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Mandy's Pages: Online Publisher of Article Content

2012-03-22T00:29:00.000+04:00

This is to inform my friends, readers, followers and well-wishers, that Mandy's Pages at blogger will no longer be in use for future blog posts, and all activity for this page has upgraded to my new website by the same name... Mandy's Pages.

At Mandy's Pages, online content publisher of articles, the blog reviews of writers and articles will continue. However, there will also be an added collection of articles by writers based on specific guidelines and submission requirements. There will also be paid titles at Mandy's Market from time to time. In addition, writers are welcome to voice their view point or post a thought at the Writer's Corner and engage in a creative discussion at each post.

Feel free to navigate through the content at Mandy's Pages, or drop me a line to indicate your interest in writing for my site. As always, you are welcome to share your opinions and feedback with me. You may contact me at mandy@mandys-pages.com. Thank you for your support of my work.

Local Guides: Valentine's Day Destinations

2012-02-12T23:55:00.004+04:00

It's Valentine's Week. While many couples have already planned well in advance how they will celebrate this day, or what gifts they will buy, my batch of friends have contributed their suggestions for places that you can get away to - to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Yep, there's no limit to the selection of places (although I have space to mention only a few) or how far you can travel. Should you want to travel 12 hours away from USA (time-zone-wise), you can reach Oman. How about that? I sure know I am 12 hours away from Las Vegas.

For a couple of weeks now I have been asking friends to tell us why anyone should visit their place, least of all to celebrate Valentine's Day. Is there something special about each of their places? I'm sure there is. (Part of which makes each one special too, I suppose).

Meet our local guides as they take you through each of their places, shedding light on the beautiful scenery, exquisite, romantic dining or simply breathtaking trails of greenery.

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The Costa Blanca - Spain (Veronica Shine)

The Costa Blanca in the Valencia Community of Spain has much to offer with its historic villages of Greek and Roman origins. Valentine´s Day is extra special in a land of great beauty.

Drink the essence of sherry from the world renowned wine-growing region of Jalon. This fertile valley lays slightly in-land from the Mediterranean coast among majestic mountains.

The seaside is also represented of this area and is simmering with its temperate microclimate weather and perpetual sun. There is a sure bet it will be shining on Valentine´s Day with an awesome sunrise and sunset.

Besides numerous resorts and dining facilities, the coastline is dotted with small and quaint fishing villages.

Nothing compares or is more romantic that sharing the immense discoveries on the Costa Blanca that always compiles countless interests in friends and lovers.

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Las Vegas, Nevada -USA (Diane Quinn)

I live in a city that needs no introduction—Las Vegas, Nevada. Sure people come here from all over the world for its obvious attractions: world class hotels, one-of-a-kind entertainment, a plethora of celebrity chef restaurants, and gambling, gambling, gambling! Held captive on “the Strip,” many tourists never venture outside the city limits to discover that the natural beauty around the city is just as amazing as the neon lights, glitzy shows and gourmet dining on most vacation itineraries.

Red Rock Conservation Area is my favorite spot with its pristine Mojave Desert flora and red clay cliffs all surrounded by dramatic, granite mountains. Take the 13-mile scenic drive or hike on numerous trails where you’ll stumble on the remains of buildings from early settlers or petroglyphs written by ancient Paiute Indian artists. Other notable spots outside Las Vegas include Hoover Dam, one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements, the sparkling blue waters of Lake Mead Recreational Area, and the spectacular new Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge that connects Nevada and Arizona directly above Hoover Dam. After you’ve lost your money playing poker, you’ll have more time to explore these sites that won’t cost you a dime.

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Thunder Bay, Ontario - Canada (Raymond Alexander Kukkee)

Valentine's Day is here again.

What better way to spend Valentine's day than to visit wonderful Kakabeka Falls in Northern Ontario? Beauty surrounds this natural Canadian playground, even in winter!

Take in the breathtakingly beautiful natural waterfalls known as the ' Niagara of the North' located in Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. Hear the mighty roar of ghosts of mighty Sioux warriors from times past. Visit with friendly locals and ask about the Ojibwa Princess Greenmantle---and the rest of the story. Take in an afternoon of cross-country skiing on miles of groomed trails and enjoy hot chocolate over an open campfire, winter-camping style. Visitors are always welcome! Enjoy!

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Mesa, Arizona - USA (M J Joachim)

One of the best things about Mesa, Arizona is its proximity to so many amazing social events and cultural attractions. Popular regional venues include the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, Phoenix Open Golf Classic and Barrett Jackson Auto Auction. These events and many more create welcome opportunities for fun, family entertainment that won’t break the bank. Downtown Mesa provides a quaint atmosphere, full of local mom & pop shops, hosting numerous side-walk arts and craft shows throughout the year. Intimate diners and cafes cater to a variety of tastes, delighting and intriguing visitors who stroll through the town. Mesa, Arizona is home to thousands of people who appreciate living in a neighborly place that is so welcoming, cultural and remarkable.

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Wild Horse Plains, Montana - USA (Rex Trulove)

Town is only about 800 people, but they are friendly and outgoing. Wild Horse Plains is surrounded by heavily forested and beautiful mountains that are home to deer, elk, big horns, mountain goats, wild turkeys and grouse. Clark Fork River flows by town so fishing is nearby and geese are common. This place has a relaxed atmosphere and a person can walk to nearly anywhere in town. It is also literally Big Sky Country and the nights are gorgeous, with lots of stars and an occasional appearance by the Aurora or northern lights.

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British Colombia - Canada (Christy Birmingham)

Here on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada, there is beautiful greenery. The Douglas Firs and Yellow Cedars provide natural shelter for walkers to cozy up under to step away from the rain. Pull up the hood on your jacket and explore the Galloping Goose Trail alongside bikers and dog-walkers. The mountains are so close on the horizon you are almost certain you can reach out and touch them. Take the hand of your special Valentine and explore the scenery of BC.

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Richmond, Virginia - USA (Alexandra Heep)

Richmond and romance may not sound like they go together, but romance can be found anywhere. However, Richmond does have a few places that are especially suitable, like Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and Maymont Park. Since the climate is comfortable, even around Valentine's Day, these two places make a wonderful escape from city life. Stroll through these natural surroundings hand in hand and simply enjoy life and love. For a romantic date, when weather won't co-operate or to end an evening on a lovely note, two particular romantic restaurants in Richmond come to mind: The Phoenician and Shackleford's. Whereever you decide to go in Richmond, all you need is to bring your feeling and the subject of your affection to make any place special.

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Muscat - Oman (Amanda Dcosta)

Last but not the least... welcome to Muscat, the capital of Oman. If you are not familiar with where Oman is located, it is in the Middle East, on the east of Saudi Arabia. Bring your loved one to Muscat to spend Valentine's Day, and enjoy an extensive range of fine cuisine dining from Mediterranean, to Indian, Arabic, Turkish, Iranian, Mexican, Chinese, French and Italian; and yes, even the American cheese burgers and fries. Visit the Royal Opera House in Muscat or one of the many beaches that border the coastline. If you are lucky, you can get to witness belly dancers performing at select bars around town. It is this time of year that the city is at its greenest, so what better way to enjoy the desert setting than at this time, when the land is filled with flowers and the parks are greener than ever.

With a temperature hovering around 20C (+/- 70F) it’s the perfect weather to go camping outdoors, set up a barbecue party or roam around the city to view the landscape, monuments, or the many oasis along the highway. Or you could enjoy a walk along the Cornish to see the coast lit up all night. There’s nothing like enjoying a date with your loved one under an Omani date palm in the city of Muscat, Oman.

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Now that you've had a glimpse of some wonderful places... make your pick. Well, no, don't. Since all are spectacular in their own way, how about you decide on a different place for each day of the week? Throw in an extra day and you will have visited all these wonderful destinations.

A virtual tour of all these places is fun and I thank all you lovely local guides for your contributions. I have enjoyed attaching the pictures as it enlivens the page and adds meaning to your posts.

Parents: To Be or Not To Be

2012-02-06T21:45:00.003+04:00

I remember someone as saying, "Before I got married, I had nine rules on how to bring up children. But now, I have nine children and no rules." Yep, this is what parenting is all about in many cases. Each child is unique and special, that what is applicable for one is not necessarily applicable for another. Although we try to be good parents, there are times when we feel 'beat' and inadequate or unable to cope with parenting.

On the flip side, there are many golden rules that also hold fast for children of all ages; some of which can be discipline, or teaching children to tell the truth, be clean, show respect towards others, etcetera. Before I proceed with my discussion about the topic, I'd like to welcome Ann Marie Dwyer to grace my pages for this week with her invaluable feedback on the world of parenting. Lets give it up for Ann Marie (Red as she calls herself) and read what she has to say.

Writer of the Week

Ann Marie "Red" Dwyer

Ann Marie "Red" Dwyer is Momma to ten children and engaged to a man who will bring an additional five children to the brood. She homeschools the two youngest children, who are both autistic. Her experience spans parenting from pregnancy to grave, including toddlers, teens and grandchildren. She writes on diverse aspects of the struggle of parenting from fertility issues to discipline to the empty nest. Her blog offers tips and tricks from saving money and time while tackling some of the difficulties of parenting.

Alongside parenting, Red has been a woman of diverse professional skills that have helped her keep her family intact and fed. Should you want to know how to balance your family life with children while trying to keep your professional side sane, Momma Red has answers for your concerns. You will find more about her interactions with others regarding parenting at her blog Momma's Money Matters. If you have a question, feel free to ask her via the blog or email.

Baby sleeping patterns

Building stronger bonds between siblings

How taking birth control pills may affect fertility or infertility

At the onset of 'parenting', the mother has to go through the stages of pregnancy (except with cases of adoption). A lot of complications happen many times because the mother is not aware of what is expected of her for the initial delivery, and how her co-operation can make for a more healthy delivery. Dr. Pandula Siribaddana writes about the stages of labor and delivery that every 'first-time mother' should be aware of. Miraculous Pregnancy by M. J, Joachim also deals with the same topic with a Trimester-wise account of what to expect.

In days gone by, the 'dad' was not allowed to enter the labor room while the 'mom' struggled with labor pains. The most common scene depicting the dad during this time was his anxious, impatient, to-and-fro pace outside the delivery room. However, these days, it has become necessary that the 'dad' take an active role in not just being by the delivery table, but also in the exercising program designed for the 'pregnant mom'. Is your husband scared of the result of you being pregnant? Does he feel left out from all the 'pregnancy fun' (- the backaches, the tiredness... etc. etc.)? Why not let him be part of your nine-month trip down pre-mom-hood with these helpful tips for including husbands during childbirth and delivery? I had to smile when I read this article. There are many 'husbands' who would willingly claim ignorance. (They can't try their luck now, can they?)

Yep, your baby's born. Now the actual fun part begins. Who's turn is it to change the baby's diaper? (Suddenly there's no one in sight but you, the mom.) I loved this next article on 'how to change a baby's diaper'. Kathrine Mills very humorously starts the article 'It strikes terror in the hearts of grown men, makes the most dependable person run in disgust and even the kindred mother's heart turn away in fear'. Uh oh... terror in the heart of grown men? Now come on, surely you aren't scared of changing your baby's diaper? (Yep, you sensed right. An evil smirk from me again.)

With babies, arrive the next topic: Why breast feeding in public should not be a controversial issue. I loved a pic that 'Red' passed around on Facebook yesterday, which illustrated an ill-clad woman (yes, with almost-totally revealing breasts) at a restaurant , and a breast-feeding mom. The image spoke volumes to me. Why is it that women who expose their breasts (please excuse my candid approach to this topic) by the way they are ill-clothed, totally acceptable in social circles, while a mom who has to breast-feed her baby as and when the baby demands it, is not acceptable? I do not understand the logic behind it. A 'Warped Social Mindset' is how I can think of labeling it.

While 'abortions' have been legalized in many places, and with Planned Parenthood assisting many abortions, it would be careless of me not to mention this article 'No Escape: Abortion Unveiled'. Parenting begins at the point of conception, so it will be worthwhile to take a look at this article to understand the procedure involved in an abortion and what a pregnant mother or anticipating father can expect when opting to abort their baby. It is your decision in the end; so make it the best one while you're at it.

While on the topic of autism, since Red mentions 'autism' in particular, I've added a couple of articles related to this illness and what one may expect from an autistic child. Autism is a mental health illness that has been looked at in a very negative way by the public in general all over the world. There are three main areas that affect the child - speech, stereotype behavior and memory. When there is a deviation from expected childhood milestones, a parent can expect their child to probably fall under this category. Like any other physical illness such as diabetes or heart problems, autism too needs to be medically treated on a long term basis. It may be unfortunate for a child to suffer thus, or for parents to have to deal with it, but having a stigma attached to it, is the last thing that one needs when dealing with this pediatric illness. The most astonishing part though; these kids have such beautiful memory power, its amazing at how easy they can grasp things and remember them for life. These attached articles on autism gives a mom's (Glory Lennon's) viewpoint and approach to dealing with autism. Also attached is an article by Dr. Deborah Bauers.

Recognizing autism in toddlers - by Glory Lennon
Recognizing autism in toddlers - by Dr. Deborah Bauers
Tips for easing anxiety about outings for children with autism - by Glory Lennon
Autism: Special love for a special child - by Glory Lennon
Acceptance issues with autistic children: Parents and the world - by Glory Lennon
Funny parenting stories (autism) - by Glory Lennon

Illnesses aside, many first-time parents are not aware of what to expect from their baby as he/she progresses into toddler-hood. Parents can be taken by surprise or are not adept enough to deal with 'sudden' movements or mischief as we may call it, by a toddler. How to keep children safe while playing by Karen Louise Hollis is an article that highlights different phases of childhood and what is in store for parents and children alike. This was an interesting read and informative.

What about teenagers? Many moms curse the fact that they hit menopause just about the time their child hits the prime age of 'teenage'. There can be a better balance with dealing with your teenager if you have the right outlook and know what to look out for. Understanding your independent teenager which is part of Effectively Human centers around important aspects such as observance, awareness and communication, which are vital to dealing with a teenager without losing your sanity.

Since we are discussing the many aspects of parenting, it becomes necessary to discuss one aspect of parenting which has been vital to many couples: Adoption. So many couples all over the world have found completion and fulfillment of married life by adopting children, especially in cases when either of them have had reproductive issue. Now here's the part that many couples are scared of initially: Is it possible to unconditionally love an adopted child? The answer might not be surprising... but it is worthwhile taking time to read this article by Carol Gioia and think of all the children who have been adopted and the families that have been enriched by them. In my opinion, it can be unconditional love if one chooses to love unconditionally... and similar with the case of an adopted child.

My tip for this week.... those who are planning on getting married should definitely watch the movie 'Licence to Wed'. This movie says it all. :)))) Are you up to the challenge?

This is me signing out for this week. Next week's post is on 'Local Guides'. I request readers to write in 'with 5-8 sentence blurbs' about the place (city/town, NOT COUNTRY) you live in, telling me why I should visit your place. If you have a 'local guide article' or a pic to add to your blurb, I would be more than happy to accept them for my post. Please send your entries to writer_amanda@yahoo.com . Entries from your locations all across the globe are welcome. :)

Image credits:
Holding hands
Parenting skills
Autism
Adoption
Abortion

A Book for a Bookstore

2012-01-22T16:35:00.003+04:00

Mandy's Pages is back after a very long break; too long a break that I have actually forgotten what it is like to check out writers' pages and plan who I'd like to feature or which channel needs more of my attention. While the lazy Christmas-New Year feeling kept tugging at me, to laze around even more saying "Forget it... the post can wait", I had to boost my brain to come up with fresh ideas.

But as luck would have it, I didn't have to look far. For just when I was about to do a search for hot topics of the week, she announced the launch of her book; hot off the presses. I snatched the opportunity and immediately bought her book, liked what I read... and now recommend it to all of you.

Heart Songs

Janet Wyatt Hunt

This week I'd like to feature a writer named Janet Wyatt Hunt. Honestly, I do not know anything or much about her. But then of course, like I said, I read some of her work and think its 'Lovely'. Digging a little deeper into her background, Janet Hunt is a freelance writing professional specializing in business and finance. She has published articles for such online publication sites as Demand Studios, Associated Content, and various other online publishing sites. She also has a job in insurance marketing and received her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Phoenix. Setting aside her 'business and finance' ideas, Janet has just recently written and published 'Heart Songs' which is a book on poetry and available at Lulu.com.

In Janet's own words... "I have always enjoyed writing poetry. I began at an early age, about 7 or 8 years of age. Poetry is an expression of the heart. A way to express feelings that we don't always understand."

