Jan in Oregon's Profile

I think it is not a problem that the kids crawl in and out, just that the bugs come in. I think it is great to live somewhere where kids can come and go and just be outside. Have to laugh at the image of the kid sized 'doggie door'. I want to know more about the herbal ideas. I know that the dryer sheet in the doorway had no effect on wasps or flies. Screen doors after the kids are bigger. Was going to say faster, but remembered how fast some can craw and scoot.

I've seen a tandem with a lower kid seat in front and the steering and brakes linked to the rear so that the kid is in sight, once they are too big for the trailer/cargo box. This was at Paul's Bicycle Way of Life tho it is not on their web site.
My neighbor has a baby seat holder custom made for the front of her bike, and once again the kid is in sight. She actually carried her heavy almost-3-yr-old in it up and down hills. It has a rain/weather cover and the kid sleeps all the way to town in it.

I like getting a voice mail when a caller leaves a real message. Even if just to chat, saying you will call back, and roughly when, means I am likely to be around.
Texting on the old, as in OLD cell is terrible. Every one gets a canned message along the lines of 'sorry to miss you' or 'hi ho there'. Really seldom turn it on so don't text me, I may not know for days. and i get charged to actually see the message. Cell does not work inside my house, an unintended Faraday cage by construction.
On the up side I don't have to wear that Al foil hat any more.

I want to live there.

Well our local directory is 7 pages for the white pages and 10 for the yellow pages this year. And it is most useful to find out who is selling stuff advertised on the bulletin board at the cafe. And to find a vet, plumber, etc when I know they're out there and don't know the name.
I agree in general that it is easier to find a business in the yellow pages than on the internet. Traveling this is where we go for restaurants, stores, whatever in a strange town. Well sorted and unbiased.

Love the running 1000 miles this year idea. This works out to less than 3 miles a day! Surely that is possible. Thanks for the idea.

Having given up the traditional holiday for a solstice celebration a few years ago I had to make up everything new. This is actually my very favorite day, and I can see why it was important in the long ago times. Here where the days get really really short and rainy I so look for the day when I have a few more minutes of daylight every evening. It sort of evolved into an afternoon of easy food and a re-commitment to the things that will make a more thoughtfully lived life.
I also remember how I like the Christmas decorations and tree and do that too, just because... But the real thing is always about the reminder of how short life is, and how much friends and family matter.
I tried to start something about giving to a favorite charity instead of gifts. Did NOT fly here. Since everyone has way more stuff once we are over 30. gifts are minimal and ephemeral, think food, and the most of the holiday $$ goes to the food bank.

I lived for years with another person in about 140sq ft. When we moved into 760 sq ft this felt like the lap of luxury.

That's a good idea about the electric toothbrush. I have too little patience for working things up gradually, and a lot of old brush tops.

This room has - as they say - Great Bones. The tile and architectural details are so lovely.