Loose ends

. . . but not for long, woo-hoo!

I bit the bullet today and ordered all our "smart" switches -- and though the price smarts a bit, it's amazing technology for the price.

They're by Insteon, and basically they'll do everything but walk the dog. Want to turn all the outside lights on at once? One button from any room. Dim the den for TV while the art stays lighted? Light a path to the kitchen? Turn everything upstairs off? With a combination of wall-mounted keypads and tableside remotes, bingo.

You can also monitor and adjust from elsewhere -- as in Tennessee elsewhere -- via the net. Factor in alarm system, climate controls, watering schedules . . . .

The fanciest systems that do all this go for true megabucks. This is a brilliant alternative.

Or half-dimmed, depending on your mood.