Here is an excerpt from her poem 'The Road to Tomorrow'

Where have all my yesterdays gone?

They are no longer mine to hold

Left behind they all remain

Down a long ago taken road

Winding pathways brought me through

A journey to today ...

Profound, poetic and with elegance - that's how I'd like to sum-up her 'first' book on poetry. Way to go, Janet!

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Moving on... what's the use of all these books being published or read, if there isn't a bookstore around the corner? So many of us have piles of books accumulated over the years. I remember, when I moved to Oman 3 1/2 years ago, I packed a whole carton of books for the kids (leaving behind a whole lot more)... and someone commented "Why do you want to cart all these books on an international flight and pay for the excess weight? You can get books online or even at book stores there. Besides, the kids will grow out of these." Truth be told, I didn't have the heart to leave these books behind... and fortunately, although I had nearly 20 kgs of excess luggage weight, the airlines didn't charge me for it. But then again, I still need space for more books that have been bought since that time.

Robin Tidwell

Dennis Tidwell

This is where I'd like to feature Robin Tidwell. Yes, most of us in our Helium circle know her... but for those who don't, Robin and her husband Dennis have turned their collection of books into a profitable business and are already planning expansions in no less than four months since the launch of their book store. That's right... Robin and Dennis Tidwell own 'All on the Same Page Bookstore', located in Missouri. Here's Robin's story behind the making and undertaking of their bookstore.

"Back near the end of July, my husband and I were sitting in our office talking about who-knows-what; during a lull, he glanced around the room at my overflowing bookshelves and said, “We should open a bookstore.” Conveniently ignoring his slight sarcasm, I said that sounded like a great idea – I ticked off all the reasons this could work and told him that I was going to start working on a business plan right away.

After dinner, I stuck my head out of the office and hollered: “So, when do you think we could, you know, realistically open our doors?”

And he said, “I don’t know, October 1st?”

So I made a website and announced our grand opening. It was October 1st.

All on the Same Page Bookstore is located in a suburb of St. Louis County, Missouri; we’re open five days a week. We carry mostly used books, but our new stock is growing and we also have a few greeting cards, calendars, journals, pens, booklights, etc. And a friend supplies us with Baer’s Pure products, an awesome skin care line that’s organic and all-natural. We promote local authors, independently published authors, and local businesses. We also have online ordering for new books, textbooks, and textbook rentals, and we just opened our used stock to Amazon ordering.

I think we bring a unique balance to bookstore ownership – Dennis has been in retail all his life, and me, well, I’m a writer. Even though I haven’t published recently, I try to keep my hand in play; I also really enjoy mentoring new writers and helping them market their work. You could call me a de facto agent, although it’s certainly not a full-time career. There’s a lot less time to write now, unless it’s a press release or ad copy; the dream of sitting in a bookstore with a pad and pen or my laptop is somewhat farfetched, especially since we’re planning an expansion the first of March."

That pretty much wraps up the post for today. I don't know how Robin and Dennis have been able to pull it off well, but hat's off to them on a smooth launch into the world of bookstores. And here's best wishes for the expansion plans. For a more detailed review of 'All On The Same Page Bookstore', check out the St. Louis Bookstore Review.

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A week ago I came across another writer... and this time one who has just recently published her book in Oman; a Children's Book in English. I tell you, its a lovely, lovely book. But I'll save that for another review. In the meantime, I am trying to obtain details of the writer and the inspiration behind the writing that has made its way so poignantly to the front cover of the book. I loved it as soon as I saw it. But.... that's for another day.

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Taking a Break

2011-12-12T00:22:00.003+04:00

I regret to inform my readers that due to my month-long international trip, I will not be publishing any blog posts until after the New Year, 2012. Kindly bear with me. Thank you.

Jobs & Careers: Writers Inspiring Writers

2011-12-05T23:22:00.005+04:00

A Writing Career - What in it for Me?

'Sell. Sell. Sell." This was the motto of the place I worked at - and I must say, I am guilty of emphasizing on this motto at my store too. Way back in 2007 I signed a franchisee contract to run a retail outlet. It was mine for about 18 months until I had to relocate due to personal reasons. It comprised of everything related to running a store from scratch; setting it up, interviewing staff, training, organizing, delivering as expected... everything. Oh, and there was also a few months that I spent at the main office - the mother company, where I learned all about vouchers, invoices, payments and issuing of checks to vendors. The work was hectic. Sometimes I used to be at the store for as long as 16 hours, while most days it averaged to 12. I could have opted to spending lesser time at work... but the bottom line was - I was happy with my job. It was tough and challenging... but I loved it. In turn, I was being rewarded for my work; compliance bonus, profit sharing, my monthly commissions, etc.

After relocating to a new place, and with the drawback of also not knowing the foreign language (Arabic) coupled with the economic crisis of 2008, the job market tightened career openings. Realizing that I was only wasting time waiting for some opportunity to strike luck that I started out with writing seriously. Although I used to write for a couple of smaller sites since 2005, Helium was the first major publisher through which I earned for my writing. But that was 2009. 2011 has another story to tell which is best read at Raymond Alexander Kukkee's Incoming Bytes - The trouble with Word Mills: Writers Beware.

How many of us can claim to be really happy at work? Not many people can attest to this. With the work scenario and job market being tough one is expected to take whatever job comes along. Sure, one has to adapt to the times, but are we really happy with our jobs? What is it like for a writer, who struggles daily to get past writing blocks, writing moods, publishers that pay or dealing with publishers that steal. What about content that is stolen from the writer online and used illegally at smaller insignificant sites to raise their standing? What about loss of earnings due to Google and Panda and companies changing their TOS from time to time? Such is a writer's life... when one has to write for a living.

There are so many things that come to mind with disappointed careers; especially with writing careers... but since I already decided that Mandy's Pages will be one of 'positivity' (is there such a word?) and encouragement, I've decided to feature a writer who is amazing at her work and absolutely loves what she does. Meet Mary Brotherton; Writer, Editor at Bluewater and Photographer. I have invited her to be my guest blogger for this week, to share with us some of her passionate 'career' moments.

Mary Brotherton

I love my job.

If time flies when you are having fun, my job must be one of the best in the world. I have the honor to work with talented writers, photographers and designers on a team with marketing and sales reps that place several award-winning publications in the hands of some of the most amazing people in our community - and our community beyond, online. The publisher is a forward-thinker who brings exciting events to the community and urges each of her employees toward greater creativity and community involvement.

Before I was brought in-house in 2008 to serve as editor for the Bluewater Creative Group, I had been a freelance writer for the organization for five years. In addition to the joy of working with professionals in my chosen field, doing what I love to do, I have had the privilege of meeting celebrities, the honor to associate with genuine heroes, going on travel junkets and firsthand experience in a variety of activities from flying in World War II trainer planes to jumping out of airplanes so I could better write the experiences.

My job allows me to write with the objectivity of a reporter and the freedom to voice my own opinions in my letters from the editor. Since the publications do not lean toward controversial topics, I keep those for my private website and blogs. In my letters to our readers, I share family traditions and glimpses into my personality.

My fulltime position with these publications allows me time after hours to pursue my own interests as a freelance editor, blogger and photographer. As with all jobs, there are aspects I like less than others, but overall, I love my job. I wish for you, the same on whatever your career path.

Motivating employees: Is money or recognition more appreciated?

Another person that comes to mind is Doreen Martel. A person who has had a promising career, but faced with a health problem turned to writing despite proper visual health. I have always found her to be a person who says NO to what life's thrown at her and has made something of herself as a writer. So many writers from among our group have stories to tell, stories that inspire us and bring out the writer in each of us. Check out Doreen's blog on Freelancer resources.

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The next person that came to mind when I thought of Jobs and Careers is Conny Manero. Lets read what Conny has to say.

"I mainly focus on the Jobs and Careers channel because I feel that is where my strength lies. Having been on both sides of the interview table, I know firsthand how important a resume and cover letter is and the pitfalls of an interview. As a professional temp, I have worked for a variety of companies and dealt with all kinds of people. The good, the bad and the mean! When not dealing with employment and unemployment, I am working on my blogs and my fourth novel."

Articles by Conny Manero

How to make the best of a job interview
Resume writing tips and myths
How to get a job

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What do the many writers have to say about their writing careers? I have asked friends to send in their submissions and here's what they have to say.

Ann Marie Dwyer:

My life as a writer has evolved, devolved and risen like a phoenix cyclically for the last 25+ years. What I find most poignant, unlike other occupations, the amount of heart poured into the work does not equate to the success of that work. Although it may seem pessimistic, it merely is a reflection of audience taste and ability to comprehend the emotional scope of your work.

I recognize the necessity of writing to specifications when taking editorial and research assignments and have managed to flourish in just such an environment. On the other hand, there are few things as freeing as watching the words flow onto the page when you are enthralled by a subject or story whose only purpose is to satisfy the inner creative voice which drives you to write.

One mustn't overlook the third generation of writing: The blog. Bloggers marry the previous two generations or merely stand on their own expressive identity. Despite traditionalist naysayers, the cathartic nature of stream-of-consciousness blogging produces euphoria for both writer and reader. When gauging success, there is no greater mark.

Whichever path you choose, fire the inner critic; pay the inner editor; but most of all, praise, pamper and encourage the inner creativity.

Greg Spinks:

I have been a writer/ reporter/ magazine journalist and most recently a blogger for the last 25 years or thereabouts. I have experienced some very inspirational people and events (the vast majority) and some people who have done some awful things. Overall, what I have enjoyed the most is the knowledge and learning experience and most importantly, the friendships and relationships I have been able to forge. Unless you’re very lucky, you’re never going to be in the upper 1%, but these are powerful experiences no amount of money can ever purchase. It's the stuff the breaks my writer's block and provides a sense of fulfillment to the writing drive.

Alexandra Heep:

What I have learned is that writing is just like any other job, you have to work hard at satisfying clients and publishers. This means you may have to forego your own style and freedom (we call it voice) to please someone else. That is why writers often have blogs, to keep their sanity and to be able to write for themselves. We also have to become accustomed to constructive criticism, especially from editors. Or, to make it simple, I came up with this explanation: "Constructive criticism is the salt in the spread that butters a writer's bread"

M. J. Joachim:

I love writing. I always have and always will. Writing is like teaching (my other favorite career); it allows you to dig deep and express yourself, engaging others and developing thoughtful, constructive discourse. Sadly, there is far too much politics involved in educating our children and the writing industry, particularly with the advent of the Internet. However, that doesn't need to prevent anyone from using their skills and talents, without sacrificing their principles. Standing by one's principles might translate to having less work from time to time. It may even cause less scrupulous people and businesses to attack you. None of that matters as long as you maintain your reputation, be true to your integrity and adhere to a high ethical standard in life.

Mona Gallagher:

Writing is a tool... I can't say that I love writing for writing's sake, but I've learned and continue to learn to treat it with care.

Image Credit: Hands on keyboard

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Help! It's Not Easy Being Green

2011-11-28T21:00:00.094+04:00

Go Green!

A few days ago I was watching a YouTube video of Kermit the Frog singing 'It's not easy being green'... and it seemed so apt for what our planet Earth probably worries about. All that was once beautifully green is now turned into concrete deserts called metros and big cities.

Last week when I published my blog on Home & Garden, Diane wrote to me with a suggestion that I liked immediately. She suggested that I organize a post on Go Green as a lot of it is related to Home & Garden and how we use the resources freely within our reach.

One of the first things that came to mind when I thought of 'Go Green' is a song - Earth Song, by the late Michael Jackson. The video is absolutely brilliant, and one can see the way the earth is being affected as a result of our actions. Please do take the time to watch the video.

Michael Jackson - Earth Song (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Michael Jackson

I’d like to take this time to thank Diane for her idea, and to also showcase her for her contributions to saving the environment, in her own way. We could learn from her a valuable lesson or two, or be motivated to ‘think green’.

Diane Quinn

Living in the Mojave Desert of Southern Nevada after growing up among the lush, forested hills of Southern Pennsylvania where every road seems to cross a creek or river, have been a 20-year environmental epiphany.

For the first 43 years of my life, I never had to think about wasting water, but now I think about it every day. I also think about the obvious benefits of solar energy as I enjoy what seems like 345 days of sun each year.

My eastern, green thumb took on the often painful challenge learning what ‘xeriscape’ meant when trying to create beauty amid rivers of rock and dirt. These are some of the green things I wonder about and sometimes I even get to write about as a freelance writer.

I have also come to understand that I was living with overwhelming amounts of chemicals around me. In the air I breathed, in the cleaning products I used, and even in the foods I was eating. Since then, I have set about to make serious ‘green’ changes in my home and lifestyle.

My article featured here about ‘green cleaning’ was written early in my re-education process, yet the tips are still worthwhile. Whenever I pull out my box of baking soda, I can hear my mom whispering in my ear, “See, I told you to use baking soda in your laundry!”

Green spring cleaning your home

Benefits of home window tint

Saltwater swimming pools: A pool system worth its salt

Here’s a special surprise for someone who’s celebrating her birthday today. Happy Birthday Nan. Check out Nan Keltie’s article Kid-friendly garden ideas. If you want the next generation too to learn about green living and saving the planet, there’s no better place to start than in your yard with your children. Teach them how to grow a garden and care for plants. In turn, they will grow up to cherish that which is also beyond their garden limits.

The next writer that I have the pleasure of featuring today is Ann Marie Dwyer. She has been of immense help with her contributions towards Green Living.

Ann Marie Dwyer

Ann Marie is a lifelong champion of preserving the environment. From early years scouring woods for artifacts and removing human presence, to teaching toddlers to recycle, she brings information to the fore which would otherwise be obscured in the interest of profit.

Look for features on water (fresh and salt), air, trees and manufacturing. Check out connections to other environmentally-minded zones from her page Ann Marie Goes Green.

Here are some of her Green Living contributions.

Recycling: Effect on cost consumption of gasoline & energy

Hot to Teach Children to Live Green in 5 Steps

Green Cooking: Not Just Salad

Clean Up With Green Cleaning

Saving Money in Your Sink - 50 ways to conserve water

What about animals and pets? How do we take care of them the green way? No, I don't mean that we have to turn them into vegetarians. That would be another form of green revolt if we did... but how about using products for them that are eco-friendly and recycled. Conny Manero lends her suggestions on the best eco-friendly gifts for pet owners.

While we talk about going green and saving the planet, there are so many factors that are beyond our reach; to take care of. Yes, you can blame it on politics and the 'green-note' bureaucrats. Funny I should say green-notes, when they do not do their part to 'go-green', or they are literally going green with filling their coffers and allowing the notes to add on. Take for instance the nuclear power blasts at Japan when the earthquake happened and the tsunami followed on March 11, 2011. There was so much radiation from nuclear power blasts in Japan, that so many lives were in danger, and I mean, for those who escaped the earthquake and tsunami. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust... If nature won't get you, politics must!

On the topic of Green Living, here are some points that we can bear in mind.

- think green

- conserve water

- switch off lights, fans and air-conditioners when not in use

- switch off plugged-in devices when not in use

- save paper (wasting paper means excessive and unnecessary cutting down of trees)

- recycle material

- reuse material around the house before it can be disposed off or discarded

- natural material such as wood may be stored and used for various useful applications

- if possible, grow your own veggies,

- use natural and bio-degradable material for various applications if possible

- go organic; unwanted chemicals and pesticides harm the ecosystem

- adopt habits, mannerisms and a mind set to be ever conscious about cleanliness of the places we live in

These are just a few points that I could mention from the top of my head without investing time and research into. Bottom line, we should love and cherish the earth, for this is what we leave behind for the next generation. This, coupled with the spirit of who we are makes a great combination. Either we can embrace or we can disregard the beauty of Creation. Our actions display the choice we make.

Home & Garden: East, West, Home's Best

2011-11-20T23:00:00.298+04:00

Home is where the heart is

There are so many things that come to mind when I think of the word 'home'. First of all, it's that safe place... that sanctuary where you are at your comfiest. Yes, East, West, Home's Best. But when it comes to maintaining your home, there are so many things to take care of, so many issues to resolve, so many damages that need repairing. If you have a garden, your garden needs maintaining, or your lawn mowed and fence maintained. Talk about the walls and you sigh, yes, the walls need painting too. Taking care of your heart is hard work. It isn't easy to run a home while ensuring that all your bases are covered.

