Not Earl's Best
2 stars
Perhaps my least favorite of Earl "Vinegar" Proulx's books of household hints. There are a lot of ideas in here that would make your home look like a garbage dump. Yes, I suppose you could hang up six-pack plastic rings to hold extra towels for guests, but you're not going to impress anyone that way. I did learn exactly two useful tips: you can make a postal scale from a ruler and five quarters (which weigh an ounce), and cats dislike the smell of lemons. Anyway, of all Proulx's books, this is the one that pushes the legendary Yankee frugality over the edge into somewhat unpleasant cheapness. My helpful hint: don't repair the soles of your slippers with duct tape -- treat yourself to new slippers!