Squidoo Lenses by vallain

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1. Wine Cork Crafts News!

I'm amazed by the many uses for wine corks. Years ago, a good friend made a cork board for us using wine corks. It was a great housewarming gift for our new home. Here's a humble item that many people toss without giving it any thought. To them it's just a small item that was used once and its l...
Arts & Design - Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:39:20

2. Ten Humane Ways to Get Rid of Chipmunks News!

If chipmunks are making you crazy, consider these ways to protect your plants and property without actually killing the cute crittters. Maybe they're digging up all your tulip bulbs, nibbling on the strawberries, and making holes all over the yard. Perhaps it's even worse... chipmunks can undermi...
Pets & Animals - Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:52:00

3. Create a Tuscan Patio News!

Do you love a sunny space, edged with rustic planters spilling over with lush flowers? Can you picture yourself in Tuscany with stone pavers underfoot and ... You can do it, create this haven of peace and rusticity right in your own back yard. First you need to familiarize yourself with the elem...
Home & Garden - Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:08:41

4. Writing Triggers for Family Memories News!

Your memories of childhood may have receded, but with a little prompting they come to the surface again. Writing down these memories creates a wonderful legacy to leave your children and grandchildren. For the past two years, I've belonged to a family memory writing group that meets weekly. Each...
Relationships & Family - Wed, 16 May 2012 06:53:05

5. Library Book Display Ideas News!

Library users are often overwhelmed trying to choose from the huge selection of books filling the shelves. Libraries that feature books in displays help overcome that problem. The potential reader has a manageable selection to browse through. I spent fifteen years of my library career in Baltimo...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 12 May 2012 17:22:41

6. How to Draw Cats - Cute Cartoon Cats for Kids to Draw News!

When I was a kid, I've loved drawing. It's a fun activity and all you need is some paper and a pencil. Because I'm a cat person, drawing cats was a favorite subject. If you are a cat lover too, I'll show you some easy ways to draw cute cartoon cats. Cats come in many colors and shapes and are ea...
Arts & Design - Wed, 23 May 2012 23:24:11

7. Save an Old Barn: Ideas, Resources and Funding News!

If you have an old barn in the country, it may have fallen into disrepair. If it's over 100 years old, the barn has the wear-and-tear of many years on its roof, walls and support beams. Repairing such a barn can be expensive and a daunting task. Maybe it's because I grew up on a farm in Kansas, ...
Nonprofits - Wed, 23 May 2012 14:47:11

8. 101 Uses for Mason Jars

Mason jars or canning jars have dozens of uses far beyond the basic storing of canned foods for the winter. Of course they still do the job if you want to preserve your beets or carrots from the garden. I've gathered together lots of ideas to upcycle or get new uses from those Ball or Mason canni...
Arts & Design - Fri, 04 May 2012 14:21:35

9. Momisms - Sayings from Moms News!

Remember all the sayings your mom had handy for all occasions? Those are called momisms. They were handy to remind children of proper behavior or perhaps just uttered in desperate moments as mom reached the end of her rope. I've gathered some of these universal slogans that I heard from my mom a...
Parenting & Kids - Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:55:39

10. Get Rid of Snakes in the Yard News!

My neighbor in his bare feet stepped out of his house right onto a snake. Fortunately it was a harmless black snake but needless to say, both were pretty startled. Even a non-poisonous snake will bite in such a situation. Luckily my neighbor jumped back and the snake slithered away through the St...
Pets & Animals - Fri, 11 May 2012 01:00:44

11. WWII Airplane Nose Art - Pinups News!

I first became intrigued by airplane "nose art" when I saw an old photo of my uncle, Ralph Martin, that was taken back in World War II. He was standing jauntily by his plane somewhere in China. The year was 1944. Painted on the nose of the plane was the figure of a Kansas Jayhawk (a mythical bir...
Culture & Society - Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:56:28

12. Cottage Names: Ideas News!

You want the perfect name for your vacation home. It isn't easy to find just the right phrase for a cottage or cabin that expresses your creativity and suits your family, their interests and activities. In addition, most people want the vacation home name to reflect the surroundings. Are there wo...
Home & Garden - Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:23:35

13. Storytime Ideas: Themes for Librarians and Circle Time News!

I started my career as a children's librarian presenting eight storytimes a week. Over the years, I used a lot of themes in storytimes. To help out busy children's librarians and childcare providers, I've assembled a wide range of storytime ideas to make their job a little easier. These also work...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:51:56

14. What I Learned about Squidoo This Week News!

I'm always searching around Squidoo and on blogs and talking to other lensmasters. Squidoo is like a big puzzle and I'm trying to figure out how to fit all the pieces together properly. As I find new information, I'll post here the best methods and ways to be a good lensmaster. Some you may alrea...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 19 May 2012 04:40:53

15. Golf Cart Fun: Personalize It, Decorate It, Accessorize It News!

Sure, golfers have fun out on the golf course riding around in their carts, but think beyond that. In many retirement communities, golf carts serve as a popular alternative to automobiles. Owners enjoy their scaled-down vehicles and like to personalize them. Here are some fun things to do with y...
Sports & Recreation - Sat, 19 May 2012 02:15:25

16. Amelia Earhart Costume News!

I grew up in Kansas, so naturally Amelia Earhart was a hero to me. Actually her flying achievements and the mystery surrounding her disappearance and death still intrigue people. For Halloween or any other costume event, you can dress like this famous aviator from generations ago. I've assembled...
Entertainment & Media - Fri, 04 May 2012 03:17:21

17. Saving World War Two Letters News!

It horrifies me to think of someone tossing out their grandfather's World War II letters or burning an old diary .My family treasures letters, journals and other memorabilia from the generations that preceded us. Unfortunately not all families feel that these are worth saving. Who cares about tha...
Culture & Society - Sun, 20 May 2012 03:25:42

18. Alligators: Fun Facts News!

These toothy reptiles rule the swamplands in Florida and along the Gulf Coast of the United States. I knew little about alligators before I moved to Florida. Now I have quite a bit of respect for the creatures. Actually alligators are pretty fascinating. Here's what I've learned from seven years ...
Pets & Animals - Wed, 09 May 2012 14:33:04

19. Squidoo Payday - My Earnings Record News!

I first started on Squidoo with the idea of promoting my mother's book and also calling attention to a lake lot I wanted to sell. My first lenses accomplished those goals, but I didn't stop there. Creating the lenses appealed to my sense of creativity. I was looking for a new outlet after the eHo...
Squidoo Community - Thu, 10 May 2012 23:21:43

20. A Child's Life during the Civil War

In researching my Civil War ancestor, I became curious about what life was like for his children. While he was gone three and a half years with the 93rd Indiana Infantry, what was happening with the two children left at home with their mother. To find the answers to these questions, I'm reading ...
Culture & Society - Wed, 09 May 2012 04:46:35

21. Fun Facts about Chipmunks News!

Chipmunks are cute, energetic members of the rodent family. It's fun to watch them race across the yard or stuff their cheeks with peanuts. In the springtime, chipmunks emerge from hibernation and become active. We have plenty of chipmunks living around us, so I'll share my observations with you...
Pets & Animals - Sat, 19 May 2012 17:43:26

22. Costumes for Horses for Horse Shows, Halloween or Parades News!

Costuming a horse is a pretty big job. Why would you even want to put a costume on a horse? Actually there are many occasions when a creative costume on a horse is appropriate. Perhaps you want to ride the horse in a Halloween parade or participate in a horse show that has a costume category. Wha...
Pets & Animals - Thu, 10 May 2012 14:42:29

23. Themes for Library Children's Rooms News!

A library can be a magical place for a child. For many, it's their first introduction to the wonders inside a book. Creating an inviting, colorful and kid-friendly space is crucial to making their experience truly wonderful. The children's room in a public library can be a place they look forward...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 12 May 2012 02:07:15

24. Lamps to Display Things in News!

I've seen these in fancy decorating magazines and always wanted one. These fillable lamp bases are wonderful ways to display a collection of seashells, beach glass, marbles, tiny toys from childhood, a matchbook collection or other collectible items. There are a variety of shapes from the classi...
Home & Garden - Mon, 07 May 2012 15:10:39

25. Make a No-Sew Doll Sari

I want to make an Indian sari for my vintage Toni doll. Just like a little kid, I want instant gratification. I want a sari for her now. There is no pattern for me to cut out and I will use supplies that I already have on hand. No trips to the store. No sewing. I'll look for ways to make this in...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Mon, 21 May 2012 14:52:11

26. Funny Australian Songs News!

Do you like funny songs? Do you love the Australian accent? I'm sure you said "yes," so I know you are going to like the funny Australian songs I'll share with you here. I lived in Australia for 3 1/2 years and loved the country and the people. They have a great sense of humor and a laid-back at...
Music - Sat, 12 May 2012 03:37:56

27. Gifts for Librarians and Book Lovers News!

I'm a retired librarian, and love getting librarian or book-themed gifts at Christmas time or for other special occasions. Actually most of the gifts will appeal to anyone who loves to read. Don't wrack your brain trying to think of the perfect librarian or book lover gift. I've done the hard wor...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 23 May 2012 05:25:14

28. What Was Life Like in the 1920s? News!

The 1920s brings to mind flappers dancing the Charleston, speakeasies, gangsters, and a time of fun and frolic. Yes, the era was called the Roaring Twenties and with good reason. Although we know it was followed by the grim decade of the Great Depression, those living during the 1920s had no idea...
Culture & Society - Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:24:20

29. Decorate with Seashells All Year Long News!

Show off those treasured seashells in special ways in your home. My friend Sandy Bassett inspired me with her beach-themed centerpiece. How lovely to display all those seashells found on vacations at the ocean. They bring back memories of sun-filled days, sandy feet and discovering a perfect shel...
Home & Garden - Sat, 12 May 2012 04:54:28

30. Get Rid of Chipmunks - The Final Solution

I have a web page about getting rid of chipmunks and it has been very popular. The focus there was on deterring chipmunks. It became obvious to me over time, that some people wanted something more than Havahart traps and owl decoys. They wanted swift and permanent eradication of this pest that w...
Pets & Animals - Sun, 06 May 2012 03:02:09

31. Identify the Water Birds News!

It isn't always simple to tell waterbirds apart. Was that a great egret, snowy egret or white ibis? There are many kinds of water birds. Some look quite similar, so it can be tricky to identify them. If you want to tell an anhinga from a cormorant or differentiate between a snowy egret and a grea...
Pets & Animals - Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:17:39

32. Librarian's Wedding Ideas

When my niece, a reference librarian, started planning her wedding, I could hardly wait to see what theme she chose. Knowing her love of books and reading, I knew she would work that in somehow. If you are planning a wedding for a librarian or book lover, you'll enjoy seeing how she developed her...
Weddings - Thu, 24 May 2012 04:55:24

33. World of Warcraft Costumes News!

World of Warcraft isn't just a game, it's an addiction. If WOW is your favorite pastime, then you need a super mask or costume to show off your passion to World of Warcraft. I've found some great masks and costumes for you to browse. There's also a selection of weapons and other accessories for ...
Culture & Society - Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:17:33

34. What Is an Old Book Worth? News!

Do you have an old book that you think is worth a lot? Quite often, a person would came into the public library to ask the librarian about the value of an old book they owned. I handled this question many times in my thirty years as a librarian. Often I had to disappoint the person when I resear...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:51:57

35. What Was Life Like in the 1930s? News!

In working with my mother to self-publish her memories of growing up in the 1930s, I became fascinated by the Great Depression and its impact on people's lives. There seems a resurgence of interest in that period. Perhaps people are looking to it for answers for their current financial hardships ...
Culture & Society - Fri, 18 May 2012 04:28:55

36. Name the Caterpillars News!

Here's a selection of caterpillar photos that I've taken in all sorts of places from Maine to Kansas to Florida and places in-between. Some are quite unusual and I'll share what fun facts I've been able to discover about these creepy crawly creatures. Thanks to Phoenix76, all the caterpillars hav...
Pets & Animals - Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:26:45

37. My Interests: A to Z News!

I guess this might qualify as a kind of lensography. It's a tour of my interests, my hobbies, my loves, my obsessions... Maybe the subtitle should have been the ABCs of Virginia Allain. Perhaps it will give you ideas for some new hobbies or activities for yourself. It may give you a little insig...
Squidoo Community - Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:40:57

38. What's Eating the Strawberry Plants

It's disheartening to start a strawberry patch and eagerly wait to pick those first berries, only to find out that some garden pest beat you to that juicy strawberry. Before you can take action to prevent the loss of your strawberries or the strawberry plants, you need to figure out what is eatin...
Home & Garden - Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:36:53

39. Lake Cottage - A Home by the Water News!

Living by a lake is something many people dream of. There's something about being near the water that contributes to a feeling of well-being. Seeing the lake at different times of day, going out on the water in a boat or canoe, and watching for the birds, wildlife and weather is special. If you'...
Home & Garden - Sat, 12 May 2012 03:48:23

40. Gifts for People with Cold Feet News!

I'm an expert on the topic of cold feet. Yes, my feet are always freezing in the winter. I'm always on the look out for great new ways to keep my tootsies warm. If you have the same problem, you'll love what I've discovered to warm your feet. If you know someone with cold feet, then look no furt...
Healthy Living - Tue, 13 Mar 2012 04:09:10

41. Draw Dragon Cartoons News!

Kids and even grown-ups like drawing dragons. Since they're a mythical creature, you can make your dragon look and act any way you want. Drawing is lots of fun and with helpful tips from advanced artists, before long you will be drawing cute cartoon dragons too. Don't let anyone tell you that yo...
Arts & Design - Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:07:25

42. Book Oddities: Unusual Uses for Books News!

It amazes me that there are so many things you can do with books besides reading them. I'm a retired librarian and I love books. Books can be art or furniture or so many other things. Quite a few artists have dabbled with altered books. Here are some of the fun and off-beat ways that books trans...
Healthy Living - Tue, 15 May 2012 04:48:09

43. Easy Updates for Squidoo Lenses

I find one problem that new lensmasters have is neglecting to update their lenses. They create a reasonable page and think they are done. A few months go by and they start to ask, "when will I make money on Squidoo:" or "why isn't my lens making money?" Over time, they see their lens not getting...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 12 May 2012 20:12:51

44. Feather Bird Pictures News!

Why do we collect feather bird pictures? We are a family of collectors. Somehow just having one of something doesn't feel right to us. We aren't happy until we have another item to keep it company, then another and before we even know what is happening, we have a collection. In the case of the M...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Thu, 10 May 2012 05:21:25

45. Front Porch Ideas for All Seasons News!

Let's bring back the front porch. For many years it was considered old-fashioned, but creating an appealing outdoor living space makes the house look inviting. Families can disconnect from the television and computer to spend some quality time relaxing together on the front porch. Porch graphic b...
Home & Garden - Sat, 12 May 2012 04:04:17

46. Funny Things People Say in Libraries News!

I don't want to make you paranoid about talking to librarians, but sometimes we had a good laugh about something a library user said to us. Librarians love their library patrons and sincerely want to help them. Funny situations do happen or someone says something without thinking it through. Her...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 12 May 2012 02:12:46

47. What's a Cakewalk? News!

When I was growing up, sometimes at community events there would be a cakewalk. It was sort of like musical chairs with everyone going around a circle while the music played. When the music stopped, someone would win a cake. That was forty years ago, so my memory of the exact details is vague. I...
Music - Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:28:09

48. Barely There Costumes for a Nudist Halloween or Costume Party

I've been brainstorming for costume ideas that don't require a full costume. These would be appropriate for the Halloween or "fancy dress" party at a nudist park or for wearing in some gay pride parades where showing some skin is expected. Don't worry, there are lots of ideas (but not many nude ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 19 May 2012 04:15:44

49. Baby Sandhill Cranes News!

We feel so privileged to see the sandhill cranes daily around Solivita and in our backyard. This spring, the arrival of the new chick seemed about a month late. We thought it was due to the extra cold weather we had this winter, but worried that something had happened to the eggs. There are coyot...
Pets & Animals - Mon, 09 Apr 2012 05:36:52

50. Book Character Costumes: Go Literary for Halloween News!

Jane Eyre, Scarlett O'Hara, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, the Three Musketeers, Long John Silver? There are wonderful characters from books that could be turned into wonderful costumes for many occasions. Dress up as your favorite literary character for Halloween or for a fancy dress ball or for a...
Holidays & Celebrations - Mon, 27 Feb 2012 04:04:51

51. Decorating with Neon Bar Signs News!

If you want to give your home bar area a touch of class, look into neon bar signs. They aren't as expensive as you might think. There are new ones and vintage ones to choose from. Tracking these signs down can be a pain, so I've rounded up from a variety of sources a sampling of neon bar signs f...
Home & Garden - Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:55:38

52. World of Warcraft Costumes for Women

World of Warcraft Costumes for women draws on elements from warrior costumes, with influences from medieval, renaissance, Greek, Roman, Norse and even comic book super-heroines. Throw in some goth, steampunk, dominatrix and anything else that strikes your fancy to create a unique and sexy looking...
Culture & Society - Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:42:04

53. Create a Cottage Garden News!

There's something about a cottage garden that seems so romantic and cozy. I remember visits to my grandparents when I was little. They were devoted gardeners and I spent many magical hours wandering in my grandmother's flower garden. Now I realize that it was a cottage garden with its winding pat...
Home & Garden - Mon, 27 Feb 2012 04:16:37

54. Chair Bed - Extra Sleeping Space for Guests News!

Many homes don't have the luxury of keeping a guest room that does nothing most of the time. Other rooms in the home can double up to serve as a guest room when needed. Just add a cushy chair that converts into a bed when needed. There are a number of variations on this, where the chair unfolds t...
Home & Garden - Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:56:42

55. Fun Facts about Moose News!

There's something about the moose that gets people excited. Maybe it is the huge size of one or their cute-ugly looks. Whatever the reason, people love them. Learn more about the way a moose lives, what a moose eats, and where you can see a moose. I've found the best videos and links for you to ...
Pets & Animals - Fri, 04 May 2012 21:55:06

56. Get to Tier One on Squidoo

To get your lens into position to earn the best revenue sharing on Squidoo, it needs to reach tier one. That puts its ranking in the top 2000 lenses on the site. Making it even more challenging, it isn't good enough to just reach tier one. The lens needs to stay at that level to average between ...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 19 May 2012 02:46:06

57. Where Does Bacon Come From? News!

Most Americans would rather not know where their food originates. I call it the Bambi syndrome, where we think of cute little animals and then find ourselves unable to eat venison. Growing up on a farm, I knew very well where our food came from and even helped hand-raise our calf (named Hamburge...
Pets & Animals - Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:41:02

