In mid-December, I spent four days digging out from Winter Storm Gail. While it appeared to millions to be just an ordinary winter snowstorm, Gail unleashed her full wrath on a narrow band of New Hampshire, dumping up to 48 inches of snow in just 12 hours. Much of the water Gail gulped and slurped from Nantucket Sound.

COVID-19 prompted many adult children to fly home to the family nest.That proved true for Rex Watson, whose son and daughter came home for the holidays last year, only to find their job opportunities vanished when it was time to leave.

The most anticipated new year is upon us. One way you can greet it is to refresh your space so that it better serves your upcoming goals and aspirations. Although most are crossing their fingers to not spend as much time at home in the coming year, this year has been a lesson in how our space and how we operate within it can affect our lives. With that and New Year’s resolutions in mind, here are a few ways to get started in making your space more functional, enjoyable and intentional.

Q. Tim, my husband and I really need your help. Our 10-year-old multi-speed kitchen exhaust fan drips greasy water back down onto the stove. Three of the highest fan speeds no longer work. The lights in the hood have also stopped working. It’s in a custom wood surround with a custom internal stainless steel frame.

The kitchen is meant to be a workspace, which is likely why people like them big. Would you look at all that counter space. But don’t knock a small kitchen too quickly, because it can be a powerhouse of efficiency if you know how to maximize its utility.

With winter on its way, it’s a good idea to make sure your home is ready for extreme weather. Winter weather can cause widespread power outages, so it’s important that you have items that will make it manageable to temporarily live without electricity.

The pandemic gave Steve Peck time to consider a project that seemed simple but turned out to require some ingenuity and innovation. “We have an odd lot that has made our landscaping and gardening a bit more complicated,” he explained. “Over the years, our outdoor storage was too far from where it needed to be. We needed a shed closer to the front.”

While fronting the Police, iconic singer-songwriter Sting once wrote and sung "The Bed's Too Big Without You." Much has changed 40 years later. Apparently, the bed isn't big enough at homes with spouses on the other side of the political fence. Von Viva, a Calgary, Alberta-based custom mattress manufacturer, has noticed the deep divide.