Red is great for Valentines, but not best for home sales
February is for hearts, and we’ll be seeing a lot of red this month, sparking in us what color science says are emotions like passion, love, excitement –…
Author: Rick Good
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader's money, real estate, and business coverage.
It’s learning, practice, not talent, that brings success
Talent is overrated. That is the conclusion of legions of experts and research, into why people are successful. What counts isn’t necessarily the genetic…
When you’re late, ask yourself why
Tardy people always have their reasons, but the price of being late can be high. It’s the traffic, the weather, a broken alarm. Your dog is sick. You name…
Self-improvement hacks to try in 2025
* Celebrate your mistakes — really. Everyone goofs up, but even big mistakes are rarely as catastrophic as they might seem. Instead of panicking when you…
Wet dog shaking? Why he does it
One of the world’s great questions has finally been answered by Georgia Tech researchers: Why do dogs shake when they’re wet? Their article, titled “The…
Drones search and find lost pets
A dog breaks his leash and takes off across a park, quickly disappearing from view. What do you do? You run, walk, call, search, but to no avail. A dog…
Confusing geography
Two Chinas, two Koreas, two Sudans, and don’t call it Turkey anymore. Maybe you were just too busy to read the news when Eswatini retired their old name….
Focus on the spare bedroom when planning for guests
Decorators say there is a disturbing trend among homeowners nationwide: They are using their spare bedrooms for storage instead of creating a comfortable…
Cleaning traditions from the world’s tidiest cultures
“No little rag cleaning!” That was the motto of many a German grandma who knew that, to be thorough, you had to get down on your hands and knees and…
Design a pantry for your new home or part of your remodeling project
One aspect of your new home plan requires a very personal touch from you. The pantry is a most-important adjunct to your kitchen. Here are some tips from…