Hi Eskielover,

I think there is generally more moisture on the East Coast than on the West.

Our property is beautiful and very atypical for Kansas -- 18 acres rolling hills, with two ponds set in side-by-side, and one-third of our property is covered in trees.

However, our 100+ farmhouse is more of a two-story bungalow. It feels like a shoebox, which was stood on its end. We have to haul water here, and the staircase going upstairs is dangerous at best. My husband and I have both fallen down the stairs twice. The steps are extremely uneven, and there is no railing on the top half. You have to duck at the bottom. So I'm staying off these stairs for now.

My shower is also dangerous. It is very small, and there is a metal lip at an awkward height to climb over getting in. I put my walker in, but there is nothing solid to hold onto. So anyway, the bottom line, is I don't feel safe taking a shower unless my husband is around.

Nevermind the fact, that if I use too much water, that means my husband has to go get some more water. We don't have rural water here.

My story is like a Chinese proverb. I got husband back to work three months ago. He is 67, b/c of our rural location, he is having to drive 50 miles to work, and is working in a building, which is not air conditioned. With the temps in the 90's this week, that means it is close or over 100 degrees in his building.

Thanks for writing.

EJ