The other day, when Oman was hit with the tornado, there was a heavy thunderstorm (November 02, 2011). Water kept seeping in from under the window frames. The bed rooms where flooding with water despite the windows being shut. I ran between rooms trying to mop up the water as fast as possible so that it wouldn't spread all over the place. It was quite a mess. I love the rain... but this? Nope. The reason why the water kept seeping in was because the window ledges slant inwards and not outwards and the water was collecting at the base of the window and finally making its way in. Now this is bad construction. Oman is a desert country. The buildings are not designed for the rain. When we had the next tornado warning last week, I made sure I sealed the window bases so that water doesn't seep in. Thankfully the rain did not hit our area, except for a bit of a drizzle.

There are quite a few writers that I admire for their Home & Garden opinions. All of them are no strangers and are in fact very involved with what's happening around discussion boards and offering helpful advice related to Home and Garden. Moreover, these writers are real good friends and very helpful, should you require helpful tips, suggestions and support with your work.

MJ Logan

“I’ve had quite an interesting life and hopefully, the next thirty years will be as interesting as the first fifty. As a boy, I wanted to be a farmer and I spent quite a bit of time on farms that belonged to friends, family and farmers who needed temporary help. I’ve milked a cow into a glass and drank it the way God made it.

I’ve done a lot in my life; engineering, computer networking and coding software, real estate investment and I owned a remodeling company. I have loved just everything I’ve done. When I started writing back in the late eighties, I didn’t realize I’d found my passion and what a passion it is. Today, I have over a thousand articles published on the internet under my pen name, and many more that were ghost written for other companies. Other work has appeared in magazines and newspapers. Of all the things I’ve written, I enjoy writing fiction the most, but so far my bread and butter comes mainly from Home & Garden articles on remodeling, design and building.

One thing is certain, when your work is your passion, it is no longer work.”

MJ Logan is a writer with diversified writing calibre. He manages a website under his pen name which is his main writing portfolio, linking much of his work that can be found on Helium, Demand Studio, and Bright Hub to name a few.

Articles by MJ Logan that you may like:

Is it dangerous for a hot water heater pilot light to go out?

What is REO property Real Estate

Steps on installing kitchen cabinets

When is it safe to stain pressure-treated wood?

How electrical outlets work

MJ Logan's websites:

MJ Logan

21st Century Web

Latest eBook, short story published: Snowed In

Mac Pike

Mac is an avid gardener and his writing portfolio on articles related to Home and Garden is impressive. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mac for quite awhile now, more especially after we joined forces to play Kingdoms of Camelot on Facebook as a team. Chatting with him, I have come to understand his passion for gardening (especially growing vegetables), his knack for dealing with raccoon when they attack his corn, and his skill at being a handyman for practical home maintenance. In Mac's own words, "Mac Pike lives in the northern, wooded section of New Jersey. He hunts a little, fishes a bit and grows many vegetables. He splits firewood and infinitives with equal enthusiasm, and is often on the throwing end of interminable games of fetch." Mac is a good friend to me and I am proud to feature him today for his impressive contribution to the Home and Garden channel at Helium.

Articles by Mac Pike that you may like:

Vegetable gardening: How to test soil pH

Basic tips for shoveling snow

What are corn earworms

How to grow rutabagas

A guide to growing award winning tomatoes

Is there a rat menace that you are having a difficulty dealing with? Perhaps this article on How to get rid of rats will help you. You will find helpful tips on rat traps, glue traps, and also about the feeding habits of rats.

It is probably time, or you might have already pulled out your sweater from storage. If you are residing in places like Australia where it is summer now, this may also be applicable. Either way, to use, or before storing, one thing is common - you might want to hand wash your sweater. B. Leslie Baird gives a pretty neat description on How to hand wash a wool sweater.

East, West; Home's definitely best. Especially when it come to home grown fruits and vegetables. Many gardeners choose the period of fall to plant their vegetables, so that they may harvest them during spring or summer. In this article Fall vegetable planting guide, Susan Klatz Beal gives a handy list of spring or summer vegetables that can be planted in the fall. Most definitely useful, as you will find not just vegetable names, but also tips on the type of planting method too.

Setting up a home is fun as well as a pain. When you think you know what colors you want to choose or how you want your home interior decoration set up, out pops another suggestion from another source. Confusion and uncertainty are some of the terms that best describe what one goes through while setting up home. However, this confusion can be minimized with tips from the article Choosing interior design color combinations by Alexandra Heep. In this article, you will find that Alex stresses on important aspects such as themes, contrasts and lighting.

Now this is something I do not hear often although this has pretty much been in use when I was a kid too. This is how our fence used to be. Of course, I never knew it by this term. What am I talking about? Read Organic fences as an option for your garden by Glory Lennon. You'll have to agree it's a nice way for you to go green, and not have to invest in too much raw material. How much more healthier and economical can it get than that?

Home is definitely where your heart is. There might come a time when you decide to plant roots and build your home. Consult Jim Bessey for advice. He will tell you all that you need to know about tips for building your own home. There are important points that you should not overlook such as planning, blueprints, etc... but he's got it all covered in this article so that you may be able to go ahead with your project with ease.

With the cold weather set in and the water in the pipes freezing, that time of year comes around when you have to turn the hot water system on. For some, heaters are already in place, while for others a fresh one might have to be bought. Should you choose to buy a new water heater, you should know the different types of water heaters that are available. Fortunately Evelyn Berger has taken care of this and gives a brief description about the types of water heaters for different settings.

Many are already in their Thanksgiving mood, and before you say Jack, Christmas will be upon us. With all the decorations, festivities, parties and visiting, casualties and damages can happen if one is not careful during this season. Conny Manero gives a brief outline of suggested indicators that can prove disastrous, and also advises on how one may prevent hazards with Christmas trees and decorations. It is helpful to be aware of these hazards.

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Here are some of my contributions to the Home and Garden channel at Helium

How to clean hair on the bathroom floor

How to create a romantic bedroom setting

Equipment needed to start a landscaping business

How to make money from your vegetable garden

Tips on identifying lawn diseases

How to install a curved shower rod

How to start a cleaning business

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Credit for images: Google images

Interior design colors

Make money from garden

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Hobbies: Work or Play?

2011-11-06T22:19:00.003+04:00

All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy Everybody has a hobby. It may be that you love to sleep, or it may be more 'energy-spending' as in 'creating' something. I can't think of anyone who doesn't have a hobby; something they'd like to indulge in during their spare time. Do you like to read? Do you like to paint? Or perhaps watch a movie? I had earlier planned to review articles on both Hobbies and Games, but with the amount of talent around, it just has to be reviews on Hobbies for today.

I need to indulge in my hobbies to keep me sane. I cannot sit still. If I'm not working around the house with cooking or cleaning, you will find me writing or sewing or reading.... or even playing Age of Empires. I like to play the electronic versions of Monopoly and Sudoku too.

The above image is that of a small basket with paper flowers. These flowers were made by my mom and daughter last month, when my mom came over to visit. All that you will need are some thin wire, crepe paper (floral colors + green), a reel of thread, glue and a pair of scissors. Simple materials for something so creative. The ribbon is added as part of the assemble along with the basket. If you don't have a basket, you may use a vase. Be creative!

I generally like the idea of recycling material. For example, after my sewing projects, there are left over bits of cloth. I use these balance bits of cloth pieces to create a rug. You can read all about this at 'How to make a burlap rug'.

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This week I'd like to showcase a writer who needs no introduction. She has a passion for crafts and is a bubbly, lively and caring person to interact with. This is none other than Trenna Sue Hiler.

The first time I wrote to Trenna regarding an article about autumn and mentioned to her that I have never really experienced this climate, she immediately replied with an invitation to stay with her for a year. A year? Yep. So that I might experience all the seasons of the year as she does. Now that's something you don't hear often, do you? A passion for hobbies, and one very creative at that, Trenna says... "There is something almost magical about giving something away that took hours of your time. Every craft I make has a story. I am not sure which is more fun to share; the story or the craft. They are rarely perfect, but always made with a person in mind. It calms my nerves and soothes the soul. So get dirty, get sticky, get tied up in yarn; get crafting. I am always interested to hear your story."

I have specifically chosen some of her guides that you can make use of this season; specifically Thanksgiving. They are all related to 'pumpkins'. I've also thrown in a Christmas tree guide, since I found this original.

How to make pumpkin soup

How to make pumpkin chiffon pie

How to make a honey pumpkin exfoliating mask

How to roast pumpkin seeds on a camp fire

How to make pumpkin ice cream

How to make a beer can Christmas tree

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FOR THE LOVE OF WRITING

It is really amazing and inspiring when someone turns a hobby into a profitable venture. Not only does it motivate others, but it also makes us feel very proud of them. As a writer, and for every writer, the one dream that all of us step out with when we take up writing as a passion, is to write a book; get published. At least, that's how it has always been for me.

Is writing your hobby; your passion? Take a look at what some of our friends have achieved. I am sure you will agree that they have each done an incredible job at writing.

This first eBook is by my friend Scott A. Scherer. He has written a book of poems titled 'Some day you are going to need one' (Poems that truly make you feel). I have to admit his poems are moving and comforting. Should you be struggling with hurt in your life, read his book of poems.

Here is another book of poems... and this one is by Gerard Quain, who has written and published 'Snatches of the Mind' (Poems that matches moods). Expressions of one's thoughts through writing have found its way to connect with others; and this is what his poems are about.

Last but not the least... it is with pride I showcase one of the newest releases to hit the shelves this season; Morgidoo's Christmas Carol written by our very own Raymond Alexander Kukkee. A story for the young and young at heart, Morgidoo's Christmas Carol is a story that will linger on in your heart long after you have finished reading it. The illustrations are colorful, imaginative and cheerful, and will most certainly add to your reading pleasure. Make sure to pick up your copy today!

P.S. I have taken these images from the sites where these eBooks are up for sale, so kindly click on the titles and not the images to check out the eBooks further.

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NEEDLE & THREAD: THE STITCHERY ROOM

Take a look at this. Ain't this something!!! It's real cool and you can make one like this too. This has been done by Glory Lennon. It is a crotchet pattern and you can read all about it at her Flower Crotchet Block Pattern. In addition, there is also another crafting pattern of hers that I suggest you take a look at. This one is simply awesome; In the Craft Room.

There is hardly any Helium Charter Member that doesn't know Rachelle de Bretagne. She is a person that overflows with talent and creativity. You think you know the extent of her hobbies, only to surprisingly find another passion of hers pop up through her writing. When it comes to needle-point crafts, you will most often come across her articles or guides. I have added a few guides by Rachelle that seem relevant to this topic. Take a look at them. They are quite interesting.

Best sewing projects for beginners

How to sew without using a pattern

How to crotchet a granny square

How to thread a sewing machine

How to choose a sewing thread

Well... here's one of my articles to add to the needle & thread list - How to embroider faces on cloth dolls.

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IN THE WORK SHED

Do you love carpentry? Wood working has been not just a hobby, but also a means of earnings; a profession for many from time immemorial. Before it becomes an occupation, you have to start out somewhere; and this starts as a wood-working hobby for quite a few.

Essential tools for every aspiring carpenter - Amanda Dcosta

The basics of using a bench plane - B. Leslie Baird

How to start a wood carving hobby - Rachelle de Bretagne

Small carpentry projects for your kids to do on their own - Rex Coker

How to build a book shelf - Nick Somoski

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BEHIND THE LENS

I would like to conclude this blog with special mention of April May Maple. She loves to spend her time checking out things with her camera. Yes, a love for photography, April has a page just dedicated to images that she has photographed. She says...

"As a child, I always had a wild imagination. I was the girl who was always gazing off into space with my head in the clouds, never noticing the real world. As an adult, with family responsibilities and children, I use writing and photography whenever I need some 'me' time. Without an outlet for my creativity, I feel like I am suffocating. Writing allows me to paint a picture of how I imagine the world, and photography allows me to share how I see it. I like to take pictures of normal, everyday things that people walk right by never looking twice at, but capture them with just the right lighting or angle to highlight them and show off their beauty. Well, this is my goal. Sometimes it doesn't quite work out like that, but I welcome the mistakes... how else will I learn to get better."

A few photographs by April...

I encourage you to take some time to congratulate these writers for their amazing contributions, either here, or at Facebook or even at Helium. There is always something we can learn from each other; especially when it comes to hobbies. Who knows, some of these mentioned hobbies might just motivate you to pick up a needle or a hammer. Go for it. It might be just what you have been looking for.

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Health & Fitness:Pink or Blue?

2011-10-31T15:07:00.021+04:00

Pink or Blue?

Are you in the pink of health, or are you feeling blue? Which would it be? I love how colors are used to depict our moods and health conditions. And no - I wouldn't want anyone to say they are turning green. That wouldn't be good, now would it?

I’m sure most of us are familiar with the phrase ‘Rest a while and run a mile’. For some, it’s a piece of cake, yet for others, it’s just the toughest part of the day; ‘running that mile’. There are many aspects to being fit to run that mile of our lives each day, and for helpful tips, I first turn to medical advice.

According to the World Health Organization, ‘Health’ is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This brings us to the question, ‘How healthy am I?’

This week, I'd like to introduce Helium's very own Dr. Deborah Bauers.

Dr. Deborah Bauers

Dr. Bauers is a freelance author and a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 30 years of experience in her field. She is the author of ‘Three Questions to Heal a Marriage’; a workbook for couples desiring a Christian marriage. Deborah also writes for AllAboutLifeChallenges.com, an online search engine that provides information on a variety of mental health and relational issues. She has prior experience as a newspaper mental health columnist and is an adjunct Professor for Kings College and Seminary.

Dr. Bauers is Helium’s Health and Fitness Channel Manager. In her role, she oversees article development and encourages and mentors writers who participate in her channel.

Debate: Is ADHD over diagnosed in children

Symptoms and treatment of depression

Fall Allergies: Causes, symptoms and allergies by Linda Cann Pearson gives a brief outlook of things that can give you an allergy during this season. Many suffer from Hay Fever and other allergies during summer, but this article has been an eye opener for me, considering I am so unfamiliar with the actual Fall and Winter seasons, not having experienced them where I live. I picked this article primarily on its relevance to this time of the year.

‘Brush your teeth twice a day’. We are so familiar with this rule that I hear myself repeat this to my children every night… “Brush your teeth” and again in the morning… “Brush your teeth”. However, with all this brushing, how would it benefit us if we didn’t know how to brush our teeth properly? Claire Wyatt gives us an interesting insight into 5 critical rules for brushing teeth. Now that we know them, we can sure develop a better skill at keeping our teeth clean and healthy.

Image credit: Dentist

I remember this limerick being passed around in school years ago. I think it still is.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away

But if the doctor is handsome, keep the apple away.”

Seriously, though, how healthy are we? Considering the way junk food has gained control over the developed world, I’d say all the doctors are drop-dead gorgeous. Or should they really be? Take a look at some of the obvious effects of junk food, in ‘The harmful effects of junk food’ by Brian Lamacraft.

Similarly, here is an article that is quite true too, to a large extent. ‘Stop blaming obesity on your genes’, by Paul Arnold. To support and help get an easy start, here’s ‘How to recognize signs of obesity’ by Wayne Leon Learmond. This should indicate whether ‘healthy’ is the right description of how we are.

Everyone knows that walking is the best exercise. It improves one’s health and fitness levels, thereby aiding in the wellness of the body as a whole. This brings us to the part where walking has a direct effect upon the mental health of a person. Take a look at Lokemun Magar’s article ‘Why walking is good for your mental health’ for a better understanding of this topic. If you want to sharpen your senses, well, get walking.

We have a featured writer at the beginning of this post. In addition, I would also like to feature another favorite writer, Olivia Bredbenner.

Olivia Bredbenner

Olivia is a writer that many of us admire, appreciate and have come to cherish. She has had an enriching life of laughter and tears amidst family and patients. She is a Registered Nurse and has spent a major part of her life caring for patients. Olivia loves the healthcare-nursing profession and says… “My most inspirational moments were gifted to me unknowingly by my patients. I have always cared for my patients as if they were my own. This is how I believe healthcare should be given by every professional. It is a caring responsibility.” As a Registered Nurse, Olivia has been actively involved as a Nurse, Educator, Volunteer and Writer for various causes.

Controlling holiday stress

Counseling terminally ill patients and their families

Interesting articles by other writers:

Foods that naturally reduce blood pressure: Perry McCarney

Is addiction to alcohol or drugs a disease? - W. Diane Van Zwol

Should we focus on health rather than healthcare? - Diane Quinn

Confessions of a smoker - Robin Eads

Side effects of drinking soda - Leigh Goessl

Coping with anxiety in the home - Robin Tidwell

What is shift-work disorder - Terrence Aym

How does a person with social phobia feel? - Rachel Howells

Best practices for ensuring your diet includes the right kind and amount of salt - Amanda Dcosta

An overview of congestive heart failure (CHF) - Alicia M. Prater PhD

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Image Credits:

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Food & Drink: Don't Tantalize My Taste Buds

2011-10-16T06:37:00.038+04:00

I'm Hungry Mother; I Really Am!

