into your house.

And again…if you see English Ivy on your trees or on your neighbors’ trees, pls have it removed/let them know before it chokes and kills the trees. Some of the vines are so thick that a saw or sharp knife will be needed to sever them. The ivy is really bad and it is attacking/has killed so many trees in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville.

Have a good August!

Best,
Bonny




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