58. Romance in Orlando, Florida News!

Orlando, Florida is a top travel destination for Americans. Despite the strong draw for families, Orlando also has great appeal for couples for a romantic getaway or for a honeymoon. Here are some ideas for enjoying a romantic time in Orlando, Florida. Perhaps plan a Valentine's Day trip to Orla...
Holidays & Celebrations - Thu, 24 May 2012 05:00:19

59. Reading Corners for Kids

A great way to encourage reading is to create a special corner just for that. Any child will want to spend time curled up with a good book in their own personal reading spot. Make it fun. Make it cushy. Make it cozy. Stock it with books and you'll have a reader in no time. Teachers find reading ...
Parenting & Kids - Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:39:50

60. Abraham Bates Tower: Civil War Veteran News!

Years ago, I read Andersonville by MacKinley Kantor and was appalled at the starvation and hardships that the prisoners endured there during the Civil War. Little did I know that my own great-great-grandfather was a prisoner there after being captured at the Battle of Brice's Crossroads. Unfortu...
Culture & Society - Thu, 03 May 2012 03:40:09

61. Tindeco Tins: Vintage Tins for Collectors News!

I loved the first Tindeco tin that I stumbled across in my flea market excursions. The vintage design and sleek styling were so appealing. I started hunting for these in the antique shops, auctions and flea markets around Maryland and Pennsylvania. People kept these long after the original conten...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Wed, 16 May 2012 03:45:34

62. Civil War Swords

Civil War buffs might delight in becoming the owner of an authentic Civil War sword or sabre but for most people the price is too steep. Replica swords fill the desire to display a Civil War sword without the responsibility of an antique. There are quite a variety of replica swords representing t...
Culture & Society - Thu, 17 May 2012 20:13:13

63. Civil War Recruitment Posters

Many of the troops serving in the Civil War were volunteers who joined to fight for a cause that was important to them. My great-great grandfather joined the 93rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry in Company G. As the war dragged on, it became more difficult to raise the needed manpower and the recruit...
Culture & Society - Sat, 05 May 2012 20:26:30

64. Fingerplays for Children News!

Preschool children benefit greatly from attending storytimes at the public library. These free programs introduce them to the world of books while learning songs and nursery rhymes to develop their vocabulary. At the same time, the children learn to interact with other children in a group and fol...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:01:40

65. Woods Cottage: Caring for a Home in the Forest News!

If you're fortunate enough to live in a wooded setting, your home maintenance chores can be quite different from the average suburban home owner. There can be issues with mold on the roof and in the interior when little sunshine makes it through the tall trees. The woodland setting can be delight...
Home & Garden - Sat, 12 May 2012 14:51:05

66. Outdoor Daybeds

These lovely outdoor daybeds will liven up any poolside or backyard patio! They are so attractive alone or with colorful throw pillows added. You're going to love the selection of outdoor daybeds featured here! They are so elegant and classy...how can you pick just one?! Look at this Lexington ...
Home & Garden - Fri, 25 May 2012 04:12:57

67. Finding Air Force Buddies for a Reunion News!

My husband served in the Air Force back during the Vietnam War era. That was a long time ago, but he made some deep friendships in the four years he was in the service. He stayed in touch with one friend over the years. The two of them visited each other annually, even with Tim living in Missour...
Culture & Society - Sun, 20 May 2012 22:27:00

68. Library Quotes News!

I started collecting library-related quotations during my library career. They were great to sum up a weekly newspaper column or to use for a book display or use in many other ways. Although I'm retired now, I still love finding a library quotation that I've not seen before. I've featured a samp...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:24:03

69. The Gray Tree Frog in New Hampshire News!

I first met a gray tree frog as he crouched on a log in my log rack. This was in New Hampshire. At first I thought it was a toad, but I checked the posted photos of the frogs and toads of New Hampshire.It wasn't a toad, but a frog. He looked like he was taking a nap. I wasn't expecting a frog si...
Pets & Animals - Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:04:19

70. Flame Painting on Hot Rods

I've admired hot rods painted with flame designs ever since my brother had his forties Ford decorated with flames. Apparently that's a pretty popular style as I see it often at car shows or when a vintage hot rod passes me on the road. I was curious about the origin of painting vintage cars with...
Cars - Wed, 16 May 2012 03:28:14

71. Counting My Blessings from Angels News!

At first, it seemed a bit presumptious to create an Angel Blessing lens when I only had three. Now my goal is 50 angel blessings by the end of 2010. I was thrilled to pieces over those first blessings and wanted to show them off. Having these more experienced Squidoo lensmasters show approval for...
Squidoo Community - Wed, 16 May 2012 01:44:13

72. Vintage Cowgirl Pin Up

It's fascinating to see the graphics from the 1930s, 40s, 50s and even the 1960s showing cowgirls as pin up art. These are colorful, playful images that are slightly risque. Most are much less revealing than anything you see in the movies or television now. If you like these graphics, they are a...
Arts & Design - Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:00:59

73. Create a Moonlight Garden News!

Recently we visited the Edison and Ford winter estates in Ft. Myers, Florida. It was fascinating to see the lifestyles of these famous men. As we strolled the grounds, I was particularly taken by a moonlight garden that Mrs. Edison created next to what they called The Little Office. This was in 1...
Home & Garden - Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:36:12

74. Baby Dragons Are Cute News!

Dragons are fierce, fire-breathing creatures, but a baby dragon is a different story. There's something huggable about a small, winged dragon with big eyes. They are so cute that you'll want to scoop it up and take it home for a pet. Here's some fun art from the artists on Zazzle. It features th...
Pets & Animals - Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:12:40

75. Elsie Lee - Romantic Suspense and Historical Fiction Author News!

Elsie Lee is an author that I keep on my bookshelf to read over and over. I never seem to tire of her intelligent, witty heroines. I discovered Elsie Lee back in the 1960s and 1970s, when romantic suspense novels were big sellers with Mary Stewart publishing titles like The Ivy Tree. The market ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 23 May 2012 15:04:07

76. Outdoor Day Bed with Canopy

Picture yourself lounging on a cushioned day bed shaded from the hot sun by a canopy. It's the perfect spot for a good read or a leisurely nap outdoors. With these canopied leisure sets, you enjoy the outdoors in supreme comfort. Doesn't this canopy remind you of a giant seashell? Having this wo...
Home & Garden - Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:40:58

77. 101 Ideas for Haunted Houses News!

Do you want to turn a house into a haunted house for Halloween? Make it a fun and scary experience for all who enter its creaky doors. Here's a wealth of ideas for making a haunted house. Planning, mapping, covering the safety issues, making it scary, getting props and costumes, making up the cha...
Holidays & Celebrations - Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:05:19

78. What Was Life Like 1910 - 1919? News!

I've found a wealth of information about different eras of American life and the lensmasters on Squidoo have assembled it on a variety of topics. Now I'm sorting all that information into order by decades to make it easier for you to find. This page covers the decade that starts in 1910 and ends...
Culture & Society - Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:39:24

79. Free Vintage Western eBooks

There's nothing better than a classic western by vintage authors like Zane Grey or Max Brand. The only thing that could be better is free classic western novels for your Kindle. I was delighted to see the range of titles available for free download from Amazon. To make your search easier, I've c...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:18:36

80. Coffee Tables with Storage

It isn't enough for a coffee table to just stand there looking pretty. It needs to serve a variety of purposes, including storing all the stuff needed near the sofa. Most of us never have enough storage, so it's smart to look for a coffee table that works extra hard for you in providing storage....
Home & Garden - Wed, 16 May 2012 14:24:49

81. Lightbulb Santa and Other Lightbulb Ornaments News!

Turning a dead lightbulb into a decorative ornament is the ultimate in recycling. My Mom made a Santa Claus from an old lightbulb. It turned out great. In searching around, I found lots of creative ways to decorate a lightbulb. Would you like to make a lightbulb cow, a lightbulb penguin or a lig...
Arts & Design - Tue, 15 May 2012 05:04:10

82. Family Tree Posters News!

Have you researched your family tree? Hours, months, and years go into researching a family history. Genealogy can be a consuming pursuit. Each new name and each new date uncovered spurs the genealogist into digging deeper. Display the results of all that hard work in a family tree poster. The t...
Relationships & Family - Sat, 12 May 2012 23:39:50

83. Make a Raised Strawberry Bed News!

A well planned strawberry patch can gives years of pleasure as well as tasty fruit. Putting them in a raised bed, makes it easy to tend the plants and pick the berries. It also overcomes any problems with poor soil and drainage. Here's advice to set up your own raised strawberry patch. Several o...
Home & Garden - Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:36:36

84. All About Baby Alligators

I had the rare opportunity yesterday to see a baby alligator riding on its mother's back. This sighting was in a lake by the golf course where we play several days a week. Somewhere in the brushy areas of the course must be an alligator nest. I'll be more careful rummaging around for my lost golf...
Pets & Animals - Mon, 21 May 2012 01:15:06

85. Sunflower Costumes for Any Occasion News!

I grew up in Kansas, so I have a special fondness for sunflowers. Apparently lots of people share that love of sunflowers as there are quite a few outfits and costumes for children and babies with a sunflower theme. Turn your little sunshine into a cute sunflower for Halloween or other special o...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 03 Mar 2012 04:01:30

86. You Can Afford a Maid News!

People say they can't afford a maid or housekeeper. I say, "think again." A clean home is essential to a comfortable life. You can work day and night trying to juggle a job, family obligations, and keeping the house clean. Most likely you feel over-burdened and get cranky with the family. Your q...
Home & Garden - Fri, 11 May 2012 04:17:13

87. Becoming a Top Amazon Reviewer News!

I've been an Amazon reviewer for seven years now and managed to work my way up to Top 100 Reviewer ranking. As a retired librarian, I have more time to read now and posting reviews on Amazon helps me keep track of what I've read and how I felt about it. Even as a child, I kept lists of what I rea...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:42:21

88. Pinterest Tips for Squidoo Lensmasters

Pinterest and Squidoo make an awesome duo. If you haven't tried Pinterest yet or are a little puzzled about how to use it with Squidoo, here are tips for that. I find the site lots of fun and you'll see lots of Squidoo lensmasters on Pinterest. With no further ado, lets jump into some tips for h...
Squidoo Community - Mon, 07 May 2012 06:10:19

89. What Is a Shivaree? News!

I'd heard about shivarees (or chivarees) when I was a kid, but even then, the custom had mostly died out. Now very few people even know what a shivaree was. Recently my interest in this old custom was piqued by a poem written by octogenarian, Monte Manka. In his eighties, but with still vivid mem...
Weddings - Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:45:44

90. Reading Stickers for Children News!

Parents, teachers and librarians find stickers hold strong appeal for kids. They are an inexpensive, easy-to-give incentive for encouraging reading. Use them for rewards for books read or library programs attended or other reading related activities. I started my library career as a children's li...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:04:36

91. Killer Alligators News!

I was apprehensive about alligators when I first moved to Florida. After learning more about them, my fears were calmed. I grew used to seeing one cruise past in the lake behind my home or to spot one sunning itself on the golf course. Although I kept a respectful distance, I admit to being rathe...
Pets & Animals - Wed, 16 May 2012 17:44:57

92. Making Snowflakes Online at Snowdays News!

Remember folding a piece of paper and cutting bits out of it to make a snowflake? It was a lot of fun. Now you can make one like that online and even send it with a message to a friend. No little bits of paper to clean up afterwards with these snowflake designs. Here's how to do it. The website ...
Internet - Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:36:49

93. HELP - My Desk Is Buried Under a Mountain of Paper News!

When I was a library director, my desk contained stacks and stacks of papers. Now that I'm retired, I thought there would be time to maintain a tidy desk. After all, I no longer had to deal with staff schedules, grant applications, monthly statistics, public relations, book ordering and the other...
Home & Garden - Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:16:34

94. Regency Dress - Jane Austen Costume for Ladies News!

Ah, the Regency period, such a romantic era. The movies and TV mini-series such as Emma, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility or Pride and Prejudice inspire many to join Jane Austen societies, attend Regency balls or dress in Regency costume for Halloween. The movie Becoming Jane, about Jane Austen'...
Culture & Society - Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:09:14

95. Deluxe Outdoor Gazebos

A Gazebo is a beautiful, luxurious option for outdoor seating and entertaining. You'll find a huge selection of deluxe outdoor Gazebos featured here in a variety of colors, styles and prices! These deluxe outdoor Gazebos are sure to look fantastic in any yard. What a great way to enjoy a good bo...
Home & Garden - Tue, 15 May 2012 02:52:14

96. Union Uniforms in the Civil War

There are quite a few variations on the uniform for Union soldiers, so I wanted to learn more about it. I'm researching many topics before writing a book about my great-great grandfather's life and his Civil War experiences. Fortunately there's quite a bit of information collected already by re-e...
Culture & Society - Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:12:52

97. Sell More at a Yard Sale

. I've been a seller and a buyer at many yard sales and flea markets over the years. It amazes me how poorly some sellers present their items Merchandising mistakes cut into your profits. It's not good to just strew your stuff around the yard and expect the buyers to snap it all up. There are wa...
Home & Garden - Mon, 14 May 2012 15:01:57

98. Themes for Gardens News!

You want your yard to entice your family and friends to spend time outdoors. Different lifestyles and personal preferences need to be factored in when choosing a theme for your outdoor space. Would you like a place to just relax after a long day at work or do you want to putter among the flowers...
Home & Garden - Sun, 01 Apr 2012 07:50:47

99. Feedsack Dresses News!

My 85 year old mom tells about wearing dresses made from feed sack material in the 1930s. People think that sounds terribly quaint, but it was quite common during the Great Depression. People bought chicken feed or flour in large bags of 50 to 100 pounds. These bags, made of cotton, became popula...
Culture & Society - Sun, 06 May 2012 03:35:43

100. Counting My Blessings from Angels- Part Two News!

This is my second lens on this topic. I stopped the first one at 100 blessings and started this one in November 2010. It will document my 101 through 200th blessed by angel lenses. The angel blessings mean a lot to me and by having them on this lens, I can come back and savor all the angel stard...
Squidoo Community - Mon, 07 May 2012 05:28:00

101. My Helium Experience News!

I'm testing out the Helium website. A number of writers on the eHow site were recommending it, so I decided to give it a whirl. The site prides itself on quality writing, both essays and creative writing. The mechanism for maintaining this quality is peer review. To earn money on Helium, it isn'...
Business & Work - Fri, 25 May 2012 03:49:22

102. Promoting a Self-Published Book News!

Once you self-publish or use print-on-demand, you need to let book buyers know that it's available. Sure some people will happen upon it, but you'll sell a lot more if you work on promoting it. Here are some ways to promote that recently published book. Most self-published authors don'...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:48:37

103. Rebirth of a 1918 House News!

In November my sister had a wiring fire in the attic of her vintage house. "Old wiring, overlaid at some point with insulation, " said the fireman, "so we get these fires." The fire burned through the ceilling in both the dining room and my sister's bedroom. The firemen used their fire axes to cu...
Culture & Society - Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:29:18

104. Feather Collecting and Nature Photography News!

Children are naturally curious and pick up interesting things they see. Perhaps collecting is a fairly basic human instinct. In my family everyone collects one or two things, so as a child my collecting behavior was channeled into feather collecting. Perhaps it was a way for my mother to steer me...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:27:54

105. Make Doll Clothes - Getting Ideas

Designing outfits for a doll is fun and can be an inexpensive activity with a child or grandchild. It's likely that they have a doll already. You probably have many of the basic supplies for making the doll clothes. You just need various fabrics, a needle and thread and a pair of scissors. This ...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:40:47

106. Sloggers: The Best Clogs Ever News!

If you've been looking for a super-comfortable clog for casual wear, gardening or boating, then you've come to the right place. I resisted getting clogs for a long time, thinking they were overhyped and just a trend. When I tried on the best-known brand, Crocs, they felt stiff and clunky on my fe...
Fashion & Beauty - Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:46:35

107. Steampunk Fairies - Costume Ideas

Steampunk and fairies seems an unlikely combination. The combination of Victorian costumes with imaginative mechanical additions is the core of the steampunk look. Now picture that in a fairy. Stretching your imagination? Here are some examples to get you started. Whether you want to create your...
Culture & Society - Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:10:47

108. Vintage Cowgirl Art

The popularity of western novels goes back to the 1800s and many included illustrations. I'm fascinated by the depiction of women as cowgirls in the old west. Some of the pictures are old ads, but many come from the books and dime novels of earlier days. Let's examine here a variety of these ant...
Arts & Design - Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:31:16

109. If You Liked Angela's Ashes, Try These Books News!

I loved Angela's Ashes and it started me on a reading binge. I'm still tracking down memoirs to read about Ireland. Each is unique in its voice and memories, and evoke different periods, places and experiences of Ireland. That's what I'm seeking, the feel of that country that my ancestors left se...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:13:30

110. Handyman Business Cards News!

Being successful with a handyman service means getting the word around that you are available. Sure a website helps and there is word-of-mouth, but don't forget the handy business card. Hand it out when you do a job, so the homeowner has something for his rolodex or to stick on the refrigerator. ...
Business & Work - Sun, 24 Jul 2011 04:41:48

111. Scotch-Irish Ancestry: My Family Roots News!

When tracing your family tree, some terms like Scotch-Irish can confuse the novice genealogist. My mother had heard many times that her family, the McGhees, were Scotch-Irish. It wasn't until she started tracing her genealogy that she realized what that meant. Originally she assumed it meant the...
Relationships & Family - Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:41:11

112. Ginger? I'm a Ginger. Are You a Ginger? News!

My mother wanted to name me after Ginger Rogers but went with a more conservative name. Then they called me Ginger all my life anyway. It's a fun nickname to have, but I found out it means different things to different people. When I lived in Australia, I found that Ginger was usually a nickname ...
Squidoo Community - Tue, 15 May 2012 04:33:10

113. Farmhouse Primitives

Looking for Farmhouse Primitives to complement your country home decor? You'll find many ideas on this page for decorating different rooms in your home. My dream is to someday own an old American farmhouse and fill it with reminders of its past. I love to dig through old barns, visit estate sale...
Home & Garden - Mon, 07 May 2012 20:40:05

114. Vintage Lady Golfers on Mousepads News!

Golf has a long history, and women are a part of that. I've collected together some great old-time golf art featuring women golfers. You'll love the variety and styles of the art. They make great gifts for any lady golfers in your life or treat yourself to one of these classic golf designs on a m...
Sports & Recreation - Wed, 16 May 2012 03:08:27

115. Outdoor Spa Hot Tubs

Now you can relax in your own outdoor spa hot tub. Imagine the money you will save from not having to pay fees at a local spa or gym. Now you can enjoy your own spa hot tub in the privacy of your own property. These deluxe outdoor spa hot tubs come in a variety of styles for every taste, budget ...
Home & Garden - Sat, 19 May 2012 23:34:04

