It seems logical that the same things we use to keep ourselves dry would keep our gadgets dry as well—hence photography website DIYPhotography's simple guide for turning a pair of rain pants into a weather shield for your camera.

Obviously, unless your camera is in the shape of a human leg, a little work is required—mainly a bit of cutting and sewing. Apart from some sewing chops (or proximity to someone that has them), you'll also need some velcro and, of course, a pair of rain trousers. If you have some lying around, those'll likely do fine, although you can usually get some for pretty cheap. DIYPhotography has some good tips on finding the right material depending on what kind of weather you're dealing with, as well as the full instructions for making the rain cover—so hit the link if you'd like to save yourself some camera panic next time the weather turns foul.

Become A Fan: A Brand New Feng Shui @ About Facebook Page originally appeared on About.com Feng Shui on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 20:28:09.

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It's tough to completely screw up painting a room—dump the paint on the floor maybe?—but painting a room really well isn't that easy, either. Home blog Re-Nest's guide to painting a room efficiently offers a few expert tips.

Re-Nest's guide to room-painting guide covers everything from making sure to remember to remove all the fixture and switch covers before getting into painting to the importance of edging in the areas your going to paint for nice even color and clean edges. If you've helped paint a room before but never done the cutting in part, it's worth a read:

Cutting In: This is the most time consuming, but most important step to ensure a good looking paint job. When using the brush we just dip it directly into the paint can rather than pouring into a separate container to minimize wasted paint, but never dip a brush more than 1/3 then length of the brush or else you'll risk ruining the brush because it will be very difficult to clean. When handling the brush, hold it as you would a pencil for maximum control. Press the brush lightly against the surface, then, as you move the brush, add just enough pressure to make the bristles fan away from the direction of your brushstroke. The bent bristles and the pressure will release a fine bead of paint that will spread perfectly along the edge you are creating.

Beginning at the corner of the room, use your angled brush to cut in (also known as edging), applying a thick band (2-3" wide) of paint along the perimeter where you're cutting in. Do this in 4-5" long sections to ensure precision and a sufficient coating of paint. You will need to cut-in around all trim, ceiling/wall intersections, inside corners, and anywhere there is a change in color.

Check out the link below for the full guide, and if you consider yourself a bit of an expert hand at room painting, share your expertise in the comments.

From the new archive search front page at PopSci.com:

We've partnered with Google to offer our entire 137-year archive for free browsing. Each issue appears just as it did at its original time of publication, complete with period advertisements. It's an amazing resource that beautifully encapsulates our ongoing fascination with the future, and science and technology's incredible potential to improve our lives. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

[via The Robot Group mailing list]

Looking for a cool, creative way to light up your backyard? Video demonstration guru KipKay details how to make backyard lanterns from hard-shell gourds.

It's all pretty simple and explained really well in the video above. All you need are the gourds, a lighting source (not candles), a drill, and something to cut the gourd. The results—which you can see more closely here—look great, and give off a warm, earthy feel.

The spring equinox for 2010 falls on March 20. What is the significance of this day? Well, as Larry West says in an article on the spring equinox, "equinox" is Latin for "equal night" (as in daylight hours and nighttime hours being equal). Says Larry: "The idea is that on the first day of spring there are exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, but it rarely works out that way. There is always a time each spring, and again each fall, when the hours of light and darkness are equal, but it usually occurs before the vernal equinox and after the autumnal equinox."

That's okay with me. All the numbers aside, the fact is, the chief significance of the spring equinox for the plant lover is that it marks the first day of spring! So the spring equinox in 2010 can't come fast enough for me. And as Larry notes, "In spring, the Earth's axis is tilted toward the sun, increasing the number of daylight hours and bringing warmer weather that causes plants to bring forth new growth."

Resource related to spring equinox 2010: Groundhog Day and the Spring Equinox

Spring Equinox 2010 originally appeared on About.com Landscaping on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 09:16:35.

