Trying to keep cool in the dog days of summer? If it’s time for an upgrade to your home’s air conditioning option, you have one of two choices: mini splits or a central air system. Both systems have their benefits and drawbacks and knowing this information can help you make a decision to commit to one or the other. So when it comes to mini splits vs central air conditioning, which is better? Here are a few insights that can help you pick the system that’s best for you and your home.

What’s the Difference?

You may already have an inkling of how mini splits and central air differ, but here’s a quick breakdown of their major differences.

Mini Splits

Mini split systems, also called ductless mini splits, have an outdoor unit known as a compressor/condenser and an indoor unit that distributes the conditioned air. Concealed duct mini split systems check off several boxes in the “pros” column:

• Energy efficient—Mini splits use minimal energy to produce and disperse cool air in the home. Their biggest benefit is they can deliver conditioned air to specific zones in the house, reducing energy consumption.
• Easy to install—Mini splits don’t require extensive, time-consuming, and invasive installations. At most, a small hole is drilled into the wall to connect the indoor and outdoor units.
• Flexible placement—Mini splits are also easily situated in most rooms, and easy to install on walls, ceilings, floors, and recessed areas.
• Quiet operation—Mini splits are discreet and operate quietly.

On the other hand, mini splits do have a few drawbacks:

• Cost—Convenience comes with a price, and mini splits tend to cost more to install than traditional central air systems, especially if you require multiple units.
• Aesthetics—While they’re very quiet, visually, mini splits tend to stick out. You can cover or paint them, but they still take up space.

Central Air

Central air is a traditional way to cool down a home, requiring a system of ducts to deliver cooled air across the property. Central air most often has an outdoor unit that houses the compressor and condenser and an indoor unit to distribute the air through the ducts. First, the benefits:

• Cool the entire house—Central air ensures the entire home remains at a constant, cool temperature.
• Inconspicuous—Central air uses ducts and vents to deliver the conditioned air. These are hidden in the walls, ceiling, and floors, leaving no unsightly units.
• Greater home value—Central air is more attractive to potential buyers when you decide to sell your home.

Again, sometimes central air falters where mini splits succeed:

• Energy consumption—Central air tends to gobble up more electricity than a mini split system.
• Duct maintenance—Ductwork requires regular maintenance to ensure performance and high-quality conditioned air. Ducts are also costly to install.

Which Is Best?

So, when considering mini splits vs central air conditioning, which is better? The better question to ask is which is better for your home and budget. Consider the above benefits and consult with a technician to perform an assessment of your home. In truth, both are excellent means for cooling your home, but your home may favor one over the other.

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Maintaining a lush, green lawn in New England can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. The region’s unique climate, characterized by distinct seasonal changes, requires a thoughtful approach to lawn care. Understanding the dos and don’ts of lawn care in New England can help you achieve a thriving outdoor space that enhances your home’s curb appeal. Here are five tips to guarantee a healthy and beautiful property, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a new homeowner.

DO Test Your Soil

Testing your soil is a fundamental step in understanding your lawn’s specific needs. The importance of soil testing lies in its ability to reveal vital information about pH levels, nutrient deficiencies, and overall soil health. By accurately identifying these factors, you can tailor your fertilization and treatment plans to address your soil’s unique characteristics, leading to more effective and environmentally friendly lawn care.

Test your soil with a DIY kit or simply hire a professional landscaper or arborist. These tests typically involve collecting soil samples from several areas of your lawn, mixing them, and analyzing the contents in a laboratory setting. The results provide detailed insights and recommendations, guiding you in making informed decisions to foster a lush, healthy lawn.

DON’T Overfertilize

Overfertilizing your lawn creates a host of problems that can be detrimental to its health. Excessive use of fertilizers can cause nutrient imbalances, leading to weak grass that is more susceptible to disease, pests, and drought. Additionally, the runoff from overfertilized lawns can contribute to water pollution, harming local waterways and ecosystems.

Following the recommendations provided by your soil test results and applying fertilizers in the appropriate amounts and at the right times is crucial to avoid these issues. This approach ensures your lawn’s optimal health and promotes environmental sustainability.

DO Water Responsibly

Responsibly watering your lawn means understanding both the needs of your lawn and the best practices for efficient water usage. In New England, where the weather can vary dramatically, it’s essential to water your lawn deeply to encourage root growth. Early morning is the optimal time for watering to minimize evaporation and fungal growth. Utilizing tools such as rain gauges and soil moisture sensors can help you maintain the right balance, ensuring a healthy, resilient lawn.

