Posts with tag 'homeowners'

Last month, I noticed a massive groundhog hanging out in my yard. I've seen groundhogs around in the past, but usually an infrequent sighting here and there, as if my yard served as a pass-through rather than a home. This one, however, was lying on the ramp leading into my shed, sunning herself. As soon as she noticed me, she scurried under the shed, which I presumed to be the location of her burrow. The next day, there she was again, all flubber and fur laying out in the sun. This went on for a while, until one day she was flanked by two other groundhogs, much smaller than her. All three retreated to their burrow once they noticed me, and that is when I realized I didn't have just one groundhog living under my shed, but an entire groundhog family lived unde...

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If there is one thing New Hampshire has a lot of, it's trees. Pine, maple, oak, birch, apple, poplar, ash; the list goes on. Some are more desirable than others, but they're abundant all the same. When I first moved into my house, the previous owner had cleared the field, and the majority of the trees were off in the distance, with the exception of a few around the house. A few years back, a couple of pine trees popped up near the edge of the yard. Then a few more. Then a lot more. It didn't take long for them to grow quite tall, creating somewhat of a curtain between the yard and the rest of the property. Now there are so many, it's hard to even remember what it looked like before they were there.

On the backside of the house are a...

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Summer is the time for poolside drinks, park trips, barbecues, lake dips, and seasonal summer homes.

When you own a summer home, staying on top of maintenance can make all the difference in your experience and your budget.

Staying ahead of upkeep and repairs can help you retain the home's value over the long run.

Yard and Exterior Maintenance

Trim the trees and shrubs so any overhanging branches are removed before they could potentially cause damage during heavy storms.

Don't forget any pest-control processes, if needed.

Next comes deck and patio maintenance. You should inspect them regularly to catch any signs of rotting or splintering early on. If any areas nee...

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People often ask me if I loved growing up in northern New Hampshire. Of the many times I've been asked this question, I have to assume my answers have varied at times, especially depending on my age when asked. Most recently, when someone asked me this, I paused for a moment before answering. I gave it some thought, and then, I told them the truth: No, I didn't always love growing up here.

Sometimes I liked it, sometimes I maybe even loved it, but there were certainly times I didn't, too. I think it's safe to assume every young person feels that way from time to time, no matter where they live, which is why I often feel conflicted as to how to answer that question. On one hand, when I was very young, I didn't know anything else, and there...

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The warm weather has finally decided to make its debut these past few days, and suddenly I've found myself checking the forecast to see how it will align with the short amount of time I have to complete some outdoor cleanup projects at my house. This has felt very out of character for me; I am not one to garden or dillydally in the yard ever or at all. In fact, I don't think there is a lot I enjoy doing less than working outside in the heat with the bugs. However, it occurred to me the other day—as I lugged rocks that have needed to be moved from one side of the yard to the other for the better part of two years—that yardwork is simply part of homeownership. I can kick and scream about it all I want, but it still has to be done, one way or another.

As...

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