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What’s on your ‘everyday carry’ list?
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The window on the mountain is closed tight this morning, as the storm system that dumped a couple of inches of rain (and a few snowflakes) this...
The Lazy Gardener: Low-Maintenance Plants for Busy People
The idyllic image of spending hours tending to our garden plots is often just that; an image. Enter the concept of the 'Lazy Gardener,' for busy folks that love plants but have little time to devote to them. This gardening philosophy is all about creating a beautiful,...
Consider these year-end financial moves
It won’t be long before we turn the page on 2023. But you still have time to make some financial moves that can pay off in 2024 — and beyond. Here are a few to consider: Review your progress toward your goals. Have you made progress toward your long-term goals...
Bowling for toast
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The window on the mountain is open today to a high in the mid-50s and mostly sunny skies – nice weather for the High Country in...
Oh, Dear! There’s Deer in my Garden!
In the twilight hours you might catch a glimpse of a gentle visitor amid the greenery in your garden. Scenic, bucolic, and… wait a minute? Is that deer eating your hydrangea like a salad bar!? The white-tailed deer, a common sight in many parts of the country, is both...
Don’t make mealtime a battlefield
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The window on the mountain is open an inch or two today, letting in the last of the brisk fall air before we are plunged into the deep freeze...
Avoid these investment mistakes
We all make mistakes in many areas of life. These mistakes are usually fairly harmless — we took a wrong turn while driving, used the wrong ingredients in a recipe and so on. But sometimes, our mistakes can be costly — especially those connected to investing. Here are...
Did You Know that Snow is Important to Plants?
The soft, silent blanket of snow that coats the ground during the winter months is more than just picturesque; it's part of Earth's climatic rhythm and has a profound impact on plant growth cycles. With its high reflectivity, snow sends a great deal of sunlight back...
The world in a shoebox
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The window on the mountain is closed tight today, and the view is misty. We've been experiencing some much-needed rain over the past 24 hours....
Turning 65? Know your Medicare options
If you will soon be 65 and you don’t have health insurance through your employer or your spouse’s plan, you’ll need to start looking into Medicare – so you should know your options. And your first big choice will likely be whether to go with original Medicare or...
Busy Biting Little Ants in the Garden!
Ants are one of the most common garden dwellers, and while they can play a beneficial role in the ecosystem, they can also be a gardener's nemesis. As someone who has felt the sting of their tiny but mighty bite, and who has battle scars from a summer spent grappling...
Don’t leave your IRA to the IRS
If you’ve invested in an IRA for many decades, it may well turn into a key source of income for your retirement. Still, you might not deplete your IRA in your lifetime, especially if you also have a pension or a 401(k) and other investment income. So, if your IRA...