Cris Carl

Cris Carl

Cris Carl is a talented journalist who has written for both newspapers and websites for the past 13 years. She is a member of the Native American Journalists Association and the Society for Environmental Journalists. She has been a presenter and panelist at two Unity Journalists of Color conferences. Cris lives in western MA and loves to garden and make her home better every day. Cris has owned her own landscaping business and has been remodeling a 100-year-old house for over a decade.

She has written over a hundred articles for Networx.com. In addition to her home improvement articles for work such as power washing and cleaning, some of her articles include topics about adapting your home for a person with down’s syndrome (https://www.networx.com/article/adapting-your-house-for-a-person-with-do) and tips for ways to set up your home that can help keep your hyperactive kid calm (https://www.networx.com/article/can-a-house-calm-a-hyperactive-kid). For a person with down’s syndrome, she recommends having the simplest layout possible for your home, so it’s best to avoid a lot of push buttons and modern furniture. There are also certain types of stoves and locks that are easy and safe for a person with down’s syndrome to use, even if they can’t read. Cris also recommends making a private space for a caregiver who lives with them. For a hyperactive kid, Cris encourages parents to set up labeled bins and boxes where specific items are to be placed. She also suggests per expert Dr. Sharon Saline PsyD. to chart activities with your child using a dry erase board, chalkboard, or paper chart, to map out an organizational flow of the day.

Chris has also written articles for ridding your home of ferret odors by altering their diet and having a designated room for your ferret with easy-to-clean flooring (read more here: https://www.networx.com/article/ferret-odors-101-a-guide-for-new-ferret). She has also written articles about caring for rabbits (https://www.networx.com/article/six-facts-about-rabbits) and dogs (https://www.networx.com/article/fostering-dogs-short-term-canine-compan, https://www.networx.com/article/how-to-feed-your-overweight-dog).

Read more of her articles below!

What does it take to get your significant other to pick up a broom? [bruno neves/sxc.hu]

How to Get Your Significant Other to Help Clean

Posted by Cris Carl | Mar 05, 2012

One of the more common issues that often rears its head among couples is who cleans and who doesn’t - or worse yet, won’t. “I run into this quite a bit with couples....

The Clad Media Cabinet by City Joinery via CityJoinery.com

City Joinery: Locally Sourced and Seriously Exquisite

Posted by Cris Carl | Feb 29, 2012

“I love gnarly, earthy wood that shows the idiosyncrasies of nature,” said Jonah Zuckerman, owner and designer at City Joinery...

Crib construction stacks boards horizontally like pancakes, to act as insulation.

Modern Meets Country in Rare Crib Construction House

Posted by Cris Carl | Feb 16, 2012

Decades ago, a number of homes were built using a method known as "crib construction," where boards were stacked like pancakes inside walls. The idea was to use the width of the boards...

jpmpinmontreal/Flickr

Helping a Rescued Greyhound Adjust to Life at Home

Posted by Cris Carl | Feb 08, 2012

Greyhound racing is a controversial sport, and there are many people who choose to adopt the dogs who can no longer race. Marilyn Wolkovits, owner of Greyhound Adoption Services Inc....

An amputee enjoying mobility with a custom-made dog wheelchair from Eddie's Wheels. Photo via EddiesWheels.com.

Eddie's Wheels: Freedom for Disabled Dogs

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 25, 2012

If your dog has become injured or is experiencing a disability that affects his ability to walk, Eddie's Wheels has the answer. Eddie Grinnell, owner of Eddie's Wheels, is a mechanical...

Bob Putnam and me with a super cute copper weather vane at Brown and Roberts Hardware Store in Brattleboro. --Cris

Tips for Installing Weather Vanes

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 19, 2012

Weather vanes are both one of the oldest forms of weather prediction and an art form that spans millennia. According to Denninger Weather Vanes and Finials, weather vanes date back...

alancleaver_2000/Flickr Creative Commons

Organizing the House for ADHD Relief

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 17, 2012

If you or a loved one lives with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, there are ways to ease the symptoms while in your home. Dr. Mark Haffey, director of the Haffey Center for...

Am I obsessed with fixing this gouged bit of wall? No, because I have friends and a life.

A Guide to Accepting Your Imperfect House

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 11, 2012

If you are the sort of person that believes that everything in life has something to teach us, then truly, our homes are fodder for a lot of growth. How do you accept a perfectly imperfect...

Feng Shui expert Susan LaForte. Photo: fengshuiwesternmass.com

Feng Shui for Combined Living and Dining Spaces

Posted by Cris Carl | Dec 19, 2011

"Feng Shui is all about improving the energy in our living spaces – to create a 'just right' feeling," teaches Susan LaForte, of Amherst, MA. LaForte is certified as a Feng Shui...

Northern Green Pixie/Flickr Creative Commons

Pets: Options for Doggie Doors

Posted by Cris Carl | Dec 13, 2011

All good dog owners want to take the best possible care of their little (or not so little) buddy. Having a doggie door allows your dog more options for exercise and "bathroom breaks."...