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Sick building syndrome isn't something invented by the pharmaceutical industry -- it's a serious problem that associated with conditions like cancer, kidney damage and other serious illnesses.

Paints, and the VOCs they contain, are a major contributor to sick building syndrome. That's why so many consumers are opting for low- or no-VOC paints, available for just a few dollars more than regular paint at most hardware stores.

Feeling Homesick? originally appeared on About.com Green Living on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 22:11:38.

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According to a CPSC release, Ethan Allen has added its name to other retailers joining the voluntary recall of ALL Roman shades and roll-up blinds, announced earlier in December 2009. Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled products immediately and contact their local Ethan Allen Design Center for a free repair kit.

About 163,000 Roman shades from Ethan Allen are affected by this recall. These Roman shades have been sold at Ethan Allen Design Centers since at least 1999 through December 2009, and most are priced between $400 and $1,000. These shades were manufactured in United States. All styles and sizes of Roman shades sold under the Ethan Allen brand name are affected by this recall. These custom-ordered, made-to-order shades were sold in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes. The shades have no labels or markings making reference to the Ethan Allen brand.

While no injuries have been reported, these shades can pose a danger of strangulation if a child places his neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the back side of the shade. Strangulation can also occur if a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around the neck, or the neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop. Take a look here for more information on childproofing window shades.

Consumers should stop using the recalled Roman shades immediately and contact Ethan Allen. You can do that by calling toll-free at (888) 339-9398 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, through your local Ethan Allen Design Center, or visit the Ethan Allen website for more information.

Ethan Allen Recalls Roman Shades For Repair originally appeared on About.com Furniture on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 20:52:01.

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Admittedly, if you're not a chemist or physicist, you may find this post as boring as dirt. (Please forgive the simile, microbiologists. I know dirt is actually fascinating.) Then again, it's not everyday a new element is added to the periodic table.

The latest addition, number 112, was discovered on February, 9th, 1996 at 10:37 PM by a team under Professor Sigurd Hofmann at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung (Center for Heavy Ion Research) in Darmstadt, Germany, who confirmed its existence by observing a characteristic "decay chain" of radioisotopes (illustrated above) that could only have originated with element 112.

Just a couple weeks ago, on February 19, that discovery was officially confirmed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), who accepted the GSI team's recommendation of the name "Copernicium" in honor, naturally, of Nicolaus Copernicus, whom most will recall as the first scientist to stand up and declare that the earth revolves around the sun, rather than the other way 'round. The new two-letter symbol is "Cn."

Q: A reader asks:

"I was reading your very helpful article about how to organize your home for a remodel, but had a question about when to do the ceilings?

"We are considering buying a home that has asbestos popcorn ceilings in some of the rooms. When should those be done?

"Just to give you an idea of what we are thinking:

1. Removing the asbestos popcorn ceiling
2. Expanding the kitchen: moving 1 wall back and removing a half wall
3. Painting the whole house
4. Reflooring the whole house (carpet in bedrooms, tile in kitchen and bathrooms, wood everywhere else)
5. Expanding the master bathroom and creating a walk-in closet

"We initially had been planning to tackle the ceiling, paint, then floors because we figured those would be quick jobs and the house would look a million times better, and then we would do the kitchen (budget permitting) and eventually the master. The more we thought about it though, we realized we would have to refloor the kitchen and master when we remodelled those..."

Name Withheld

A: That's the funny thing about home remodeling, isn't it?  Ceiling before floor, floor before ceiling?  One person strongly advocates one thing and another person strongly feels otherwise.

Personally, I would do:

1. Ceiling.
2. Expand kitchen and master bedroom & create closet.
3. Painting.
4. Reflooring.

But then again, that's just me.

Home Remodeling: What Comes First? originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 03:12:25.

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This St patricks day craft project shows you how to make a pendant/necklace out of polymer or ...

While we love a tech-filled geek cave, an elegant workspace with a great view makes working a pleasure. Today's featured workspace has a beautiful desk, a pleasing environment, and a view of Boston.