DON’T Ignore Seasonal Weather

Ignoring the impact of seasonal weather on your lawn’s needs is a critical mistake. New England experiences diverse weather patterns throughout the year, and each season demands specific lawn care practices. For instance, the summer months may require more frequent watering to combat heat stress, while fall is ideal for aeration and overseeding to strengthen the grass before winter. Neglecting to adapt your lawn care routine to these seasonal changes can lead to a weakened, less resilient lawn.

DO Respond to Severe Weather Promptly

Not responding to damages promptly caused by severe weather is perhaps the most impactful mistake when it comes to the essential dos and don’ts of lawn care in New England. New England is known for its harsh winters and intense storms, which can cause significant damage to your lawn. Taking immediate action to repair any damages or pursuing professional emergency tree removal services will prevent further harm and help your lawn recover quickly once the weather improves.

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The days are getting longer, the sun is shining brighter, and the scent of summer is in the air. As the season of outdoor living beckons, it’s time to turn our attention to that oft-neglected extension of our homes—the patio. Transforming this space into a relaxing, inviting oasis isn’t just about following trends; it’s a critical part of making the most of the upcoming months. Here are four tips to get your patio ready for summer.

The Power of Greenery

In many ways, plants are the essence of summer. Incorporating greenery and adding planters into your patio design brings an instant revitalizing effect, creating a serene environment that’s both comforting and aesthetically pleasing. But it’s not just about scattering some pots around—the key is in the strategy. Space-saving vertical gardens, climbing vines, or low-maintenance succulents in a geometric planter can add a modern twist. For a cozier feel, consider large, leafy plants or adaptable palm species. Understanding the sunlight patterns on your patio is crucial for ensuring that your plants will thrive and your space will look its best.

Furniture Facelift

If your outdoor furniture has endured the colder months, a little TLC can rejuvenate these pieces for the summer season. Start by giving them a good clean to remove any dirt or mildew, and consider applying a fresh coat of paint or sealant. If your budget allows, updating your cushions or investing in a new centerpiece can give the whole area a new lease on life. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles of furniture for a bohemian feel or to play with color to reflect the lively energy of the season.

Lighting Love

The right lighting can transform a patio from passable to enchanting. Solar-powered fairy lights draped across bushes or suspended from a pergola offer a soft, inviting glow at dusk. For a more sophisticated look, think about incorporating weatherproof table lamps or lanterns that can also be functional if you plan to host evening gatherings. Remember that lighting design is as much about the placement as it is about the fixtures. Think of the areas you’ll use the most, and focus on those to create a warm, welcoming ambiance.

Personal Touches

To truly make your patio an extension of your home, infuse it with elements of your personal style. Consider adding an outdoor rug, installing a sound system to play your favorite tunes, or setting up a small water feature for a soothing presence. Hand-painted planters, DIY artwork, and sentimental objects like a family photo gallery can also add character. Personal touches not only enhance your patio’s aesthetics but also make it a space that’s uniquely yours.

These tips to get your patio ready for summer will ensure you make the most of your outdoor space. The result is an environment that enriches your lifestyle and offers respite. After all, summer should be about making memories. And what better place to do it than in your own backyard?

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Growing your food is like making money. Urban gardens are the hot new trend for city-dwellers who want to dip their hands into modern farming while maintaining an urban lifestyle. However, various ordinances and constraints can make it difficult to start growing your crops. That said, we can help. Check out our top tips for growing your food in a major city.

Plan Your Garden

It’s important to plan what you want to garden before you do it, whether you want to grow mushrooms at home or set up rows of carrots and melons to sell at your local farmers market. Check the available space in your home, backyard, or apartment patio or balcony. To determine your bed and pot requirements, you’ll need to measure your potential garden space, such as windowsills, fire escapes, kitchen counters, and more. You’ll also need to figure out the area’s light sources and weather patterns since they will affect the nutrients your plants receive. Finally, some plants grow better in certain environments than others, so consider that before growing anything.

Buy Peat-Free Soil

Much of the soil you see on shelves in your local gardening store contributes to climate change and environmental degradation. Many popular soils include peat. Some soil suppliers harvest peat from peatlands that take upward to a millennium to form. When they pull it apart, so you can buy it and use it in your garden, it releases a ton of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Luckily, it isn’t an essential ingredient for plant growth. Instead, you can buy most of your soil peat-free. Choose the sustainable option and buy peat-free soil. Doing so is a great tip for growing your food in the city.

