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Drought Beauty
I am triaging by watering the wildflower garden because it's so early in the season for drought. New sprouts are still arising. Beauty...

Paul Cummins
Jun 22, 20241 min read


Mini Circuit Breakers Don't Trip!
These Peppy Products wire connectors are not supposed to trip but they remind me of an electric panel. They are designed to avoid the...

Paul Cummins
Jun 4, 20241 min read


Preparing to Sell your Home: Start 6 Months Out
Paint everything, add curb appeal (landscaping), fix obvious problems, refinish wood floors, use a stager, but don't spend lots of money...

Paul Cummins
May 24, 20241 min read


Deer Me!
Wife's dream of deer fence, 18 inch raised beds and room for more coming to fruition. My old body can still do it! Dig holes, raise...

Paul Cummins
May 4, 20241 min read



Paul Cummins
Mar 28, 20240 min read


Kitchen Chemistry
The rule is like dissolves like. Water is a polar solvent, meaning it has distinct charges at different ends. Grease is non-polar so...

Paul Cummins
Mar 21, 20241 min read


Tool Time: Purge
After recent move I built a new shed and realized I should have purged tools before the move, but just packing up was hard enough. Ended...

Paul Cummins
Mar 5, 20241 min read


My First Log Cabin!
This remarkable intact log cabin remains untouched surrounded by a newer building. It's a museum piece!

Paul Cummins
Feb 21, 20241 min read


Polybutylene Pipe: Great Idea Gone Wrong
A flexible, cheaper alternative to copper was developed in the 80's but it dissolves when in contact with chlorinated water, usually at...

Paul Cummins
Dec 3, 20231 min read



Paul Cummins
Nov 25, 20230 min read


The Best Adhesive
Tried Gorilla product...wouldn't stick plastic to plastic. Made a mess. This squeeze tube is indispensable. Comes out easily. Is white...

Paul Cummins
Nov 24, 20231 min read


Strange Wiring, Weird Plumbing, Sketchy Structures...
https://www.rd.com/list/diy-home-improvement-projects/ All hint at DIY work and raise some questions about safety and proper permits....

Paul Cummins
Nov 12, 20231 min read


Even When Money is No Object...
Just visited Gari Melchers' home in Fredericksburg. He was active at the beginning of the last century. He changed his style to more...

Paul Cummins
Sep 3, 20231 min read


The Best Spackling
Incredibly flexible and smooth application. Excellent indoors or out. Well worth the price. Click on image for link.

Paul Cummins
Jul 30, 20231 min read


Raining in Crawlspace
This beautifully encapsulated crawlspace for a new house is affected by partial knowledge of the builders. Encapsulated crawlspaces are...

Paul Cummins
Jul 28, 20231 min read


Not Just an Old Shed
We moved to Fredericksburg into a house built in1863. This out building may have been slave quarters, due to evidence of an old stove. We...

Paul Cummins
Jul 26, 20231 min read


Plastic Vanities: be wary of heat and drain cleaners!
I have seen burns from curling irons and cigarettes in these, also discoloration from drain cleaners. You need to protect the sink from...

Paul Cummins
May 22, 20231 min read


Amazing New Fertilizer
These hostas have been here since I moved in 12 years ago. I fertilized them with the usual stinky, burning, manufactured nitrogen...

Paul Cummins
May 6, 20231 min read



Paul Cummins
May 6, 20230 min read


Air "Fresheners" and Safety
Fabuloso not so fabulous! This pervasive cleaner made its way north from South America to homes and offices everywhere, until it was...

Paul Cummins
Mar 25, 20231 min read
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