Robert C. White & Co. - February 2021

Robert C. White & Co. - February 2021

R E N T A L READER YOUR

FEBRUARY 2021

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BE MY VALENTINE A Valentine’s Day History and Poem for You

Bless my wife!

army but was having a problem getting Romans to join military service. He believed that their affection for spouses and families was the problem. So, to solve the problem, he banned engagements and marriage. Enter our hero, St. Valentine. Realizing the injustice of the decree, Valentine continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. Claudius found out, ordered Valentine to be arrested and put to death, and on Feb. 14, 270, Valentine was beheaded. The legend tells that Valentine, while in prison, fell madly in love with the jailer’s daughter. Just before being taken to be executed, he wrote a farewell note professing his love and signed it “From Your Valentine.” Moving forward, the Vatican started this holiday to minimize and eliminate a pagan holiday they didn’t support. English authors (notably Chaucer) firmly connected the holiday to romance (the Catholic version was not). Valentine’s Day took hold in the U.S. during the Civil War with love letters sent back home from the battle field, and in the early 1900s, Hallmark firmly implanted the tradition of giving cards to celebrate the holiday. On the homefront, just the other day at the dinner table, my kids got on a “roses are red” poem kick. I don’t remember who started it, but even my 4-year-old joined in (though he missed the point that the final word is supposed to rhyme with the second color). By the time the poetry section of dinner wound down, everyone had a very good laugh.

Sometimes I am utterly amazed that she said “yes” and remains mine after all these years (plus four kids). It doesn’t help that I would describe myself as a “practical romantic.” You see, I am romantic ... I spend a good deal of time thinking about how to surprise her with small, inexpensive gestures and gifts, especially homemade ones. But the commercial machine of romance is not high on my list. I don’t think I ever bought her jewelry besides her engagement ring, and the chances that we go out to dinner on Valentine’s Day is somewhere between slim and none (I will, however, make a dinner for her and try to make it stand out from our regular life, so I guess I am not a completely lost cause). And while Valentine’s Day is clearly one of the most commercialized holidays, I think it is a great forcing mechanism to get “non- romantics” to try to flex a little of their romantic muscle. For that reason, and that reason alone, I fully support the holiday. I spent a few minutes reading about the history of Valentine’s Day for this article, for curiosity sake. There is a lot of disagreement about the true origin of the modern-day celebration, but here is a pretty widely accepted one: In the third century, Roman Emperor Claudius II (also known as Claudius The Cruel) had Rome involved in many bloody and unpopular wars. He needed a strong

Be My Valentine!

With that dinner as inspiration, here is a Valentine’s Day poem from me to you:

Roses are red, Violets are blue. You trust us to be your Property Manager, And we want to say, “Thank you!” Okay, corny, I know. But true! Without the trust you give us, we would not be able to do this job. We appreciate it and don’t take it for granted.

“Smitten” by your trust in us,

P.S. I recently read a tongue-in-cheek Valentine’s Card: “Don’t forget to leave early today so people think you actually have Valentine’s Day plans.” P.P.S. I do hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and are able to share a special moment with the special person in your life.

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WARM UP TO THESE SMALL PROJECTS

FOR BETTER HOME INSULATION

Are you feeling a draft, even when you’re nestled on the couch? Even though good home insulation is important every part of the year, chances are you notice its absence much more in the winter months. But before you call in a construction crew to tear down your walls and fix your insulation, try these simple, budget- friendly ways to keep heat inside your home. Weatherproof your doors. If you can feel chilly air coming through the crack between the bottom of your door and your hardwood floors, putting foam or rubber weatherstripping under your doors can stop the cold air from getting into your home and circulating through every room. Even if the crack between your floor and your door is extra large, you can double up on weatherstripping. Plus, it can be easily removed when necessary!

Does This Belong in the Heap? A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T EVER COMPOST

So, you want to start composting? Good! Composting is a great way to save food scraps from rotting in a landfill and instead put them to use fertilizing gardens and flowerbeds. However, not every kind of organic matter is good for composting, and putting something in your compost that doesn’t belong can ruin your garden rather than revive it. Here are a few things you should never use for composting.

Meats, Dairy Products, Greases, and Oils

While biodegradable, meats and dairy don’t smell great when they’re decomposing, and they can attract unwanted pests, like raccoons, to your compost bin. Greasy foods similarly attract pests as well as mess with the moisture balance necessary for compost to decompose properly.

Treated Yard Trimmings and Diseased Plants

If your lawn or plants have been treated with pesticides, those chemicals can potentially kill the microorganisms that make compost so valuable in the first place. At the same time, keep plants that were killed by disease or insects clear of your compost pile. Whatever killed them might spread throughout your compost, rendering it useless.