Compost for Soil Nutrition

Whether you set up in a small yard or on a balcony, you’ll need to nourish your soil throughout the year. Sometimes, you’ll need to feed it nutrients found in most fertilizers. However, you can usually make your fertilizer, which will work fine. Learning how to properly compost minimizes food waste and provides you with nearly free plant fertilizer since you make it using kitchen scraps. Don’t waste your excess compost; drop it off at community garden and farmers market collection sites. They’ll be happy to have it.

These three tips will help you navigate your urban farming plan and get the most out of your farming experience!

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What an Unspeakable Disease is not

If a friend complains of a headache, I suggest a Tylenol. If the headache is very serious, or if there is severe back pain, I prescribe my Dad’s non-opiate recipe he got from his pain doctor: Two extra-strength Tylenol capsules and two 200 mg Motrin tablets, taken at the same time. They work on different neural pathways. It has become my standby for nagging pain. But these ailments  are not unspeakable diseases.

Cancer can be a little more difficult, but is certainly shareable. My sister had breast cancer and a double mastectomy in lieu of chemo and radiation. She had no difficulty sharing the news with family and friends and received lots of love and support from all. Again, there was lots of advice about diet and how cancer loves sugar and hates healthy anti-cancer salads. This was not an unspeakable disease, either. We all felt free to share advice, prayers and the latest research. 

We humans are sympathetic to disease. If it is something difficult to share–perhaps terminal cancer–it is something we can discuss, perhaps with tears in our eyes. It’s very hard, but these are peripheral diseases, not ones that affect us as a person or who we are.

The Unspeakable Disease

This one hits home. I don’t know what to do–and never have. My own mother developed vascular dementia later in life as a result of congestive heart disease. She was under the opinion that everything was normal, except for the help who kept stealing her handkerchiefs, single earrings and sometimes her lipstick. She could laugh at the same jokes repeatedly , yet could still play ferocious games of competitive bridge against my mother-in-law. Only once did I ever mention the memory issue to Mom one night over dinner, and she tearfully suggested to my dad that they should leave. Fortunately, she soon forgot my indiscretion–and I never mentioned it to her again.

 A company owner I know well hired a beautiful woman as office manager a few years ago. She seemed to write well, and claimed extensive knowledge of accounting software. Everything started off fine. She was organized and seemed to catch on quickly to things that needed to be done. Within a couple of months though, she seemed to forget whom she had spoken to or emailed earlier in the day. And then unusual hostility set in. The memory issue, though, was affecting day to day business.

Was it menopausal brain fog–or something more serious?

She was ultimately let go.  He hired another rather older woman, past menopause,  who seemed sharp and had been an accountant at her last job, where she was charged with closing the company down. She has a good sense of humor and is pleasant, but struggles with learning new tasks and completing them as well. There is a mental block of some sort, but openly discussing the root  problem is really difficult.

I’m a researcher, always looking for solutions to health problems. In 2003-2005 I spent much time looking for anything that could help my mother. In those days, Aricept was the drug most advised for Alzheimers, which seemed to be a catchall term for all forms of dementia. Perhaps I was looking in all the wrong places in those days, but it wasn’t until some time after her death in early 2006 that I began to find more extensive research into memory loss and supplements that can help.

Today, I might mention that Lion’s Mane mushroom capsules, Phosphatidylserine,  Huperzine or any number of other nootropics might help with memory issues and perhaps help prevent further decline. It should be as easy to mention these supplements as it would be to suggest a Tylenol. 

But it’s not.

I asked my PhD physiologist husband Steve why that might be. Why can’t we openly discuss memory disorders–and suggest possible solutions as we might for other maladies? It seems headaches, cancer, sciatica and high blood pressure are all “peripheral” type disorders that don’t ultimately change our ability to think and remember. Our brain, its memory or lack of it are part of our motherboard, he said–and who we ARE. These peripheral diseases/disorders happen to us, rather than define our being.

And soon we will meet with another friend who is gallantly struggling with memory loss of some sort. I so want to pull her aside and discuss some things that might help–or we both search for a physician or clinic that might reverse or stop the progression of this horrid disease. But it’s something I can’t and probably won’t do. 

Is it better I pretend nothing is wrong and just love her as she is–and perhaps be even more demonstrative? That is my instinct. But it really bothers me that this is such a difficult subject to directly broach with our afflicted family and friends. Perhaps we try to deny the mainframe breakdown as much as they and quietly pray that the deterioration will progress to further.