(101 Dalmatians)

Food is our basic need. What I mean is, without food and water, our life is virtually non-existent. Wars have been fought over 'green pastures', and families have been united by grand-mom's cooking. Food to many, is a passion. Its not just the end result of cooking, but also the manner in which a dish is made that makes it extra special. One apt example is the Master Chef program. It's become a big hit, not because of its recipes and dishes, but the passion and zing added to cooking. To be honest, there are many dishes that I find repelling when I watch them on Master Chef. But the fascinating part is how they prepare the dish and how they present it.

The above picture is that of the Stuffed Roast Chicken I made last Easter. It is one of my favorite festive dishes and is always a big hit. To go along with that, I've found an interesting article from Helium, written by Mona Gallagher, where she writes 'The best way to roast a chicken'. I quite like her combination of seasoning which she claims is her own invention. You just have to check this out.

Talking about grand-mom's cooking, recipe books are part of family treasures. My maternal grandparents are no more; my grand-mom Pearl passed away in Jan 2005, and my grandpa Cyril earlier this month. One of the treasures of theirs that I possess is an old recipe book, written by both of them. It dates back to 1967; way before I was born. Its actually a simple 200 page notebook with a 'calendar paper' cover and a handwritten label cello-taped to it. The pages have a dull brown look to them, with an air of mystery.

Both of them, Nana Pearl and Papa Cyril, have written recipes in this book and its like they worked as a team, preserving some of their prized dishes. To complement that, they always had tins and jars of goodies stocked up for us always. They loved to see food in plenty, especially for all those who visited. Never would a guest leave the house without a snack, if not a meal, and despite their financial struggles, there was always food to go around. If you were to leave their home on a journey, they, especially Nana, would pack food for you for the next two days. Such was their heart where food and sharing was concerned.

This week, I'd like to showcase a writer who has had an incredibly, impressive exposure to many kinds of cuisine. One of my favorite writers, Susan gives us a bit of an insight into her history with food.

Susan Klatz Beal

I come from a family of foodies. My mother studied cooking in Paris at La Varenne, so I’ve been exposed to all sorts of gourmet and international foods since I was a child. That may be what initially prompted my interest in food… and why I write about so many different international types of cuisine.

As a veggie gardener, I’ve naturally been interested about growing vegetables. But I also thought it was important to learn about the nutritional benefits of the vegetables, vegetable families and other aspects of a healthy diet.

Working in a wine and cheese store while in college, forced me to learn as much as I could about wine, cheese and other gourmet delicacies, especially coffees. It just seemed natural that I use some of what I had learned and delve deeper into that to learn more.

I also happen to love to do research, so any time I can do research about something that fascinates me, gives me a chance to learn more.

As for advice to other writers, I’d recommend not limiting oneself to a specific area. I personally don’t think I could have become the writer that I am today unless I’d been willing to step out of my comfort zone enough to learn about things I knew nothing about. I also believe that the best writers learn to think like readers as they write. By considering the mind of a reader, a writer can learn how not to over-think their writing.

F & D articles by Susan,

How to lower your grocery bill without clipping coupons

Tips to help you eat vegetables

Susan Klatz Beal recommends:

Recipes: Ttzatziki by Maria Papadoupoulou

Recipes: Quick and easy meatloaf by Barb Hopkins

Food is a source of inspiration and not just sustenance. Take for example this blog Cooking to Heal, where my friend Shalini George, describes food that inspires her, motivates her... and helps her live. Think about it. There are so many ways that one can relate to food.

You may be wondering why I am talking only about food, with no mention of drink. How about this... 'How to make non-alcoholic Ginger wine'. Its actually very simple, and a fun drink for parties. And no... you won't get drunk, in case you wondered, but it definitely will give you the pep that you need.

If you are looking for recipes with good directions, Sheila Watson Kraklow has a whole list of recipe guides.

Some interesting food guides of hers are:

How to be a great cook

Tips for baking cake

How to make beer bread

How to make homemade dog treats

How to broil steak without it smoking

Here are pics of vegetarian meals. This is one of the standard meals seen in South India, and is the pride of India. What you see is a serving of rice with many vegetable dishes, (usually accompanied by dessert which are plantain and paysam). The pic on the right shows three paper tumblers; one with water, one with 'jaggery payasam' and the last with 'palada paysam'. Depending on the occasion, this vegetarian meal can range from 15 to 35 dishes. If you thought that vegetables are hard to swallow, think about all the vegetarians who eat this on a daily basis. Trust me, its actually VERY appetizing; especially when its served on a Banana Leaf. In fact, as Suzanne Rose describes, restaurants can benefit from offering vegetarian meals.

There are those that bake bread on a daily basis; for those who's staple diet consists of different kinds of bread. But for me, more a a rice eater, I tend to rely on bread from the store. Its easier that way without the hassle of waiting for the dough to rise, and then bake. However, one person who motivated me to bake bread is M. J. Joachim with her instructions... 'How to make homemade bread'. The attached pic is my first attempt at baking bread (8 loaves at the first attempt itself) for a party, which was a huge success. Can't say I've tried it again, but the recipe is still stuck to my refrigerator.

Here are a few pics of miniature cooking vessels and kitchen accessories that were displayed in a restaurant in Muscat. These are of typically items in an Indian kitchen. The Bharani or the clay jar is most often used for pickles, making wine or for salt. Some have a screw-on lid that fits securely and is good for pickles and wines.

The next pic, is that of a ''puttu' maker, that is, steamed rice flour cakes are made in the cylindrical holder, and its generally eaten with either plantains or lentils.

This is the miniature version of the pestle and mortar which is used to grind rice for making rice flour. Nowadays rice flour is readily available; ground at the mill... but over a decade ago, rice pounding was done at one's home using this kitchen accessory.

This is a pic of the grinding stone on which masalas or coconut are ground, even today... and chutneys are made.

This last pic is that of a lentil smasher (for smashing cooked dal) and a coconut-shell spoon. I have a ladle like this which I use, but not the dal smasher. I don't remember having seen the dal smasher in use for the past many years, except when I was a kid, maybe.

There have been a whole lot more pics that I've collected from around. but having already compiled a lengthy page, I refrain from adding them.

Food and Drink articles of Interest:

Carrot juice uses and benefits - Mac Pike

How to make a Thanksgiving dinner menu - Sarah Ganly

How to save money on Thanksgiving dinner - Linda Joyce

How to make easy wine wraps for Christmas - Trenna Sue Hiler

Why you should not drink energy drinks at night - Wayne K. Wilkins

Entertainment: Play It Again, Sam

2011-09-12T16:19:00.024+04:00

Heal The World

Before we proceed with this post, I'd like to take a minute to honor those who lost their lives to terrorism, in both, the Unites States of America and all around the world, during these past many years. This blog post is especially dedicated to the memory of 9/11, a decade later, with a prayer for love, joy and peace above all else. May the God of comfort console the hearts of those who grieve and hold dear the memories of their loved ones, friends and acquaintances.

America, know that we care!

...........

Entertainment has made a huge impact upon our lives. Music and Movies have taken on a center stage in a lot of our activities, either by leaving us humming that tune all day, or by memorizing scenes from a favorite movie. I'm sure there are many who can connect immediately with "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse", or "I'm hungry mother; I really am".

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Sun Meilan is the Senior Manager for the Entertainment Channel at Helium. To date, she has contributed 665 articles to this channel. Why? Well, lets see what she has to say about it.

"Everybody loves entertainment, whether it is a television series, movie, music or celebrity gossip. For this reason, entertainment will always be a popular subject for writers to choose to write about. As the channel currently stands, there is plenty of focus on the US, and, to a lesser extent, the UK. The reason for this is obvious - the majority of Helium writers come from those two countries. However, I strongly believe that there is plenty of room for more international topics and I enjoy creating titles with this in mind. Many of us have experience of other cultures. For example, I spent a number of years in China and love writing about Chinese films and directors. The fact that they are still relatively unheard of inspires me to keep writing, knowing that I'm introducing a whole new genre to some writers. I also really enjoy writing reviews of retro TV shows for a similar reason. Many of those shows have been relegated to history, yet have contributed to the television that we know today. Of course, it's always good to write on topics that are more contemporary, but variety is the spice of life and recommending a good film to someone who may not have otherwise come across it is something that keeps me writing."

Here are four writers that Sun Meilan thinks deserve some exposure too.

Kaitlyn Dyer (music): Music Defined

DC Aries (music): Single reviews: Feel, by Robbie Williams

Ben Kenber (movies): A guide to Oscar-worthy fall movies

Wayne K Wilkins (movies): The most underrated horror movies

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Happy Birthday Erol Sora.

"From all entertainment, music is my favorite and always has been. Despite moving around a lot, music has been a common denominator tying continents. countries, states and cities together. I also find that people can connect over music, even if they seem to have nothing else in common. What is more, with the Internet one can also connect with musicians themselves, if they so choose.

One of those , and one of my favorite artists, is Erol Sora. I found his music back in 2005, because he used to play in the John Lawton Band, and John Lawton used to be a lead singer for my favorite band, Uriah Heep. Not only is he an amazing artist who wears a lot of hats - composing, arranging, producing in addition to his guitar and vocal skills - but he is also a genuinely warm person who appreciates life. His fans are more to him than just people. You can find him at his website Erol Sora and on Facebook.

I also wrote a review of Sora's second CD: What is Sora's new album?. Perhaps it may inspire you to check out his music. While I support many musicians, I choose Sora for this spotlight because he is among those who do not seek it, in my opinion." Alexandra Heep

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Rex Trulove shares this amazing story of a person close to his heart... and his road to fame from Crater Lake, Oregon.

"When I was young and living at Crater Lake, there was a black family that used to come to visit us. I mention 'black' because it was the 60's, and blacks and whites just didn't mingle. The man, Pete Colley, was a tremendous piano player. He and my mother would take turns playing, and though the other people frown upon us having the family there, those same people would come from far and wide to listen to the heavenly music.

Pete's son, Pedro, quickly became a close friend of mine, to the point that I called him my brother, though his sun tan was far richer than mine. Pedro excelled in sports. He set several Oregon High School records for javelin and shot put. He went on to Oregon State to become an architect.

One day, some college friends talked him into going with them when they tried out for a play. Nobody was trying out for one part, thought, and Pedro loved the play, so he knew it. He agreed to stand in during the try outs, so everyone could at least speak their parts. They were so impressed by his acting and voice control that HE was cast in the role of the stand in part.

People so loved his performance, that he was encouraged to go to Hollywood. He did, and landed parts in a few films and TV shows such as Daniel Boone (He was the original blacksmith, later replaced by his close friend Rosie Grier.)

Don Pedro Colley was in one of the 'Planet of the Apes' movies. Most people know him best, though, for a role he played in the TV series, 'Dukes of Hazard', as Sheriff Little, Boss Hoggs nemesis from the next county.

Now retired from acting, he still does conventions. In real life, he lives in a place his late father built, out in the middle of nowhere. He can be seen there riding his quad runner, and can't be missed... tall, black, and about 300 pounds, most of it still muscle, with a glare that would drain the power out of a tank. Truth is, though, he's a pussy cat and loves people. That is my brother, Don Pedro Colley."

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Now, here is an article that I found fascinating today, and its an article on entertainment and business.

Entertainment and Business????

No, I don't mean entertainment as a business, but rather... 'Lights, Camera, Action! Unconventional Business Lessons From the Movies' I had never thought of movies as a medium for 'business education' or 'business tips'. However, Wendy Finn has so cleverly proved her point by describing the strategies from top ten unconventional characters. If you have never thought of this before, you definitely have to take a look at it. I liked it as soon as I read this page for it made me really think... 'yes, those ARE some business characters!!!!'

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Each of us has our own favorite movie or song or artist for that matter. Entertainment has reached a stage where it can really uplift a person or cause extreme and adversely negative effects. Yesterday, when I was contemplating upon the tragedies of 9/11 and then on 26/11 (India, where Mumbai was under terrorist bombing for many days on 26th November 2008) my heart kept humming this tune, and I have found great peace with this hymn. Many will be able to relate to this .. and for you I add this video; He Never Sleeps.

Image Credits:

Star Trek: Free Google Images

Don Pedro Colley : Free Google Images

Erol Sora: Free Google Images

MJ Heal The World - by KirbyDrawer on DeviantArt

Education: Happy Teacher's Day

2011-09-05T20:07:00.025+04:00

Happy Teacher's Day

The next channel up for review is the Education Channel.

Incidentally it coincides with a very important day for an Indian as it is Teacher's Day in India (September 5th). Most countries have their own day, while the UNESCO has declared October 5th to be World Teacher's Day. Being an Indian, I take great pride in honoring my teachers today, past and present who have helped shape the person I am today.

That said, there are two people who top my list of teachers. The first person is my mother, Arlene Mittra. Yes, parents, especially moms, are our first teachers, but she is also a teacher by training. Having taught for approximately twenty two years in schools, she still interacts with children, more so, her grandchildren... playing with them, singing to them, looking after them and also indirectly teaching them so many things a young individual has to learn. When we were kids, she was always there for us... in school and at home. Boring, you might say to have her at home and school; but not in the least. We've had so much fun together. Mom used to make craft project come alive with getting us involved in it. She'd let us do out parts to pitch in with teaching aids and creating props for the dramas and plays. And she was there for us as we entered the different competitions or wrote our exams. As we grew older and moved out to college too, she was our confidant. My sisters and I were in three different batches and we'd contest against each other at the College level competitions. Mom was the one to know who was singing what song, or dancing to a particular tune.... and she was not to let out our secret to the other. I'm sure she must have had a good giggle over all this. For now I'll just say "Happy Teacher's Day, Mom. You've been the best teacher ever."

The next is my late Grandmother Pearl Heldt. She was a teacher for close to fifty years of her life; and an excellent teacher at that. She was one who loved to learn; always learning something new each day. I remember her teaching me Rabindranath Tagore's quote one time, 'Woman is the builder and molder of a nation's destiny. Though soft and frail as a lily, she has a heart far bolder and stronger than a man'. Funny I should still remember it... but that was my Nana teaching me that at one time. For a country like India, where girls in villages are still denied the right of education, Nana Pearl was one who studied as she taught. She held a triple bachelor's degree (acquired at different times) and triple Masters Degrees; many of which were after us grandchildren had passed toddlerhood. One thing I know; I've definitely picked up her talent for pen and paper, always wanting to write. She was a person full of stories and dreams. There was a time when she wanted to publish stories. At times she would let us in on her stories and we'd laugh at the weird names she'd give her characters. One of her story telling talents was to tell ghost stories that haunted one's mind for days. And she loved children. She was always seen with children around her. If not her school kids it was us grandkids. And she made sure we knew that she was mighty proud of us; always surprising us with treats, gifts and rewards. Happy Teacher's Day to you too Nana Pearl. I know you're reading this and smiling. :))) Eternal rest give unto her O Lord.

From our batch of friends, there are quite a few writers who are excellent teachers in their respective fields. The first one that comes to mind is E. J. Young. If you do not know E.J., find her heart as a teacher in her own words... "Her 20 years of experience as a public school teacher in metro and small town classes in the Midwest provide a unique perspective on the strengths in today's classrooms. Based on her personal experience in traditional and alternative settings, current research, methodology and educational background, she believes changes in the educational system are needed. To that end, she writes white papers, reviews strategies and methods, examines new programs and writes other articles related to education focused on improving the learning environment for all students."

Education doesn't just mean rote learning or being taught word for word on scholastic curriculum. It also involves the sharing of life's experiences for others to learn from. Take for example E.J's story Amy's Angel. It is a story of a mom's pain arising from a suffering child. Here is a lesson to be understood and valued. Her story, Amy's Angel, is an entry for a Writing Contest and I urge you to take a look at it and vote in favor of our dear E. J. Young.

The next person on my list of our writer-teachers is R. Renee Bembry.

She says, "Although a little embarrassed for winding up in newspapers across several states for participating in a literacy program in which I, still a grade-schooler myself, helped younger children learn to read, I always prided myself for my ability to reach younger children. Joy in teaching children likely deserves credit for all the parent-teacher conferences I attended over the years wherein the teachers told me my kids were very well-rounded; and for a good part of the conference time we discussed other things because it isn't always easy to find helpful critiques to suggest for children who are already rapidly excelling.

