Animal abuse is something that most of us do not tolerate and would like to see abolished. But if you are witness to abuse -- whether it's an emaciated horse or a dog chained to a tree -- it's important to have three facts before reporting it to the animal welfare authorities. First, first-hand observation is key. If you didn't see it yourself, you cannot report it. Second, mark down the exact address where you witnessed the abuse, along with cross streets and the time of day and date. Third, if you can (without trespassing), use your phone to document the situation with photos. Then contact your animal welfare or animal control office to make the report.

When it's time to replace a worn-out comforter -- whether it's down feather, polyester or a mix of feather and faux -- what do you do with it? The good news: It's recyclable. Old textiles, including clothes, blankets and, yes, comforters, are recyclable materials that can be made into new products. Usually, it's used as upholstery fill for furniture or cars, building materials or cleaning cloths. But whatever it is, old comforters should not be tossed out. Instead, put your bedding into a clean garbage bag and donate it like you would clothing to charities like Goodwill. The nonprofit will resell it to textile recyclers.

When it's time to bring your houseplants indoors, do this one thing: Sprinkle them with black pepper. Ground black pepper is a natural deterrent for insects, so any little bugs that may get a free ride into your home will run away from your peppered plants. Just mix a large amount of black pepper with white flour, and gently sprinkle it on top of the leaves and ground -- using a metal sifter makes it a mess-free project. Wait 24 hours before you bring the plants inside. All of the bugs will be long gone, and the peppery flour will naturally degrade and disappear.