S.E. Smith

S.E. Smith

S.E. Smith is a writer, agitator, and commentator based in Northern California, with a journalistic focus on social issues, particularly gender, prison reform, disability rights, environmental justice, queerness, class, and the intersections thereof, with a special interest in rural subjects. International publication credits include work for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, and AlterNet, among many other news outlets and magazines. Assisted by cats Loki and Leila, smith lives in Fort Bragg, California.

A razor scraper is an effective way to remove mailing labels. (Photo: daveynin's buddy icon 	 daveynin/Flickr)

One Tool, Many Uses: Single Edge Razor

Posted by S.E. Smith | Aug 02, 2012

Single edge razors can be used for shaving, of course, but they have tons of other handy functions around the house. These multitasking tools are good to keep in the tool drawer, but...

When all else fails, make a hand puppet from an old sock. Photo and hand puppet by s.e. smith.

Clever Uses for Old Socks

Posted by S.E. Smith | Jul 23, 2012

There are few things more tragic than the development of a hole in the toe of your favorite sock, or a visit by the laundry gnomes that leaves a healthy sock mateless after a round...

A U-bend (AKA P-trap) under a kitchen sink. (Photo by s.e. smith)

How to Unclog Your Sink's U-Bend

Posted by S.E. Smith | Jul 19, 2012

If you have a slow-draining sink, don’t whip out the drain cleaner or the plumber’s phone number just yet (using drain cleaners with abandon is one of the 10 plumbing mistakes...

The scooter had to be parked outside because the building does not have a ramp. (Photo by s.e. smith)

Planning a Space Using Universal Design Principles

Posted by S.E. Smith | Jul 19, 2012

Universal design aims to make spaces accessible to the greatest number of people without special modifications or additional measures. Such spaces welcome people ranging from older...

A house in Mendocino County. Photo by Clinton Steeds/Flickr.

Tips for Buying a House in a Rural Area

Posted by S.E. Smith | Jul 09, 2012

Making a major relocation can come with a lot of unexpected things to think about, especially when it involves a big lifestyle change. I talked with Realtor DeeDee Thomas at Mendo Realty...

Fresh pasta with lemon olive oil. Pasta and photo by the author, s.e. smith.

Clever Uses for Olive Oil

Posted by S.E. Smith | Jul 04, 2012

Have an old bottle of olive oil sitting around the house? Don’t throw it out! I talked to Carol Firenze, author of The Passionate Olive – 101 Things You Can Do with Olive...

Nubian goats on Marty Johnson's farm. Photo by s.e. smith.

Beginning to Keep Goats at Home

Posted by S.E. Smith | Jun 29, 2012

If you have room for goats, farmer Marty Johnson in Fort Bragg, California highly recommends them as a source of both milk and meat. This may not be an option for urban gardeners unless...

Coturnix quail are an alternative to backyard chickens. (Photo: ajmattthehiddenhouse/flickr)

Beyond Chickens: Poultry to Keep at Home

Posted by S.E. Smith | Jun 14, 2012

When most people hear poultry at home, they think of chickens, thanks to the current trend of urban cluckers. It turns out that there are a lot more options than that, and I talked...

Turn off the tap for water savings. (Photo by the author, s.e. smith.)

Water Conservation is Easy With These Tips

Posted by S.E. Smith | May 20, 2012

With water scarcity is a growing issue around the world, so making the most of water resources is critically important even in regions where drought conditions haven’t been declared....

Lettuce grows in my wine barrel planter. Wine barrels and wine crates make great containers for container gardens. (Photo by the author, s.e. smith.)

How to Grow POUNDS of Food in a Tiny Garden

Posted by S.E. Smith | May 09, 2012

Gardening in small spaces—like apartment balconies, concrete driveways and postage-stamp sized yards—can feel like an exercise in futility if you’re trying to get...