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Here's the deal: Our ranch-style house is completely carpeted but for the kitchen and bathrooms. There is no heat source in the full basement, which stays at or slightly below 50 degrees in the winter, so the floor upstairs stays cold.

There's something uniquely powerful about stepping outside of your comfort zone. Whether it’s exploring a new hiking trail, picking up an unfamiliar hobby, or experimenting in the kitchen, trying new things is a simple yet powerful way to keep life exciting, creative and fulfilling.

After three mild winters, this year we have cold, snowy weather to satisfy our recreational needs. Currently we have a foot of snow in the yard, with another foot predicted for the next few days.

I am looking at a tall, white mound on the dinner plate that the waiter has just placed in front of me. "Is there anything else I can get you?" he asks. "How about what I ordered?" I think. Instead, I thank the waiter and he departs.

It's not often that a young, 20-something woman gives thanks to God for granny panties, but on that day, I did. I'd just started my first-ever truly adult job — the one that would launch my career and social life and get me off my parents' payroll.

It's interesting how a new layer of snow on an ordinary, nondescript object I pass by daily can become something picturesque, representing a completely different form.

This month I would like to talk about how to report a crime. It is very important to call when an incident or problem is occurring, not days after the fact.

I set out to make a light recipe this month to celebrate the beginning of spring, then it occurred to me. Who am I kidding? March in Maine is very much a winter month.

The day before had been cold and raw. A daylong winter storm had dropped 5 inches of windswept snow. What remained in the morning was a peaceful and idyllic scene. The pristine white blanket of snow was only broken by the intermittent tracks of animals.

February is a month of celebration of all things sweet and romantic. With Valentine's Day as its centerpiece, it's the perfect excuse to indulge in desserts that bring people together.