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!

Photo: ubrayj02 on Flickr.

10 Renovations That Don't Pay Off When Selling

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 12, 2011

Justine Rosewarne, of Jones Group Realtors of western Massachusetts, has some good advice for what not to renovate when you are looking to sell your home. Most importantly, she said...

Todd Muller and Patty Smythe in front of a cordwood wall.  Photo: Cris Carl.

Cordwood Construction in New England

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 04, 2011

Cordwood construction for home building is unique, beautiful, inexpensive, and has excellent insulation properties. However, cordwood construction is not for those who want to build...

Septic Pumps & Your Septic System

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 01, 2011

Septic pumping is one of the less glorious aspects of country living, but it's crucial for hygienic reasons. Here you will learn the basics of septic tanks, system maintenance and...

Greenhouse Heating Options

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 01, 2011

There is an amazing array of options when considering how or if to heat your backyard greenhouse. This article explores the range of backyard greenhouse heating options and how to...

Tile Design Pictures

Posted by Cris Carl | Jan 01, 2011

One way to spark your imagination for ideas on creating a more valuable and enjoyable home is to check out photos of tile design. Tile design pictures can be found online or in catalogs...

This sign is cute, but probably ineffective.  Photo by mslavick on Flickr.

How to Stop Dogs from Using Your Lawn as a Bathroom

Posted by Cris Carl | Dec 22, 2010

Solutions for dealing with the toilet habits of your neighbors' dogs have a lot to do with your personality. Are you the type to boldly confront people? Are you the “law and order”...

M R/flickr

How to Identify & Get Rid of Bad Basement Smells

Posted by Cris Carl | Dec 19, 2010

Guide to Bad Basement Smells Do you open your basement door and immediately get confronted with a musty odor? Generally, if we are talking about a smell in your basement, it isn’t...

Sustainability and Beauty in South Hadley, MA

Posted by Cris Carl | Nov 30, 2010

As a young man, John Howard of South Hadley, MA joined the Peace Corps. Howard's experience of how the most commonplace items were used to their utmost in an impoverished country...

Myths and Facts About Snow and Your Home

Posted by Cris Carl | Nov 21, 2010

1. MYTH: The icicles hanging from the roof are so pretty! FACT: Besides the fact that when icicles start to melt they may fall on your car -- or worse, you! – they are a warning...

DIY Home Winterizing in 4 Easy Steps

Posted by Cris Carl | Nov 08, 2010

Whether you own a home or are renting, chances are you're already aware of the expenses involved in keeping your home comfortably warm. Home weatherizing can save you between 10 and...