Saturday, May 24, 2003
Peacefully co-existingwith wild animals
Wild animals are active, hungry and sometimes desperate after a long, hard winter, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
With that in mind, you can take preventive steps to avoid unnecessary and often unfortunate confrontations between wild animals and humans. The organization cautions motorists to be watchful of wild animals, especially around dawn and dusk.
Also, take measures to exclude critters from your home. Fencing and repellents may help you live in harmony with wildlife. Wildlife experts at the Humane Society suggest these tips to help reduce conflicts:
UCover compost piles.
UClean barbecue grills or bring them indoors.
UDon't feed birds, or suspend feeders at least 10 feet above the ground.
UDon't feed pets outside and don't leave pets alone outside, especially in the evening.
Company sells vintage artat reasonable prices
Vintage artwork is generally quite pricey. But not the vintage artwork from Edelen Wille. The small company has created a line of reasonably priced poster books, journals, calendars and nursery cards, all featuring reproductions of vintage artwork and designs.
Want to share your cherished childhood nursery rhymes with your children? The oversize book "Favorite Nursery Rhymes: Vintage Poster Book for the Nursery" (Andrews McMeel, 2002, $19.95) features 12 illustrated rhymes, each measuring 11 inches by 14 inches. Reproduced on sturdy, poster-weight paper and with pull-away binding, the pictures are perfect for framing.
Find Edelen Wille products at area bookstores and at Amazon.com.
Grand King bed fills a tall order
Life can be uncomfortable for tall people. There's the cramped seating, the dangerously low doorways and the expensive specialty clothing. And then there are the beds. While the California King was a blessing to many, it still wasn't quite up to the tall task for others.
Enter the Sleep Number Grand King, touted as being the biggest bed on the market, newly created by Select Comfort. Measuring 8 feet 2 inches long by 6 feet 8 inches wide, it offers 30 percent more sleeping area than a standard king.
Available in two styles, the Grand King may be used with a standard king headboard and footboard and retails from $3,500 to $4,500 at Select Comfort stores. Or call (800) 535-BEDS to order.
Woven-fiber fabricseliminate need to weed
For many, one of the least-favorite garden tasks is dealing with weeds. The traditional way to get rid of them is with a hoe, shovel and strong back.
Today, woven-fiber landscape fabrics are the rage, for various reasons. They are light, easy to install and, unlike sheet plastic, they breathe, allowing air and water to pass through the fabric. This eliminates sour soil and slows down evaporation, which means you don't need to water quite as often.
What's more, landscape fabric eliminates the need for potentially hazardous chemical herbicides. That's a terrific alternative for families with small children or pets. Parents, now more than ever, are taking steps to limit the use of toxic products around the house.
Another benefit of using landscape fabric is all the free time you'll now have that you'd have otherwise spent pulling weeds.
Sears experts givetips on sprinklers
Shopping for the right sprinkler isn't easy these days. Sears lawn equipment experts say there are four types of sprinklers, and you may need two or more types to completely cover lawn and garden areas.
UStationary sprinklers: Suited for small lawns or planting beds. Square, round and rectangular spray patterns.
UOscillating sprinklers: Have perforated spray bars that sweep back and forth, delivering water in square and rectangular patterns. Work well for medium to large lawns.
URotary sprinklers: Whirling heads that spray jets of water in a circular motion. Ideal for small and medium size lawns. Work well with low water pressure. Usually have circular patterns.
UPulsating (or impact) sprinklers: Designed to handle large areas, but performance depends on water pressure. Apply water more slowly than oscillating sprinklers. Better coverage on windy days (lower spray pattern). Covers in full circles.
Combined dispatches