116. Crafts from Rags or Yarn News!

My mom and dad tackled a variety of crafts over the years. Many of these crafts linked back to their Kansas pioneer heritage. Examples of those include rag dolls and the wagon wheel rag rugs. During my childhood, Mom was always the crafty one, but once Dad retired, he joined in with many of the c...
Arts & Design - Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:33:49

117. Golf Pranks to Play on Your Buddies News!

Golfers might want to liven up a round with a prank. I've included some classics and some golf gags that may be new to you. A few of these I've experienced myself. Don't take the game too seriously, when you can have some extra fun with your golfing buddies when you try out these practical jokes...
Sports & Recreation - Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:38:54

118. Can You Whistle? News!

Whistling means different things to a musician, a bird, or an amorous fellow. Would you like to learn to whistle? What kind of whistling would you like to do? Maybe whistle a cheery tune or whistle until the birds answer or give a long wolf whistle when you see a pretty girl. This webpage explo...
Music - Thu, 10 May 2012 20:03:15

119. Backlink Sites: A List

I'm determined this year to build more backlinks for my Squidoo lenses. I've been lazy about building these links, but see frequent recommendations to create these to increase the value of your web site (or lens). Google is impressed by a quantity of high-quality backlinks. I make no judgements ...
Internet - Thu, 29 Mar 2012 05:40:41

120. Draw Cartoon Ghosts for Halloween or Anytime News!

Drawing is fun and ghosts make a great subject to draw. First of all, no one really knows what a ghost looks like, so you can make your ghost any way you want. Here are some ideas of what you might want to put in your ghost drawing. Ghosts are pretty easy and today we are looking at drawing funny...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:29:59

121. Kids in the Kitchen: Making Pizza News!

Children can often be picky eaters. Getting them involved in preparing the food can make a difference. They enjoy the experience of working with an adult and being hands-on with the food. The ready-to-eat food may not be as picture perfect as it would be if made by an adult, but they will be happ...
Parenting & Kids - Sun, 20 May 2012 00:35:11

122. Holland: Memorable Books about the Netherlands

Even if you've never been to Holland, your ideas about the Netherlands are probably formed by early exposure to classic books about the country. When I was little, I heard the story of the boy who saved everyone by putting his finger in the hole in a dike. Later I read Dog of Flanders (which I m...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 02 May 2012 16:43:33

123. Starvation at Andersonville Prison

Many of the deaths at Andersonville Prison during the Civil War can be blamed on inadequate food and contaminated water supply. The prisoners of war, union enlisted men, suffered greatly from diseases such as dysentery and scurvy, which contributed to over 12,000 dying at the prison. The overcro...
Culture & Society - Fri, 02 Mar 2012 03:54:52

124. Outdoor Kitchens

You will be the talk of the neighborhood when you host your next outdoor party, and serve from your very own outdoor kitchen! Here you'll find outdoor kitchen appliances, outdoor kitchen accessories and more. You can keep it simple or go all out. The choice is yours. Mix and match to create an o...
Home & Garden - Sun, 13 May 2012 05:27:09

125. Gift for Patient in a Nursing Home News!

You want to get something special for the family member or friend who is in a nursing home. It puzzles gift buyers, knowing that space is limited and there may be some dietary restrictions. Don't give up, as I've found some great ideas for you. Make this a Merry Christmas for the nursing home pat...
Healthy Living - Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:12:42

126. Walls with Pizzazz News!

I love the many effects that can be created with paint for a faux finish. Do you want a brick wall? Create it with paint. How about a stone wall? Create it with paint. There are also great commercial products out there for an instant mural. These look really dramatic and aren't as expensive as yo...
Home & Garden - Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:32:31

127. Make Doll Clothes without Sewing

Save money by making doll clothes with your child or grandchild. They learn some valuable lessons at the same time, while you have fun together. Making outfits for a doll provides some teachable moments. The child learns some sewing skills, how to improvise, recycling/repurposing, and fashion de...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:58:37

128. Bird Web Cam Sites

Bird watching is endlessly fascinating and now with web cams, one can follow the daily activity of bird without having to trek through marshes or being bitten by mosquitoes. Turn on your computer each day and follow along as birds build their nest, lay eggs, and feed their chicks. Thanks to thes...
Pets & Animals - Fri, 11 May 2012 01:53:57

129. Halloween Drink Recipes News!

Halloween has become much more sophisticated as adults adopted it and enjoyed their own costume parties with Halloween themed food and drink. With the popularity of the Twilight series, vampires are a big hit, not just at Halloween. Here are drinks with a vampire theme that will prove a hit at an...
Holidays & Celebrations - Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:38:13

130. An Old-Fashioned Halloween

Halloween was a lot more fun in the Good Old Days when we didn't have to worry about booby-trapped candy and sexual predators. Families shared wholesome activities together and with their community for this October holiday. Those were the days when everyone made their own costumes and�bobbed for...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 22 Oct 2011 03:32:11

131. Collecting Vintage Glass: Jars

Collecting vintage glass doesn't need to be expensive. This page shows you where to find inexpensive vintage glass jars that don't cost the earth. Scroll through to find some examples and some helpful hints and tips on collecting old jars. Jars come in all sort of shapes and sizes and for differ...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Tue, 15 May 2012 04:28:17

132. Turn of the Century - 1900 to 1909

Life changed a lot for people at the turn of the century, when the 1800s gave way to the 1900s. This page collects together information about what life was like during that decade that started in 1900. If you're interested in the art, the fashion, the celebrities, the literature, government and ...
Culture & Society - Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:14:17

133. Free Civil War Books for Kindle

A good way to try out the Kindle you just bought or received as a gift is to download some free books. Try it out, then later splurge on stocking it with all the books you want (and hopefully can afford). There's an amazing range of Civil War topics available for free download onto the Kindle. L...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:22:42

134. Civil War Newspapers

Newspapers provided vital news to troops about what actually was happening in the Civil War. There were plenty of rumors picked up from other soldiers, but it was good to get solid information. For the wives and parents back home, the newspaper was eagerly read searching for news about war activi...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:16:35

135. Nostalgia for Paper Dolls News!

Paper dolls can provide hours of imaginative fun. Despite the draw of computers, television and electronic games, there's still a place for the low-tech play of yesteryear. All one needs is the paper dolls and scissors. The initial fun is cutting out the paper dolls and then creating lives and ac...
Parenting & Kids - Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:03:17

136. Family Photos of Old Motorcycles News!

My mom turned up this photo of her mother during my recent visit. I'd never seen it before. Wow, it's hard to imagine my grandmother in the early 1900s on a motorcycle. Take a look at that bike! I love what my grandmother is wearing. Her name was Ruth Vining and she lived in Tyro, Kansas. To rea...
Cars - Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:27:10

137. Unusual Jobs - Expand Your Job Search News!

Some jobs just seem too boring and predictable. There are off-beat jobs out there that might capture your interest and make it worthwhile going to work each day. After a prolonged period of unemployment, job hunters start to broaden the scope of their job search. That's when they discover od...
Business & Work - Wed, 09 May 2012 04:02:00

138. Toni - an Ideal Doll from the 1950s News!

The Toni doll by the Ideal Doll Company came out in 1949. It was a few years later, that my sister received her Toni doll for Christmas. I had a ballet doll but developed a strong preference for my sister's Toni doll. She wouldn't trade, but I did get to play with her now and then. My mother cre...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Thu, 10 May 2012 01:58:18

139. Making Gift Baskets - Ideas and Supplies News!

A gift basket makes a showy gift for Christmas, a birthday, retirement or other occasion. It pulls together a variety of smaller gifts and presents them in an attractive manner. You'll need some basic supplies to put together an impressive gift basket to properly showcase the gifts in it. In ad...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:49:55

140. Animal Shaped Televisions

I'd never even imagined a television shaped like an animal. The Hannspree Company had the idea to make high definition TVs in designs like a giraffe or a zebra. These animal shaped televisions are seriously cute and add just the right playful touch to a child's room or any other fun area of the h...
Computers & Electronics - Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:21:37

141. Collecting Vintage Glass Bottles

Milk bottles, medicine bottles, wine bottles... these are only a few of the vintage glass bottles that collectors look for. This page is here to help anyone who is starting a collection of glass bottles and for established collectors. Included here are examples of different bottles to look for a...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Sat, 19 May 2012 03:47:12

142. Odd Topics on eHow News!

The eHow website pays freelance writers residuals for how-to articles. It contains many helpful articles on how to do almost anything. Some articles cover really strange topics (I've even written some of these myself). They may seem odd, but then so are some of the topics people search on Google....
Entertainment & Media - Mon, 07 May 2012 06:36:12

143. Important Documents of the Civil War

We've all heard of the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation and other vital documents from the Civil War. If we had to recall the exact content or the impact of these writings on the events of that time, we would probably be embarrassed at how little we really know of them. To remed...
Culture & Society - Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:43:06

144. Self-Publishing with Blurb News!

What is Blurb? It's a wonderful discovery for an aspiring author. If a writer choses to self-publish their content, there are a number of Print-On-Demand sites like Lulu.com or Create Space, but let's focus on Blurb.com here. I've used it a number of times with varied books and found ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:13:11

145. Wine Stoppers Make Great Gifts News!

When attending a party, wine makes the perfect hostess gift. The same is true when invited for dinner in someone's home. When staying as a houseguest, bringing a bottle of wine starts the visit off right. To make the gift of wine even more special, present the host and hostess with a wine bottle...
Food & Cooking - Sun, 15 Apr 2012 07:18:58

146. Golden Wedding Stamps Online News!

The Golden Wedding celebration is a special one. When you invite the friends and family to join in this special event, you'll want to use a special stamp. Now that unique stamps are approved by the U.S. Postal Service, why use a dull, everyday stamp for this golden event, celebrating 50 years of ...
Weddings - Sun, 20 May 2012 01:23:19

147. Civil War Diaries Online - The North

One of the family treasures is the pocket diary that belonged to my great-great grandfather who survived the Civil War. It's amazing that something so small can be so valuable in terms of the information contained in the pages. Fortunately for researchers and students seeking primary information ...
Culture & Society - Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:18:10

148. Stroke Survivors Tell Their Stories News!

When my brother had a stroke, I looked for a book list to read more about the experience. It was hard for me to understand the difficulties he faced. Reading biographies of people who survived a stroke, and how it affected their lives, helped me to better relate to my brother's experience. He co...
Healthy Living - Fri, 11 May 2012 15:16:24

149. Old Time Gumball Machine

Gumball machines are just fun to have around. The first gumball machines were introduced to public in 1907. Put a few pennies in the candy machine and out came the round candy-coated gumballs. Kids and adults loved them back then and even now there's something really appealing and nostalgic about...
Home & Garden - Mon, 07 May 2012 04:26:49

150. Pink Anime Wigs

My niece and her friends are big anime fans and participate in cosplay. They develop their character costumes by making their own outfits and buying wigs for each favorite anime character. I wanted to see what the fascination was, so checked out some videos and what was available for wigs. This ...
Culture & Society - Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:06:54

151. Dining Room Chair Covers

Whether it's Christmas, Valentine's Day, Have-the-Boss-Over-for-Dinner-Day or just an everyday meal with the family, make your dining room special with chair covers. I'd love to dress up my dining room with luxurious-looking chair covers. There's such a variety, that I'm having a hard time choos...
Home & Garden - Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:29:10

152. A Pet Badger

I'd never think to have a pet as ferocious looking as a badger. They have fearsome claws and are noted for their digging. My mom was given a baby badger back in the 1930s and she raised it and kept it as a pet. She tells some remarkable stories about what it was like to have a pet badger. He...
Pets & Animals - Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:38:23

153. RV Refrigerators - Things to Know

The refrigerators in recreational vehicles (motorhomes, trailers, etc.) are usually pretty small. Here is some advice to make the most of that limited space in the RV fridge and to avoid food problems on the trip. (refrigerator photo by Virginia Allain) Life in the campground became a lot easier...
Travel & Places - Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:19:39

154. Wincanton, England and My Vining Ancestors News!

For many years, my mother followed leads, combed through public records and compiled the family genealogy. Now it's time for the next generation to take up the work. At 85, my mom is busy writing her memoirs, so she's glad to have someone else tackle the research. With the Internet, it is certai...
Relationships & Family - Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:39:22

155. Turn a Prom Dress into a Halloween Costume

Don't let that prom dress or bridesmaid dress languish in the back of the closet. Pull it out and use it as the base for a fabulous, unique Halloween costume. Depending on the style of the dress, you have a variety of costumes you can create. I'll get your imagination started with some prom dress...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:22:43

156. Civil War Songs

In researching my great-great-grandfather's regiment (93rd Indiana Infantry, Company G) I saw they had two names on the list not as officers or enlisted men, but as musicians. I was curious about what the musicians actually did and also what kinds of songs were popular in the Civil War. Listening...
Music - Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:00:38

157. Decorating with Bar Signs News!

There's tremendous variety in the signs available for the home bar. You can chose a humorous bar sign, get one with your name on it or feature your favorite beer. Whatever you select, it adds to your bar decor. Maybe you'll want to go for the eclectic look that's so popular in many restaurants a...
Home & Garden - Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:28:15

158. Cash in the Attic: Need Some Money? News!

Don't you love the HGTV show, Cash in the Attic! It's so much fun to see a family pull together on a project to improve their home. On the show, they decide how much cash they need to create their dream project. Then they search the house for unwanted, but possibly valuable furniture, collectible...
Home & Garden - Sun, 13 May 2012 00:03:49

159. A Civil War Christmas

In researching my Civil War ancestor, I wondered what Christmas was like for the soldiers in their winter camps and for their families back home without them. I searched a number of sources, including some diaries by soldiers. Here's what I've found about Civil War Christmas time. I hope it answ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:28:53

160. New River Beach, New Brunswick News!

In August 2009 we took a driving trip around New Brunswick, Canada. It was a wonderfully scenic two weeks. We camped the first night in a Provincial Park at New River Beach. It was like a state park in the U.S. There was electricity at the campsite, but not water, so it was necessary to walk to ...
Travel & Places - Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:18:49

161. Left-Handed Gifts for Left-Handed People News!

My sister is left-handed and so is her husband. There are thousands of southpaws out there. For left-handed people, it can be a struggle to find tools and gear that fits their hand orientation. Lefties often feel like a minority or may have been pressured in school to switch to right-handedness. ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 23 May 2012 03:22:37

162. BBQ Aprons for Men News!

Most men take pride in their grilling skills. Turning the meat over an open flame, applying the BBQ sauce and bringing to the table a heaping plate of savory meat is their specialty. The whole family loves the times when Dad presides over the barbecuing as it means summer time easy-living is here...
Fashion & Beauty - Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:22:46

163. Prairie Belle School News!

My dad, Clyde Martin, attended Prairie Belle, a one-room school in the 1930s. He was one of four generations of the Martin family to attend the small Greenwood County, Kansas school. The school existed for sixty-six years, starting in 1886. It cost $450 to build the school. My family had the sch...
Culture & Society - Mon, 07 May 2012 03:12:45

164. Too Much Stuff, Too Much Clutter? News!

Perhaps your spouse keeps telling you that you have too much stuff. Maybe he/she refers to you as a packrat. Do you really have too much stuff or is your significant-other just too fussy? Here are some ways to tell if your stuff is getting overwhelming. Take this little quiz to see if you have t...
Home & Garden - Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:55:51

165. Vintage Soda Ads

I remember sipping orange pop at the corner gas station as a kid. We could choose from grape or strawberry or chocolate pop from the big red cooler filled with icy water. Ah, so cool and refreshing on a hot Kansas day. If you share my memories of vintage sodas, then you'll enjoy these retro ads ...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Fri, 25 May 2012 03:44:44

166. Sam: Feline Leukemia Survivor News!

Fighting feline leukemia has become a cause for my friend, Susan Golis. She is a friend of animals and writes about the plight of homeless or feral cats. Personally she has rescued a number of cats from the horrors of homelessness. This lens profiles a special cat that Susan rescued. His name is...
Pets & Animals - Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:32:47

167. Kissimmee and Old Florida: Books and Videos News!

I was unaware of Florida's pioneer history until I moved to the state in 2004. Most people don't associate cowboys and cattle ranching with Florida, the Sunshine State. It surprised me to see that Florida had rodeos, and a ranching tradition that went back a hundred years. Actually that's where ...
Culture & Society - Wed, 02 May 2012 16:59:30

168. Bookmarks for Book Lovers News!

Bookmarks make great gifts for family and friends and co-workers. Give everyone in your book club a bookmark at Christmas. Slip bookmarks into letters and Christmas cards. If you're here reading about bookmarks, then I'm guessing that you're a book lover like I am. I worked in libraries for thir...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:22:21

169. Women's Civil War Diaries

I'm researching the lives of my Civil War ancestors, Abraham Bates Tower and his wife, Nancy Angeline, I was delighted that he had a pocket diary that was passed down in the family. How wonderful it would be to have a diary for his wife too. This made me wonder about other women of the Civil War ...
Culture & Society - Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:00:16

170. Stick-to-it-iveness: Persistence Pays Off News!

These words (doggedness, endurance, grit, persistence, stamina, tenaciousness, tenacity) are all synonyms for the old-fashioned phrase STICK-TO-IT-IVENESS. It's a pretty important quality to have. In this day and age of quick sound bytes and short attention spans, we could use a little more stick...
Healthy Living - Tue, 08 May 2012 15:27:42

171. Sugar Valley Lakes in Kansas

Sugar Valley Lakes is a recreational area in Linn County, Kansas that's restricted to those owning lots or homes there. There are several lakes with camping, fishing, and boating. It's an area that's more wooded and rolling than most of eastern Kansas. It's a short drive south of Kansas City. In...
Travel & Places - Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:52:55

172. Colored Lace Dresses Are Hot, Hot, Hot

When I saw that lace dresses were hot fashion items this season, I said "YES!!" Women want something feminine and dressy to wear for special occasions. At last there's something besides teeny-bopper outfits and slouchy casual clothes. These lace dresses are fabulous. The colors stand out from th...
Fashion & Beauty - Fri, 11 May 2012 02:16:44

173. Prisoners' Memories of Andersonville Prison

Two years ago I visited Andersonville, Georgia. Standing on that ground where thousands died, I looked up at the stockade walls and the guard tower. Trying to imagine how my great-great grandfather might have felt being in that Civil War prison was beyond my imagination. I've searched for first-...
Culture & Society - Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:54:42

174. Pickle Labels

My mom made many pickles over the years to feed our large family. I'm glad to see that pickling is still popular. There are even some quickie ways to make refrigerator pickles now. After you fix a batch of your special pickles, you'll want your jars to look special too. I've collected some great...
Food & Cooking - Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:37:21