And perhaps, because there is no sure cure or known way to prevent dementia, it is a disease that we fear, and fear mentioning. 

(Postscript: Steve briefly suggested I shouldn’t be advising supplements as I am not a physician–and then quickly recanted. We both agree that the pharmaceutical companies hold a tight rein on hospitals, the many physicians who need these hospital affiliations, the media and the rhetoric. And until the Covid debacle, I would have agreed with his initial reaction. Instead, we have both come to distrust big Pharma. Ivermectin, hydroxychloroquin and massive vitamin  C infusions could have saved so many lives. Unfortunately, there is no money to be made with these common and safe solutions. Hence, I encourage all to do their own research. Regrettably, it may be difficult to share your findings with those afflicted with emerging or esconced memory issues.)

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Years ago, our oldest son Scott and I attended a long weekend with the Landmark Education Forum. I was challenged to take up a personal issue that I was willing to share with a thousand or so people the next day. I couldn’t help but consider Alzheimer’s, the disease that had rocked our family.

I went home that night and wrote a letter to my mother, Edith Michelson. It was a letter I would share with the large group–and perhaps my dad at a later time. I would not share it with her. I could not. Alzheimer’s disease had stolen so much of her past and life baggage. I share the letter below, written I believe, in 2004.

Dear Mom,

I am writing a letter you will probably never see, so in many ways what I write is self-serving. Still, I will try to share its essence with you this next week when we see you and Dad for dinner.

As you may remember, Scott and I are attending the Landmark Education Forum this weekend and I had come with the vague intent of coalescing courage to make a critical business move. That turned out to be what we might call an “inauthentic” motive–or perhaps was just an excuse to buy the enrollment ticket for something more needed.

As it turns out, much more is at stake.

You see, I have thought little of business the last two days and have thought much about you and how your past is irrecoverably peeling away. I am pained to see the bright, smart and witty woman I have called “Mother” lost so much of her past and life baggage. I can handle you losing your way, your purse, your keys, your jewelry, your ability to think or converse in an abstract way. It becomes a little more painful when you can no longer recall who is dead, who is alive–or even what you had for breakfast. It is tough,  especially for Dad, to handle your terror over people around whom you believe to be taking your possessions and rearranging your world.

Those are the hard times.

The good times are when I realize how you have mostly condensed your concerns into the need to know that your children and grandchildren are all right–and that you love us all so much.

Mom, I have so many questions and so many fears about Alzheimer’s and your disease. But I would like to invent a possibility for you: What if you just so tired in life, and so over-burdened with responsibility, that you designed a dis-ease that would allow or force others who love you to pick up the burdens and obligations you shouldered for so many years>

Is this your way of taking the past out of your present and future so you are only burdened with the NOW?

Is it you who is taking responsibility for your needs–or is it we who failed to see what needed to be done?

And finally, I’m not sure you are aware that I, your most astute student, have taken up your same racket and work hours. What I would like to invent, though, is a second possibility that I can take the past out of my present and future–but still retrieve it as needed or desired.  And I can’t help but wonder: Is it too late to extend that same wish for you. Probably so, at least in this lifetime.

Alzheimer’s is a thief–not only of memories, but dreams as well.

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Nothing tastes as good as thin feels, have said Kate Moss, Tony Robbins and Stephen Covey. Some might also add that Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels.

Lately, I’ve been feeling pretty good. Weight loss shows me down 12 pounds after 13 days, following the HCG regimen as part of a 30-day program that limits me to 500 calories per day.

The following are some of the foods that are forbidden:

•  Sugar and most artificial sweeteners. Stevia only.
• Alcohol. No wine or beer (though clear and clean vodka and gin may be allowed)
• Grains (no breads, cereals, quinoa)
• Legumes and Beans.
• Fats (no bacon, no avocados, no olive oil, nuts, nada)
• Dairy (no cheese!) Like one teaspoon of milk in coffee and limited non-fat cottage cheese and no-fat feta.
• Mushrooms, bananas,
• Eggplant
• Egg yolks
• Salmon and tuna

I went to the doctor’s office in early April wanting to lose the proverbial 15 pounds–and thought/hoped there might be a magic pill.