All this might sound a bit like horn-tooting, however, I believe that all children can do great in school when they have someone helping and supporting them along the way. For this reason, I like repeating versions of this story whenever I have a chance to share it with others.

I believe that instilling in their brains, practically from birth, that educating themselves is the most important thing children could ever do in their lives, is the best way to encourage them to shine like stars in the night.

Once my last child entered middle school, the older ones thought I should back off, and try becoming less attending unless my daughter asked for help. Although agreeing with this strategy, I knew it would be difficult because I had been 'home-schooling' kids for so many years. Fortunately, after volunteering to give a poetry-writing presentation to a fifth grade class, a teacher suggested I turn the program into a business and so I did.

I have given several classroom presentations and tutored children privately since starting my children's poetry program, which is not only about writing, but also about using poetry to improve reading, writing, and comprehension skills.

Find an overview of my program at MyStoriesAndPoems.com; have a peek at my free e-book about sharing by following this link Children's Stories - Sharing Lesson, and find a list of educational articles I have written at Helium.com R. Renée Articles. Also, find my smart babies zone that incorporates my methods for teaching babies to become educationally successful here How to raise a smart baby to become a successful student and my first ever kids' poetry website here FunnyPoemsForKids.com.

The last of of my writer-teacher picks is none other than home-schooler Ann Hinds. Here's what Ann shares. "Our grandson is 10-years old. Most of my travel is currently to the baseball field. This year we have decided to home-school and I will miss the volunteering in the classroom. Working with children who need extra attention is so much fun. When you help them grasp a concept that has eluded them, their joy is contagious. There is never a lack of writing material. No longer dealing with school volunteering, fund-raising and bullying, there are new topics to learn and research. Each situation provides more topics and insights."

How to keep kids busy with salt dough art is an example of Ann's knack for teaching kids the potential of crafts.

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There are a lot of writing material that stresses on the importance of learning. Take for example Angela S. Young's article How to prepare your child for the first day of school. In this article, she takes the reader through many practical steps that are vital for the preparedness of the child. Many times as parents we do not understand the pressures that children are under, the images of danger that might be haunting their minds or the anxiety that we pass onto them when admitting them to their very first school. A very good write; this article is a must for every parent who has a toddler entering school.

Talk about chaos in the classroom. Student behavior in the classroom these days seem to be getting from bad to worse, with violence on the rise and weapons in kids' pockets. Dealing with student behavior challenges in the classroom can be quite a task for a teacher; and this guide takes the teacher through some basic challenges and how to deal with them. Although its simple and common knowledge, not many teachers grasp the value of remembering children's names. Remembering a child's name can bring about tremendous improvement in behavior and also creates a bond between the teacher and student.

Many times teachers can be earnest in their attempts to teach children how to read and write. Or they may be impatient or unconcerned. I remember, when my daughter was in the second grade, she disliked her class teacher totally. She used to sulk a lot about her teacher and always quote the different negative comments the teacher would say about her reading and spelling. Even when it was time for her to be promoted to the next class, she'd say things like "You are not fit to go to the next class. You are so bad in your reading and spelling that you will be detained and called Aunty Ruth by the next class children that join you." Perhaps she should have been trained on how to be an effective reading support teacher, to help my daughter instead of criticizing her the whole year. Ironically, Ruth used to write stories online when she was at home. Talk about being slow in spellings. Even then she achieved what her classmates had not yet ventured out into.

Most dedicated teachers will stress on the need for discipline in the classroom. Without disciple, all teaching is in vain. Either the student will not grasp anything that is taught, or the teaching methods too of the teacher will be a confusion. Disciple is a method of building character, confidence and the wholeness of a young individual, which begins with the discipline of the teacher. Olivia Kay takes us through her ideas of classroom discipline with her article 'How to instill positive discipline and effective classroom rules". Every teacher can benefit from being reminded of these simple yet effective steps to building classroom discipline.

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Other education-related articles that are worth reading:

How teachers can use art and music education to help children heal from trauma and crisis - by Rachelle de Bretagne

Teacher's guide for parents offering to help at school: What parents should and should not do - by Colette Georgii

Teacher tips for parents: Best steps to help foster positive student-teacher relationship - by Christina Pomoni

Why you shouldn't let fear stop you from going back to school - by Sun Meilan

How young children can handle bullies - by Wilson Burrell

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Once again, to teachers in India and all over the world - A Happy Teacher's Day to you!

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Meet the Writers

2011-08-30T17:15:00.021+04:00

Writers and Graphic Designers - One dependent on the other

When I set out on my mission to review articles, with my first post in June 2011, I was quite skeptical about the feedback and support I would get. Although I was convinced that this is what I wanted to do, it largely depended on my audience to appreciate and support this effort. Surprisingly, I have received a lot of encouragement (even from unexpected sources) and have completed nine posts so far. This is my tenth (yes, double digits) and I am so excited that my blog has made it this far; thanks to ALL of you.

Since this is my TENTH post, I thought I'd try a twist to the usual Channel-wise format. I've decided that this post will be a potpourri of sorts or rather dedicated to writers I admire, for their talent, skill and (I have to say this...) common sense. If you need help navigating through or guidance on some topics from the Channels that I've already featured, these are the writers for you. Most of them have been of help to me in the past in some way or the other, and many of them have been around to cheer me on. It is with pride that I turn the spot light on to them. I have picked the following writers on the basis of the Channels that I have already covered. Do not be disappointed if your name isn't on the list. You might be featured in the following weeks. (Image Credit: Dieter Manero)

I don't think anybody needs any introduction to Raymond Alexander Kukkee. He has been with Helium since November 2007 and has also been one of the Managers under the Arts and Humanities Channel. But in case you do not know the full extent of his Writing passion, here are his very own words... "Creative Writing has been my favorite past-time, and writing fiction has become my favorite challenge with a focus on humanity itself. Novels, short stories, books for children, technical writing, essays, information, how-to articles, experimental writing, poetry and two completed full length motion picture screenplays are all included in my portfolio. I continue to believe 'Our use of words is fraught with traps and treasures' and also infers much responsibility."

The sanctity of a writer's work area - by Ramond Alexander Kukkee, Arts & Humanities

I know its been mentioned before, but if there is one person who knows how to convey humor and satire through her writing, in my opinion, it is none other than Diane Quinn. Its because she believes she can do it, does it reflect so much in her writing. Diane says... "Creating is the passion all writers thrive upon, but I also enjoy researching a topic that interests me. Being factual and informative are important, but just as important is emotionally engaging my readers. When I have firsthand knowledge, like a first person story for my life, writing with a sense of humor makes the process just that much more fun."

Satire: Music by Diane Quinn, Creative Writing

Meet W. Diane Van Zwol. She is a person so full of compassion and caring. Although a nurse by profession, and a dedicated contributor to the Medical Ethics section, Diane is ever passionate about poetry; and in particular 'Love Poetry'. She goes to no ends to stand for 'love' despite the conflicts and confusion of human life around, and this can be seen poignant through her poems. Based on the theme of love, you cannot go wrong, for what can be greater than love? Check out 'It's all about love' for an entire collection of love poems written by Diane. She says, and I quote, "In 1995, I attended the International Society of Poets Conference, D.C. What a wonderful experience for me as a budding poet! There were 2700 poets present and everyone did a poetry reading. That was fun! Johnny Cash was featured as the live, Saturday night entertainment." A truly remarkable writer to impact my world.

Poetry: An angel's wings by W. Diane Van Zwol, Creative Writing

All of us know M. J. Joachim. An ardent contributor to the Business, Arts & Humanities, Celebrations & Holidays and Creative Writing Channels, (and more), M. J. has stepped out beyond her comfy zone of writing articles, and has ventured into publishing quite a few eBooks. An excerpt from her biography at Helium, "M. J. Joachim is an extremely creative soul. Her hobbies include cooking, yarn and needle crafts - including bead work, gardening and creative writing, though research writing is also at the top of her list. M. J. believes writing is writing. It challenges the mind and heart, causing us to view the world with less skepticism."

Quick and easy Thanksgiving decorating tips - M. J. Joachim, Celebrations & Holidays

From creative writing to business, one person I know I have to give credit for is my senior editor at Bright Hub, Michele McDonough. Highly qualified academically, winner of two Editorial Awards at Bright Hub and Managing Editor and Senior Writer to the Business Channel, Michele is well knowledgeable in topics pertaining to Business and Science. Taken from her Bright Hub profile, I quote, "After spending several years teaching mathematics, engineering and programming at the university level, Michele shifted her focus to the corporate world. Her extensive background in the technical fields eventually led her to take up consultancy work, primarily with small, privately held companies. She still maintains an active presence in the academic community and enjoys keeping track of the latest developments in scientific research."

Creating Pareto Charts With Microsoft Excel by Michele McDonough, Business

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Did I tell you that I had actually planned out this post differently? When I realized that this would be my tenth post today, I decided to rework my entire page. Yes, I deleted an entire section, if not all of what I had done, just to change it to some idea that popped into my head a little earlier in the day.

However, one part that I have been meaning to do all week is to feature Donald Hancock. I am not sure how many of you know him, but quite a few of us at the Castle Coffee House and Pub fondly call him Sir Don de lu. [You'll have to ask him to elaborate on his title. ;) ] Donald has recently published his book titled 'A Message for all Time'. I'd like to take a moment to congratulate Sir Don de Lu on a job well done and for being such an inspiration. :)

Synopsis of the Novel: A young man finds an old sealed bottle while fishing. He and his mother read a message, written by a sailor whose ship was sunk in 1942. Richard and his mother, Gloria, who live in London in 1954, are challenged to share this heartfelt message, about three dying men, with their surviving loved ones. Their search takes them on an adventure that change their lives forever!

A Message for all Time by Donald C. Hancock is now available at Amazon Kindle and Smashwords as eBooks at the following links.

A Message for all Time - Amazon kindle

A Message for all Time - Smashwords

Image Credit: Dieter Manero

This brings me to the part where Conny Manero's son, Dieter Manero, played a part in designing the front cover for Donald's book.

Dieter Manero is a freelance graphic designer, graduated as a graphics designer and specializes in editorial and industrial design. Editorial design comprises of book covers, advertising material and newsletter layouts. Industrial design include concept design of cars in 3-D and custom vehicles. His services are directed to authors and small businesses. Those who might be interested to know more about his professional expertise in the field of Designing may contact him at dimaconcepts@gmail.com. He's there to help.

You may visit Dieter Manero's Portfolio at Dieter Manero, Freelance Graphics Designer.

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Last but not the least, during the past few days, I requested friends and writers to share their best poems with us. I thank each of them for their contribution and support and hence share what they have to say about their work.

Raymond Alexander Kukkee - "The best of my own selection of works in poetry may well be 'Silver Drops' because of the imagery of unrequited love and sadness extending to infinity."

Angela Masters Young - "Its a poem called Marilyn Matters. In a nutshell, when my mom (Marilyn) was dying of cancer, she felt like her life had not mattered, that she didn't matter. During this time (I was staying with her and caring for her), she received some of those pre-made address labels in the mail. My mother's name is Marilyn Masters. The labels were for Marilyn Matters. This was definitely a God story about how God showed her she does matter. I wrote the poem from there and have been able to change the name and use it again for others in need."

Alexandra Heep: "Poetry: Yesterdays. I like this one the best because I had to use a word bank. It is my all time favorite."

Conny Manero: "Poetry: Spring love and Poetry: Cats. Both poems deal with cats. Cats and their well being are very close to my heart. Through both these poems I have tried to draw attention to shelter adoption and the importance of spaying / neutering. Even though the poems are about cats, they apply to any other type of animal as well."

JoAnn Windsinger is of the opinion that this poem, titled Poetry: In like a lion, out like a lamb, is her best.

Sarah D'costa: "This poem, 'Here No More' was written for Yvonne, a very precious friend... much elder to me. She passed away due to a cardiac arrest while she was alone at home. Yvonne was the kindest soul I ever knew. Always soft-spoken, gentle and optimistic, I could turn to her for anything. I feel this is the best piece I have written as it comes from the heart. After we lost Yvonne, I often wished I could have helped; wished I was there to help. Wished she would come back... so that I could tell her how precious she was to me."

HERE NO MORE

The call was sudden

She had to leave

While al her loved ones

Grieved in disbelief.

That fateful Saturday noon

Saw her uneasy and distressed

All by herself wreathing in pain

Help was rendered……. Minutes late!

Still and motionless she lay

Lusture lost, pale and grey

Anxious loved ones left distraught

Hope and pray, they were briefed.

How we longed to hear her speak

To see her smile and feel her move

The shadow of death lurking by

Seemed elated to have found its prey.

A loving gentle harmless soul

Sought happiness in life’s woes

Adorned with simplicity and grace

Angel on earth, one could say.

Friend to all, mother to a few

Sister to those who knew her too

Left to her father’s Heavenly abode

Without the slightest bid adieu.

Life has changed for all who knew

This God sent angel…… here no more.

Watching over me and you

Somewhere in the distance through.

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Creative Writing: Part 3, Poetry - Lyrical heartbeats of the Soul

2011-08-22T18:20:00.017+04:00

Lyrical Heartbeats of the Soul

da DUM da DUM

da DUM

Doesn't it always feel good when you read poetry that has a soul to it? I'm not necessarily talking about just love and romance or wooing a beloved. I'm talking about 'the reader connecting with the poet' through the contents of the poem. I have always loved William Shakespeare's sonnets. But even more, am I a bigger fan of William Wordsworth's poems. (What is it with these Williams? I wouldn't be surprised if you Williams out there are poets. Seriously.) I mean, take a look at the poem The Daffodils. It has always, always (double always on purpose) fascinated me. What is it that these great poets have that we aspire to have? Is it 'soul'? Is it 'emotions'? Is it a command over one's language? Or is it just a knack for converting expressions and ideas into words?

This week I will take you through some basics of writing good poetry. No, this was not necessarily taught to me in black and white, but is my collection of handy tips from the past few years' interaction with ordinary people like you and me who love to write poetry.

There is one question that always nags my mind when I see it at the forums and discussions. 'Is poetry subjective?' I can understand when people share their opinion about a poem being written for themselves. At the same time, does it have to relate only to the poet or 'what is it that makes good poetry stand out from the lot?' I am sure all of us who rate poetry, especially at Helium, ask ourselves this question, with the amount of poetry that floods the site.

Writer of the Week

Adam Clark

“I guess it’s subjective, in that a poem may be based on the writer's personal interpretation of the subject. But what separates good poetry from the bad is the objective part, like the science of writing poetry. Edgar Allen Poe has a great lecture on this, titled 'The Philosophy of Composition'.

See, poetry like all arts, is a magic show. It looks so full of wonder and magic, but when you look behind the curtain, you see that it’s all calculated tricks; smoke and mirrors. This is what separates the pros from the amateurs. The pros embrace the boring science of the art form, while the amateur embraces the romantic idea of it.

It’s like when you hear piano music being played. You may picture the foot pedal being pressed, the left hand playing this, the right hand playing that while the notes are on the page. When I hear music, I can lay back and enjoy its seemingly magic effect. Why? Because I don't know what's behind the curtain. I am not burdened by that knowledge. It's the poet that has the hardest time appreciating poetry. Instead he appreciates technique; never getting the full effect that the poem intends. Of course, sometimes in making art, you have what Bob Ross famously coined as ‘Happy little accidents’ which is when you unintentionally create something that is later recognized as a great element in your work.”

With this in mind we can take a look at a few basic points that make up the 'science of writing poetry'. I'm not going to beat around the bush, but come straight to the points I have in mind. While these may be only a few pointers, I am sure the more experienced poets from among us can shed their light on what they think makes up good poetry. The points that I mention are in random order.

1. When writing poetry, follow the same grammar rules of prose. That is, the sentence you write should have some concrete structure and meaning. Put commas where commas should go / periods where periods should be. Even if you use only phrases, there should be connectivity between phrases.

2. Always have a concrete imagery. Even if your title or topic is abstract, like for example, if you were depicting 'Pain', jot down words that will describe pain, or be alternative words to be used for pain. These could be agony, hurt, torture, ache, etc. Another example, If you are writing about freedom, you could use words like 'bell rings, break chains, unlock, soar high, run away, escape...)

3. If you plan to write a rhyming poem, try writing with a specific syllable count per line. Begin the first line with something like 8 counts (safe bet) and then work the next line and so forth with 8 counts. Do not work on the rhymes right away, but get your theme / plot / setting right first.