175. Should God Bless America? Join the Debate News!

Should God Bless America? I see statements like this on Facebook: "WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OFAMERICA...Please remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you.. JESUS CHRIST and the AMERICAN SOLDIER. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. If you agree.. copy a...
Culture & Society - Sun, 20 May 2012 02:00:33

176. Fabulous Florida

I thought that Florida must be over-hyped, but then I moved there and found out for myself how fabulous Florida really is. Browse through my lens and see for yourself all the fun things to do and see in Florida. Besides the many man-made attractions, the state has its natural beauty going for it...
Travel & Places - Thu, 10 May 2012 03:03:42

177. Analysis of a Top Ranked Webpage on Squidoo News!

What does it take to get a webpage (or lens) ranked in the top 100 on Squidoo? My lens, Library Book Display Ideas, is quite close to achieving that ranking. I'll analyze it's statistics and content to see if we can learn anything from those. I'd like to know what goes into a top 100 lens, so I c...
Squidoo Community - Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:27:20

178. Baby Boomer Memories - Nostalgic Gifts for Boomers News!

I'm a baby boomer and love discovering things from my childhood. Ah, the memories from those good old days, back in the 1950s, 1960s and even the 1970s. We had some great toys back then. I'd love one or two to trigger memories of childhood fun and to display on a shelf. If you're looking for a g...
Culture & Society - Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:11:55

179. Favorite Eating Places for Solivita Residents

It always comes up when you meet new Solivita residents. "Where's a good place to eat?" This starts a lively discussion as Solivitans recommend their favorite restaurants. Eating out is a favorite entertainment for retirees and it's true of Solivita retirees too. Below are some restaurants recom...
Food & Cooking - Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:12:33

180. Favorite Books from My Childhood - Classics That Your Child Will Love Too

Mom would call me to help with some chore, but I'd pretend not to hear. As usual, I had my nose buried in a book. Reading was a favorite activity of mine and a visit to the local library was like having unlimited access to a candy store. The library only allowed children to check out three books,...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:03:52

181. Refreshing Lite Summer Drinks and Smoothies

I'm a lazy cook, but even I can whip up a frothy smoothy for a cool, light version of an old-fashioned milkshake. Put your blender to work making one of these instead of going out for a high calorie version. Here are several smoothies with absolutely no sugar added. In addition, I'm including my...
Food & Cooking - Fri, 11 May 2012 05:27:27

182. Holiday Writing Triggers for Family Memories

Following the calendar, I'll give memory prompts to start you writing about long ago holidays. It's important to write down these memories to save for your children and grandchildren. Who knows, maybe you'll even have enough to self-publish a book. Your family will treasure it. These memory trig...
Relationships & Family - Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:51:00

183. List My Five: A Fun Website Where Writers Earn Residuals News!

I was curious about all the buzz being generated about the List My Five website, so I took a look at some of the articles my writing buddies were posting there. What the heck, I thought, I'll try a few. After posting a couple of articles, I could see what was exciting them. I'll explain how the ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:22:08

184. Wildlife on the Golf Course News!

Sometimes I don't know if I'm going golfing or on a wildlife safari. I always tuck my camera into the golf cart storage compartment and add an extra set of batteries. Living south of Orlando, in Central Florida, we never know what we'll see on the golf course that day. Recently we saw baby alliga...
Pets & Animals - Wed, 23 May 2012 04:42:08

185. Civil War - The Home Front

The battles and campaigns of the Civil War are quite well documented, but I see little information about the effects of the war on the wife and children left behind. What was life like on the home front during the Civil War? That's a big topic, so I'll narrow it down to what was life like in Sout...
Culture & Society - Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:29:24

186. Vintage Household Hints

I collect old books of household advice and manners. Sometimes the vintage advice seems quaint and outdated, but often the methods are still useful today, 100 years later. The tips I'll share here come from a slim red pamphlet called Facts Every Housekeeper Should Know. It was published in Detroi...
Home & Garden - Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:11:10

187. Timeline of Abraham Bates Tower's Life - Civil War Veteran

I plan to write a book about my Civil War ancestor, Abraham Bates Tower. My mother gathered some information for me and did extensive genealogy research over the years. I'm searching further and trying to pinpoint what happened in his life. This page serves as a way to track his life in a chronol...
Relationships & Family - Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:41:53

188. Long Overdue Library Books

Mention "overdue library books" and many people cringe. At some time, most library users have a small delinquency, pay their fine and continue happily patronizing their library. A few with overdue books that never get returned feel a real twinge of guilty conscience. It weighs on their mind, but ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:26:50

189. Throw Out 50 Things: Time to Clear out Clutter News!

Many of us keep items long past the time when they have any value to us. It takes time and effort to move things along so they don't pile up and clutter our homes and our lives. Whatever our reasons for hanging onto old stuff and old emotions, we all could benefit from throwing fifty things out. ...
Home & Garden - Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:46:40

190. Small Town Kansas - A Lensography News!

It's interesting to drive into a small Kansas town. Is it thriving or just hanging on? Some have lost population and businesses and all that remains are the empty storefronts and scattered residences. I'm searching out information about Kansas towns that in some way related to my family history. ...
Travel & Places - Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:00:36

191. Fantasy Art: Dragons News!

I'm amazed at the quality of the designs on Zazzle, particulary the fantasy artwork featuring dragons. Some dragon art is by professional artists, but others are self-taught. These dragons bring back childhood memories of fantasy realms complete with princesses, daring knights, dragons and fairie...
Pets & Animals - Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:46:14

192. Cynthia Ross - Kansas Author

Cynthia Ross, a Kansas writer, nature lover and performer lives in a log home near a small pond. She loves teaching her grandchildren about nature. While walking in the woods, she sometimes surprises a deer or sees a snake slither into the pond. Her yard is a haven for birds and squirrels. Hummin...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sun, 18 Sep 2011 03:48:21

193. What Was in the Civil War Soldier's Backpack?

My great-great grandfather marched many miles in the Civil War. He was an infantryman with the 93rd Indiana Volunteers. On his back, he carried all the essentials for a soldier in the field. His pack contained his blanket, tent, plate, cup, and personal items. I wanted to find out what would be ...
Culture & Society - Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:19:02

194. Abraham Tower - The Indiana Years

I'm researching the details of the life of my great-great grandfather born in 1837. Abraham Bates Tower lived until 1930 so his life spanned almost a century. The family has some information about his Civil War experience and later life, but not much about his life before the Civil War. That's w...
Relationships & Family - Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:13:33

195. Stretch Soup into a Whole Meal News!

It's easy to open a can of soup for lunch, but stretching a can of soup to feed a family for dinner is a real budget saver. I'll share my tips for boosting that canned soup into a filling and satisfying meal for the family. Keep some soup in the cupboard and you'll always have a quick meal to put...
Food & Cooking - Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:00:10

196. Using Smilebox on Squidoo

Smilebox provides a different way to include a slideshow of photos on a Squidoo page or on a blog. The graphics and music in a Smilebox slideshow really make your photos into a stand-out feature. Sure, there's a module for photo slideshows already on Squidoo and another option is the Flickr modu...
Squidoo Community - Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:17:20

197. Free Fun Activities for Kids News!

Summer time and the living is easy... except the kids are getting restless already. How the heck are you going to keep them entertained until school starts again? Summer camp may be too expensive and you can't pay for movies every week or go to theme parks frequently. What's a parent to do? Time...
Parenting & Kids - Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:25:51

198. Vintage Golfers - Mousepads News!

There's just something so classic about the golf attire and wooden golf clubs of years gone by. I've found a great selection of these vintage golfers displayed on mousepads. They make a great gift for the golfer in your life or for yourself. Every time you use the computer, you'll see these great...
Sports & Recreation - Thu, 24 May 2012 04:34:21

199. Odd Australian Town Names News!

Some Australian place names come straight from England with the early settlers, so you have towns and cities like Melbourne, Windsor, Newcastle, and Sydney. Others were named after explorers like Darwin or the Simpson Desert. Places were given descriptive names such as the Ninety Mile Beach or th...
Travel & Places - Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:26:07

200. Star Gazing.... Purple Stars on My Lenses News!

Squidoo certainly knows how to motivate lensmasters. Every time you turn around, there's another honor to vie for. If you have a competitive bone in your body, then you can't resist trying to earn gold stars, angel blessings, Giant Squid, Squid 100 and purple stars. These certainly incite lensma...
Squidoo Community - Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:38:41

201. Teterville, Kansas

There used to be a small town at Teterville, back in the twenties and thirties. My mother remembers going there and even has a picture of herself standing by a vintage Ford. It was taken in front of the grocery store in Teterville. Although there is no store or much to see anymore, here's wha...
Travel & Places - Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:21:49

202. Baby Bunnies News!

When I was a kid, we raised rabbits. It was a 4-H project and we worked hard at it. Despite the work involved, all of us whole-heartedly participated in the project. A big bonus of raising rabbits is how much fun the furry, cuddley baby rabbits are. They hop around playfully in their hutch and s...
Pets & Animals - Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:43:45

203. Celtic Music That I Love News!

When I first heard Celtic music, I reveled in its melodies and lyrics. "This is the way music is supposed to sound" was the thought going through my head. I was in college then, and growing up on a farm in Kansas in the 1950s gave me little exposure to music. Since I discovered Irish and Scottish...
Music - Fri, 11 May 2012 02:39:48

204. Canon SX20 Review - I Love This Camera! News!

My surprise birthday gift from my husband was the Canon Powershot SX20 IS. Wow, I was beyond thrilled. He had researched carefully to find the perfect camera to end my constant muttering about not having enough zoom. I had a Canon Powershot A550, a perfectly fine camera. It took wonderful photos...
Arts & Design - Tue, 15 May 2012 04:52:38

205. Small Town Kansas: Chelsea

I grew up in El Dorado, Kansas and remember hearing about Chelsea. It was a small town in the same county (Butler County). I recently met online, Monte Manka, an 83 year old poet, who writes about his childhood memories of Chelsea. His poems made me curious about Chelsea, so I started to researc...
Travel & Places - Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:52:49

206. Decorate a Golf Cart for Christmas News!

Will Santa show up in a golf cart this Christmas? Golf carts aren't just for golfing anymore. In many communities, the golf cart serves as a second car and people zip around in them just for fun. Some communities with lots of golf carts hold a Christmas parade. Even if you don't have a parade, yo...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:32:35

207. Gothic Fairy Costume

Not all fairy costumes are sweet. Some of them are, in fact, quite edgy. If you are looking for a costume that flies in the face of conformity, a gothic fairy costume may be just what you are looking for! Dark fairy costumes come in a wide range of styles. From ultra conservative to super sexy...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 16 May 2012 02:04:55

208. Harrison Fisher's Vintage Brides

If you're planning a vintage wedding or a Victorian style wedding, take a look at Harrison Fisher's vintage bridal art. Fisher, a noted illustrator from the 1800s, has some of the most beautiful wedding scenes ever. I've showcased some bridal shower invitations, bridal postage stamps and cards w...
Arts & Design - Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:56:24

209. Teacup Flower Arrangements

Miniature flower arrangements add a delightful touch of color to a desk or with an individual place setting at a table. With just a few flowers and some greenery and a teacup, one creates a tiny floral decoration to brighten your surroundings. Think of decorating the tables at a wedding with the...
Home & Garden - Tue, 08 May 2012 04:03:00

210. Gifts Historians Will Love News!

I've always loved history, but realize that other people get stumped on what to give history lovers for Christmas. Here are gift ideas to delight any historians on your list this holiday. This started out to be Five Gifts Historians Would Love. Instead, I'm presenting quite a few more than five ...
Culture & Society - Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:52:42

211. What Were You Doing During Great Moments in Recent History? News!

A great moment in history or a moment of horror locks into a person's mind those events. Years later they will still remember vividly what they were doing when they heard the news. Think back to the Kennedy assassination, the first man to set foot on the moon, the planes crashing into the World T...
Culture & Society - Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:10:30

212. Baked Tongue and Dressing

My mom had a way of baking a cow's tongue that made it a family favorite. It may seem an unusual piece of meat to serve the family, but it has a flavor that's unique and savory. Here's the Martin family recipe for baked beef tongue and dressing. The funny family story is that we found out after ...
Food & Cooking - Thu, 17 May 2012 01:31:42

213. Love in the Library

I'm intrigued by stories of love found in the library. After all, that's where I met my husband. If you have a romantic story of falling in love in the library, please share it here. It can be a story of falling in love with a librarian or of meeting someone while at the library. This page shoul...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:45:13

214. Gifts for Gardeners

Fall, winter, spring or summer, a gardener is always thinking about their garden and planning their garden. At Christmas, birthdays or any occasion, find the perfect gift for the garden lover in your life. I've rounded up some great ideas to make it easy for you to shop. I love to garden with co...
Home & Garden - Thu, 17 May 2012 05:26:55

215. Palm Tree Lamps

If you love the beach or live somewhere warm and sunny, decorate with a tropical flair. These palm tree lamps give just the right look for making you feel the beach is just outside the door. Since I moved to Florida, this style of decorating is a perfect match for the always-sunny days and the t...
Home & Garden - Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:19:28

216. Blue Beach Glass from the Sea

Walking along the sand, one starts picking up little bits of nature to carry away as a reminder of a lovely day at the beach. These include seashells and smooth bits of driftwood. Suddenly the eye is caught by something that's manmade, but weathered and tumbled by the sea into a thing of beauty. ...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:02:54

217. 1918 Underwear for Ladies and Children News!

I have a Summer 1918 catalog for the John Wanamaker, Philadelphia store. The artwork is a delight and the prices will make you smile. The fashions look light and innocent. It was the year when World War I ended, Woodrow Wilson was president and the Spanish flu swept the nation. Let's focus on pa...
Fashion & Beauty - Thu, 07 Jul 2011 03:00:34

218. Decorate a Library Christmas Tree

With 30 years of library experience, I love the holiday season in the library. Decorating the library tree doesn't have to be a dreaded chore. Turn the tree into a focal point and a public relations asset. I've gathered here a variety of ideas to make the library's Christmas tree special. Also i...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:08:45

219. Vintage Quilting Books News!

I love antique quilts and over the past fifty years collected some lovely old quilts and a bookshelf full of vintage books about quilting. In checking Bookfinder and Amazon for their value, I had a pleasant surprise. Several of the books are quite rare and consequently valuable to quilt lovers an...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:59:26

220. Finding Toni Doll Clothes

If you own a Toni doll from the 1950s, you're probably looking for just the right clothes for her. The original outfits from that era are adorable. There were dresses, socks, shoes, underwear and accessories. One can find the vintage patterns for making dresses for the Toni doll too. I've featur...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:32:07

221. Korean War Poems by Monte Manka

Monte Manka grew up on a Kansas farm in the 1930s/40s, then went off to Korea as part of the occupying forces. His experiences there triggered some poetry that's entertaining and insightful. In his mid-eighties, Monte keeps writing those poems about being a Kansas farm boy and about adjusting to ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:17:55

222. Writers at Seventy, Eighty and Ninety News!

I have great admiration for writers who continue their craft into their seventies, eighties and nineties. Writing is something that fits quite well into a senior lifestyle. By the time a person reaches an advanced age, they have a lot of living and a wide range of experience to share with younger...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:39:53

223. The Flint Hills of Kansas

Yes, Kansas has the rolling Flint Hills where you'll see tall grass prairie, limestone outcroppings, and a sky that goes on forever. I grew up nearby, and my mother spent her childhood in the Flint Hills. We love the sweeping vistas and subtle folds of the Flint Hills area. An afternoon thun...
Travel & Places - Thu, 10 May 2012 02:51:08

224. Baby Vampire Costumes News!

Everyone's crazy about vampires this year, so dress up the littlest one in the family as a cute vampire. He may be too young to have read the Twilight series, but won't he look cute in his little vampire costume! Your junior vampire will love all the attention at Halloween or at a costume event. ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:45:33

225. Start the Day Right: Eating Enough Fruit News!

Of course, we always knew that fruits and vegetables were important part of our nutrition, but then the government advised eating five servings a day. That's when it hit all of us that we were really shorting ourselves. We tried to squeeze more fruit and vegetables into breakfast, lunch and dinne...
Food & Cooking - Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:58:10

226. Photographing Mushrooms News!

A friend called me a "camera nut" and I guess you could say that I'm crazy about photography. Several summers ago in New Hampshire, it was particularly rainy which restricted some of our usual activities of kayaking and other sunny day pursuits. Due to the excessive rain, conditions were perfect...
Arts & Design - Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:50:55

227. Turn a Graduation Robe into a Costume for Halloween

If you happen to have a graduation gown taking up closet space, then turn it into a Halloween costume or a costume for a fancy dress party. Even if you don't own one, you can sometimes borrow one or scrounge one up from a thrift shop. I'm throwing out some ideas, tips and suggesting accessories ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:21:15

228. Buy a Renaissance Costume News!

My first visit to a Renaissance Faire enchanted me. It was great fun seeing all the people in costume enjoying activities from the Renaissance period. I knew it would be even more fun to dress in costume and participate. My nieces attended many Ren Faires and had told me what a great experience i...
Culture & Society - Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:51:23

229. Doll Princess Dress and Cone Hat

Help a child make a fairy princess costume for a doll. A surprisingly attractive outfit can be assembled from items you might normally toss in the trash. Save those dryer sheets, plastic sample cup, bits of lace and ribbon, and color sheets from the laundry. Those are just what you need to make t...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Mon, 21 May 2012 15:04:00

230. Seadrift, Texas News!

My aunt lives in the small coastal town of Seadrift, Texas. She loves it there! After browsing this webpage, I'm sure you'll be a Seadrift fan too. Take a look at the activities, scenery and information I've gathered for you about the small gulf coast town of Seadrift. It has shrimp festivals, mu...
Travel & Places - Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:19:29

231. Cute Cats - Favorite Webpages for Kids News!

Kids really like cats, and especially funny cats. These can be pictures of cats in funny situations or videos of cats being cute. For cats, it's easy to be cute. My friend, Emma, chose the pictures, webpages and videos for this webpage. She's in third grade and really enjoys funny cats and showe...
Pets & Animals - Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:53:38

232. Deluxe Greenhouses for the Yard

Glass greenhouses are the perfect solution for growing vegetables and/or flowers! These greenhouses will fit nicely in your yard for easy access, all the while adding beauty to it. You'll love the selection of glass greenhouses showcased here! If you have the room, why not get one for vegetables...
Home & Garden - Fri, 25 May 2012 04:19:00

233. Small Town Kansas: Hamilton

My mother graduated from high school in Hamilton, Kansas. That was about all I knew about it, so I did some research. Here's what I found out about this small Kansas town. Perhaps you have links to Hamilton or have heard of it. Please sound the guestbook at the end of the page and tell us about ...
Travel & Places - Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:30:55

