by Winding Pathways | Oct 23, 2025 | Energy Efficiency
In midsummer we made a major cooking change at Winding Pathways when we bought an induction stove. For 50 years we’d been cooking on a gas kitchen range, so we faced a learning curve.
Induction stoves work by creating an electromagnetic field below a smooth glass surface that energizes magnetic cookware above. Induction heats quickly and precisely.
Motivation to Buy Now
We’d been thinking about swapping gas for induction for some time, encouraged by our friend Sigrid Reynolds. She had used hers for several years. When we learned that the new Federal Budget would eliminate tax credits for energy efficiency items at the end of 2025, we checked around at several stores that sell induction stoves. We chose Slager Appliance store in Cedar Rapids. Their prices are competitive and their information, stove options and customer service excellent. Because we cook simply we settled on a basic model that also has an intriguing feature of an “air fryer”, an easy wash removable oven tray in the conventional oven.
Reasons We Decided to Switch
- First, induction stoves are amazingly energy efficient. We always seek ways to reduce our consumption of fuel, especially fossil fuels.
- Second, we knew that induction stores heat food and water quickly and allow precise temperature control.
- Third, we could capture Federal tax credits.
- Fourth, safety. There is no open flame or electric coils that stay hot. Induction stoves heat cookware and their contents, not the stove surface. The stove surface heats stainless steel pans and contents but quickly cools. Touch it by mistake after removing a pot and a burn is unlikely. If a burner is accidentally turned on without a pot above it won’t heat up.
Induction Stoves promote clean indoor air
For years we’ve used gas fueled camping stoves with instructions stating to only use them outdoors where there’s plenty of fresh air. Why, then, was it safe to burn similar fuel indoors on our kitchen stove? Kitchen gas stoves emit pollutants into a home’s air.
Induction stoves don’t, so our stove promotes clean indoor air.
Smooth top of induction stove makes easy cleaning.
Induction Stove Considerations
Along with the many benefits of induction stoves, customers need to consider the changes involved. The first is visible in the appliance store. They cost more than comparable gas or conventional electric stoves. Since they work by magnetism our old trusty copper bottom pots and pans wouldn’t work on induction. So, we gave them away and bought new magnetic stainless-steel pans. Fortunately, our time-tested cast-iron skillets work great on induction.
Most induction stoves run on 220 amps of electricity. We only had a 110 line to our former gas stove, so we hired a Munson Electric Company electrician to run a 220 line to our stove location.
The Learning Curve
As soon as our new stove was installed, we faced a learning curve. The stove’s quick heating ability took getting used to. It boils water in a flash. However, turn the dial down….or up….and the stove responds instantly with less or more heat without the lag common in other stoves. We learned to stay close in the kitchen and mind the progress of the cooking.
Cleaning and Bills
Another part of the change to an induction stove was cleaning it. We wipe down the stove top and inside after each use, and use prescribed materials to regularly wipe to top. These tasks take only a few minutes and leave the stove looking great. We chose knobs vs. total “push button” so we can look back when leaving the kitcher or house, see the knobs upright and that nothing is left on the stove and know with assurance all is safe.
Our electric usage and bill may rise some. Our gas usage will decrease.
We also make sure nothing is left on the stove top when we are not cooking. This simple technique ensures more safety.
We’re still getting used to it but we like our ultra-modern efficient induction stove.
by Winding Pathways | Oct 2, 2025 | (Sub)Urban Homesteading, Flowers/Grasses, Garden/Yard, Garden/Yard, Wonderment
Take a look around as you drive. Autumn eye candy delights and soothes us. From small yards to acreages to vistas Happy Yards abound. Following are some Happy Yards we’ve noticed this fall. We thank folks for creating visual pleasure, habitat for small creatures that share our earth, and enhancing the health of soil, water and air.
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The owner tends a vibrant front yard all season.
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Waystop.
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Progression of color and textures.
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Delightful textures and colors.
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Note and enjoy the autumn variety of flowers and vegetables.
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Mixture of plants, pots and structures to hold the plants.
To respect individaul homeowner privacy, we took photos that show only the beauty of the forbs and grasses. Businesses, we stated the names and we thank for their creative use of small spaces to enhance beauty and promote healthy environments.
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Brightening the downtowns.
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Businesses know how to attract positive attention.
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Fabulous color all season
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Tiny sections in front of a business add beauty.
Enjoy the eye candy as autumn progresses and may we look forward to more come next growing season.
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Color and shade.
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Adding beauty
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Simple eye candy.
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Large leaves and brilliant scarlet flowers
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Holding soil, cleaning the air and adding visual delight.
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Inviting in customers
Readers can connect with various businesses across the country that promote happy yards. A favorite is New Hampshire Garden Solutions that regularly post fabulous photos with narrative of rambles in Marion’s native state.