Not everyone needs triple monitors or an army of peripherals and being able to work productively with just a laptop goes a long way towards having a clear and airy workspace—cable management is, at it's best after all, camouflaging something that's there to appear as if it isn't.

Lifehacker reader CosmoComet, when he's commuting and working from Boston proper several day a week, finds himself working at this nearly invisible glass and acrylic workspace—he can look right through his desk to see Beacon Street below. Check out a wider view of the workspace in the photos below.

If you have a workspace of your own to show off, throw the pictures on your Flickr account and add it to the Lifehacker Workspace Show and Tell Pool. Include some details about your setup and why it works for you, and you just might see it featured on the front page of Lifehacker.

Changing schools because of a move is difficult. And it's even more difficult if that change happens partway through a school year. But often, as parents, we don't have the option of choosing when to move. If you find yourself in this situation, take heart. Your children will adjust. It might just take a little more effort and patience from you.

So, check out our tips and suggestions to help you help them. And if you have any stories to share, please do so through the comment feature below.

Photo © stock.xchng

Tips for Moving Kids During the School Year originally appeared on About.com Moving on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 17:51:33.

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Ed. note: Senior Editor of MAKE magazine Phil Torrone joins us to celebrate more modern-day MacGyvers as we continue DIY week at Lifehacker. Today's makers: Christy Canida and Eric Wilhelm, the DIY gurus behind the much-loved Instructables.

It's hard to describe Instructables. It's usually called "the world's biggest show and tell", where users "crowdsource" do-it-yourself or DIY projects, from lawnmower race cars to skateboard sails. If you ever thought making and sharing DIY guides was a niche audience, think again—Instructables has over 7 million unique viewers to the site and over 45 million page views. That's a lot of DIY! Thousands of projects are posted to Instructables each month. Here's what the NY Times had to say:

...experts like Eric von Hippel, a management professor at MIT, argue that the proliferation of "user-generated" designs signals the "democratizing" of innovation. Armed with inexpensive digital tools and networks, ordinary people, he says, can band together to push their own innovations. They also can hijack existing technologies, taking them in directions only dimly envisioned by the original creators. One example is an electronic community called Instructables whose participants share methods for customizing standard products in unpredictable ways.

If you have some time, just pop over to Instructables and search for something, anything; you'll likely see a how-to for it. They've even got MacGyver Instructables!

The people behind Instructables are just as prolific as their community, and Christy Canida and Eric J. Wilhelm have posted over 300 projects between them on the site. And these two are my makers of the day today. Here's what Christy and Eric say about themselves...

Eric J. Wilhelm is the founder and CEO of Instructables. He has a Ph.D. from MIT in Mechanical Engineering. Eric believes in making technology accessible through understanding, and strives to inspire others to learn as much as they can and share it with those around them. In addition to his doctorate, Eric earned his SB, and SM degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT, where he developed methods to print electronics and micro-electromechanical systems using nanoparticles.

Pictured above: Eric wanted to climb more, but didn't have a place to climb near his home—so he built a climbing wall inside his home.

Christy Canida earned her SB in Biology from MIT, and worked in transgenic mouse labs, an aquarium, and the biotech industry before joining Instructables. She loves cutting things up, experimenting with food, and dancing in costumes.

Pictured above: Yep, that's Christy showing you how to apply elf ears—great if you're in a jam and need to find a magical ring or be hit at the next RPG night.

They just had a super cute kid recently, I'm predicting their little brainiac will be featured on Lifehacker quite a bit, likely starting in a few weeks with some type of 3D fabbed infant innovation. For now, this happy mutant is having fun in a homemade three-armed baby costume.

So what are Christy and Eric making that can save your life, make your life better, or just completely freak you out? Let's take a tour of some of my favorites.

Build a candle powered hot air balloon using painter's plastic, balsa wood, and birthday candles. I'm almost positive this was actually in a MacGyver episode.