4. Once you get your setting right, work on your end rhymes. Do not use the most common rhymes, but try using a Google search for 'words rhyming with... ‘and you will get 3+ letter words with the same end rhyme or at least with half rhymes.

5. Use metaphors if needed, but the metaphors must be true and relevant. For example, if you are to relate something to ‘being like the desert’, your description of it should likewise imply the desert mood or setting.

6. When converting a sentence draft to a poem, drop the pronouns, articles and conjunctions as much as possible. Put in your imagery as concise, easily understood phrases (this is part of poetic licence). At the same time, maintain continuity in thought from one line to the next.

7. In freeverse poetry, write as you may without rhyming and syllable count, but maintain poetry more than prose. Nobody wants to read a narration of events which could be got in prose. What the reader needs to see is the poet's flair, or flow of poetic language.

8. Your choice of adjectives can create the mood of the poem.

When writing something that shows your liveliness, use words that also express liveliness, like brightness, spring, sunshine, radiance, bounce, laughter, smile, twinkle, etc.

When writing dark poetry, use words that can create such a setting the same way you would do in prose too.

9. If you're writing many verses, make sure that all the verse center around the theme; ie. do not divert on another tangent. Sometimes we can begin with one idea, but tend to end up with another. So always when in doubt, refer to your title. (These are for titles that are put up at Helium). If you are writing your own poem, apart from this site, create a title by which you will center your poem around it. Even if you use the Helium titles, you can create your own subtitle and then write your poem. So whatever it is... concentrate on the same theme throughout.

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What does Poetry mean to you?

This is a question I asked my friends last week. The response has been amazing. Maybe in a day or two I might try to connect back-links to each one's pages - but for now it’s just overwhelming to receive your feedback and support. Thank you for this. :)

Gerard Quain: It means passion, the resonating echoes of mind and heart

Linda Hurley: Skip when rating ;)

Angela Masters Young: playing with words

Saoirse O'Mara: A means to express strong feelings.

Alexandra Heep: To me, it means conveying emotions or evoking them, while using unusual words

Gerard Quain: The only unusual word these days is love, it gets abused in ways no one thought possible

Darryl Bunty Rosario: ‎...thoughts and expressions..in a nutshell !!!!

Gavin Serrao: A poem is a story, or just the way I feel, expressed in Rhyme, and Rhythmic zeal. To say what I want, even if nonsense, with the convenient excuse, of poetic license!

Son Saturn: poetry is an expression.

Sunitha Fidelis: Poetry is a dream world where we forget ourselves, and also a place where we can express our happiness and sorrows..

Mac Pike: Silly doggerel rhyming to engender either groan, snicker, or stricken cry of outrage.

Deborah Bauers: Poetry is an outlet for what I feel in my soul.

Jane Anderson: Hmmm... Poetry is an artistic expression of the heart, channeled through the mind and conveyed through words. And of course, expressions of the heart are what you feel when you write a poem, not that I've written any. But it’s a transference of the mood of the poet to the reader in language that is beyond merely a string of words and that which makes an impact upon the reader.

W. Diane Van Zwol: Love Poetry is my passion!

Julie Sawyer Helms: My very politically-incorrect answer is that poetry should show/examine the beauty of God's creation, the quirks of human nature or animal behavior, and the flexibility of language. I do not enjoy self-absorbed poems (oh woe is me because of...)

Glory Lennon: An expression of emotion in rhyming sing-song fashion with silent music.

Ruth Olivia Bredbenner: Poetry for me is an unbridled opportunity for creative expression, if inspired, I begin with no ending in mind, I am on freeflow and travel wherever my heart leads me. Words just spill out onto the page, on an unknown journey. I t is as if I am just along for the ride to wherever it takes me. Even I am sometimes surprised where we land.

Cherry Kelly: Creative expressions - spur of the moment (like late last evening) or created over time. When it happens it just happens!

Charlotte Howard: A way to express my emotions at that point in time.

Angela Masters Young: I often start out with a concept I want to express creatively and start 'playing' with words or phrases and placement... until it tells me it's done:) I love the expression part of it, but I really love the word play -- can I take a word or concept and put it together like a puzzle of sorts that expresses and yet allows the words to do their thing.

Mona Gallagher: It depends on the poetry - I love to read lyrical poetry (Hearn in particular) Once I wrote spontaneously and was published, but except for a one or two, they are very forgettable. --but Now I write with purpose-to touch recovering hearts- and I labor over each phrase. ---Planning audio production with a wonderful male voice to do the reading.

Cherry Kelly: I have had poetry published in numerous anthologies over the years from 3rd grade - through college (needless to say numerous decades) different genres (publications) prefer different poetry... I write - what is chosen is -- what isn't - is not.. WRITE from your heart!

Jay Maul: Poetry is the never-ending quest to put into words what we see, hear, and feel. It is an artistic arrangement of language: a portrait painted with letters, a sculpture chiseled with words. Poetry is a reflection of humanity-its ugliness and its beauty, its evils and its goodness. It is the expression of our relationship with God, with the world, and with ourselves.

Darren Horton: Regarding poetry. I like to try all types. I especially like the challenge of strict forms (I also like puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, etc, so that might be why). The hardest thing for me is meter and trying to be poetic within the boundaries. I think the rhyming and syllable count is the easy bit.

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Feedback from Diane Quinn

When it comes to poetry, I know what I like and sometimes poems move me in a way that other writing doesn't; perhaps because poetry emanates more from the soul than other writing genres.

My first recommendation has to be my old friend Jon Coe. You only have to read one of his works to know he's an excellent poet. I found this one that reveals a lot about Jon that I didn't know and his poem sits at 1 of 206 for good reason:

My painful past – Jon Coe

If you haven't already featured him, Raymond's poem about Bob the Eleventh is charming and fanciful and is, in a sense, a blueprint for his creative mind.

Cats – Raymond Alexander Kukkee

I also like this one of your's Mandy. It sits on top of a lot of other poems in the title also for good reason. Like Jon's poem, this one reveals a lot about you and why you have grown into the wonderful wife, mother, and friend that we all know you to be.

In my home - Amanda Dcosta

I also like Alex's poem about summer from our challenge. It sits at 7 of 155 because it is really good--short, but packed with fascinating word power:

Summer – Alexandra Heep

I like this one of Elie's. The message of "don't give up, anything is possible", never gets old. There are times that Elie appears wise beyond her years. She is a rising star!

Anything is possible – Elie Hutcheson

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Last but not the least is a set of poems that I have found quite entertaining. This has been contributed by Rex Trulove. "I've read my share of very poor poetry, sometimes by people thought of as a poetry 'giant'. I've read great poetry by virtually unknown poets that made me laugh, cry and to feel genuine emotions. To me, a good poem is one that Ican identify with, and that can make me feel, with the poet's words. (that may sound crazy or corny, perhaps a bit forlorny). When I *think* of poetry, I think of my brother, who has written some poetry that never fails to make me laugh."

Ol Charlie

Ol Charlie was an alley cat, his whiskers long and sleek.

The others never realized he had a yellow streak.

He strutted here he strutted there, he scared the feared masked bandit.

His cowardice was never where the other cats could find it.

They said, "He's strong!", they said, "He's brave! He's never lost a battle!"

"He's through," a little mouse began to rave, "for I'm about to tattle!"

"I saw him once, I saw him lose," the little mouse began.

"My mother took the ugly brute and knocked him on his can!"

Well, Ol Charlie slank away for he realized that

it wasn't fitting and proper, for an alley cat.

Yes, Charlie was an alley cat, now he'd better stick to galleys,

For there isn't a single mouse whose afraid of Charlie’s alleys.

Charlie's Comeback

I saw this feller the other day, the feller said to me,

"How's Ol Charlie anyway?", he laughed and slapped his knee.

"You shouldn't laugh," I said to him as he looked at me concerned.

"His past may seem a trifle dim...that leaf he's overturned."

"Into the country Charlie went, far from any house.

This self converted city gent hardly ever touched a mouse.

Muskrats and otters he would hunt with skill he soon developed

but in later adventures, his heart was soon enveloped."

"Rough time he had but anyhow, he finally learned the trick.

In a ring with the cat now, Joe Lewis would look sick."

"Where's he now?" the feller asked, "And what you suppose he's huntin'?"

"Suburbs, where I saw him last, his diet's really somethin'."

"Yes, Charlie's come quite a ways from what he used to be.

Make him mad now, you're sure to pay, he'll run you up a tree!

Advice to you, I will give, and by this rule you should abide:

Keep your doors locked at night and keep your DOG inside!"

(Author of these is Rex Trulove's brother, Steve Trulove)

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Creative Writing Guides

How to write a Shakespearean sonnet

How to write good poetry

Creative Writing: Part 2, Words: A Writer's Life

2011-08-15T15:44:00.025+04:00

Words: A Writer’s Life

Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to become a writer. I didn’t know how I would get there, or reach where I am now, but I wanted to be a writer. I had this nagging habit of being distracted by scraps of paper I’d come across and get engrossed in reading when I had to be doing other things.

Almost all of us who are writers now have gone through such phases in our lives. Anticipation, anxiety, eagerness and an uncanny attraction to words: All the while wishing we could live the life of the Great Writers. Of course, the skill at writing develops along the way, and the more one writes, the more one grows as a writer.

Sometimes it is worthwhile to look up to writers who have made it big time. It is also good to know who to approach for help when doubting one’s literary skill. I don’t necessarily mean the Bestseller Writers who’ve written great literary works and are legends; yet difficult to reach. But right here in our company we have our legendry story tellers and book writers who have a rare talent for ‘writing stories that tell a story’.

Today at Mandy’s Pages, we’ll take a look at book excerpts, why Glory writes, and most of all, what others have to say about your work. Last week we have seen a few writers reach the limelight. This week, I’ve asked them to give an insight into writers that have inspired them and influenced their work; the very reason why they themselves have become credible writers.

Writer of the Week

Glory Lennon

As anyone who knows me can tell, I have no delusions of grandeur. I don’t expect anyone to see a literary genius in me (heaven forbid!) nor do I expect to write the next bestseller and I don’t care if no one or everyone reads what silliness I write. I just like to write.

Don’t get me wrong. I love it when someone, a friend, stranger or foe, tells me they find some enjoyment from a story I tell, but I won’t allow that to get to my head. With all those people out there reading anything online, some are bound to like something I scribble down. I figure the odds are in my favor!

What do I write? Oh, just funny little stories of no great import and somewhat epic novels with no end in sight (see Violet’s in Bloom for proof of that!) I just know that nothing’s going to stop me from writing, not bad reviews, rolling eyes nor wagging fingers telling me to stop splitting infinitives (I guess I really should learn what an infinitive is, huh?)

I tell no lies. I write for me, not my ego. I write to make myself happy, not for accolades. I write for my own enjoyment, for my peace of mind, for my sanity. Some may say they see no evidence that my writing has improved my link to reality and they’d be right, indeed.

But I’ll turn around and say, “Just imagine me if I couldn’t get the voices out of my head!” SCARY!

Glory recommends

A Fool and his wish by John Devera

Humor: The problems associates with growing old by Diane Quinn

WOW!!!

Moving on, Conny Manero has quite an impressive collection of books. I'm not talking about a library of books that we've collected over the years to read or as our favorites. These are books that she has personally applied her talent to. These are stories that she has written; each a tale in itself. Take a look at her work. You will find that she so skillfully crafts her stories around characters we can relate to. And more importantly is her humane side; her unmistakable love for animals.

Here are three of her book excerpts which give an insight into the story-line of each.

Novel Excerpts: Waiting for Silverbird

The audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation as Danielle Hamilton gracefully dropped to the floor, ending a three-hour show. Panting with exhaustion she listened to the crowd, the sound of hands clapping and voices cheering. The show was a success, no doubt about that, and for a moment she enjoyed the satisfaction of it. As the lights went to black and the stage was covered in near darkness she got up, ready to take her bow when the spotlights were turned on again. Noticing the chorus in the wings of the stage, seeing they were applauding her too, she signaled for them to join her on stage for yet another bow, and another and another.

Kitten's Diaries: Chanel's Story

For a while I lived in a cat shelter. Then one day my friends and I were put in cages, loaded into a car and transported to a pet store. On the way in, I saw a sign that read "National Pet Adoption Week".

Being adopted by a family would be nice, but I did not have much hope.

In the cat shelter, I saw plenty of people come and go, but I never got chosen. People walked past the cages, saying how cute and adorable the other cats and kittens were, but they never said that about me. If anything, they frowned at the sight of me.

Voice of an Angel:

When Jack Garrett first heard the otherworldly voice, his head snapped up and he quickly surveyed the street around him. The song, or rather ‘the voice,’ was hypnotizing, powerful, and crystal clear. He listened, recognizing the song as Memories, made famous by Barbara Streisand. He was pretty sure that it wasn’t a recording because he couldn’t hear any accompanying instruments. His eyes swept over the multi floored apartment buildings, looking for a woman singing; but, he couldn’t see anyone.

Now ain't that impressive!

Talking about Book Excerpts, Channel Manager, Heidi Peister's work is worth checking out. She is one who is a story teller in herself, with real life taking center stage in her themes. Her whole life has been one of weaving stories; her main inspirations being her children. Some of her stories are reflected through her book excerpts at Helium.

Novel Excerpts: Children's Fantasy

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Some of last week's featured writers have been tagged. I've invited them to contribute reviews on writers of their choice. I have to admit they amaze me with their spirit and cooperation. Take a look at what they have to say.

Reviews by Jay Maul

Michael Burgwin

The way in which he uses language is as poetic as prose can be. The subject of his pieces are hard-hitting and honest. He pulls no punches, but softens the blows with his wonderful word choices.

Short Stories: Dead Fish

Elizabeth McGrath

She is a writer who touches upon the human psyche, searching it's depths to answer the eternal question: Is there such a thing called a soul? If so, what does it look like?

Poetry: So She Dances

Chelsea Crawford

She is a young and exciting author who is full of insightful inquiries that keep her stories fresh, like the human spirit: always seeking new ways of looking at the world around it.

Flash Fiction: Death On A Cruise Ship

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Review by Alexandra Heep

When I thought I could not swim in the Creative Writing pond, Melissa Bickel embraced me into the school of poetry fish. In the beginning she held my hand; then let me swim free. She is part of the reason I ventured out trying to express myself with an audience.

Melissa has been with Helium for a long time. While always encouraging others, she never seeks recognition for herself. Let this be one time she can have the well-deserved spotlight on her.

Songs: Cowboys

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Reviews by Darren Horton

Alistair Marquise

Alistair has a great imagination, and one that I admire. He creates characters, places and situations that are both original and brilliant (and usually quite unpleasant, too). His Flash Fiction is expertly crafted and his style and ideas are unique. I often think to myself, I wish I’d thought of that.

Flash fiction: A mysterious woman

Rachel Howells

I always get the impression that Rachel seems either amused or bemused or downright annoyed with the ridiculousness of life. Most of her articles leave me grinning, and those that don’t leave me grinning, leave me thinking. Rachel writes both funny and serious with equal jaw-dropping, talent.

Humor: Great ways to annoy coworkers

Jay Maul

Jay writes the best stories in a style that is often purposefully vague, relying on his skill as a writer and the imagination of the reader to interpret his poetic, almost dream-like tales. Not many writers are so eloquent when describing something ordinary or something brutal.

Short stories: Home

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Reviews by Elie Hutcheson

Alistair Marquise

I enjoy Alistair's vivid descriptions and colorful characters. I like his work because it keeps me intrigued. He is a very versitile and talented writer. I have read many stories written by Alistair and the only constant in his writing seems to be that there is no constant. Each story is it's own unique piece.

Glory Lennon:

Glory's draws her reader in with down to earth characters and realisitic adventures. I like her work because it's unpredictable and well written. The main thing that pops out to me about Glory's writing is the relationships between the characters. Her dialog is also captivating. It seems so natural, and flows so evenly.

Diane Quinn:

Diane makes me laugh. Her brand of humor never ceases to bring a chuckle to my lips. I like her writing, her stories and articles are well written and unique. What makes the so unique is her own unique perspective and the addition of humor. A good laugh gets me every time.

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With that, friends and writers, concludes my blog post for this week. Next week I will feature writers and writing styles exclusively related to poetry. Should you have an idea, review or style of poetry you'd like to talk about, drop me a line. You know how to find me.

Creative Writing: Part 1, Expressions of the mind and soul

2011-08-08T21:01:00.019+04:00

Expressions of the mind and soul

Creativity is a gift. Some are born with it, some cultivate it, but for the most part, it’s a trait that is so powerful when expressed. Like any expressions of creativity, creative’ words’ can transport the mind and stir the soul to a different setting, creating a hideaway, not only for the one writing, but also for the one absorbing every written word.

