Karen Martin
Stories by Karen
Ask the expert
posted: 07/11/2009 2:40 a.m. Discuss
What are some low-cost ways to spruce up the exterior of my house?
Keep it clean
posted: 07/11/2009 2:33 a.m. Discuss
Shark Steam Pocket Mop What is it? A steam-powered mop that can clean and sanitize 2,000 square feet of flooring with less than two pints of water.
Home movies
posted: 07/10/2009 2:25 a.m. Discuss
Recent DVD releases: The Deep (PG, 123 minutes) This 1977 thriller from a novel by Peter Benchley, now available on Blu-ray, stars Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset as a couple on a romantic holiday in Bermuda where, while diving, they discover what they hope is a long lost treasure but turns out to be something comparable in value but much more volatile.
Ask the expert
posted: 07/04/2009 2:50 a.m. Discuss
What's the difference between oil-based and water-based deck stains? Deck stain keeps new wood looking good and helps refurbish old weathered boards, says Matthew Teague in the July issue of Fine Homebuilding (www.finehomebuilding.com).
Keep it clean
posted: 07/04/2009 2:43 a.m. Discuss
Lehigh Large Capacity Outdoor Clothes Dryer What is it? Uses the power of the sun to dry up to four loads of wash.
Keep it clean
posted: 06/27/2009 2:58 a.m. Discuss
Pet Cover What is it? A slipcover that protects furniture from wear and tear from family pets.
Home movies
posted: 06/26/2009 2:47 a.m. Discuss
Recent DVD releases: Confessions of a Shopaholic (PG, 112 minutes) A potentially smart movie about a quirky young woman, Confessions unfortunately gets turned into pratfall-filled situation comedy.
Keep it clean
posted: 06/20/2009 1:46 a.m. Discuss
Dyson DC28 Animal What is it? The newest addition to the Dyson line of vacuums can clean all types of floors, from deep pile shag carpeting to laminate to slate.
Ask the expert
posted: 06/13/2009 4:02 a.m. Discuss
How do I get grass to grow in my treeshaded yard?
Creature feature
posted: 06/10/2009 3:03 a.m. Discuss
Do hamsters make good pets for kids? Hamsters are cute and relatively easy to care for. But because of their nocturnal nature, fragility and tendency to nip, they really aren't appropriate pets for families with children under the age of 6.
THEATER REVIEW Tommy actors make The Who musical rock
posted: 06/06/2009 2:15 a.m. Discuss
To fans of The Who's musical masterpiece Tommy who are wondering if they ought to see the stage version at Arkansas Repertory Theatre: You know, it's not really rock 'n' roll, but you'll like it.
Keep it clean
posted: 06/06/2009 1:56 a.m. Discuss
GraniTex What is it? A decorative finish that gives the natural look of stone to indoor and outdoor concrete surfaces.
Ask the expert
posted: 06/06/2009 1:54 a.m. Discuss
I went shopping for a rope the other day and was surprised to find there are many types available. What sort of rope is suited to what sort of task?
Keep it clean
posted: 05/30/2009 2 a.m. Discuss
Best Home Mop What is it? An innovative mop that contains three strips of plastic loop fasteners and uses ordinary terry towels to clean hundreds of surfaces.
Creature feature
posted: 05/27/2009 4:44 a.m. Discuss
How can I teach my parakeet to talk? Parakeets can learn to mimic the sounds they hear in their environment, which we describe as talking, says Kristina Choi on the Web site eHow: How to Do Just About Everything (www.ehow. com).
Ask the expert
posted: 05/23/2009 1:53 a.m. Discuss
What is reclaimed wood flooring? Reclaimed wood flooring gives a second life to salvaged wood, says Daniel D. Chiras in his book Green Home Improvement (RS Means, $24.95).
Keep it clean
posted: 05/23/2009 1:48 a.m. Discuss
Water Bottle Crunchers What is it? A dog toy that combines a colorful heavy-duty canvas, triple reinforced Velcro enclosure and a plastic water bottle.
Need a movie fix?
posted: 05/23/2009 1:29 a.m. Discuss
For those who have been spending every spare minute working on home repairs, it's time to take a break. How about dusting yourself off, popping a movie into the DVD player and sprawling on the couch for a couple of hours?
REVIEW: Dance Flick
posted: 05/22/2009 2:18 a.m. Discuss
The name Wayans became synonymous with hilarity in the early 1990s thanks to a groundbreaking TV sketch comedy show called In Living Color. Created, written by and starring brothers Keenen Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans, it featured regular appearances by their siblings Kim, Shawn, Marlon and Dwayne Wayans (along with some guy named Jim Carrey, credited as "James" in those days).
Creature feature
posted: 05/20/2009 3:38 a.m. Discuss
How about sharing some out-of-the ordinary dog biscuit recipes?
Keep it clean
posted: 05/16/2009 2:11 a.m. Discuss
What not to buy According to the May issue of Consumer Reports' ShopSmart, here are five cleaning products you don't need: 1. Antibacterial cleaners. Overusing these can contribute to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing cause of hard-to-treat illnesses.
Creature feature
posted: 05/13/2009 3:27 a.m. Discuss
I want to make sure my young horse doesn't grow up to be easily spooked. What should I do?
Ask the expert
posted: 05/09/2009 3:54 a.m.
What's the difference between frameless and face-frame kitchen cabinets? There are two main case construction techniques for cabinetry: frameless or face-frame, according to Joanne Kellar Bouknight in Kitchen Idea Book (Taunton Press, $19.95).
Keep it clean
posted: 05/09/2009 3:46 a.m.
FRESHhanger What is it? An effective way to deodorize clothes without laundering or dry-cleaning them, which causes them to fade and wear out.
THEATER REVIEW: Theater turns Willows into raucous good time
posted: 05/02/2009 4:11 a.m.
If you vaguely remember The Wind in the Willows as a gentle children's story, you'll get a decidedly different impression when you see what the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre has done with it.
Keep it clean
posted: 05/02/2009 1:47 a.m.
Spring cleaning Spring arrived March 20. It's here until summer starts June 21, so spruce up around the house before it gets too hot to bother. Here are tips on tackling seasonal cleaning chores from the professionals at Merry Maids (www.merrymaids.com): 1. Clear clutter.
Ask the expert
posted: 04/25/2009 1:58 a.m.
I always seem to make poor choices when shopping for garden plants at nurseries. How can I do better?
Keep it clean
posted: 04/25/2009 1:31 a.m.
Get ready to grill Here are some tips on cleaning your outdoor gas grill from Napoleon Fireplaces & Grills: 1. Gather cleaning supplies.
Ask the expert
posted: 04/11/2009 1:44 a.m.
My house has sufficient square footage but still feels cramped. How can I open it up without giving up designated spaces and privacy?
Keep it clean
posted: 04/11/2009 1:39 a.m.
Toro TimeCutter Z series What is it? A riding lawn mower with superior maneuverability to get a lawn mowed quickly.
Ask the expert
posted: 04/04/2009 3:46 a.m.
I don't mind if my house is a bit chilly (I set my heat on 62 degrees in the winter) but I'd prefer a warmer bathroom for taking showers and such. What options exist for adding heat to a bathroom without cranking up the heat in the rest of the house?
Keep it clean
posted: 04/04/2009 3:42 a.m.
Jakob Munk Soap Brush Dish What is it? A kitchen brush that saves detergent while making short work of dishwashing and other cleaning chores.