This marshmallow gun (marshmallow shooter) will completely surprise you with its accuracy, range, and ease of construction. Plus, it's tons of fun and a lot better than any store-bought toy because it encourages modifications.

Once it's too cold to kitesurf in the water, it's time to find a frozen lake and kite on top of the water. Time to build a "traditional" Polynesian ice canoe using aluminum extrusion or whatever material you have at hand. If the water ever froze in Polynesia, I'm sure this is what their ice kite/sail craft would look like.

And of course, life's not complete until you've built a Five Foot Tall Jacob's ladder. This classic climbing arc completes any mad scientist's dungeon.

If you find yourself overrun with mice, but still want a unique and stylish mouse for your computer - Christy shows you how to make a mouse mouse. Hacked travel-size (hardware) mouse + taxidermied (wetware) mouse = Mouse Mouse! Fully functional, and furry!

Later, Christy shows you how to clean and cook a snake.

And lastly, a quick and clever hack: make a hair clip in a jam.

I just scratched the surface of the DIY prowess of these two makers, so check out Christy's and Eric's projects on Instructables, and remember, a place like Instructables is as only as good as what you make—so make something amazing and share it on Instructables, Lifehacker, MAKE—everywhere!

Phil Torrone is Senior Editor of MAKE magazine, contributing editor to Popular Science, and creative director of Adafruit Industries, where they make educational electronics and kits like the TV-B-Gone and some "other" hacky projects that sometimes make the rounds in these parts of the web. You may have seen MAKE in bookstores, public television, online, or been to one of their Maker Faires (there will be 3 this year, they are expecting over 100k attendees!). His personal site is http://www.braincraft.com.

Do you ever find yourself lusting after furniture from an Oscar winning movie? It doesn't even have to be an Oscar winning movie, it could be a TV show, and the piece that catches your eye could be a chair, a bed, maybe a painting or even a small table, and you know the perfect spot for it in your home.

Most people feel happy if they find something resembling what they saw on the screen, but for some it means wanting that particular piece from the movie. After all, there is value in its history, too. Newel of New York is a resource you might want to look up if you are feeling extraordinarily covetous. It has a wide ranging antique collection, including furniture and other props in styles from the 17th Century to Mid-20th Century. The vast collection is housed in a six story building on East 53rd Street.

Newel Art Galleries started out as a prop house for Broadway shows in 1939 and even today is a major supplier of period antiques to Broadway, movie and TV productions. Browsing through its inventory you're bound to find pieces that you have seen and admired. Certain pieces such as these tufted chestnut leather wing chairs have appeared in a number of movies. If you are wondering where you might have seen these wing chairs, they have appeared in The Associate, The Devil's Advocate, Fatal Attraction, and more recently, All Good Things and Shutter Island.

Watching Movies for Furniture

Want to Own Oscar Movie Furniture? originally appeared on About.com Furniture on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 15:48:28.

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Their lush, otherworldly forest is threatened by bulldozers, roads and other development. The local tribespeople are fighting back, but they're up against a powerful conglomerate of mining industrialists.

Sounds like the plot of Avatar, but the indigenous people who live at the foot of Niyamgiri Mountain in eastern India don't have blue skin, tails or a multi-million-dollar budget. All they have is a beautiful, ancient homeland whose forests, rivers and air may be destroyed by the Vedanta Resources' efforts to mine bauxite in the region.

I'd like to report that Vedanta is being unfairly vilified, but the fact that several investors (including the Church of England) have sold their stock in the company due to concerns over unethical company practices tells me there's a big, bad developer here right out of Central Casting.

When life imitates art, the results can be unnerving.

You Thought Avatar Was Fiction? originally appeared on About.com Green Living on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 18:53:09.

