Autumn is no time to ignore your lawn and landscape. What you do now will determine the quality of your family yard next spring and summer, says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the international trade association representing power equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport […]
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The West Sound Magazine blog is your destination for information and tips about living in West Sound — home, gardening, outdoor recreation, things to do and more.
Posted inAuto Talk
Filler Up: The Fascinating History of Gas Pumps
Unless you are one of those folks gliding around it an electric vehicle, you will be making a stop at a gas station of your choice any number of times in a month. It has become a part of everyone’s routine and those machines have developed in sophistication to the point where they can drain your […]
Posted inAt Home
5 Tips to Build Resilience in School-Aged Children
Resilience — the capacity to prepare for, adapt to and grow through disruption, trauma and loss — is a skill many parents want for their children. However, there is more to it than “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” or persevering through hardships. According to a Pew Research Center survey, approximately 70 percent of teens […]
Posted inAt Home
Be Prepared: 5 Steps to Build Your Emergency Fund
Many of life’s interruptions can’t be predicted. Not having funds set aside for unexpected problems can leave you racking up high credit card debt or putting yourself in other difficult financial straits. “When it comes to savings best practices, it is especially clear after the pandemic how valuable an emergency savings fund can become at […]
Posted inAt Home
Quick Tips for Detoxing Your Home
With so many people staying home because of COVID-19, this is the optimum time to “detoxify” your surroundings and “cleanse” your environment. Even small things you do — like swapping out plastic or eliminating certain products — can make your space healthier and more comfortable. Here are some quick tips on how to create a […]
Posted inAt Home
Age Safely with Your Home: 3 Home Modifications That Are Essential to Make
Many people think that aging means eventually having to leave your home. That is a reality for many, but it can be delayed significantly by making a few changes to your home in order to make it safer. Certain areas of every home can pause problems and your top priority should be to reduce the […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Plant Now for a Colorful Spring Display
It’s time to think spring. Fall is the time to plant tulips, daffodils, crocus and other spring flowering bulbs. Use these early bloomers to welcome spring to your landscape. You’ll appreciate the color and cheery blooms after another long winter passes. Extend your enjoyment by including early-blooming bulbs like snowdrops, squills and winter aconites. Add […]
Posted inAt Home
Screen Time and Sleep — How to Promote Healthy Sleep Habits in Your Kids
Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents were grappling with the effects of screen time on their children’s sleep habits. Now, with so much of the world moving online, kids’ screen time has increased drastically, and many old routines are out the window. Experts agree that proper rest is essential for children of […]
Posted inAt Home
Physical Therapy More Effective than Drugs for Chronic Pain
During a time when healthcare professionals and researchers continue to reevaluate the effectiveness and safety of prescription drug use for chronic pain, Kitsap County physical therapist Megan Morris emphasizes that physical therapy has long been considered a safer, cheaper and more effective treatment for such conditions. This remains especially notable as we approach Pain Awareness […]