234. Everything Is Beautiful (Ray Steven's Song) News!

Number twelve on the Top 100 Songs of 1970, this song makes a great one to listen to when you needed an emotional boost. It's a song of inclusion and of embracing differences. I suggest starting the music video (just down the page a little bit), then browsing the rest of the information while yo...
Music - Tue, 08 May 2012 05:07:43

235. Ideas for Libraries News!

I worked in public libraries in Ohio, Maryland and Texas for thirty years. Whenever I traveled, I liked stopping in to see local libraries and seeing what good ideas I could pick up. I'll share with you some of the ones that worked for me and others that sound great, but I didn't get around to te...
Nonprofits - Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:28:06

236. The Old-Fashioned Pie Supper News!

I was intrigued by octogenarian, Monte Manka's poem about his courting failure at a 1930's pie supper. Vaguely I knew of pie suppers and box suppers, where an auction was held. The winning bidder got to eat with the girl who made the pie or prepared the box supper. Sometimes the bidding was high ...
Culture & Society - Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:16:53

237. Green Anime Wigs

I discovered anime after hearing my niece and her friends enthuse about their costumes and wigs for cosplay events. They have favorite anime characters that they create their own costumes to match. Sure looks like fun and if you're participating in cosplay, you've come to the right place for your...
Culture & Society - Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:07:29

238. Squidoo Dictionary News!

In introducing new writers to Squidoo, I find them boggled at first by the vocabulary. This Squidoo Dictionary hopes to demystify and define the words needed by newbie lensmasters (those who make web pages on Squidoo). This is a work-in-progress, so I'll be adding to it. If you notice something ...
Squidoo Community - Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:32:26

239. New Hampshire Lakes Region History in Pictures News!

Arcadia Publishing helps individuals and historical groups publish local histories filled with vintage photos. These books make available a wealth of historic photos that have languished in drawers and boxes for sometimes a hundred years. Quite a few communities in New Hampshire's lakes region ar...
Travel & Places - Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:35:42

240. Music Webpages I've Made News!

I didn't realize how eclectic my music interests were until assembling my music webpages here. These webpages includes: exploring the background of the old-fashioned dance (What Is a Cakewalk?) learning about my father-in-law's experience playing in a band in the late 1930s (The Sanford Troubadou...
Music - Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:41:36

241. Addicted to My Hobbies

It seems that when I discover a new activity, I fall in love with it and it becomes my whole focus for a long time. My sister characterized this behavior as obsessive-compulsive. That sounded scary to me and I denied that I was any such thing. I said, "I'm just really dedicated." Later I pondere...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:33:18

242. Buy a Retirement Home for Weekends or Summers in New Hampshire

This community, Lake Forest Resort, geared to older adults makes a perfect summer home for snowbirds. Spend the winter down south with the palm trees, but escape the southern heat and humidity to spend spring, summer and fall in comfort, surrounded by woods and not far from a first-class lake, Gr...
Travel & Places - Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:58:37

243. An Old-Fashioned Christmas News!

Turn the clock back to the 1950s, the 1930s, the 1880s.... what fun to experience Christmas the way it was in the Good Old Days. The photo shows my grandfather pulling my mother and her sister on a sled back in the early 1930s. I'll share with you what some of the Christmas decorations and c...
Holidays & Celebrations - Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:41:35

244. Collecting Aprons

Vintage aprons like grandma used to wear.... It seems a rather humble item to collect, when other people search for rare artifacts or expensive antiques. Aprons� combines nostalgia and ease of collecting to make it a growing collectible. My mother and sister hunt for them at yard sales. The photo...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:06:10

245. Eye Wear for Costumes News!

You can't be Harry Potter or Sarah Palin without the right eyeglasses. Glasses turn your face into your favorite celebrity or character for Halloween or any costume occasion. If you want to be Elton John or the cartoon dog, Mr. Peabody, you need the right glasses. I've searched high and low to fi...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 04 Sep 2011 14:59:44

246. Clues from an 1880s Autograph Album News!

Years ago, I bought this autograph album at an antiques flea market in Pennsylvania. For a long time, it was tucked away in a box with the old diaries that I collect. Now I've brought it out and want to discover who these people were that signed this book. The first name was Georgie A. Smith. I'...
Culture & Society - Sat, 12 May 2012 23:51:20

247. My First Day in Australia News!

Twenty years ago, I flew to Australia to join my new husband. He was in Alice Springs on assignment and my arrival had been delayed by visa requirements and an airline strike. Now I'd arrived all alone in Sydney and had a day's layover before going on to Alice Springs. I'd started from Baltimore ...
Travel & Places - Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:52:29

248. 1918 Ladies Footwear News!

I have a Spring-Summer 1918 catalog for clothes from the Lombard Mail Order Company in Baltimore, Maryland. It's fascinating to see what was the style for ladies shoes at that time. This was just before the flapper era of short skirts, so picture these shoes with an ankle-length dress or skirt a...
Fashion & Beauty - Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:07:44

249. Librarians on Squidoo News!

I keep bumping into library people as I navigate around Squidoo. They are from public libraries, school libraries, and university libraries and include current librarians, retired librarians and people with experience as library staff. I wanted to feature them here, so it would be easier for all ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Fri, 04 May 2012 04:19:28

250. Free eBook Fairy Tales from Around the World

Fairy tales from around the world thrill a child with new adventures and exotic locales. Best of all these vintage tales are free for downloading on the Kindle. Here are the links to get these fairy tale books from Amazon. Check the price to be sure it hasn't changed, then click to PURCHASE the ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 25 Feb 2012 03:01:33

251. Pancake Pens - Art for Breakfast

Pancake pens are fun and can create a magical theme to any breakfast. Even a child who's lukewarm about breakfast will get enthused about fancy pancake shapes and letters. Your first batch of pancakes using your pen is not going to look like a breakfast that can be showcased in an art gallery, bu...
Food & Cooking - Thu, 10 May 2012 05:38:58

252. Sexy Christmas Cards News!

Because it's never too early (or too late) to start planning for Christmas! Why send the same old blah Christmas cards as everyone else, when you could send sexy Christmas cards. They'll certainly stand out from the crowd. Show off your daring personality by sending slightly naughty or really st...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:22:47

253. Cooking with Chhaya

My niece, Chhaya, took up cooking at a young age. Now a senior in college, she's an accomplished baker and a maker of all sorts of gourmet recipes. How does Black Walnut Fudge or White Chocolate Chunk Cookies sound to you? Stick around and I'll share with you some of her recipes that I know you w...
Food & Cooking - Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:14:48

254. Bloody Wounds Make Up Kits

Turn yourself into a gory character for a play or for Halloween with these frightening bloody scars and makeup kits. Maybe you're a Civil War re-enactor or putting on a school reality performance about drunk driving. Whatever your reason for wanting to look horrible, you've come to the right pla...
Holidays & Celebrations - Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:04:15

255. Wildlife in New Hampshire News!

It's such a joy to see a chipmunk skitter across the yard or a red squirrel nibbling on an acorn that it turns with it's small paws. Late at night I hear the forlorn call of a loon on a nearby lake. When you spend time in a region like New England, spotting new wildlife becomes a game and a chall...
Travel & Places - Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:59:51

256. Play Kitchens - Hours of Fun for Kids News!

We loved playing in our play kitchen when we were young. Little did we realize that as we role-played, we were learning valuable skills. Using their imagination and pretending to cook like mom and dad is very good for children. Treat your child to a play kitchen. They'll have hours of fun with i...
Parenting & Kids - Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:18:14

257. Kitchen Tile Murals News!

I've been wanting a tile mural on the wall behind my stove. Today my husband said to get going with it. I'm excited that I won't be looking at the bland white wall anymore while I'm cooking. The challenge now is to choose from all the great tile murals that are available. I'm showcasing them her...
Home & Garden - Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:43:18

258. Finding Poinciana, Florida

When I tell people that I live in Poinciana, Florida, they are surprised when they can't find it in their atlas. Since Poinciana is unincorporated, it doesn't always show up. It has grown from 10,000 people just twenty years ago to about 60,000 or 65,000 now. To help them find Poinciana, I give ...
Travel & Places - Tue, 08 May 2012 05:10:38

259. Self-Publish Family Memories News!

I've self-published two books of family stories and history using a print-on-demand publisher like Blurb.com. Maybe you've thought of putting your own life stories into a book or of publishing a family history book to honor your parents and grandparents. I'll share with you the steps for gatherin...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:23:02

260. Gail and Clyde Martin - Lasting Love

What does it take to stay married for over sixty years? Well, first you need to live a long time. Fortunately a good marriage helps you live longer. The nurturing in a committed relationship aids that. This page is a tribute to my parents, Gail and Clyde Martin, and to their 67 years of marriage...
Relationships & Family - Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:13:51

261. Halloween Party Foods News!

Scary foods with innovative presentations add that extra flair to your Halloween party. The lensmasters (webpage makers) on Squidoo have great recipes and ideas for making your Halloween party food the best ever. I've gathered together all their ideas here, so you can find everything from gross c...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:23:43

262. Make a Cozy Reading Nook

My resolution each January is to read more. I enjoy reading, but get busy with other things and neglect this pastime that I love. What I need is a comfy space set aside just for reading. Then when the icy snow pelts against the window, I can cuddle up with a book and a warm throw over my legs whi...
Home & Garden - Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:43:02

263. Bride's Christmas Ornament News!

Whether the wedding is in a church, reception hall or private home, a December wedding is the perfect setting for a special bride's tree. There are different ways to approach the theme, so here are some tips and suggestions to create a tree for that special day or for a December bride and groom. ...
Weddings - Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:40:56

264. Newbie Lens-Making Mistakes on Squidoo

We were all newbies at one time and there is much to learn on Squidoo. Looking back on my first lenses, I made all the mistakes that a newbie lensmaster could. Some are fixable, but some I'm stuck with (like bad URLs or too broad a topic). I'm compiling some examples of common goofs made by newb...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 05 May 2012 01:37:23

265. Libraries Need Friends

Friends of the Library groups often first organize to help raise funds for a new library. The organization plays an important role in continuing support for a library as well. Most libraries operate on limited budgets, so a Friends of the Library supplements that with fundraising. The groups also...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:12:29

266. Ship in a Bottle News!

Pirates and sailors had to amuse themselves for many long days at sea. It wasn't all swashbuckling adventure day-in-and-day-out like you see in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Who knows, maybe even the captain took some time to whittle and assemble a tiny ship to place in a bottle. Well, I can'...
Arts & Design - Mon, 16 Apr 2012 01:45:16

267. Best Gift for Dad - Saving His Memories

Last year, I collected together essays written by my mom, my sister and myself to create a book about my father's life. That sounds like a major project, but self-publishing a book is much easier these days. It also is much less expensive than it used to be. Saving your father's memories or fami...
Relationships & Family - Sun, 20 May 2012 22:13:16

268. Irish Windows: Prints and Posters News!

Old thatched cottages, Irish castles, and tumble-down stone ruins are some of the architecture featured here. The photographers framed their scene with the window and the results are delightful. Put one of these gorgeous prints or posters on your wall to have a visual reminder of the Emerald Isle...
Home & Garden - Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:14:28

269. Gifts for Genealogists

If you have an avid genealogist in the family, count yourself lucky that your family history is being tracked and preserved. Encourage their genealogy work by gifts at Christmas or birthdays that help them in their work. I've just plunged in to genealogy myself and it is a consuming hobby. Many o...
Relationships & Family - Thu, 22 Dec 2011 04:26:58

270. Harrison Fisher - Prints and Cards

I've loved Harrison Fisher's illustrations of vintage American beauties since I stumbled upon them in the old magazine section of my college library. His pictures bring back the grace and beauty of the Gibson girl, the society lady and a gracious era that is long gone. You can enjoy Harrison Fis...
Arts & Design - Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:23:37

271. Hats for Halloween Costumes News!

A Halloween costume really needs a hat to finish the image. Take a look at all the hats I've found to perfect your Halloween costume or costume for other occasions like a school play or dress-up party. If it's a top hat like Fred Astaire wore or a newsboys cap or a French Foreign Legion hat or a...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:38:59

272. I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy News!

"For I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy..." Who can resist singing along with this great patriotic song. When we were kids, every fourth of July we took time away from the fire crackers and hand-cranked ice cream to watch Yankee Doodle Dandy on television. There was something so satisfying about George M...
Music - Wed, 16 May 2012 03:15:25

273. Sea Glass by Anita Shreve

I hadn't read the highly-touted book, The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve, so it was a mere accident that I picked up her other book, Sea Glass. It made quite an impression on me and I wanted to share the book with you here. Part of what makes a book resonate with someone is the time, place and sta...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:45:47

274. Library Columns: Topics and Tips News!

During my years as a Library Director, I wrote hundreds of library columns for the local newspaper. It proved an extremely useful way to get the library's message out to the public and to shape their view of the library. Don't let your library's column become just a weekly posting of new books. T...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:43:51

275. Place Card Holders - Easter & Other Holidays News!

A well-dressed table sets the stage for a festive family gathering for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Valentine's Day table complete with special place card holders looks great for a party or wedding. Holiday place card holders complete the scene. You can make your own place card holders for the...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:48:22

276. S'more Makers - Do These Gadgets Work?

Remember old-fashioned fun toasting marshmallows over the campfire to make s'mores? Now there are lots of different ways to cook s'mores right in the kitchen or at the dinner table. Do these gadgets work or are they a waste of money? Find out by checking the polls and reviews on this page. If yo...
Food & Cooking - Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:39:45

277. True Accounts of Hauntings

Have you seen or heard a ghost? These people have and documented their experience. Fortunately none were harmed by the ghost(s) but obviously it is quite disturbing to live in a real haunted house. For entertainment at Halloween, people visit "haunted houses" to be frightened by apparitions, str...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 12 May 2012 03:19:58

278. Finding Writing Topics for Online Writers News!

Bloggers need frequent updates to their blogs to keep readers interested. Content writers for online writing sites like Bukisa and Squidoo are always on the look out for fresh topics to spark their writing and creating. Whenever an idea pops into your head, jot it down. You might not remember it...
Business & Work - Tue, 08 May 2012 05:28:03

279. The Kansas Oil Museum

My dad worked as a roughneck, tool pusher and production manager in the Kansas oil fields. The question came up, "where would you take your dad on Father's Day?" The Kansas Oil Museum is the perfect outing for a retired oil man. What a great time he would have telling me what all the equipment w...
Travel & Places - Thu, 17 May 2012 04:19:13

280. The Wooded Shade Garden - What to Grow

I delight in the huge trees that shade my yard in New Hampshire. It does make planting a bit tricky until you learn the right plants for a wooded area. Here are my recommendations after five years of shade gardening. Big trees give welcome, cooling shade on hot summer days, but it doesn't have t...
Home & Garden - Fri, 11 May 2012 04:11:03

281. Keep Warm on Golf Course - How to Golf When Cold News!

Golfers hate to miss a day of golf, but sometimes the weather just isn't very cooperative. If there's frost on the grass, the game is delayed but not canceled. Heading out for an early tee time sometimes means chill conditions especially if it's windy as well. The problem is keeping warm enough ...
Sports & Recreation - Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:47:37

282. Virginia Allain's Lens Giveaway News!

I've made hundreds of lenses (web pages) on Squidoo and over time, some become favorites and others languish without attention. As a lensmaster, I feel guilty for neglecting the upkeep on the orphan lenses and end up spending even less time on them. Now I've decided to give some of the lenses awa...
Squidoo Community - Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:10:14

283. Carrie Nation: Kansas Crusader News!

Growing up in Kansas, we studied Kansas history and the biographies of noted Kansans. The ones that remain vivid in my mind include Amelia Earhart, William Allen White, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Wild Bill Hickox and Carrie Nation. Carrie Nation especially captured my imagination since she was an out...
Culture & Society - Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:56:35

284. Using Costumes in Library Storytimes

Make storytimes extra-special for children by adding a costumed character to the program. It can be a visit from a character after you've read or told a story about it or you can dress in character for the whole storytime. Gradually I built up a good selection of costumes that the library used fo...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:05:54

285. Gifts for Insomniacs

For someone suffering from insomnia, giving them the gift of sleep is the most wonderful present you could possibly choose. You'll find here some unique products for improving sleep or helping someone get to sleep. Insomnia, either occasional or chronic, affects one's quality of life. I know I'm...
Healthy Living - Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:56:17

286. Free Books and How to Get Them News!

Getting books for free seems like a too-good-to-be-true fairytale. Actually I've explored a number of ways to get free books. It's true, there are ways to stock your bookshelves and never run out of something new to read. The best part is you can do this for free. For good measure, I'll throw in ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:45:37

287. Robert Newton Peck Talks about Writing

I just came from hearing Robert Newton Peck talk about writing. Wow, this was a surprise visit to our writing class in our Florida retirement community. What a privilege to hear one of the great children's and teen authors of today. He's the author of 65 books and you'll find them stocked into ev...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:57:42

288. Steampunk Goggles and Hats

Are you intriqued by the quirky combinations of Victoriana and mechanical that makes up steampunk style? It's quite inventive and allows for lots of individuality and do-it-yourself costuming. Here are some goggles and videos with ideas and tips for applying steampunk style to them. Steampunk Di...
Culture & Society - Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:56:28

289. Cute Kitchen Timers

Why have a boring all-white kitchen timer or a ho-hum metal one, when you can have a cute cow timer or a funny egg shaped kitchen timer? I've gathered here a selection of timers to make you smile. Remember that the timers have uses not just in the kitchen but in all areas of the house. You might...
Food & Cooking - Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:38:27

290. Squid Pals

I don't quite understand why Squidoo removed the fan club capability on Squidoo. With it gone, I have a hard time keeping in touch with the lensmasters that I admire and that liked my lens work as well. Perhaps the site thought it was too clannish, but trying to connect with them solely through F...
Squidoo Community - Tue, 08 May 2012 14:49:31

291. I've Always Been Fashion Challenged News!

Here I am, probably about two years of age. I'm sitting in the grass with my mom's fuzzy slippers on my lap. Even at that young age, I was fashion challenged. Follow along with me as I share my photos over the years from the family album. If there was a fashion mistake (cat's eye glasses) I'm su...
Fashion & Beauty - Wed, 09 May 2012 19:35:01

292. Clyde Martin's Family History

My dad, Clyde Owen Martin, is the subject for my mom's second book. Some of my essays and my sister Cindy's are included as well. While compiling my mom's writing and research into the book, I uncovered some family history that was new to me. We also turned up some vintage family pictures tha...
Relationships & Family - Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:20:40

293. New England Christmas Ornaments News!

Because it's never too early (or too late) to start planning for Christmas! I love New England and that love of the region shows up on my Christmas tree. It isn't easy finding moose, lobster and other New England Christmas tree ornaments outside the region. To make the holidays easier, I've gath...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:39:56