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Downsizing laundry appliances for some is not an option - it can mean the difference between having a washer and dryer at home or making late night laundromat visits - something very few relish.  While most compact washers today can accommodate average loads, there are some that are designed for light loads and that's not necessarily a bad thing.  Doing a couple of washloads every evening while you do other chores, or in between driving the kids to their practice, may actually reduce the amount time you have to spend doing laundry on the weekend - that means more time for other, more enjoyable things.  And with many being on time-of-use electricity rates, you'll save in energy by washing or drying later in the evening.  There are a few options when downsizing laundry appliances is a must.  Find the one that works for your home and alter your laundry routine to suit your lifestyle.

About HE Washers | Top-Load vs Front-Load Washers | Washer Buying Tips

Laundry - Downsizing Options originally appeared on About.com Housewares / Appliances on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 07:09:57.

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March has arrived, and I know that I'll need to turn my attention now to cleaning up the yard and getting my plants ready for the growing season. I'll undertake these tasks with a smile, as their performance is essentially a rite of spring (Oh, that word has a wonderful ring to it!). But after enduring the long winter, I know that I, too, could stand some TLC. Couldn't you?

Consequently, at the heart of my to-do list for March is the promise that I will not let any of the first signs of spring go by unnoticed. You see, every year at about this time, I begin looking for particular signs of spring in the wild. It's sort of a mental checklist that I maintain, as a way of deriving maximum satisfaction from what I believe to be the most exciting time of the year (in my region). My checklist includes:

• Pussy willows
• Skunk cabbage
• Red-wing blackbirds
• Spring peepers

I feel gypped if a spring comes and goes and I have failed to appreciate the arrival of these, its harbingers. I must admit that I'm more diligent about this part of my March to-do list than I am about some of the other parts. But for those more diligent than I, I recommend consulting Marie Iannotti's list.

"A regional gardening calender for the month of March can give you general tips on what to plant and what to wait for, but spring in the garden is unpredictable and gardeners will have to use some common sense," warns Marie. This handy resource, organized by region, will help you find the most relevant advice for what you should be doing at this time in your own yard. The March to-do list furnished by About's Gardening Guide suggests tips for each of several distinct regions of the U.S. and Canada.

_{Photo ©2006 David Beaulieu (licensed to About, Inc.)}

Related resource: Enjoy a Silent Spring

March To-Do List for the Yard originally appeared on About.com Landscaping on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 08:55:27.

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Happy Women's Day! originally appeared on About.com Feng Shui on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 12:08:22.

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I have a banana tree growing right beside my swimming pool that's been there for about six years. Actually, the original one I planted produced bananas about three years ago, then died - as they are predestined to do. Long before Mama Banana Tree started to show signs of aging, lovely young daughters, one or two at a time, sprouted near her trunk, ready to carry the torch.

Sometime last summer, the largest of the trees produced that flowery protuberance that looks like Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors. Within a few weeks, the flowers had formed into fruits. Then started the months-long ripening process.

So, this morning, after a rainstorm, I looked out the window and noticed their time had come. Sorry, but it was nothing scientific or spiritual. The banana "stalk" was leaning over more than usual, and the bananas were yellow. Some were split. My husband clipped them with a pair of loppers and we had our bumper crop of homegrown bananas. Small, sweet, perfectly ripe. No bruises;  no Dole or Chiquita labels.

Now we have to find a way to enjoy them all at once - maybe Bananas Oscar for Sunday night? Got a great banana recipe (other than banana bread)? Let me know - asap!

Photo of our poolside bananas one week ago by Lisa Hallett Taylor
More photos of poolside plants.
More about banana trees.

A Crop Every Three Years - Yes, We Have Bananas originally appeared on About.com Pool & Patio on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 03:20:25.

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Across the United States, the Fair Housing Act bans housing discrimination based on disability. But people who have disabilities aren't the only ones protected by this ban.

The ban on disability-based discrimination also protects apartment dwellers who used to have a disability and even some who never had a disability. Find out about the three main types of situations where you or a roommate may be protected against disability discrimination if you're not disabled.