Install thick curtains over your windows . If you have drafty windows, invest in some thick curtains. Light curtains are great when the weather is warmer, but a good set of heavy curtains will keep the heat from escaping. For added insulation, you can also find curtains with thermal backs. However, if saving money is more important than aesthetics for you, you can also insulate your windows by blow-drying some plastic wrap onto the windows to fill any holes. Keep up with your HVAC maintenance. Maintaining your HVAC system means changing out filters once a month, cleaning ducts regularly, and watching for leaks in the air duct system. (Some key indicators of leaks are higher energy bills during the summer or dust accumulating more in one room than in others.) You can also maintain your HVAC system by simply moving furniture out of the way of vents so it can disperse heat more equally throughout your home. The cold may be sticking around for a while longer. But with some proper insulation, you won’t have to be reminded of that when you’re indoors, all while saving a pretty penny.

Pet (or Human) Wastes

While manure from herbivores makes for great fertilizer, feces from your pet — or from you, for that matter — will lead to some unwanted problems for your fertilizer. It can lead to the spread of germs and parasites that will ultimately kill your fertilizer. Also, these kinds of wastes are going to make your compost smell terrible.

Coal and Charcoal Ash

While ashes from a wood-burning fireplace may benefit the soil by maintaining its neutral condition and adding some nutrients, charcoal ash from a grill will not benefit compost in this way. Charcoal may contain chemical residue that is harmful to plants, so it’s better to just stick with wood ash instead. Composting is easy, good for the environment, and can even be fun! But if you’re not sure whether something belongs in the compost pile or not, it never hurts to check before you throw it in.

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BYOB: BUILD YOUR OWN BOOKSHELF

With These Great Materials

Have you ever found a great bookshelf for your living room only to learn that it’s just a few inches from being perfect? Instead of buying a bookshelf that’s too small or too big, why not make your own? All you need are some measurements and the right materials. But what are the best materials for a bookshelf? Wood Wood is the most popular option for DIY bookshelves. Each type of wood has its own aesthetic, providing several different options for different looks. Plus, wood is sturdy and easy to use. If you’re considering building a wooden bookshelf, first decide whether to use hardwood or softwood. While this ultimately comes down to your personal preference, there are some differences to consider. Hardwoods are heavier and are more resistant to scratches. Softwoods are lighter and, when treated correctly, can be just as sturdy and scratch-resistant as hardwoods. Something to keep in mind, however, is that some softwoods, such as pine, will bow under heavy weight. If you’re planning to use your bookshelf to store heavy books, a hardwood, such as birch, might be the better option. Engineered Wood Composite wood materials like plywood and particleboard can also be used to build a bookshelf. Engineered wood is inexpensive and readily available. These materials tend to be dense, though they may not be as strong or sturdy as other options. One major drawback is that composite woods don’t look as nice, especially compared to their real wood counterparts. However, some types of engineered wood, such as cabinet- grade plywood, have the appearance of real wood or can be painted.

Metal Metal bookshelves have increased in popularity over the years. When combined with a wood shelf, a metal-framed bookshelf’s modern aesthetic will make any room pop. Not only do metal bookshelves look good, but they are also very sturdy and can house even the heaviest books. If you’re looking for a tutorial on building a bookshelf, check out the “DIY Metal & Wood Bookshelf” video on YouTube from DIY Huntress. Another great resource is the step-by-step tutorial titled “How to Build a Bookshelf ” from HomeDepot.com. TAKE A BREAK

‘MY FURRY VALENTINE’ PUP SNACKS

Inspired by SugarTheGoldenRetriever.com

Who needs a Valentine’s Day date when you have a furry friend at home? This Feb. 14, show your pooch your love with these frosty strawberry dog treats. Use a heart-shaped silicone mold to make this snack extra festive.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt

• 1/4 cup frozen strawberries, puréed

Directions

1. Fill each heart in the mold 3/4 full with yogurt. 2. Freeze the yogurt hearts for 1 hour. 3. When the yogurt is set, add the puréed strawberry on top of each heart to fill the rest of the mold. 4. Freeze for another hour, then share the tasty treats with your dog! Note: If you don’t have a heart-shaped mold, you can freehand your treats on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze 1 tbsp dollops of yogurt for an hour, then top with 1/2 tbsp of strawberry purée and freeze another hour.

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INSIDE

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Be My Valentine

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Don’t Ever Compost These Items!

A Few Ideas to Better Insulate Your Home

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Materials to Build Your Own Bookshelf

‘My Furry Valentine’ Pup Snacks

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DIY Makeovers for Your Bedroom

HOW TO MAKE YOUR SLEEP SPACE MORE COMFORTABLE AND INVITING

While the living room and kitchen are usually epicenters of home makeovers, shouldn’t the place where you sleep deserve just as much consideration? If it’s been a while since you’ve given your bedroom an update, why not now? When updating the bedroom, the best place to start is with the bed. Could you make the space more inviting and comfortable with a new comforter or some trendy decorative pillows? Maybe all you need to do is move your bed to another part of the room! If you’re moving the bed, it’s a great opportunity to take stock of any other furniture in your room. What else needs moving? Are there any pieces you could get rid of and open up the space more?

Finally, look to the walls: Would a splash of color or an accent wall make your sleep space more relaxing? And what about your wall art, like paintings or photos? Could it be that all you need for the perfect bedroom is to rearrange or reframe what’s already there? Bedroom makeovers don’t have to be expensive. With the right eye and plenty of ideas, you can fall asleep in a brand-new room for no extra charge.

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