294. African Christmas Ornaments

If you've traveled to Africa or have African ancestry you'll love these African Christmas ornaments. Actually many of them are suitable for display all year. Just hang one in a window where it will catch your eye. They look great when you decorate a whole Christmas tree in an African theme. I've...
Holidays & Celebrations - Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:57:40

295. Deer Resistant Flowers

I know first-hand how disappointing it is to see a prized flowering plant half-eaten or destroyed. Deer are beautiful animals, but they love to eat flowering plants like hibiscus and also enjoy my strawberry plants. It's not necessary to fence everything in and you don't have to drive the deer aw...
Home & Garden - Fri, 11 May 2012 03:05:13

296. Loon Gifts for All Lovers of Loons News!

For years, I've tried capturing loons with my camera. It isn't easy to take a decent photo of these handsome birds from a boat bobbing on the lake. Loons live in the far north, often on isolated lakes. These photographers have overcome all these problems to take outstanding pictures. I've select...
Pets & Animals - Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:34:33

297. Sharing Recipes Online

When posting a recipe to the Internet, many people don't think about details like copyright, photos, or clarity. It's too easy to cut-n-paste, but that's not the right thing to do. Does the recipe you are posting really belong to you? Can the reader easily follow the recipe's instructions? Can it...
Food & Cooking - Sat, 21 Apr 2012 07:39:34

298. Gifts for Civil War Buffs

Treat the Civil War buff to a special birthday or Christmas gift that they will love. Awareness of the American Civil War is heightened by the 150th anniversary of the war. Civil War buffs come in all ages and specialized interests. The buff may be a re-enactor, a historian, an armchair general o...
Culture & Society - Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:24:35

299. Miserable Childhoods Make Great Biographies News!

Perhaps reading about the difficulties that others encountered while growing up, makes our own lives seem more secure and more normal. Maybe reading about disasters and children who survived them encourages us to know that life goes on, no matter how horrendous the early years were. Mostly we mar...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:29:19

300. Deluxe Outdoor Tableware

When you entertain outdoors, you want durable tableware, cookware, serving items and more, and that's what you will find showcased here. You'll love this selection of deluxe outdoor tableware and accessories! Great for outdoor parties, family gatherings, camping and so on. This Picnic at Ascot ...
Home & Garden - Tue, 22 May 2012 03:57:06

301. Children Remembering World War II

Children can remember events and feelings quite vividly, especially if it was a time of great drama. World War Two was certainly dramatic and for most, traumatic. Read these accounts of that momentous time to get the feeling of what it was like to be a child during the war.
Culture & Society - Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:55:44

302. Tyro, Kansas

Few people know of Tyro, Kansas. It's small and well past its heyday. The only reason I know of this now�sleepy town is my grandparents grew up there, fell in love and married. That was back before World War I. My mother recently showed me some vintage photos of her mother in Tyro. It made me cur...
Travel & Places - Sun, 08 Apr 2012 21:16:32

303. International Goof Off Day

There seems to be no end to the goofy holidays celebrated in some way or another. For the goofiest of goofy days, celebrate International Goof-Off Day. This special day in March would be an excellent occasion to take a day off from work and relax. Forget about all the household projects you shou...
Holidays & Celebrations - Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:37:07

304. Interpreting Civil War Diaries

There's a wealth of letters, diaries and other hand-written documents from the American Civil War, but it isn't always easy to understand what you are reading. Unfamiliar handwriting, archaic abbreviations, no-longer-used words, faded ink and smudged pencil and place names that have changed can m...
Culture & Society - Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:51:20

305. Buffalo Bill's Wild West Posters News!

Our vision of what the West was like is colored by movies and television. Before we had that media, the country formed their ideas about the West from Buffalo Bill's Wild West Shows. Posters that advertise the Wild West Shows are filled with action and are quite colorful. The graphics make great...
Arts & Design - Tue, 15 May 2012 06:00:00

306. My Little Old Rambler

Towards the end of the 1960s when I left for college, my father found a little Rambler for me to drive. It was used, but he was good at patching up old cars and I was grateful for the wheels, any wheels. That little Rambler carried me the 60 miles between college in Emporia, KS and my family in E...
Cars - Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:44:02

307. Vintage Cars from My Family Album News!

In sorting old photos for my mother's book about her childhood in the 1930s, I was intrigued by the pictures of family cars through the decades. I'll share some of these vintage car pictures here with you. You'll see classic cars from as early as 1918 and up through the Great Depression and onwar...
Cars - Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:27:30

308. I Found My Online Twin News!

Ginger is my nickname, but officially I'm Virginia Allain. One day on a whim, I checked on Facebook using my nickname, Ginger Allain. To my surprise, a profile came up but it wasn't me. Wow, there's another Ginger Allain out there in cyberspace. Have you ever wondered about other people out ther...
Squidoo Community - Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:34:17

309. Lladro Cat Figurines News!

One can't resist the graceful lines of a Lladro figurine. For cat lovers, there are a number of figurines celebrating the many moods and activities of cats and kittens. These elegant porcelain figures have strong appeal to collectors. Their soft shades of blues and grays and graceful curves make...
Arts & Design - Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:25:13

310. Save a Library - Carnegie Libraries at Risk

In the early twentieth century, Andrew Carnegie made massive donations to build libraries across the United States. Now many of those buildings have fallen on hard times. Many are too small now and have been converted to museums or left empty. It's sad to see these buildings that served their co...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 19 Nov 2011 17:38:14

311. Vintage Westerns: My Dad's Favorite Reads News!

Westerns were in heavy demand at my library when the retirees flocked to the area for the warm winters. These older men grew up watching Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry weekly at the movies. Cowboys wore white hats and overcame the bad guys. From the 1920s to the 1950s youngsters imit...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:13:10

312. Triage for My Least Popular Lenses News!

I'm inspired by lensmasters who've created a lens listings of their bottom ten lenses. Here I'll carry that concept a bit further. I'll use this lens as a worksite to rehab any of my lenses that hit 300,000 or lower in lensranking. It will be sort of a nursing home or hospital for ailing lenses. ...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:44:36

313. Alumacraft Boat for Sale

If you feel like you're missing out on all the summer fun, then it's time to buy a boat. Take the family for a cruise around the lake or on the river. Get out the fishing gear and enjoy the early morning stillness as you cast your line. Think about how much fun the kids or grandkids will have lea...
Sports & Recreation - Tue, 15 May 2012 15:56:56

314. Nature Kits for Kids

I loved exploring nature as a kid. Rocks, leaves, insects, birds... all these things fascinated me. Fortunately my parents encouraged these interests and I hope you'll do the same for a child in your life. For a birthday gift, Christmas or just anytime, give them a nature kit. The interest that ...
Parenting & Kids - Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:02:50

315. Carved Wooden Russian Santas

Do you collect wooden Santas or Ded Moroz as Father Christmas is called in Russia? I'm fascinated by the artistry that goes into these folk figures. Collecting them over the years results in a superb display at Christmas time. One wooden Russian Santa looks great featured on a mantle or as part ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:45

316. Red Sox Spring Training News!

The Red Sox inspires undying fan loyalty. No matter where they go, the Red Sox Nation turns out to see them. Catching just a glimpse of their favorite players is an event. The games are sold out, so getting tickets requires some planning and effort. One way to see the players is to go to Spring T...
Sports & Recreation - Fri, 11 May 2012 04:32:13

317. Carnegie Libraries North Carolina

The great industrialist, Andrew Carnegie, dispersed millions of dollars in the early 1900s to build libraries across the United States and also in Europe. This page focuses on the impact of these libraries on the state of North Carolina. Many of the vintage library buildings remain in use today,...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Mon, 05 Sep 2011 01:40:39

318. Angel Christmas Tree Ornaments News!

Angels don't have to be saved for just the top of the tree. If you love angels, like I do, then fill the whole tree with angel ornaments. Angel ornaments come in all materials and styles so you can specialize in one type or collect them all. I particularly like handcrafted Christmas ornaments, bu...
Holidays & Celebrations - Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:46:57

319. Wheat Free Baking from WWI

During World War One, the United States asked the "patriotic women of America" to cut back on the use of wheat flour. Wheat was urgently needed to ship overseas for the troops and for starving civilians in war-torn areas. Recipes in magazines and in booklets like the one shown here offered alter...
Food & Cooking - Sun, 25 Mar 2012 05:24:26

320. Irish Roots Go Deep News!

Sure everyone's Irish on St. Patty's Day, but having even a drop of Irish blood in your veins entitles you to take pride in your celtic heritage all the time. My family background includes the Kennedy name. How Irish can you get? There's also the McGhees, so that's Scotch-Irish. I've felt an affi...
Travel & Places - Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:55:49

321. Nellie - My Sister's Tuxedo Cat News!

Nellie was your classic black and white cat, the kind with the white on the chest like a tuxedo. She shared her home with Annie and Olive and their humans (Karen and Chhaya). At ten years of age, Nellie's health began to fail. She took that last trip to the vet where he did what he could to help...
Pets & Animals - Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:15:14

322. Picking Blueberries News!

Blueberry lovers find many ways to use the versatile fruit. I'll share with you my blueberry picking tips and some favorite recipes. Think of blueberry muffins, blueberry syrup for your blueberry French toast bake, blueberry crumble and blueberries on ice cream. Check out the pick-your-own listi...
Home & Garden - Sat, 05 May 2012 04:37:04

323. Cork Cages for Wine Corks

When you savor a bottle of wine that fit perfectly with a meal, why not keep the cork for a momento. Some people save them just to remember the occasion, others just like the looks of them on display and some save the wine corks to make craft projects. Whatever your reason, you don't want the cor...
Food & Cooking - Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:03:56

324. Gypsy - the Stray Cat Who Came to Stay News!

Gypsy was a wild cat. Well, not actually a wildcat, but one who had been abandoned. She lived a desperate life in the alleys and yards of Baltimore; finding food and shelter wherever she could. When she came into my life, her multi-colored fur was matted, lack-luster and dirty. She was thin and ...
Pets & Animals - Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:36:43

325. Create a Catalog of Your Lenses

I'd tried making a variety of lensographies to organize my lenses and make them accessible. Finding the time to update these lensographies wasn't easy. After awhile you wonder if you need to make a lensography of your lensographies. Aaack. Finally I decided to create a catalog of my lenses using...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:30:38

326. What Is Scorbutus?

It confused me at first, to see many of the deaths in Andersonville Civil War prison attributed to scorbutus. What was scorbutus? My great-great grandfather, who spent six months in Andersonville, was listed as suffering from scorbutus when he was paroled. It didn't take long to solve the first ...
Culture & Society - Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:56:25

327. Small Town Kansas: Reading News!

In 2011, Reading suffered huge damage from a tornado. I recently talked to my second-cousin who lives in Reading. Sad to hear of all the houses destroyed by this tornado. I've included some photos, video and news coverage about this disaster. I don't remember Reading, Kansas but family photo...
Travel & Places - Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:24:51

328. Indian Pipe Plant: A Ghostly Wild Plant News!

Walking in the New Hampshire forests, I spotted an odd-looking plant, Later I learned this white, fleshy looking plant was called Indian Pipes. It grows in shady areas where there is lots of leaf mold. It's a strange, sort of ghostly plant that pushes up through the leaf cover in clumps of bleach...
Home & Garden - Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:03:48

329. 25 Things I'm Grateful For

I'm a retired librarian, so I like to catalog and list things. This started out to be a list of 100 things I'm grateful for. It's almost Thanksgiving, so that holiday inspired me to start this lens. I saw a similar lens and it just looked like a fun thing to do. Obviously it won't...
Holidays & Celebrations - Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:39:46

330. Andersonville Prison - A Book List

I'm reading a lot about Andersonville and featuring the books here. When I first heard the horror story of Andersonville in my American history class, I had no inkling that my great-great grandfather was one of the prisoners who suffered there. Even without a personal connection, people are drawn...
Culture & Society - Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:52:55

331. Unicorn Art and Artists: Gifts Featuring Unicorn Art News!

I love unicorns and have found some of the best designs on Zazzle to share with you. Some of the unicorn designs are by professional artists and others are self-taught, but you'll see the best of the best showcased below. I made this page because I wanted to make it easy for people to discover s...
Pets & Animals - Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:58:17

332. Getting Older: Advice from an Octogenarian News!

My mom, Gail Lee Martin, loves to write and loves to give advice. At 85, she has lots of experience, and she shared what she has learned by writing articles for the eHow website. Many of her topics are good for a senior audience, but other ages will find tips they can use, seasoned with her 85 ye...
Healthy Living - Wed, 09 May 2012 05:20:55

333. Movies to Watch Again and Again

Although I wouldn't describe myself as a movie buff, there are some films that grab me and won't let go. These films stick in my mind and every time I watch one it feels fresh and satisfying. Below you'll see my top ten movies that I watch over and over. I hope I can convey to you how special th...
Entertainment & Media - Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:24:09

334. Green Living in the 1930s News!

People think green living is a new concept. Back in the 1930s people recycled and conserved as a way of life. Sure. they had to make the most of every little thing just to survive. My mom and dad share their memories of conserving and living green during the Great Depression. They were children ...
Healthy Living - Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:15:02

335. Take a Florida Ghost Tour News!

Florida, the sunshine state, may not make you think of ghost and ghost tours. It should, because there are many very old and reportedly, very haunted places in Florida. If you enjoy hearing about ghosts in historic places, then it's time for a trip to Florida's ghostly sites. I've collected toget...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:27:49

336. Write Family Memories for Our Echo News!

You look at old family photos and wonder "what was their life like?" Start now writing about your childhood memories to pass along to your children and grandchildren. Don't leave them wondering. Posting the things you write online at Our Echo lets your family enjoy your memories right away. I...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 08 May 2012 04:43:59

337. Andersonville Prison Photos

In 2010, I visited Andersonville, Georgia to see the museum and national cemetery there honoring the Union prisoners who suffered and died in that place. My personal motive was to find out more about my great-great grandfather who was an Andersonville survivor. The photos below include ones I to...
Culture & Society - Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:44:39

338. Make a Wedding Photo Book with Blurb.com

Turning candid wedding snapshots into a photo book makes a wonderful surprise for the bride and groom. There are a many sites where you can make a custom photo book. You may not be a professional photographer, but a bound photo book makes your digital pictures special. If the wedding budget is e...
Weddings - Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:36:51

339. Give a Gift That Lasts a Lifetime News!

Often people receive "fun" gifts, frivolous gifts or the most recent gimmick for a birthday or holiday, but in a few weeks it is forgotten. Give a gift that lasts a lifetime by sharing your family memories with the next generation. This can be in the form of a scrapbook, a self-published book, a ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:08:28

340. How eHow Shaped My Writing Career News!

I wrote for eHow about two years. During that time, I learned a lot while posting over 400 articles there. Much of what I learned on eHow provided a base for my writing when I switched to making lenses (web pages) on Squidoo. At the moment, this page lists my former how-to articles and tips for ...
Business & Work - Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:19:03

341. Wanda Ryder - Manitoba Author

I feel privileged to have become friends with this author over ten years ago. She participated in the Meet the Author events I hosted during my time as a library director in South Texas. Wanda and her husband wintered in the Rio Grande Valley, so I looked forward to their return each year when th...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 16 May 2012 04:34:28

342. The Sanford Troubadours News!

In the 1930s and 1940s, my husband's father, Alban Allain, played in a group that was locally popular in southern Maine and New Hampshire. It was called the Sanford Troubadours. The band of young Franco-Americans played country-western tunes. They played for dances at local halls and also played...
Relationships & Family - Wed, 16 May 2012 03:52:05

343. eHow Dolly Visits Central Florida News!

The eHow writers have combined to show eHow Dolly the U.S.A. She started off from Hawaii where she lives with Pam. So far, she's been to Maine, then on to New York state, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Virginia, and South Florida. The rest of us are anxiously waiting...
Travel & Places - Wed, 09 May 2012 03:00:05

344. Creepy Spider Decorations for Halloween

Most people are repulsed by spiders, even tiny spiders, so for upping the scare factor to your Halloween decor, add spiders. Giant spiders and giant hairy spiders increase the thrill factor even more. Of course, you'll need some spiderwebs to place artfully around the home and even outside. I've...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:10:41

345. Ramona and Beezus: from a Book to a Movie News!

For every child who's little sister was a pest, reading Beezus and Ramona reassured you that you weren't alone. Now Beverly Cleary's ever-so-real children's stories come to the big screen. Ramona and Beezus debuts July 23, 2010 and I can't wait. The movie trailer shows Ramona in her best pest beh...
Entertainment & Media - Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:28:37

346. Vintage Irish Sheet Music

I love old Irish songs, both the traditional tunes and the songs made popular in the music halls. Before the days of YouTube and MP3 players, people bought sheet music and played the popular songs on their piano. Although "Danny Boy" and "Irish Eyes Are Smiling" probably come first to your mind,...
Music - Wed, 28 Mar 2012 02:24:09

347. Lake Forest RV Resort: Photo Gallery News!

Weekenders, seasonal residents and RV travelers find Lake Forest RV Resort near Wakefield, New Hampshire a restful retreat. The beauty of Great East Lake invites kayaking and motor boating. Boaters enjoy seeing loons, sparkling water, and classic New England cottages and cabins on this large lake...
Travel & Places - Mon, 07 May 2012 02:19:10

348. Ireland-Blessings Make Great Gifts News!

The people of Ireland have a way with words. Their proverbs, blessings, sayings and even curses pass down through the generations while still being meaningful today. Maybe you can't travel to Ireland, but you can enjoy all these great Irish quotations on a mug or a mousepad or other products. Tre...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:25:11

349. Beach Christmas Cards News!

When you live near the seacoast, you want your Christmas cards with a beach theme. These will stand out from the typical holiday cards and your friends and relatives will appreciate seeing your unique Christmas cards featuring sand and seagulls. I've searched thoroughly to bring you coastal and b...
Holidays & Celebrations - Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:12:22

350. Shoes for Costumes

Somehow one can't be a rough, tough pirate while wearing a pair of sneakers. The right boots or shoes finish the costume for Halloween or a fancy dress party. I've assembled a sampling of what you need to complete your costume with the right footwear for a witch, Dorothy from OZ, Santa Claus or e...
Holidays & Celebrations - Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:26:45

351. Best Gifts for the Office

Need ideas for the office gift exchange, for an office pal's birthday or even something festive to give the whole office at Christmas? It can be hard to find appropriate holiday gifts for co-workers. Often you have a strict price range making selection difficult or you might not know the person w...
Holidays & Celebrations - Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:27:15

352. Collecting Vintage Valentines News!

It's easy to get started collecting old valentines. There is a huge variety of antique and more recent valentines available for the collector. The photo on the left shows some of my collection. If you have an affinity for vintage bits and pieces of paper, are drawn to colorful lithographs and an...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:37:10