It took some convincing, but she explained the benefits of the HCG diet, twice-weekly lipo shots and horror….daily shots of the HGC compound that I was supposed to inject into my tummy each morning. That nearly killed the deal for me (I remember being unable to give a penicillin shot to my ailing horse and had a friend come over to do it instead). The physician gave me an injection lesson, which turned out to be a painless and bloodless event.

Since that first appointment, I’ve become an expert at tummy injections, a master chef at making salads with lean protein and a happy camper each morning when I step on the scales. I feel wonderful, awake early each morning, and have loads of energy to get me thorough the day.

Foods allowed and encouraged include:

• Grapefruit, strawberries, blueberries, lemons
• Egg whites
• Lettuce, radishes, some tomatoes, onions, fennel, spinach (but no kale)
• 3.5-4 raw ounces lean filet mignon
• Shrimp, crab and other shell fish
• Ultra lean ground beef (3.5 to 4 ounces raw)
• Lean white fishes
• Chicken breast (same raw weight as above)
• Stevia as sweetener
• Coffee and Tea
• My personal favorite: Organic Lemon Love

The goal is a diet that is free as possible from sugars, fats, simple carbs, all gluten, and alcohol. I have found no prepared foods that will conform to the HCG diet. So everything we eat is whole and healthy. Additionally, heavy exercise is discouraged. Walking and stretching are fine. Not sure why, but I decided to cooperate and graduate!

With a specialization in endocrinology and dermatology, clinician Bahar Forousan, MPA, PAC, at Premier Medical Wellness in Solana Beach is also a strong proponent of bio-identical hormones and their health benefits. I’ll be exploring those when my 30 days is up. I believe the lipo shots contain necessary hormones as well.

I am almost a halfway point in this regimen and am amazed how simple the diet is to maintain at home–and how difficult it is when dining out. I’ve only done so twice, and both times felt like one of those fussy customers who annoyingly ask the waiter to remove such and such from the dish and add something else. Oh, and no dressing. Vinegar only. The fun is lost unless I’m with a fun and understanding friend.

This is just an update on my near-halfway mark into the HCG diet and so far, would say it is a resounding success. But the day and weekend continue and I am most impressed with my willpower to go through Costco and not taste a single sample.

More to follow if time (and success) allows! If not successful, will be feasting on crow.

—Roberta Murphy

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It was–and performed powerfully by Dire Straits. I recently ran across this fabulous video of 3 master guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel, John Jorgenson, Pedro Javier González who are jamming Sultans of Swing in a way I’ve never heard–and can’t resist sharing. See it here–with the lyrics below.

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Many years ago, when I was dissolving a marriage and trying to decide whether to leave Houston for Southern California, I came to the humbling realization that I was nothing more than a student in life. This despite the fact that I had been a college instructor and once thought myself wiser than most.

Yeah right.

It was such a relief to acknowledge my student status and the permission/acknowledgment that I would be one for life. That gave me permission to fail, to make mistakes, to be more humble. To learn more from others. To be a kid again. To be more forgiving. Later, as a student,  I would learn prayers of gratitude, and that has become a daily morning practice.

This morning in the shower, I re-read the “lesson” on the Philosophy Shower Gel sitting on the shelf.

It was a little message to savor:

Life is a classroom. We are both student and teacher. Each day is a test. And each day we receive a passing or failing grade in one particular subject:

Grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith, forgiveness, good manners, reverence and the list goes on. It’s something money cannot buy and credentials rarely produce. Being the smartest, the prettiest,  the most talented, the richest or even the poorest can’t help. Being an humble person can, and being a helpful person can guide you through your days with grace and gratitude.

The photo with quote from John Quincy Adams is an extension of grace that we share when we inspire others to dream, learn and do more. It was found on Facebook and I wish I knew to whom I might give credit.  In the meantime, I aspire to be a better student in life and to practice grace at every opportunity.  –Roberta Murphy, a San Diego real estate broker.

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Instead of silence, I sometimes get lost in the luxury of listening to and re-listening again and again, certain songs.

And once in a blue moon I save and share them here.  This heavy metal version of Sounds of Silence, by Disturbed, deserves the saving. I love the militant and brutal style of presenting this deep classic by Simon and Garfunkel. Loved it then and love it now. Just a slightly different and captivating style.

Lead singer for heavy metal band Disturbed, David Draiman, is a 1996 graduate of Loyola University and former health care administrator. But by 2000, Draiman and Disturbed had produced their first album, The Sickness. Here is a 2015 winner that somehow crosses the heavy metal line into timeless beauty.

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