We’ve written a number of posts on wondrous yards that we invite readers to look at.
by Winding Pathways | Sep 18, 2025 | (Sub)Urban Homesteading, 1080 Labyrinth Blog, Flowers/Grasses, Garden/Yard, Nature
Dancing in autumn’s breezes.
An autumn pleasure is sitting on our front porch watching Maxmillian Sunflowers – Summer’s Goodbye wave as they dance in September’s breeze.
Our yard is a seasonal progression of color from spring’s delightful dandelions that grace our mowed yards to Maxmillion’s final wave. In early summer our porch view is of pale purple coneflowers that gradually yield to common purple sunflowers. Then yellow coneflowers, purple prairie clover, compass plant and rattlesnake master make their appearance as white clover looks like sprinkles on the lawn. We can tell the month by what’s blooming.
Autumn’s Hello
Fall’s a time for both joy and sadness. As summer’s warmth diminishes we know we won’t see our flowery color for months, but three blooms give us late summer gladness.
First comes the goldenrod of many species. We spot their earliest blooms on the final days of July but they come into full glory in late August and September. Then they’re joined by asters of several species. Our favorites are tiny flowered heath asters and deep lavender New England asters. And the surprise pink petaled New England aster.
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Important pollen producer. NOT an allergenic.
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New England Asters and goldenrod blooming
Final Actor
The final actor to appear in the season’s progression of blooming color is the Maximilian Sunflower. Ours thrive in the south part of our labyrinth prairie and stretch higher than prairie grasses. Even a slight breeze entices their golden blooms to dance above the prairie as if to say, “thanks summer for your warmth and water.”
They are stalwart and resist early fall’s frosts and keep dancing. Their final bow of color coincides with a hard freeze.
About Maximillian Sunflowers
Maximilian sunflowers are true sunflowers with many relatives. They are a perennial native to the Great Plains and tallgrass prairie, but people have planted them all over the world. Tall and vigorous, they make a delightful backdrop to a prairie or flower garden.
Supporting Actors
Goldfinches show up in the yard when various sunflowers bloom and turn to seed.
As a final delight our resident goldfinches love dining on any nutritious sunflower seeds. They start with cupplant and move on to Maximillian Sunflowers.
We delight that the blooms are exactly the same yellow hue as late summer male goldfinch feathers.
Brightening Autumn’s Days
Dancing sunflowers are a delight. Perhaps it’s sad that they herald an approaching winter, but they brighten fall’s gorgeous weather and lure us to sit on our porch
by Winding Pathways | Sep 4, 2025 | (Sub)Urban Homesteading, Nature
Blog by guest authors, Peg and Angus!
Our dog, Angus, and I were sitting on the deck one summer afternoon. I was reading and Angus just looking around. Suddenly, I heard a commotion.
Angus got all excited and started barking. It turns out, a bear commotion!
I looked up and there was a big (200-300 lb) black bear climbing the maple tree beside us. About 40 feet away.
Fortunately, Angus was on his run and close to me so I could get hold of him and hurry us both into the house. He was not a willing participant in this process! The bear just watched us the entire time. It took quite a while before my hands stopped shaking enough for me to take pictures.
I think what scared me most is that Angus showed no fear and kept barking at the bear. I wasn’t sure how the bear would react to him but it totally ignored us. As much as I like to be outside I was very happy to be in the rest of the afternoon. No more bear commotion for me or Angus.
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Boots and dog
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A fierce character
From safe inside, my husband, Bruce, and I watched the bear as he (just guessing) relaxed on a large limb and munched away. Eventually he climbed down, lumbered across the yard, found our dwarf apple tree and stopped for dessert of green apples. Eventually he wondered off into the woods.
I love seeing wildlife but he was too close and way too big for me!
Click on the links for other bear encounters in the East. One in Virginia and another in New Hampshire. Of course, in Alaska, bears are common. And troublesome.
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Bear standing tall.
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Deck in foreground
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Curious
by Winding Pathways | Aug 28, 2025 | (Sub)Urban Homesteading, Bugs, Garden/Yard, Garden/Yard, Nature
Early one humid summer morning we discovered lawn lace in the yard. Dozens of laces were scattered on the grass and mulch we’d put around trees. Dew drops on their tiny filaments sparkled in the early morning sunshine. What had we found? Who made them?
As kids we called them fairy rings and marveled at their delicate nature.
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Fairy rings.
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A delicate lacing on evergreen shrub.
Shelf Spiders
The hole reveals the entrance to the web.
They were crafted by industrious hungry spiders overnight. We call them shelf spider webs because they are positioned horizontally. Others call them funnel or tunnel spiders. Look closely to find a hole, usually toward the side, where the spider lurks.
The web isn’t sticky but has so many tiny filaments that a wandering insect often gets its feet tangled there, slowing it down. In a flash the fast-moving spider is out claiming its breakfast.
What Are They?