This week’s highlight will be on Creative Writing. Unlike what was initially planned, I am not going to restrict reviews from any of the sub-channels. Writers have been invited to send in their reviews about their favorite ‘creative writer’ or links to pieces of CW that has impressed them.

Before the reviews begin, it would be worth the while to reflect on Rex Trulove’s feedback.

“Hands down, I’d say Kat Apf. She is modest, yet her work is fantastic. She doesn’t like me mentioning it, but CW wouldn’t be what it is without her. In the words of John Rozen, the former GM for Helium, and a man of few words, “If you like the CW channel, thank Kat. She IS the CW channel. “

Let’s give it up for Kat Apf, fellow writers and friends. Hip, hip, hurrah!

To complement Kat for her outstanding work at the CW channel, and to Helium at large, I have chosen a writer for ‘Writer of the Week’ who is a big fan of Kat. He says, and I quote, “Thanks, Kat! You made me what I am today: in that you collected various half-rotten human body parts and sewed them together to create me. I thank you for that. I do.” It’s none other than the King of Flash Fiction, Channel Manager, Alistair Marquise (aka James Gray on Facebook).

Writer for the week:

Alistair Marquise

I have invited Alistair to tell us something about himself and his writing. From personal interaction with him and reading his work, I’d recommend you get to know him. You just can’t miss his sense of creativity and imagination.

“As far as my inspiration goes, I think it's hard to pin down. I'm very concerned with setting a mood in my writing. I want it to have weight that stays with you after you've finished reading the piece. In that way, I, as a person, have made a connection with you, the reader, because there are parts of me in my writing, and if you think of the piece later, then you are, in effect, thinking of me. My pen name, my writing- all of it has been an effort to create something that exists outside of myself, because real life simply can't compete with the fantasy world that exists in my mind. I write in order to give people a glimpse into the place that I spend most of my time; my head.

As far as other writers, I would recommend these.

First is Darren Horton. He's one of the writers in my channel that is actually doing something new and fresh. Beyond that, his style is so perfect for his subject matter. I really enjoy his work.

Second is Rachel Howells. Her work is consistently amazing.

Third is Jay Maul. I'm not going to lie, some of his stuff is pretty ‘out there’, but it's for exactly that reason that I love it.

I guess that's it. Mostly, I wanted to shine some light on a few writers who I feel simply don't get their due.”

Moving on, Alexandra Heep has not one, but two favorite writers.

"Scott Scherr is a poet I met in the Helium café long ago. He is a quiet, unassuming person whose poetry I find superb but I do not think he gets enough recognition."

" Jon Coe used to be a regular but like many, real life takes him away from his passion so I would like to feature him. Helium thinks he is good too as they published him in a book with collective poems. "

She recommends that you read:

Poetry: Greed - by Scott Scherr

Poetry Being Content - by Jon Coe

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Glory Lennon has been very generous with her reviews too. She doesn’t limit herself to just one writer’s work, but believes that there are many out there who should be noted for their creativity.

1. Jim Bessey, "Although quite busy with that pesky thing called real life and making a buck, still finds time every once in a while to pen a heartwarming story. He's also encouraged many others to do their best, me included! He's really given me great advice over the years. He's the big brother I never had. Love him to pieces!"

Humor: Coffee

2. Olivia Bredbenner, "always gets to the heart of any topic she catches. She always makes you feel what she feels. A wonderful gift!"

Short Stories: Childhood memories

3. Diane Quinn: "A humorous woman who can get you over the grumpies without much trying. Most times she'll leave you actually laughing out loud."

Reflections: My mother's last gift

4. Alistair Marquise: "Is the master of Flash Fiction. He can take a story and twist it so you feel totally wrung out. Don't know how he does it!"

Flash fiction: Grandma's cooking

5. Julie Helms: "Has a wonderful knack for telling a story especially those for children. Perhaps she's s kid at heart!"

Short Stories: Animal stories for children

Glory also recommends:

Novel excerpts: Unfinished business - Alexandra Heep

Essays: Love and Alzheimer’s disease - Olivia Bredbenner

Poetry: My pen - Olivia Bredbenner

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To conclude the contributions of reviews, M.J. Joachim offers her support to writers of the CW Channel. She writes,

W. Diane Van Zwol : "With over 800 articles on Helium, Diane has contributed nearly half of them to the creative writing channel. Diane's poem, Heaven is a relatively short piece, considering the deep meaning revealed therein. It has a unique way of showing that preconceived notions about anything, are often useless. Similarly, Diane's short stories and flash fiction pieces like Teachers, are strong and powerful. Readers can tell she chooses her words carefully and with great purpose, making them all the more intriguing for her fans."

Amanda Dcosta "Mandy's work is thoroughly researched, intuitive and inspirational. Her CW particularly stirs emotion and addresses human need. Mandy's CW invokes a spiritual element, allowing us to pause and think about things more intensely. One of my favorites is her poem, Blessings. However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention another story, Reflections: Jigsaw puzzles. As you can see, Mandy has a special way with words. I'm one of her biggest fans because she's genuine and causes me to look deep into my own heart."

As per M.J’s request, I have added my poem ‘Blessings’.

Blessings flow in various ways
it’s there for you to see
That He the Maker in His wisdom
Made Eternity.

One gentle smile is all you need
to freshen up your day.
Or hear a word of comfort
for when you go astray.

What makes the world go round and round
or stars be in their place?
What makes the rain fall from the sky
or forest fires ablaze?

It's not important what we see
As long as we know that
there is a hand that's marvelous
like a magician’s hat.

For, out of it pops loving hearts
So unexpectedly
Yet we do not see them around,
We look for wealth with greed.

Priorities on worldly things
Is what captures our hearts
and eats into each of our souls
Shredding us all apart.

If only we could all focus
on love, the greatest gift!
Then all our worldly problems
on heaven's wings will lift.

Then difficulties all around
Will only be but checks,
To ensure that our visa is stamped
No objection required.

For in the end material wealth
will fade in love's bright light.
As we with unison will sing
to our Maker's delight.

__________________

Creative Writing Guides

How to write a Shakespearean sonnet

How to write good poetry

__________________

I personally recommend the following titles for more enjoyable creative expressions.

Testimonies: Stupidest question a customer has asked me at work - by Kat Apf

Memoirs: Dating horror stories - Alexandra Heep

Short stories: Dinner with your ex-wife - Glory Lennon

Poetry: Mannequins - M. J. Joachim

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Computers & Technology: Electronic Toys We Can't Live Without

2011-08-01T16:11:00.033+04:00

Electronic Toys We Can’t Live Without

Our life is surrounded by a lot of electronic toys that we just can't live without. Whether we choose to admit it or not, they are used with so much diligence. Hardly any work

we do is done without them; especially for all the earning members. Even if you work offline, as in running a small home-based business, you still need your accessories like the phone.

I have to admit that I am not really good with translating a whole lot of technological details into plain English. Neither can I explain even simple things related to the work I do in terms of the binary language. Least of all, I am still not sure I can identify which machine uses which Operating System.

I know my laptop runs on Windows, but don't ask me which version it is. That could be a bit tricky. :) Ok.. I cheated... I checked it out. I'm using Windows Vista. There is a little sticker on my laptop that says Windows Vista.

My point is... the progress in terms of computing and technological advancement is so much, that we constantly have to keep updating ourselves with the times if we want to stay in sync. Sometimes it just doesn't seem important enough to have to keep track of so much 'computer' stuff. The other day, a friend of mine was relating how she was 'so last season'... and that her grand-daughter teased her about 'needing to upgrade' herself. I haven't reached that stage yet, but even then I have so much upgrading to do when it comes to the field of computers and the technologies of our everyday tools and machines. This is something that has to be done; upgrading and keeping up with our electronic toys if we want to live in this era. Since we can't live without them, we have to grow along with them. :) The plus side is that all these electronic toys are fun to use.

Writer of the Week

This week’s choice for Writer of the Week is Rex Trulove. Apart from being the spokesperson for Helium as we know him, and a moderator for the friendly, unofficial Helium Group on Facebook, Rex is a person who is well knowledgeable about the field of computing. Being pretty techy challenged myself, I asked Rex if there was something he would like to convey about this Channel, and this is what he shares…

“The computer and technology industry is constantly changing. New ways of doing or making things are being found almost daily. It is hard to imagine that the total memory on the first space probe launched by NASA was less than what is usually found in a hand-held calculator we use today.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the innovations and changes. However, this also means that new jobs are created continually, there is an almost constant need for trained people and, ultimately, the consumer is the one who wins.

A person doesn't need to be an expert, though, in order to reap the benefits of the technological era. There are also many articles that help with understanding and which can be fascinating reading.”

Thanks Rex. We have to agree that technology is constantly changing. But with these changes we also have to learn how to maintain and look after the gadgets of today. Take for example the laptop. How do you look after your laptop? Do you handle it with care and keep it away from material such as linen on the bed or from dust and dirt that clutter on the desk? Do you carry it around too often and bang it about; even perhaps dropping it? Sam E. Jones shares his thoughts on how you can take care of a laptop and laptop screen. At some point, the points he addresses come in handy. If you want you laptop to last you a longer time than guaranteed, you just have to take care of it well.

I am often confused about the phones that are in the market. Each company tries to sell theirs based on better performance or features or applications that are part of the product. One would be tempted to save up for and buy an expensive phone. I'm not saying you don't deserve it. But be on the watch out for advice regarding phones. Wendy Finn tells us why we shouldn't bother waiting for the iPhone 5. Yes.. we're talking about the iPhone, folks.

Many of us have to rely on our Computers to carry out our work. As writers, this is the equipment we use to be able to convert our creativity to a product that sells; our writing. It is therefore an advantage when you know how to put a computer together by yourself. Find out why Gerald Lucey thinks so.

Is it healthy to replace real world interaction with online connections? Surely, as many have made bad connections, there are also a vast many that have benefited from getting to know colleagues and acquaintances across the internet. However, Elizabeth M. Young tells us how the internet has undermined social interaction.

Unavoidable as it may be with online interaction Dawn Hawkins stresses on the need for good online etiquette. Read what she has to say in 'Thoughts about online behavior and etiquette'.

Many of us are quite familiar with the essential time-saving keyboard shortcuts. However, for those who still have trouble with saving time while working at the computer may follow up on what Steve Burden has to share regarding this. You will find that its worth the effort to spend some time learning how to use shortcuts to save work time.

Come in as highly recommended by Rex, Janet Pieterse gives important details on how you may choose a computer. This article might be quite a few years old; but it is still relevant today and contains very reliable information.

Now here's one very important topic that many parents have to consider. Should children be encouraged to play with electronic gadgets. Some would say 'yes'. Some would say 'no'. Some would say..'within reasonable limits'. But electronic gadgets can be bad for kids. Take a look at kids of today. They hardly exercise. Their grades drop in school when they have spent excessive amounts of time on video and computer games, and they hardly ever interact with society around them. Leigh Goessl also describes how electronic gadgets can become an addiction.

iPads have revolutionized the face of technology. It is so convenient to carry an iPad around, work where you want to, type on it... and write your articles. It is a convenient accessory for the business mind and has so many applications to make working on an iPad easy. Danielle Eickenhorst outlines the basics of How the iPad works, so that you may be able to navigate around the different Apps with ease and also know what programs to download and install for your specific work use.

Hmmmm... I think this was more like a session that I required than anyone else. Quite an eye-opener! I thank Rex for directing me through some of this content. I have found this pretty interesting and I hope you did too. :)

Celebrations and Holidays

2011-07-24T23:18:00.017+04:00

Who Wants To Party???

Everyone loves celebrations. Birthdays, New Year, Christmas, religious festivities, customary holidays and anniversaries are days set apart for the not-so ordinary stuff. It’s on days like these that families get together to share a great meal, exchange gifts, go on picnics and outings together or just spend time with one another.

Did I tell you that my cousin is getting married in September? I can imagine all the excitement she’s going through right now; planning her dress, and that of the entire bridal troupe. There’s so much work that goes on behind the scene in organizing a wedding… and I’m already planning what I’ll wear when I meet up with her. Lucky for us Helium has a lot of suggestions to help with weddings, and oh well… with any celebration for that matter.

Since its summer… let’s walk over to Charlotte Howard and ask her about creative summer solstice party ideas.; some that might have been take into consideration last month. Notice how she works her way around Shakespeare’s romantic comedy to lighten the mood and enhance the settings. Whoever thought Shakespeare would be connected with a summer party… but there you have it. Creative, don’t you think so?

It’s the holiday season. Schools are closed for the summer and kids enjoy themselves with a lot of added outdoor fun. Holidays can be chaotic with no regular time schedules followed. You wouldn’t want something to go wrong during the holidays, least of all a fire to happen. W. Diane Van Zwol lends her suggestions on ‘How to keep fire exits clear during the holidays’. In fact, I think we need to be aware of these suggestions for any time a fire is to happen, holiday or not.

I know Mother’s Day is over. Even then, we could all make use of these lovely ideas that Lokemun Magar has put forward for ‘Things to do with mom on Mother’s Day’. Perhaps it could also be a day you set aside to make mom feel special and happy.

Talking about gifts, here’s another interesting article on gifting: Christmas gifts for the man who has everything. Surely, if he has everything he needs, it could be quite a task finding the right gift for him. Thanks to Diane Quinn, we now have a few solid leads to follow. This article in fact made me think of the movie ‘Shall we dance’.

Now this is something I really enjoy: birthday parties. Birthdays can always be a blast. Take for example M.J. Joachim’s article - Milestone birthdays: Party favor ideas for age 40. See how creative she gets with her suggestions of gifts and food. I especially loved the ‘Forty-fied foods’ idea. Brilliant.

From birthdays to Thanksgiving, many of us are familiar with the Thanksgiving dinner and what would be served. How about switching over from a traditional dinner to something different? It shouldn’t be difficult, as Rex Trulove has done much of the homework on figuring out Food ideas for a non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner. You’d think this would be odd, but think about it, a non-traditional dinner would only make the day more memorable. You are sure to cherish it for many years.

Let’s not forget the animals that we cherish. Surely animal lovers too have their special ways of celebrating the holidays with their pets. And animal lovers feel for their pets, especially when it’s Thanksgiving and the table is laden with all kinds of delectable dishes. Conny Manero lends her voice in favor of animals with her article ‘Thanksgiving from an animal lover’s point of view’. I wonder if you will give a second thought to the turkey that’s served on the table right in front of you at Thanksgiving.

While it is still summer, there are many who choose to marry during this flowery and sunny period of the year. However, when the actual impact of the workload falls upon them, they begin to panic. One such activity during the wedding preparations is inviting guests. Doreen Martel has the right advice on creating a guest list for your wedding. As married folks will always tell you, it isn’t that simple. Take her advice and create that perfect guest list that will impress many and disappoint none, (well, unless you do not want to really invite somebody).

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays, New Year and some much loved holidays are days that are constant on the calendar. You can plan for such events way in advance. But what happens when you have to plan something at short notice. These things do happen. Ask Robin Tidwell and she will tell you how to plan a wedding in one month. Boy, oh boy! One month!!! Imagine the confusion it can cause… but these events can happen and are planned on short notice if you follow Robin’s advice. She has laid out the plan clearly for all those ‘we must get married now’ couples.

My sister got married within a couple of months of meeting her groom. Before we knew it, she was also out of the country with him. Talk about weddings happening before you can say Jack!

Weddings on short notice… now you have it figured out. How about budget-controlled weddings? Oh don’t we wish we wouldn’t have to spend so much on just one day. Yes, one day. How about we take a look at Vickie Gross’ article - Cheap wedding ideas: Tips for getting married in your own backyard. Now this is something that has actually been followed for many years before community halls and town halls came into existence. And it isn’t a bad idea too, as it deducts the costs of hiring a hall and outsourcing a lot of the work. Think of how much you can save.

While we are still on the subject of Weddings, Kristen O’Riorden talks about the best jewelry gifts to give to your bridesmaids. As Kristen advices, it could be based on what they are going to wear or how the bridesmaids are going to set their hair. A lot of the ‘looks’ factor can be taken into consideration.

Writer for the week

Olivia Bredbenner needs no introduction. From nursing to Creative Writing, Olivia has also spent a considerable amount of time contributing to the Celebrations & Holidays Channel. She is a versatile and talented writer who goes to no ends to make you comfortable, welcome and cherished as a fellow-writer and friend.