Related Articles:

• Disability Discrimination Ban May Protect You -- Even Without a Disability
• Know Your Rights if You Have a Disability
• You're the Boss When Apartment Hunting With a Disability

Disability-Based Discrimination Protections Extend to Some Who Don't Have Disabilities originally appeared on About.com Apartment Living / Rental on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 11:42:37.

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Sometimes we're lucky enough to be able to work on our electrical projects at ground level. Other times, however, we're going to have to use a step or an extension ladder to reach our work. One folds out for use and the other extends. Both types of ladders could be made of wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. They vary in height from a step stool of a couple of feet, to 30 feet or more, depending on whether it is an step or extension ladder.

In using either type ladder, you need to be aware of some simple safety issues before climbing a ladder. Ladders are rated by type for weight limits and some are conductive to electricity while others are not. Some have a longer life than others and there are do's and don't when climbing a ladder. So before you climb a ladder, take a few minutes to learn the ladder safety basics.

Step Up To Electrical Safety...Ladders That Is originally appeared on About.com Electrical on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 12:49:37.

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A carport is to a garage like a camping lean-to is to cabin -- better than nothing for parking or sleeping, but not necessarily by a whole lot. But carports are just enough better for many that they continue to keep a small industry in business. Carports are popular in Arizona primarily for keeping the hot sun from beating on cars, and they are popular in Minnesota for keeping snow off. I've known people who've put up carports primarily to cover picnic and play areas in their yards.

Carports are worthless for storage, and they add no protection to your car from thieves. But once you understand the limitations of what you are getting, and have concluded that a new garage is not in the cards, you might find yourself quite happy with what a carport could do for you.

I discovered today that you can order VersaTube carports (garages, too) through Home Depot's Web site. There are two things that might jump out at you about this option. First, the price is nice. Home Depot currently has a sale price on a 12 ft. by 20 ft. steel carport of just $1,255.50, which includes shipping.

The second thing about these carports is that they aren't a particularly difficult DIY project. You can take a look at the installation manual here for part 1 and here for part 2 to decide if the work seems reasonable for you.

The one additional component that you will probably want to supply is a concrete slab, although there are other ways to tie the structure to the ground (as the photo confirms).

Photo © Alans Factory Outlet, flickr/Creative Commons

Shopping for a New Carport originally appeared on About.com Garages & Storage Spaces on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 17:11:36.

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Outlets and receptacles often are without proper grounding, but how is one to know? Just because a receptacle has a ground slot, found on the newer style receptacles, doesn't mean that a ground wire was connected or that the box it is connected to is grounded.

The older receptacles were called polarized receptacles. They implemented only two slots, a hot and a neutral. Luckily, most residential services bonded their neutral and ground busses at the service panel. This provided a ground connection of sorts.

However, a seperate ground connected and bonded to the water pipe, the ground rod near your service entrance, and the utility company's ground, ensures a complete path to ground and all but eliminates the dangers of a difference of potential on the grounding system. Are your receptacles grounded properly?

Photo: Timothy Thiele

How To Check Grounding On Receptacles originally appeared on About.com Electrical on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 12:46:34.

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Learn how to design, build and edit websites without any knowledge of html. The home based business entrepreneur can get more tips delivered to their inbox by subscribing to the newsletter at http://earnalot.org

Feng Shui Bagua Mirror: Concave or Convex? originally appeared on About.com Feng Shui on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 00:08:07.

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The Architectural Digest Home Design Show will be at Pier 94 in New York City from March 18 through March 21. Admission includes a pass to the adjacent Go Green Expo where you can see exhibits and attend presentations on energy efficiency and eco-friendly living.

Meet With a Pro, Free! originally appeared on About.com Architecture on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 10:00:16.

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What a way to organize on a family tree!  I was finally able to catch "Who Do You Think You Are?" last night thanks to my trusty TiVo.  The show was well-made and compelling, and I thought Sarah Jessica Parker's reaction to the question of her ancestor's role in the Salem Witch Trials was interesting:  was she an accuser or an accused?  I would not want to think of my ancestor's being accusers, either.  Of course, this led me to think about my own family tree.