353. Virginia Allain's Newest Squidoo Lenses News!

I love the concept of featuring the ten most recent Squidoo lenses (web pages) that a lensmaster has created. Here's my ten newest lenses. They will update every time I make a new lens on Squidoo. If you want to be-in-the-know, just stop by every now and then to see the latest top ten. As you ca...
Squidoo Community - Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:10:21

354. Adults with Developmental Disabilities

If you have a developmentally disabled adult in the family, it can be a struggle to find services for them and to help them live a reasonably normal life. In searching on this topic, I've found some books that are a help. I hope you find this booklist helpful in improving the life of the develop...
Healthy Living - Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:54:14

355. Creating Your Squidoo Brand

I've been pondering the importance of branding and how it might affect my writing on Squidoo. Do I have a brand? Does anyone know who I am, what I write or care about either of those things? If I don't have a brand or a recognizable persona on Squidoo, then how would I create that? Here are my t...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 24 Mar 2012 23:27:27

356. Younger Next Year for Women News!

Most of us need a pep talk to get us motivated to get fit and eat right. We wonder if it really make any difference in the long run. Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge in the Younger Next Year books adamantly believe that it does. By the time you read the book, you'll be a believer too. Exercise m...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 30 Jul 2011 01:07:04

357. Have an Old-Fashioned Easter News!

I loved hearing my mom tell about her 1930s childhood. The holidays and how they celebrated them made great stories. Here I'll share some of her Easter memories from that era, plus some of mine from the 1950s. Also I'll share her tips on how to dye eggs using natural dyes, just like in the 1930s...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:05:50

358. Jack O Lantern Ideas News!

With the great tools for carving jack o lanterns now, one can go far beyond the traditional smiling face on a pumpkin. Need ideas and inspiration? Here are plenty of examples of what can be done with a pumpkin. I've gathered together some designs for beginners and some that require some practice ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:20:18

359. Heritage Recipes

We need to share the recipes from the battered recipe cards or those hand-written on scraps of paper. Future generations can enjoy a dessert or main dish prepared the way our ancestors made it. Sometimes there are stories that go with the recipes. I wanted to preserve the recipe and stories. My m...
Food & Cooking - Sat, 24 Mar 2012 04:11:15

360. Limpkin Chicks News!

I'm fortunate to live in a retirement community in Florida which has plenty of habitat for wild birds like the limpkin. Living here has turned me into an avid birdwatcher. I keep my camera with me at all times so I can capture the scenes that make Solivita such a beautiful place for animal lovers...
Pets & Animals - Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:00:47

361. Celebrate Dress Up Your Pet Day

Some 50 years ago, I had a storybook with cats dressed in clothes (just like the picture here). It amused me greatly and we attempted to dress our kitties in some doll clothes. Fast-forward to the 21st century and I see more and more pets wearing clothing. There's even a special day encouraging ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:00:43

362. Kansas Christmas Tree Decorations

It's fun to decorate a Christmas tree with a theme. Since I grew up in Kansas, decorating the tree with a Kansas theme makes me feel quite nostalgic. What elements make the theme uniquely Kansas? Some decorative elements like sunflowers or the Wizard of Oz are obvious choices. Expand your thinki...
Holidays & Celebrations - Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:33:43

363. eHow Articles by Virginia Allain

For two years I created how-to articles for the eHow website. During that time, I wrote 487 of these on a variety of topics. To help people find them, I'm listing them here grouped by categories. You'll find articles about books and libraries, articles about photography, articles about cooking, ...
Internet - Fri, 11 May 2012 05:18:06

364. Octogenarian Self-Publishes Memoirs News!

Gail Lee Martin taught family memory writing classes for a number of years. During that time, she started writing down her own memories of the 1930s. Some were published in magazines like Kanhistique that covered Kansas history and antiques. Now these memories have become a book. Working in colla...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:57:02

365. Whitewater, Kansas News!

Whitewater is slightly off the beaten track. I visited it because I have a relative staying at Wheat State Manor in Whitewater. Although I'd been to the nursing home a number of times, this time I took the time to wander around town. If you're in the area, I'd recommend stopping by to see some o...
Travel & Places - Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:49:29

366. You Know You're in New England.... News!

Visitors are drawn to New England for it's unending forests, rocky seacoast, scenic villages and so much more. The state of New Hampshire's license plates say AMERICA'S VACATIONLAND. From the parade of out-of-state cars towing camping trailers, topped with kayaks or canoes, and with bicycles stra...
Travel & Places - Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:57:43

367. The Civil War and My Great-Great Grandfather

I'm researching the life of my Civil War ancestor, Abraham Bates Tower. At the same time, I needed to learn all the details of a soldier's life, understand the battles and timeline of the war and track down as much information as possible about the people around him. He was a Yankee, serving in C...
Culture & Society - Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:18:08

368. Make the Money Last

Sometimes we feel that money rules our lives. There never seems to be enough money for all we want. It seems like the bills keep piling up and the budget gets stretched further and further. Money can be a major cause of family disagreements and certainly the lack of money can be quite stressful....
Healthy Living - Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:04:47

369. Make Your Own Gift Wrap

There's something about a pretty gift package that makes the recipient feel special. It doesn't have to cost a lot to dress up a present, especially if you make your own bows and gift wrap. When I was little, my aunt worked for Hallmark Cards in Kansas. Her prettily packaged gifts impressed me w...
Arts & Design - Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:48:18

370. Let's Celebrate Winslow Homer's Birthday

The great American artist, Winslow Homer was born February 24, 1836. His work is highly valued today as some of the greatest American realism painting. In honor of his birthday, I've collected some of his art, now available on posters and cards, for your enjoyment. Be sure to watch the videos ab...
Arts & Design - Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:27:00

371. Good Reads for Young Vampire Fans News!

Currently The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and the movie have created a strong public interest in vampires. Even young children get curious about all the discussions of vampires. Obviously most children below the teen years won't be plowing through a 640 page romance about vampires. Parents...
Holidays & Celebrations - Mon, 12 Mar 2012 03:52:55

372. Civil War Journals Online - Confederate

If you're a Civil War buff or a student needing primary source material for a paper, you'll find the links you need here. I'm a librarian and have compiled a state-by-state list of online Civil War diaries written by soldiers who fought for the South. For further reading, I'm including some publ...
Culture & Society - Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:32:57

373. An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

� The stores stock up on canned cranberry sauce, chilled whipped topping, and other quick fix foods to simplify the Thanksgiving Day preparations. Actually, fixing the foods is part of the fun, so don't fill the shopping cart with cans and jars. To have a real old-fashioned Thanksgiving, you ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:18:21

374. Gene Stratton-Porter: Novelist and Naturalist of the Early 1900s News!

Gene Stratton-Porter was a naturalist, a photographer and a novelist in the early 1900s. Her heartwarming stories of romance remain popular with their old-fashioned values of honor and hard work. I read them when I was young, and loved them so much that they are in the "keeper" section of my per...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:19:44

375. Library Book Sale Tips

Over my 30 years of library work, I planned and worked at many book sales. It's a great fundraiser for a library. Usually the book sale is planned and put on by the Friends of the Library group. Their volunteers collect the books, sort them, schedule the sale, promote it and hold the sale. Most ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Fri, 25 May 2012 06:41:58

376. Australian Candy Bars News!

I lived in Alice Springs, Australia for 3 1/2 years. That was time enough to develop an addiction to the Cherry Ripe candy bar. There are other great candies that are uniquely Australian and I'll share those with you here. I'll even let you vote on your favorite one. Up front, I have to admit tha...
Travel & Places - Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:42:25

377. Red Nose Day in Australia

Count on the Aussies to find a way to help a charity and have fun too. The Red Nose Day held every year in June is a fundraiser. While Americans are holding telethons and March of Dimes to help charities, the fun-loving Australians put red noses on themselves, their cars, and their pets to raise...
Holidays & Celebrations - Thu, 10 May 2012 03:41:35

378. Beards for Costumes

You can't be a Three Musketeer or Errol Flynn or Gandalf the Wizard without the right facial hair. Many costumes need a beard or mustache to complete the look. Fortunately there is a wide selection of these available. I've searched out all styles and organized them here for you to find the perfec...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:04:15

379. Who's an Angel on Squidoo?

There's no official list of angels on Squidoo that I've found. I decided to put one together, but make no claims for completeness or up-to-the-minute accuracy. The cadre of angels evolves and changes frequently. New angels get their wings and start fluttering around Squidoo-land, while some earli...
Squidoo Community - Thu, 03 May 2012 17:44:25

380. No-Sew Doll's Sundress

I bet you have all the supplies on hand to make this easy doll's sundress. No need to get out the sewing machine or even the needle and thread. If you have scissors, glue, an old short-sleeved shirt, and some double-stick tape, then you are ready to start making a doll dress. Some rickrack or tr...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Sun, 18 Mar 2012 03:03:28

381. Business Cards for Writers

Writers meet writers, editors and other people who might someday provide a writing opportunity. Having a business card with contact information is important in looking professional and sure beats writing your phone number and e-mail address on a crumpled scrap of too-easily-lost paper. Even if yo...
Business & Work - Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:30:16

382. The Yellow Essex

My brother, Owen Martin, loved to tinker with cars. Over the years, he restored many old cars into showy street rods, but I think the love of his life was his 1929 Essex. He actually ended up restoring it several times, changing the configuration and once bringing it back to life after an acciden...
Cars - Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:47:47

383. Care for an Old Bible News!

If you are lucky enough to have a family Bible that has passed down through generations, you'll want to take good care of it. Time and much handling over the years may mean the Bible is about to fall apart. What can be done to save it? How should it be stored? These questions came up over and ove...
Relationships & Family - Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:19:43

384. Finishing Unfinished Projects

Do you sometimes feel oppressed by all the unfinished projects hanging over your head? Maybe you dread opening the closet or going to the garage where half-done crafts and repairs reproach you. It seems like when one thing gets fixed or completed, then two other things break. Too much stuff, too ...
Home & Garden - Sun, 01 Apr 2012 12:44:00

385. Fun Halloween Costumes for Couples

Double the fun for a couple by chosing costumes that go together. Think Blondie and Dagwood, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, and you can see how fun finding the right couple's costume can be. Let's get started by looking at some couple's costumes that I've gathered here for your convenience. Th...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:00:06

386. Making Wishes News!

At the start of a new year, most people make new year's resolutions. I get tired of resolving year-after-year to "lose weight and exercise more." Actually I've found it helpful to focus more on things that will be fun and in being happy with my life. The great part is that in doing the fun things...
Healthy Living - Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:37:31

387. Watch Cases - Store Your Watches in Style News!

There's an amazing selection of watch cases for storing your watches. It's not good for watches to be jumbled all together in a jewelry box or left sitting out gathering dust on a dresser top. If you have quality watches, you'll want to take good care of them and show them off. When you travel, ...
Fashion & Beauty - Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:50:27

388. Squidoo Updates/Lensrank Challenge

This is a combination challenge and experiment. I believe that regular updates result in great improvements in lensrank on Squidoo. Do you have some languishing lenses that rank in the 200,000 or even the 300,000 range? I'm sure you'd love to get them moving in the right direction. Follow the di...
Squidoo Community - Fri, 04 May 2012 22:29:33

389. Spooky Window Posters News!

Imagine spooky scenes in your windows for Halloween or anytime you want to make your house look scary. Some brilliant person came up with the idea of putting full color, plastic film designs in windows for Halloween. These decorations are quite dramatic at night when backlit by your interior ligh...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:35:29

390. Outdoor Bars

Make sure you get one of these fabulous outdoor bars before your next party or gathering! They are so convenient, and they'll help you to stay organized and focused on serving your guests. There is a marvelous selection of outdoor bars, bar tables, bar chairs and more showcased on this page. Ch...
Home & Garden - Tue, 22 May 2012 04:24:42

391. Sciatic Nerve Pain News!

The first time I had sciatic nerve pain, I had no idea how to relieve it. Over the years, I've had several doctors advise me on some simple stretching techniques that bring relief for sciatica. Don't just take pain killers, as that doesn't change the muscle problems that are causing the pain dow...
Healthy Living - Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:13:02

392. Day Trip to Emporia Kansas News!

Looking for a day trip in South-Central Kansas? It's time to check out Emporia in the scenic Flint Hills region. A drive through the rolling hills with Emporia as the destination makes a very pleasant outing. I'll share with you some sights to take in while in Emporia and a sampling of restaurant...
Travel & Places - Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:49:14

393. Snow in Orlando - Winter Events

It's hard to imagine snow in Orlando, Florida. Florida, the land of palm trees, warm winters and alligators. You won't find real snow, but when Christmas draws near, Central Florida offers numerous activities for anyone dreaming of a white Christmas. Apparently many snowbirds miss that white Chr...
Travel & Places - Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:45:48

394. Irish Cream Flavored Coffee

I'm a big fan of Irish Creme liquor, not just Bailey's but other brands as well. Now you can have that Irish creme or Irish cream flavor in your coffee. A number of coffee companies offer flavored coffee beans or Irish cream ground coffee for you to savor. Be sure to have some on hand when St Pa...
Food & Cooking - Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:25:15

395. Shannon Marie Hyle (Martin): A Tribute News!

On December 8, 2006, my youngest sister died unexpectedly at age 49. Shannon Hyle was a special person, not just to her immediate family, but to all who knew her. The church overflowed with bereft people the day of her funeral. Now it is a few years later and our lives adjust to go on without Sh...
Relationships & Family - Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:31:33

396. Irish Silk Scarves

Irish designs on scarves are a delight. Many people think of shamrocks and leprechauns, but expand your thinking to include beautiful celtic designs. On a silk scarf, an elegant celtic pattern makes an eye-catching fashion statement. Wear these scarves year-round, not just on St Patrick's Day. T...
Fashion & Beauty - Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:54:42

397. Heart of the Flower by Virginia Allain News!

A few years ago, I discovered macro photography. At the time, I didn't even know that was what it was called. I just wanted to take some pretty close-up pictures of the flowers in my garden. It didn't stop there. Soon I took the camera everywhere with me; for walks, shopping, visiting friends. Y...
Arts & Design - Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:37:18

398. Make a Healthy Trail Mix of Seeds, Dried Fruits and Nuts

After reading about the health benefits of pumpkin seeds and some other berries and seeds, my husband tried making a snack mix of his own. He wanted something healthy to nibble on while golfing to keep his energy level up. Here's what he came up with. It contains the kernels of pumpkin seeds and ...
Food & Cooking - Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:18:31

399. The Valentine Birthday Boy - Owen Lee Martin

Owen Lee Martin was born in Emporia, Kansas on February 14, 1946. For Gail Lee (McGhee) and Clyde Owen Martin, Owen was their first child. Eventually Owen would have five sisters (Susan, Virginia, Cynthia, Karen and Shannon). Notice that Owen's name was a clever combination of my mom and dad's mi...
Relationships & Family - Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:38:34

400. Specialty Gifts for All Occasions News!

I've been busy as Santa's Helper, compiling showcases for gifts under different topics. You'll want to find the perfect gift for each person's interest and that takes a lot of thought and time. It's worth it, when you see their face light up as they unwrap the gift. If you wandered here and it is...
Holidays & Celebrations - Fri, 11 May 2012 14:36:11

401. James Kuhn - Famous People - Face Paint in Motion

If you haven't seen a James Kuhn video, you are missing an unsual performance artist. Using theatrical paint on his face and sometimes his head and torso, he creates well-known figures. By moving his body and features, he creates what he calls Face-Paint-in-Motion or Face Paint Puppetry. It's of...
Entertainment & Media - Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:56:18

402. Carnegie Libraries in Indiana

Carnegie funds built 164 libraries in the state of Indiana. This was the highest number of Carnegie libraries built in any state. Some have been demolished, some were converted to museums or other public use, but some remain in service as libraries today. I'm fascinated by the architecture both i...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:00:36

403. eHow Writers on Squidoo News!

My first introduction to writing online for income was on eHow. I loved that site and wrote almost 500 how-to articles for it. Over a two year period I made some great online writing buddies there. The forums were at times goofy, at times angry and often informative. Through it all, a core group ...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 10 Mar 2012 05:05:14

404. Pilgrim Costume for Thanksgiving News!

This looks great for a Thanksgiving pageant or a school history program. Wouldn't it be fun for the children to dress in pilgrim costumes to read poems at the Thanksgiving gathering! If you are putting on a Thanksgiving pageant, then you'll want pilgrim and Indian costumes as well. Even adults ca...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:33:17

405. Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

Often the papers are filled with heart-warming stories at Christmas. It isn't just because readers want to hear those, but because more acts of kindness happen at this time of year. I'd like to hear about acts of Christmas kindness that you've received or kindnesses that you've instigated. There ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:42:31

406. Enlisted Men of Company G - 93rd Indiana Infantry

I'm on a quest to find the men who served in Company G, the 93rd Indiana Infantry during the Civil War. My great-great grandfather volunteered for this company. He survived the war and lived a long life. In trying to determine what his life was like during the Civil War, I'm exploring what I can ...
Culture & Society - Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:29:53

407. Lenses Created in 2012 by Virginia Allain

I tracked my web pages (lenses) made on Squidoo last year using this format. It was developed by lensmaster pkmcr. It worked quite well as an easy reference for me on my productivity for the year. I'll probably update it once a month with the new lenses I've made. 2012 , New Year's eve by nobea...
Squidoo Community - Mon, 14 May 2012 17:26:22

408. Cooking New England Style News!

My mother-in-law passed along to us some of her tried and true recipes. She spent her childhood in Tetford Mines, Quebec and even though she spent her whole adult life in Sanford-Springvale, Maine she still spoke with a slight French accent. Betty was the Americanized version of her name. New En...
Food & Cooking - Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:24:26

409. Thanksgiving Decor - Table Runners

A Thanksgiving table runner sets the tone for the holiday table decoration. When it's time for the big turkey feast, you'll want the table to look extra special. When friends and family gather around the table, a pretty table runner adds that little extra that shows your caring touch. Fall color...
Holidays & Celebrations - Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:41:07

410. Company G 93rd Indiana Infantry

My great-great grandfather served in the 93rd Indiana Infantry during the Civil War. In researching his life, I needed to learn about what happened to the regiment he was in. As I find information, I'll link it here for use with the book I'm writing about the life of Abraham Bates Tower, my ances...
Culture & Society - Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:11:42

411. The Work-at-Home Booklist News!

More and more people are discovering ways to earn money while working from their own home. For some it is necessity to earn money at home as their regular job disappeared. For others it was a choice that fit with early retirement or wanting to stay home to care for children while still earning. ...
Business & Work - Mon, 12 Mar 2012 02:19:27

412. My To-Read List News!

I love the saying "So many books, so little time." Fortunately I'm retired now, so I have more time for reading than I ever did while working. Being a librarian meant I had to grit my teeth and smile whenever people said, "It must be fun to have a job where you can read all day." Most of my readi...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:32:13