Some of her notable contributions to the Celebrations & Holidays Channel are:

Reclaim the holidays

Helping your kids write a letter to Santa Claus

New Year’s resolutions for a better life

This is a pic of my grandparents. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Jan 12, 1998. Now that's what I call a celebration; 50 years of togetherness, companionship and love. Something worth remembering.

Business

2011-07-11T12:36:00.016+04:00

Motivating the mind to think 'BUSINESS'

Earnings are short; expenses are soaring high and all that we hear is ‘there’s not enough to keep us going’. Unemployment is on the rise and with added number of broken families, expense splits have only doubled.

There has to be a way to deal with this crisis and one of the main ways to battle this is by turning to one's own resources and talents. Well then folks; let's do it together.

It's Time to make a difference in our lives and we're going to do it the business way. Let's get down to BUSINESS.

Business is all about the money. You invest funds to gain funds... or you invest time and talent to reap monetary benefits. Business involves the execution of an individual or collective plan that may vary from simple to complex operations and projects.

Writer of the Week

“Dedicated, focused and determined to deliver the highest possible value, Christina Pomoni is constantly getting the job done. Talk about the economy dipping or improving, and you pick her interest. Christina is a professional who dedicates most of her time online as a professional writer; her expertise ranging chiefly from Business, Personal Finance, Investing & Banking and Careers to even channels like Computers & Technology and Arts & Humanities. An honest, hardworking and highly-driven writer, Christina is an awesome person to interact with.”

People are constantly involved in some form of business strategy or another. It may range from Small, Home-based businesses to Large Enterprises consisting of many employees. As the gradation of improvement increases, so does the gradation of complexity. Likewise, the risk and gamble involved with a business can make or break your financial score. Lets take a look at some main features involved with setting up a business and running it. While this might be green turf for the business mind, this might also be a window, opening to possibilities for those unfamiliar. This comes especially handy when you're clutching at straws, almost sinking, and looking for some means to add pennies to your coffers.

Are you interested in starting a business of your own? Calvin Merrick gives us his ideas on how you can start a business without money.

Without money????

Yep, that's right. Without money.

Fact is, there are so many things we can do without money. I have a sewing machine and am skilled at sewing. The opportunities to earn via sewing clothes are open right there for me. All I have to do is harness this skill. Similarly, if you are skilled at artwork, maybe it’s time for you to start a class to teach little kids how to draw and paint or do little crafts activities. Initially it might not pay you well, but the investment costs are only your time and skill. Especially handy when one's unemployed, I must say.

On the flip-side, should you require to invest funds into a new business, government grants and loans come in handy, especially for women-owned and minority businesses. John Garger walks us though "Are Government Grants real or Hype?"

Oh.. you tell yourself that you're either not a woman or you're not eligible for a loan. What then are your start up costs? Anyone starting a business has to be forewarned and prepared for all costs involved with a business venture. Perhaps "The True Costs of Starting Up a Small Business" by W. A. Swan can shed light on what could otherwise be a very worrisome start.

I hope by now you are encouraged to think of stepping into something to make ends meet. You know, there are so many things we can do to earn more income, but half the time we're just too scared to even think about it. So then.... what would it be next once we think of starting a business?

There are many options for a business venture. Sometimes it can be based on the place we live in. For example, M. J. Joachim describes how you can start a business in Wisconsin. This can apply to wherever you are and not necessarily to Wisconsin alone.

Other options can be based on things that you CAN DO as a business. Adam Clark has a lot of suggestions to offer as the Best home-based businesses for stay at home moms. Ladies, there's so much that we can do. Identify your skill or talent and you're off to a good start.

I can see you still haggling between options and wondering if you really should get into a business venture. Or even still.... "Will others pay for my services or products?" It could be that you require guidance of how to study your market. In other words, you need to know what you can sell and who will buy it. Proven methods over a period of years have given rise to research tools such as the "Pestle Analysis" Use this tool to gauge your customer base, your product or service range and to modify your plans accordingly. Using this tool at the start of a business will lessen business risks to a large extent.

Uh oh... did we just say Business Risks? Yep. Business Risks can and do occur if you do not plan your start right. But then again, all is not lost. You have to take some risks to achieve some gains. And many times, the larger the risk, the larger the gains (or the loss). However, if you want to minimize your risks, you have to do a bit of homework about your business setting.Understanding the different approaches to Risk Management outlines the basics or the importance of identifying and assessing risks.

By now.. you’re are all set to launch your business. So let's turn our attention to Shaheen Darr. In '10 secrets to success in franchising', Shaheen reveals the most important tips to succeeding as a franchisee; ie., should you want to partner with another business. At the same time its also important to know 'what successful businesses have in common'. Being armed and geared and prepared can get you a head start in comparison to businesses that start out without any specific goal in mind.

Ok... here's assuming you've started a business and it's off to a great start. You're full of enthusiasm, energy and drive. The honeymoon period is almost over and then you see that you're in for the real deal. You're business has grown a bit, you've hired a few employees and your services or products are coming along just fine. Well, almost. Somehow there are just too many loose ends to tie up and the whole business structure doesn't seem to be balancing out as you planned.Leigh Goessl steps in with her advice on 'Essential management skills' that any enterprising individual should be skilled at. There you have it.. all spelled out for you. What more do you need?

Automobiles, Vehicles

2011-07-02T19:22:00.046+04:00

Image credit: Conny Manero

VROOOOOOMMM,

VROOOOOOMMM, VROOOOOOMMMMMMMM

Welcome to the world of Automobiles!

The best toys that man has ever created fall under this category. From cars to auto rickshaws (do you know this vehicle?) to tractors, trucks, SUVs and more…. (oh yes, buses too), automobiles have and still hold captive all who cross its path.

Did you know that there are about 80,000 components that have to be assembled together to create a Formula 1 Race Car? Just imagine, even if a 0.1% error occurred during the process of assembling the car, it would involve 80 components to be misplaced, wrongly used or omitted. Even a 0.1% error could cost a life. Hence in the assembling of a Formula 1 car, only cars with a 100% compliance audit leave the factory. Such is the level of perfection.

Check this out. Wouldn’t you want to own such a car if you had all the money in the world… for yourself? Think about it. This is what $206,000.00 can get you. Keep guessing or read this article to find out. Top ten most expensive cars by Michael Bock. That’s just some list. Dream on, folks…. You just might own one someday.

Everyone is wary of immediate expenses when thinking of servicing a car. But on the other side, it’s a revealed fact that you can 'Minimize costs with routine car maintenance'. Thom W. Conroy has it all figured out as you will see in his article.

Talk about a passion for motorcycles / motorbikes. The youth are especially fond of driving their bikes at insanely high speeds… (“it’s a man’s thing”.. they say), especially to race one another or to impress a girl. Or middle-aged men to return to the days of their youth(?). Perhaps Mike Horgan's article ‘Common causes of motorcycle accidents’ should trigger some warning signals and make you aware of common accident-prone areas and points.

Image credit: Malcolm Mittra

…And on the topic of motorcycles, Douglas Black gives us ‘An overview on the different types of motorcycles’. Those of you, who are bike-addicts, will find this information fascinating.

Wouldn’t it be helpful if you knew how to change the oil in your car? I’m guessing that many of you already know this, but I was totally blank, well, until I came across this article. Autodude, in his article ’Changing Oil Guide for Beginners’, not only gives us instructions for changing the oil and oil filter, but also gives an overview of how to locate the oil filter and what type of oil to use.

Writer of the Week :

This week's pick is T. Scott Randolph. As far as his profession goes, Scott is a tattoos and piercing expert. But as a writer he is one of the managers for a couple of the Autos leaf-channels at Helium. A lover of motorbikes; Scott says… “I do actually build custom motorcycles. I build one, ride it for a while, sell it and build another. I do help my friends out when they want to "customize" what they are riding.” Apart from the Autos channel, Scott also writes to titles from the other channels, some of which involve a lot of research. Always willing to help, Scott may be contacted via his Helium profile.

WOMEN & CARS - irresistible combo

Be careful guys… women have it all figured out when it comes to you and your car. Ask Glory Lennon. She'll be able to tell you all about it. Here's her conclusion in 'Automobile charisma: Does it really matter what a man drives?'

Image credit: Dr. Antonio D'costa, Psychiatrist

Everyone loves the thrill of racing; Neck to neck, one trying to outdo the other. But what happens when the need for speed goes beyond control? As a warning April May Maple shares her advice on ‘Ways to avoid giving in to road rage’. If you like this article by this author, you will also like 'Sporty cars: Sporty colors'.

Echoing the poem ‘New Shoes’, here's a similar version about New Cars. Haven’t we all, at some time visualized ourselves in our dream cars? Well, I have.

New cars, new cars,

Red and pink and blue cars

Tell me what would you have

If they’d let you pick.

Sporty cars, dashing cars

Practical and simple cars,

Flashy , classy, dream cars

Get me something chic. (Amanda Dcosta)

Image credit: April May Maple

Those familiar with heavy traffic jams and especially the kind of traffic in India, are well aware of how much fuel is lost just trying to get through traffic. Maybe this will be of help for those in such situations... 'Top ten ways to use less gas' by Pamela Kay.

Image credit: Alexandra Heep

Ladies, are you on a car-buying spree right now? It doesn't matter what type of car you are looking for; Alexandra Heep lends her suggestions on 'Car buying tips for women'.

Fun corner:

List the many types of vehicles you have used for travel. It doesn’t matter if the pic is here. Make a note of it and you will find how fascinating travel can be. All those miles that you will not have to walk… or swim, in some cases. ;)

A few images contributed by my friend Lester Concesso are posted here. All these images are from around Vypeen & Cochin, India.

- This is a pic of a tug boat that is used to direct the course of the ship as it enters and leaves the port.

- A passenger liner, docked at the Cochin Port, India.

- The local ferry that transports passengers across the channel from Vypeen to Fort Cochin. I traveled by this for many years. Loved it.

- Junkar. It transports vehicles and people from across the islands to the mainland and back. ( Vypeen / Cochin. )

The lorry / truck - used to transport goods.

A hand cart that was very popular for transporting goods at one time. A fun mode for kids to have rides on (although not fun for the one pulling the cart).

- A cycle-rickshaw that used to be the means of transport at one time, now taken over by cars, buses and auto-rickshaws.

- Auto-rickshaw; one of the main modes of transport for an average of three persons.

This is a pic of a local bus. Not very different from what is seen around the world, yet a very important means of transport for the locals.

- this is a pic of a group of tourist bikers who visited Vypeen and cycled across from one end of the island to the other.

(I've not really planned for trains and airplanes for this post... but count that too.)

Arts & Humanities

2011-06-18T23:24:00.046+04:00

It only seems fitting that if this is to be a column of reviews, then an order be maintained. Hence, according to the Channel-wise list at Helium, Arts & Humanities tops the list. Content and contributors from this channel start the weekly series of reviews.

For those who frequent the Arts & Humanities section at Helium or BrightHub, this should be familiar ground. For those who do not, this should be an eye-opener into what

this channel contains; Dance, Philosophy, Language, World Wars, History, and of course Writing Resources to name a few. .

Today’s blog is dedicated to the Arts & Humanities Channel. Cheers to all its editors and writers at both – Helium and BrightHub. This blog is for you.

The Dance sub-channel intrigued me, and so I decided to delve into it further. Take a look at this article; ‘The history of Western Swing’ by David Braybrooke. It’s actually quite fascinating. I’ve always taken for granted that I was born into a family that has a talent for dance, but never have I actually taken the time to get to the roots or history of the styles we follow.

Are you interested in becoming an actor? Perhaps you already are, or someone in your circle is interested. This article might catch your fancy. ‘Five steps to become an actor’ by Rich Mastriani. Five steps to the glitz and glamour of the rich and famous. Could it probably be the path that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie once walked?

Now here’s an article that will definitely be very helpful to one who is a writer. ‘Free tools you can use to find ideas to write articles’. In this piece, Gordon Hamilton gives us a peek into what we already are aware of; yet do not make use of to our advantage. I personally recommend this as a definite must-read for every writer.

My next pick was inevitable. I was drawn to the article title; and voila, who should I see? Dawn Hawkins as the author of ‘Becoming a better writer’! Are you struggling with your writing skill and wondering how to improve your skill to increase earnings? Perhaps it’s time you read this article.

The title of this next article caught my fancy a long time ago. ‘Short story reviews: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving’. Those who have read this legendry tale will agree that it’s a story worth reading over and over again… and enacted too. For those who haven’t read the story of Ichabod Crane, this review might perhaps raise your curiosity.

Find out the basics of scientific and analytical literary criticism in this article - ‘An Introduction to New Criticism’, by Rukhaya Moideen Kutty . She mentions the main tenets, merits and de-merits of such a criticism.

Are you looking for resources on learning how to write magazine-style articles. Perhaps this brief description ‘The Value of the Handbook of Magazine Article Writing’ by Brian Lamacraft will be more helpful.

Perhaps at some point you have been looking for a selection of books for young adults. '5 Great Books for Young Adults’ by Benjamin Sell should prove beneficial. His collection of book titles range from categories of war to family to adventure.

The lights are on you ......

Today’s pick for writer of the week is Kenneth Andrews. Kenneth is a prolific writer in this Channel and his written work covers many of the sub-channels seen in this section. Proficient in many languages, Kenneth has also delved into studies related to Cinema, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology. A lot of expertise and knowledge in these subjects reflect in his articles. He is rightfully the Channel Manager for the ‘Writing Channel’ under the Arts & Humanities Channel at Helium.

Other interesting articles:

The relationship between dancers and musicians – Marisa Wright

Tap dancing: The cultural fusion of Irish and African in America – Loretta Murphy- Birster

How America’s musical theatre tradition influenced dance trends – Can Tran

History of New France - J. Carter

Little known New Hampshire state facts – Diane Quinn

Reintroducing the lost art of letter writing - Olivia Bredbenner

Why writers write – Raymond Alexander Kukkee

Avoiding common writing mistakes: Run-on sentences – M. J. Joachim

Freelance writers: How to get organized – W. Diane VanZwol

Reflections on the Patan Museum in Nepal – Mimosa

This is the first among the channel-wise series of reviews. I welcome feedback, input and opinions of how this blog has turned out and how it can be worked on to be presented better.

Please note that articles on Crafts will be featured in the Hobbies & Games Section, while Music will be under the Entertainment section. Poetry and Poetry Analysis fall under the Creative Writing Channel reviews.

Images Credit: Amanda Dcosta

Image 1: Ancient city ruins, Nizwa, Oman

Image 2: Declyn D'rozario modelling the Panaolla Kuda, Vypeen, India. (Copyrights obtained)

Image 5: Information board about the 'History of Nizwa Fort & Castle', Nizwa, Oman

Image 6. View of Nizwa City from the Nizwa Fort, Nizwa, Oman

After much contemplation...

2011-06-18T01:48:00.008+04:00

I've been in two minds about writing a blog... as I've wanted it to be something substantial, interesting and beneficial. Of course beneficial for me... but then more importantly, I've been wanting to feature interesting articles that I've read up during the week.

I plan to highlight articles primarily from my writing circle, and feature one or two writers for the week. I know that many of you are brilliant writers and worth the mention. Surely you will bear with me for turning the limelight onto you. :)

Without much ado, I'd like to commence my blog with the writers of today beginning with Glory Lennon. She doesn't need much introduction. From her bubbly presence at the zones and chats to her amazing contributions in the field of horticulture, Glory gives us an insight into the practical aspects of gardening. Take for example one of her recent articles 'How to landscape in dry conditions'. You'd think you'd have problems with creating and maintaining a beautiful garden in the hot, dry areas of the country, but boy... does she find a solution for this worry.

From the dry garden techniques of Glory's article, we move over to the cold Canadian winter of Raymond Alexander Kukkee. His flash fiction entry, 'A winter call', tactfully presents not only a story, but a warning against serious hazards of snowmobile 'highmarking' causing fatal avalanches. It may be summer, you tell yourself, but a highlight of the past couple of months is worth recollecting in the light of great writing talent.

Returning back to gardening, this week an article of mine was published at BrightHub; 'How to build a potting bench for gardening'. It was a pretty interesting topic as I had the opportunity to translate my idea of a potting bench into an E-Guide at BrightHub.

That brings me to the end of my first blog; officially going live. I appreciate feedback, comments and input into how I might improve, expand on or edit my pages. I thank you very much for visiting my page and giving me all the support that I need.

The next issue will focus on the Arts & Humanities Channel. You can look forward to reviews of a random selection of articles along with a series of articles in a particular topic from the channel. Apart from this, a few prominent writers from this channel will also be featured.

Till then...