The government started the timetable for limiting the sale of R lamps in 1992 because they were so inefficient. They don't appear to put out as much heat (and light) as more modern lamps designs because less heat and light is projected out of the fixture by the old R type reflector. You should have at least been using ER or BR type lamps which are not much more efficient but were not restricted by the '92 law. (R20 lamps were exempted). A more efficient incandescent lamp is the PAR type (parabolic aluminized reflector). If it uses a halogen capsule it is even more efficient and if it has an IR coating it is even better and therefore it is possible to use a smaller wattage. I suspect that when you tried a halogen lamp you used one with too large a wattage and too narrow a beam spread since you probably didn't know how efficient the reflector design was. The old R lamps came in Spot (20 deg.) and Flood (60 deg.) but modern PAR lamps are made in NSP (9 deg.), SP (12 deg.), FL (28 deg.) and WFL (60 deg.). You should try a Sylvania 75w. frosted halogen PAR Fl or WFL lamp. You should go to an electrical supply store rather than a Home Depot or the internet. The quality of light and reduction in glare will be impressive. When I renovate a house I replace the lamps in the recessed fixtures that are not going to be replaced and the owners think they're new fixtures especially if the original R lamps were not recessed above the ceiling much. You didn't say the size. A recessed fixture that uses an R/BR/ER 40 lamp would use a PAR 38 lamp. The 20 and 30 sizes are the same. Be sure to insist on a frosted PAR lamp even if it has to be ordered. And a 130v. rated lamp will last a lot longer than a 120v. rated lamp. An IR or HIR model will be about 30% more efficient but will be expensive.

If you have correctly diagnosed the problem as a bad cartridge the trick of the trade is to replace it with the manufacturer's EXACT replacement part and move on to another project. Sometimes cartridges can be gingerly disassembled and o-rings replaced and sometimes they can't and sometimes new o-rings fix a leak and sometimes they don't. If you find a third party cartridge that says it will replace the manufacturer's part number then there's a good chance it will leak cause most third party parts are close to OEM specs but not exact. Since you found the cartridge at reputable sellers like Amazon then the price is what the market will bear and you have to decide whether that price is worth paying and being done with it. Buying a new faucet brings it's own complications and whether it will be equal quality and style and longevity with less expensive replacement parts as what you have are questions that time will answer.

Thanks everyone. When healthy, the boxwoods look great here, but I don't have the energy to fight or coddle them anymore. I will be relocating the remaining healthy boxwoods to give them another chance in a different location. I am thinking about replacing them with two or three different plants going down the walkway to diversify. That way, if one dies, it won't be as noticeable or as hard to replace. Maybe alternating yaupon hollies and low grasses with some daffodils planted in between for sprig interest.

remove the shrubs..I wanted to show you how practical and convenient it is to leave a service alley next to your house..we ripped out overgrown shrubs and planted low growing perennials with some smaller shrubs closer to the sidewalk..our Japanese maple will never be too big..it's a different type than yours..and it's centered in front of the stone (hard to tell in the pic) so it will never block the windows..the wooden "birdhouse" is covering an ugly sewer cleanout..wish we didn't need it..you could move those shrubs if you could use them or put "free shrubs you dig" on Craig's list..don't let just anyone prune that maple if you keep it..I don't let my husband near any of ours unless I'm standing there haha..my neighbor moved a maple about that size and it's done very well..I love working outside and only hire out big tree work..do you like gardening?..I don't want anyone else making my garden decisions..I would do it myself..