If you're planning to begin researching and organizing a family tree, look no further than About.com's Genealogy site.  Guide Kimberly Powell has tools mapped out for you, whether you're interested in spending 30 minutes searching, or doing a full-scale projects to trace your family's roots:

• 10 First Steps for Finding Your Roots
• The Family History Library Catalog
• How to Identify & Avoid Genealogy Scams
• Reading and Understanding Old Documents & Records

Project Organize: Organzing a Family Tree originally appeared on About.com Personal Organizing on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 07:21:32.

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This St Patricks day tutorial shows you how to make some simply Green Gem hair clips, perfect ...

Planning a Car Repair? Don't Forget the Library! originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 23:18:39.

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Made of lightweight fiber composite panels for quick and easy assembly, these boxy homes don't have the charm of a Katrina Cottage. But they're sturdy and waterproof, and they pack a lot of living into 160 square feet. Could you do better?

• Tour a Haitian Cabin
• Design an Emergency Shelter

Homes for Haiti originally appeared on About.com Architecture on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 00:00:19.

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March is National Poison Prevention Month and, unfortunately, the laundry room can be a prime spot for accidents. Just this month, the British Medical Journal issued a warning about detergent and bleach packs that when ruptured can squirt into eyes causing permanent damage. Take a minute to read Child Safety in the Laundry. You'll be glad you did. (Photo: Microsoft Publisher 2003)

March is National Poison Prevention Month - Prevent Laundry Accidents originally appeared on About.com Laundry on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 09:15:21.

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I recently posted about some of the "first signs of spring" I like to keep an eye out for, noting that my checklist includes:

• Pussy willows
• Skunk cabbage
• Red-wing blackbirds
• Spring peepers

I could easily have included other entries, such as spotted salamanders. The spotted salamanders arrive late to the party compared to their fellow amphibians, the spring peepers. But what the salamanders lack in precociousness they more than make up for in beauty. The mass migrations to vernal breeding ponds that they undertake annually is a sign of spring not to be missed.

Reader, Lynn was kind enough to relate another of the first signs of spring, one of which she is particularly fond. "You didn't list marsh marigold as a sign of spring -- always one of my favorites," says Lynn. "Blooms in late March/early April in southern Michigan." In the landscape, marsh marigolds are a useful plant for wet areas, thriving where other plants would drown.

A delightful way to observe the first signs of spring is to pack a wildflower book and hike out in the woods in search of the various types of wildflowers that appear early in the growing season. In addition to marsh marigolds, some of the early-rising wildflowers include:

• Spring beauty
• Hepatica
• Dutchman's breeches

Dutchman's breeches, like their relative, the bleeding heart, are among the most aptly named flowers, their fanciful moniker being highly indicative of their shape.

How about you? What are the first signs of spring that you await in your region? Click the link below to let us know.

Let us know: What Are the First Signs of Spring?

First Signs of Spring originally appeared on About.com Landscaping on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 07:12:29.

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Wiring a receptacle, sounds easy enough right? Well, unforunately there are three ways to wire a receptacle. There's the best way, the acceptable way, and No Way! It's simple enough to wire a receptacle when one wire is in the junction box, but what happens when there are two wires? Don't panic! There are ways to git'er done!

One way is to connect the wires to the terminal screws provided and feed the circuit through the receptacle. This is the acceptable method, but not recommended. Another is the pigtail wire method. This is this choice among electricians and the National Electrical Code. And then there is the back-wired method. Gasp! Oh my! This is not a recommendation of mine and in fact, is discouraged and even rejected by some local codes and the National Electrical Code.

By taking a good look at your wiring connection choices with their advantages and disadvantages, you'll have the insight to choose the correct receptacle wiring choice.

Three Ways To Wire Receptacles Having Two Electrical Wires originally appeared on About.com Electrical on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 12:28:51.

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