Adrian

You know the old saying, “Mom knows best”? Well, this saying also applies to grandmothers. Some of the best, most wise pieces of advice have been given to me by my grandma. And many of these include housekeeping tips that I still use all the time. Speaking of old-school housekeeping tips, we’re about to share … Read more

Before smartphones and LED projectors took over the world, we had small pleasures — for example, the caps for laser pointers that project shapes. These small attachments made laser pointers suddenly fun, turning the ordinary red dot into stars, hearts and swirling galaxies. If you were a kid in the late ’90s or early 2000s, … Read more

Once upon a time, a cast iron spoon like these might have been discovered stashed away in a shed, garage or a toolbox. To the untrained eye, it appeared to be some sort of kitchen tool. But that hefty tool, a cast iron spoon bullet mold, was made for a very different job A Tool for the Home That … Read more

Have you ever driven past a pickup and noticed a strange rod sticking up behind the cab? If you’re seeing these more and more—especially in rural or off-road areas—you’re not alone. These tall, antenna-like devices are part of a growing trend: the use of a cell phone signal booster for trucks. What Is That Rod on … Read more

But what if you’re walking through a neighborhood full of centuries-old rowhouses. In Charleston, Philadelphia, New York or Boston… And you come across something odd beneath the front steps of one of those old homes… A bricked-in archway or a sunken, chamber-like space? These out-of-the-way spots have a name and a purpose, though it’s easy to lose … Read more

Why Are These Tiny, Pink, Rubbery Dots Everywhere? If you’ve been noticing small rubbery pink dots sproinkling your floors and don’t know where they came from, you’re in good company. These tiny segments are kind of stickall or pliable in composition and they replacement appearance may have you shaking your head. But there’s a simpler explanation than … Read more

There I was, wandering the thrift store, fully intending to avoid buying anything. And then there it lay—a milking stool with handle. Worn wood, scuffed legs, and that curious little peg sticking out the side. One leg had the same sort of carved rings I remembered from the old porch columns. The handle, I noticed, … Read more

Recently, I replaced our battered mailbox. Began scraping around the old post… and struck something. A chain. Rusted. It’s buried at about eight inches below the surface. First thought? Buried treasure. Second thought? What the hell is this thing attached to? It was an old post that anchored a rural mailbox. Rural Mailbox: What’s an Anchor? It’s a chain clipped to … Read more