There are many species of shelf spiders found throughout the world in the genus Aselemidae. Some 111 species live north of Mexico. They pose no threat to people, but may pose a major threat to bugs, who often see the conspicuous webs but not their builders. The web’s architect and builder stay hidden. By late morning sunshine has usually evaporated the dew, making the webs hard to spot. They’re best enjoyed when the world is cool and fresh at dawn.
We usually think of shelf spiders as a September yard feature but in 2025 we began seeing them in July. We like them. Their dainty webs are as intriguing as they are beautiful. Perhaps more important, the presence of these spiders indicates that the lawn is healthy. It’s not been poisoned with insecticides. This allows harmless insects to thrive in the turf to feed the spiders.
Surrounded by Spiders
Many people consider spiders threatening, ugly, and undesirable animals. Come Halloween some even stretch fake webs in their porch to scare trick or treaters. A few spider species can inflict a painful and dangerous bite, but most species are tiny and hardly ever seen by people. They cause no problems and live in lawns, gardens, prairies and trees. They are beneficial.
Want to learn more? An interesting resource is spidermentor.com.
We enjoy watching brown creepers, nuthatches and warblers climbing tree trunks or flitting around branches. They’re often foraging for tiny protein-rich spiders. Even in the depths of winter dormant spiders provide food for hungry songbirds.
Be happy if some morning you spot lawn lace. Shelf spiders have been at work setting their intricate traps to catch a breakfast of tasty insects.
by Winding Pathways | Aug 21, 2025 | (Sub)Urban Homesteading, Birds, Garden/Yard, Nature, Reflections/Profiles
We savor our quiet yard moments.
One of our favorite nature writers, Joseph Wood Krutch, remarked that anything people do creates noise. It seems that the clanks and roars of life are increasing since he wrote those words years ago. Quiet is a rare pleasure. Unfortunately, noise doesn’t respect property lines. It does trespass into yards and homes. It’s hard to avoid.
Life Before the Industrial Revolution
Imagine life before the Industrial Revolution. No cars, factories or trains and no power tools. A 1700 era ship could glide by with only the rustling of the breeze in its sails.
Prior to machines the loudest noise to assault the ears was a crack of thunder.
We cringe as motorcycles roar past our home and shake our heads when we hear booming music from neighboring cars as we wait for a traffic light to change. Some people adore noise. We don’t. Audiologists warn that noise exposure can lead to hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, sleep disruption and lowered productivity.
We believe it. Rich was exposed to extreme noise in army training, followed by years running vacuum cleaners as a custodian and chain saws in the forestry industry. It eventually caught up with him with diminished ability to hear sound, especially high pitched ones. Tinnitus is his constant companion.
Because we treasure our ability to hear well, we’ve learned how to best enjoy quiet moments, create quiet places, reduce noise we produce, and use technology to enhance hearing.
A Week’s Quietest Hours
At Winding Pathways and almost everywhere else the week’s quietest hours happen early Sunday morning. Roaring motorcycles of the night before are parked, factories are in passive mode, and fewer trains chug along. On many Sunday mornings we’re up early to sip coffee on the porch and enjoy the gentle sounds of nature unmarred by human activity. These moments are delicious.
Creating Quiet Yard Places
Nature offers ways to lessen the din. The quietest parts of our yard are surrounded by vegetation. Leaves muffle noise. So does topography. Our home and yard are on an ancient sand dune. The north side of our property is the backside of the old dune. It blocks some of the din coming from a highway to the north, shielding about half our property from road noise. Our house, itself, reduces decibels. The side opposite the road is often quieter than the other side.
Our tall prairie plants, shrubs, and trees also muffle noise. A river birch tree in Marion’s labyrinth is close to the road. Its branches drape down over a bench surrounded by tall prairie plants. Vegetation offers intimate privacy and slightly muffled noise.
Using Technology to Reduce Noise and Hear Better
We’ve gone electric. Over the years we’ve replaced gas powered mowers, trimmers, chain saws and snowblowers with those fueled by batteries. The decibels they emit are a fraction of their gas counterparts but still make some noise. So do our vacuum cleaners. To protect our hearing we store sound dampening ear muffs near these tools and wear them when using them.
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Using an electric mower helps create a quiet yard.
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The electric chainsaw is quiet and efficient.
Fitting hearing aids is a process and building a relationship
Hearing Aids. Wow, they are expensive but miraculous. Hearing loss is a stealthy gradual condition. When Rich first bought aids he was amazed to hear the gentle sounds of walking in dry leaves, the creaking of the floor, birdsong, and better understanding of other’s speaking, music, and the television.
Audiologists usually provide a free hearing test. Rich’s advice – get a test and follow up with a pair of hearing aids if needed. The website of the American Academy of Audiology at members.audiology.org can help anyone locate a nearby professional who can help improve hearing.
Quiet Communities
Cities can do much to encourage quiet in their communities. Everyone benefits. Consider advocating with your local Council, law enforcement, and parks departments for developing a more quiet community.
Some people love noise but for most people it’s an annoyance. A quiet yard is a gem to create and enjoy.
