| Vol. I,
No. 1 |
Oct.
20th, 2000 |
House & Home
Inner
Space: Things to Consider
with Winter on the Way ...
Even if you spend a good deal of time outdoors in the winter,
odds are that you spend more time inside than out. If for no other reason,
there's just not as much daylight to work with. So this winter, why not
pay some particular attention to that 'inner space' ...
Following are just a few ideas you can experiment with:
-
Indoor fountain ... The sound of running
water, even if it's just a trickle, can add something special to your inner
space this winter. There are plenty of pre-fab fountains out there
on the market these days. But if you've got the bent and the time,
you might want to try your hand at building one yourself. ...
We found a few great little pumps for just such a fountain -- all
from the Beckett
Corporation. {Their Water
Garden site is definitely worth a visit.} The smallest one
[M60AUL] uses only 4.6W to pump 60gal/hr [gph] through 3/8" or
1/2" I.D. hose, and can lift 2.5 feet. A 12W model [M200AUL]
will pump 185gph up 4' through 5/8" hose. And their G90 Gold
Series 19W model will lift 4.3' through 1/8" MNPT & 3/8"
I.D. hose at 90gph. ... For the especially ambitious, there's
also a 30W model [M350AUL] which will pump 7.3' of lift and 340gph through
5/8" hose.
.
-
An aquarium ... While we're on the subject of
water, an aquarium can be a welcome addition to the indoor life of
winter. It scarcely matters how you stock it, the fact is, studies
have shown that folks who perch themselves in front of an aquarium for a
while each day can actually bring their blood pressure down.
.
If you're not sure where to begin, Fish
Link Central's Help & FAQ page is a good starting point. The
top of the list boasts 10 Quick Tips for Fishkeeping Beginners.
There's even something called Tropic Cove Aquariums
for those interested in more exotic undertakings.
.
-
A terrarium ... If the prospect of building
fountains or caring for a school of fish seems a little too much, then a
terrarium may be the answer.
Both the resources and the possibilities here are plentiful. But one
of the better sites to start with is an Alberta government site -- Terrariums.
And the North Dakota State U. site -- Creating a Terrarium
-- also offers some useful tips. And if you'd like a dose of history
with your how-to, then you may want to check out Nathaniel Ward's Terrarium Page.
{Ward was the British surgeon who accidentally discovered the terrarium.}
.
-
Maybe just go visit one instead? If all of
these projects sound like more than you care to tackle this winter, then
the simplest thing might be to take the mountain to Mohammed. ...
.
A couple of worthwhile sites within driving distance, though better
if you can do an overnight, include the Montreal Botanical Garden
and the New England Aquarium
in Boston.
*******
*******
|