413. Gail Lee Martin in World War II

I wanted to preserve my mother's memories of World War II and of working in the aircraft factory. At that time in her life, she was Gail Lee McGhee as she hadn't married yet. Fresh out of Hamilton High School, she had several jobs before going to Wichita to work in the Boeing aircraft factory as ...
Relationships & Family - Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:25:19

414. Visit a Kansas Pumpkin Patch for Halloween

Pumpkin patches provide hours of fun that the whole family can enjoy. When the air is crisp but still sunny, enjoy a fall day at one of the pumpkin patches in Kansas. Each pumpkin patch is unique, but most include pumpkin fields where you can choose a pumpkin to make into a jack o' lantern and a...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 12 May 2012 03:17:03

415. School Locker Organizers

I was never a super-neat kid, but usually I could find what I wanted in my school locker. Kids have a lot more STUFF nowadays, so it's harder to rummage through and find what is needed for the next class. Help them out by providing some organizers for their locker. The addition of some shelves, s...
Education - Thu, 22 Dec 2011 04:21:43

416. Andersonville Timeline 1864

This timeline covers the last six months of 1864 for Andersonville. The events listed on the timeline are gleaned from diaries kept by prisoners. My reason for collecting this information is to create a picture in my mind of what my ancestor experienced during his time in Andersonville. If you ar...
Culture & Society - Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:37:29

417. Part 4 - Angel Blessings on My Lenses

This is my 4th page to celebrate the angel blessings on my Squidoo lenses. It serves as a showcase for my better lenses and as a place to thank the Squidoo angels who work hard trying to find and reward good work on Squidoo. I feel honored that my work merited blessings and it inspires me to work...
Squidoo Community - Thu, 10 May 2012 21:04:49

418. Doggie Treat Jars

Most dog owners keep treat on hand to reward their dog for good behavior. Having a cute treat jar or canister to hold them avoids the risk of the treats getting stale in a poorly sealed package or of mice being attracted to them. Your dog learns to associate the treat jar with a rewarding nibble...
Pets & Animals - Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:41:36

419. Stay in a Holiday Cottage in the United Kingdom

For years, I've dreamed of renting a cottage in England or Ireland for a vacation or holiday as the British call it. Now I've discovered the Holiday Lettings website and can spend hours reading the descriptions of cottages, houses and apartments available for renting. As I read the descriptions,...
Travel & Places - Fri, 18 May 2012 15:50:00

420. Do-It-Yourself Clubs Save Money on Home Improvements News!

Hiring carpenters, plumbers and other specialists for home projects get expensive. It's hard to be an expert and fix everything yourself. Some homeowners are pooling their talents and expertise in do-it-yourself clubs. You can save money this way if you're willing to put in some effort. Do-It-Yo...
Home & Garden - Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:00:20

421. Abraham Tower After the Civil War

I'm researching my great-great grandfather's life and documenting what I find here. Abraham Bates Tower survived the notorious Civil War prison, Andersonville, and returned to Indiana. He lived a long life despite the damage to his health from starvation and disease in Andersonville. The four-ge...
Relationships & Family - Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:27:44

422. See the Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Every year, we look forward to seeing the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood theme park. Disney always puts on a good show and this is no exception. Each year it seems to get better and better. As you would expect in a Disney theme park, the display is first class. Thousands...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:11:05

423. Photographing Flowers

I fell in love with taking close-up photographs of flowers. With my camera, I can capture a flower and keep it forever. It appears on my computer screen larger than life with every detail of petal, dew drops and pollen there for me to see. Maybe you would like to take lovely flower photos. Take ...
Arts & Design - Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:20:58

424. Make an Easter Basket for a Lady Golfer News!

I'm a golfer and would love for someone to make me an Easter basket. Some people think Easter is just for kids, but here are some great golf items to fill a basket that will delight any lady golfer. Make it really special and she will be thrilled. The basket or a handy golf-themed tote bag fille...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:27:02

425. Vintage Black Cats for Halloween News!

Many people collect vintage Halloween items. They make great decorations for a Halloween party or for the Halloween season. They show up on eBay and if you're the lucky bidder, you can decorate with Halloween cats too. The designs have been reproduced on totebags and t-shirts as well. I've colle...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 17 Sep 2011 22:45:20

426. Growing and Nurturing Yourself - Recommended Books

Women reach a point where they pause to assess their lives. This can happen in the forties, fifties or sixties. Often they are searching for meaning and investigating their inner spirituality. Books can facilitate this exploration. Here are some that I've found helpful in making this journey. Th...
Healthy Living - Wed, 23 May 2012 23:38:16

427. Subject Index to Virginia Allain's Squidoo Lenses

Sometimes even I can't find one of my lenses when I want it. As the number grows, it gets harder to remember the exact titles or the URLs. This lens compiles them into a lensography that's sort of an encyclopedia format. After all, I am a retired librarian. Because of the length of the lens, it ...
Squidoo Community - Wed, 23 May 2012 15:10:55

428. Solivita Gift Shop

I love Solivita and love photography. In the seven years that I've lived here, I've taken thousands of pictures. This gift shop finally gives me something that I can do with all those pictures. Browse around and enjoy my photos. If you found this website, then I know you love Solivita too...
Travel & Places - Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:11:31

429. You've Been Blessed

This lens is to showcase the blessings dispensed outside my regular territory on Squidoo. Although I have a specific area to focus on, I'm allowed to bless other outstanding lenses (web pages) that I find that don't happen to fall into that area. This lens will feature the free-range angel blessi...
Squidoo Community - Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:58:33

430. Following the 93rd Indiana Infantry

In trying to understand my ancestor's experience in the Civil War, I'm mapping out the movements and battles of the 93rd Indiana Infantry. Abraham Bates Tower was a private with Company G of the 93rd. Follow along with me as I try to visualize the many miles the 93rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry m...
Culture & Society - Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:40:05

431. Turn an Article into a Squidoo Lens

If you have an article that you've removed from another site or are looking for a place to start it earning, I recommend Squidoo. This site makes it easy to place Amazon ads within and around your article to make it earn for you. Originally I wrote these instructions for eHow writers. Writers on...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:34:12

432. Irish Coffee Glasses

I'd never had Irish coffee, until I married my husband. He had a lovely set of Irish coffee glasses and I was intrigued by their stylish look and special use. I've since found that Irish coffee glasses come in a variety of shapes, with or without a handle. If you're wanting some for a special oc...
Food & Cooking - Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:45:32

433. Kansas Gifts of Tote Bags, Mugs, T-Shirts and More

Nothing says KANSAS quite so much as a brilliant yellow sunflower. These gifts showcase my photos of sunflowers, Kansas scenes from small towns to the Flint Hills and vintage photos of Kansas people and places. I feature Kansas photos and themes on gifts to show off small towns around Kansas. So...
Travel & Places - Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:54:05

434. Five Worst Films of 2011

Rick Bentley published a list of the worst movies released in 2011. Looking at it, I thought it would be the start of a good debate. Maybe you agree with his choices or maybe you saw one even worse than these five awful movies. After each movie, I'll include a poll to get your opinion. It's fun t...
Entertainment & Media - Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:43:59

435. Officers of Company G - 93rd Indiana Infantry

My great-great-grandfather joined the 93rd Indiana Infantry, Company G during the Civil War. I was curious about the officers that he served under and applied my librarian skills to researching the topic. Here's what I was able to find. Eventually I hope to have enough about Abraham Bates Tower ...
Culture & Society - Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:23:59

436. Write with Spunk and Bite

Generations of students and writers relied on the classic, Elements of Style by E.B. White and Wiliam Strunk Jr. A slim book, it advises writers on how to write more clearly. Now it has a challenger in Arthur Plotnik's Spunk & Bite. Of course, the title is a play on Strunk and White. I'll share ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:49:09

437. A Is for Annabelle: A Doll's Alphabet News!

Who can resist Tasha Tudor's lovely illustrations? This ABC book starts with Annabelle, the antique doll, and goes on to show her bonnet, cape, and wonderful clothes and accessories. I loved this book when I was little. The idea of a doll having her own trunk really intrigued me in the late 1950...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 03 Aug 2011 05:15:22

438. Abraham Tower Leaves Andersonville Prison

I knew that my great-great grandfather survived the notorious Andersonville Civil War prison, but I didn't have many details on that time in his life. In particular, I was curious about his leaving the prison. The prisoner exchanges had broken down with the North and South unable to agree on the ...
Culture & Society - Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:05:00

439. Indiana Deserters - Civil War

As you search your family genealogy, what if you find a Civil War ancestor who's not a hero, but a deserter? It might be a let-down or a shock, but think it though. There are many factors that influence a soldier's behavior during wartime. In my great-great grandfather's diary, I found his list ...
Culture & Society - Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:29:48

440. Meet the Sol Writers

Meeting regularly, a group of women writers in Central Florida encourage and critique each other. The closely-knit group, named the Sol-Writers, all live in Solivita, near Orlando. Some are published authors, many of them maintain a blog or write online. Here's were you can find their books, poe...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:16:33

441. Make a Pine Cone Pixie Ornament

Decorate your Christmas tree with this easy-to-make pine cone pixie ornament and make some to give to friends too. They make great decorations for Christmas presents. You can gather the pine cones and acorns from your yard or a friend's yard and you're ready to start on your craft. I love seeing...
Holidays & Celebrations - Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:26:01

442. A Family of Writers: Handing Down a Writing Tradition News!

My family has a tradition of writing that goes back many generations. This lens is to celebrate that heritage and to give ideas about making writing a tradition in your own family.With encouragement, we see the younger generation taking an interest and wanting to write as well. My mother didn't ...
Relationships & Family - Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:01:19

443. Genealogy Blogs I Recommend

Once you get started researching your family tree, you become a genealogy buff. It's an all-consuming process. There is so much information out there and so many people telling you how to do a family search, that it becomes overwhelming. To help you sort through all that information, I'm recommen...
Relationships & Family - Tue, 22 May 2012 04:43:15

444. Ladies Room Behavior

It's a universal experience, dreading what you will find in the public restroom. If you are lucky, it is clean, well-lighted and well-stocked and there is no line. If you are unlucky, well... Here are some etiquette tips for how to behave in a public ladies room. Necessity by kittytrishia Waiti...
Healthy Living - Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:04:56

445. Set Goals with 43 Things

Committing to goals becomes easier if you have feedback from others. Using the website 43 Things gets you to put your goals in print and provides encouragement and suggestions from others with the same goal. Here are tips for using the site, 43 Things. It's great for organizing your goals and dr...
Healthy Living - Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:24:17

446. Nos Enfants - a Book by Anatole France

Tucked away on my bookshelf, Nos Enfants Par Anatole France languished for many years. The fraying around the edges and some scuff marks showed that young readers had loved this book. Having been a children's librarian and also a lover of vintage books and old-fashioned illustrations, I'd added i...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:25:46

447. Doll Princess Dress from a Scarf

Dress a vintage doll elegantly with some simple items you have around the house. I'll show you how to make a princess crown from some silver packaging foil, a skirt and train from a scarf and the dress top from a wide ribbon. Since no sewing is needed, you can put this doll outfit together in a ...
Hobbies, Games & Toys - Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:11:47

448. Deluxe Outdoor Fireplaces

Stay warm and cozy on a cool evening with one of these deluxe outdoor fireplaces. These outdoor fireplaces will add style to any patio, deck or yard area. Imagine sitting around a fire with family and friends making wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Remember all the fun of toasting ...
Home & Garden - Tue, 22 May 2012 22:10:35

449. Library Topics - by Virginia Allain

My thirty years in library work provides the basis for these web pages. You'll find ideas for book displays, library newspaper columns, decorating a children's area and other topics. (photo courtesy of the Weslaco Public Library, Texas) LIBRARIES Nothing Better by SchoolAids
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sun, 21 Aug 2011 03:17:50

450. The Chelsea Kid - Monte Manka

Monte Manka grew up in Chelsea, Kansas in the 1930s. Now in his eighties, he records his memories in poems and essays for future generations to understand what it was like in those days. This webpage is just one in a series that features Monte Manka's poetry of the Great Depression. This octogen...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:55:02

451. Tracing My English Roots

In working on my family tree, I'm finding quite a few ancestors linking back to England. To keep track of these, I'm mapping them here. I'll add more as I trace various branches back through the generations. The names that I'm starting with are Tower, Long, Martin, Babcock, Ashlock, Bixby, but t...
Relationships & Family - Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:04:37

452. Grow Some Veggies

Growing up, I took our big vegetable garden for granted. All summer we enjoyed fresh produce from peas to tomatoes to corn-on-the-cob. We ate well. Mom canned much of it so we had vegetables to eat all winter. I remember carrying up jars from the cellar. They were filled with richly purple pickle...
Home & Garden - Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:35:29

453. Angel Blessings on My Lenses - Part Three News!

Squidoo enlists a cadre of angels recruited from the ranks of the Squidoo lensmasters. Their assignment is to find worthy lenses on Squidoo and bless them. These blessings are greatly prized by lensmasters. Not only does the blessing boost the ego, it also gives a small boost to the lensrank. The...
Squidoo Community - Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:00:34

454. Bertha McGhee - Missionary from Kansas News!

Bertha McGhee devoted her life to good works for the church. Tyro, Kansas was her hometown. She was my mother's aunt (my great-aunt). Her life spanned the years 1903 to 1999. She was 96 when she died on Tuesday, November 30, 1999, at the Baldwin Care Center, Baldwin City, KS. Early in her lif...
Culture & Society - Sat, 08 Oct 2011 20:59:46

455. Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry

I didn't encounter Marshmallow until I was in college and studying Children's Literature. Immediately, I read all of Clare Turlay Newberry's books and fell in love with this author/illustrator. In my early career as a children's librarian, I used Marshmallow for storytimes. Marshmallow won the C...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:53:26

456. Good-Bye, eHow

This page used to include all my tips on writing for eHow. Those are useless now, so I'm converting the site into a meet-and-greet for eHow writers to connect with each other. It can be a place to voice complaints, to remember the fun times and to find out where fellow writers are putting their w...
Business & Work - Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:22:56

457. Virginia Allain's Websites and Work Online

I'm pretty active online, creating online content through my writing and my photography. To help my friends find my work, I'm creating a directory here of Virginia Allain's websites and online activities. These sites feature my online articles, photography, published books, blogs and print-on-de...
Squidoo Community - Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:52:26

458. All I Know about Halloween

Many of these Squidoo lenses were made for the 2010 challenge to make thirteen Squidboo lenses in 31 days. Besides the challenge lenses, I've included some other Halloween lenses so everything I've made about Halloween could be all together in one place. I hope you find just what you needed here...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:38:12

459. Carnegie Libraries in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Americans tend to think that Carnegie libraries are unique to the United States. Since Andrew Carnegie made his millions in the U.S., much of his philanthropy was focused here as well. His roots, though, were in Scotland and he funded libraries in that country as well as in Belgium, France, Irela...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 19 Nov 2011 17:55:54

460. Bloody Weapons for Halloween or Theater Props

If you want a costume with high-shock value, go with something bloody. There's nothing like a slasher or an axe murderer or a zombie with a chainsaw to creep people out. There are the classic creepy characters from the movies (Jason, zombies, etc.) or come up with your own variation on this theme...
Holidays & Celebrations - Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:36:24

461. My Writing Goals for 2012

I've been thinking of some writing projects, but had not prioritized or formalized what I want to achieve in 2011. Squidoo challenged us to commit our writing goals in a lens. In creating this webpage and putting five goals out for all the world to see, I already felt more of a commitment to thes...
Squidoo Community - Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:48:54

462. Lensmaster Directories

Looking for a Squidoo lensmaster? Looking for Squids with a similar background or place of origin? You've come to the right place. Squidoo used to have fanclubs, but has discontinued this feature. Without the fanclub images on your profile, it became harder to get in touch with a lensmaster when...
Squidoo Community - Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:37:20

463. A No-Cost-Makeover Party for a Room in Your House

If you wish the HGTV Decorating Cents program would visit your home and make over the living room, quit waiting. Invite two or three friends and make a party out of redesigning that room at no cost. Here's how to get a new look without spending a penny. It's time to revitalize that dreary room. ...
Home & Garden - Thu, 11 Aug 2011 02:46:07

464. A Teacher's Guide: My Flint Hills Childhood

The book, My Flint Hills Childhood, fits well into a variety of topics (Kansas history, the Great Depression, writing, reading). Here are ways to use the book in the classroom to enhance the teaching in those areas. Check out the suggestions for student activities and learning experiences that re...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:44:51

465. Squidpaw Lenses: Share Yours Here

Writing about their special pet has always been popular with Squidoo lensmasters. Now it just got easier to do with the new lens form, SquidPaws. To launch it, invitations were sent to top lensmasters in the Animals & Nature topic. As a reward, you've unlocked the first look at our new SquidPaws ...
Squidoo Community - Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:29:40

466. Outdoor Decks

Here you will find materials and books on how to build an outdoor deck. Plus you will find deck storage items, deck furniture, deck lighting and so much more. Outdoor Decks are the perfect place to entertain family and friends, as well as enjoying some quiet outdoor time to yourself. This wood ...
Home & Garden - Wed, 16 May 2012 06:25:21

467. Decendants of Abraham Bates Tower

I'm researching my great-great grandfather's life and trying to put together the clues and puzzle pieces I find. This page will contain the information and links about anyone descended from Abraham Bates Tower. He lived in Indiana, Missouri and Kansas. Born in 1837, he died in 1930 in Tyro, Kansa...
Relationships & Family - Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:34:33

468. Navajo School - Farmington NM 1929-1931

In 1929, my great-aunt, Bertha McGhee started her life's work for the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her service began at the Navajo Mission School in Farmington, New Mexico. When she died a few years ago at the age of 94, she left behind notes, letters and ph...
Culture & Society - Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:01:56

469. In the Shadow of the Cathedral - Book Club Guide

World War II is the topic of many books popular with book clubs. Here's one more that is not to be missed. Titia Bozuwa's In the Shadow of the Cathedral makes a good discussion topic for a book club. The very-readable memoir covers Titia's childhood memories of growing up in Holland during the Na...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:23:10

470. Kansas Biographies from the Great Depression That I Recommend

Since helping my 85-year-old mother put her memories into a book, I've been fascinated by Kansas biographies of the Great Depression. The era of the 1930s was a tough one and there is much we can learn from how people survived the economic hardships of the Dust Bowl era. Join me in reading the b...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:46:51

471. Halloween Costume Accessories and Props

Props and accessories make a Halloween costume that will WOW your friends and other party goers. Do you need wigs, hats, beards, capes, wings, costume weapons or other costume accessory? If you've been searching for the perfect prop to make your costume stand out in a crowd, you've come to the ri...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:57:09

472. Haunted House in Chelsea, Kansas News!

I'm intrigued by octogenarian, Monte Manka, who taps into his childhood memories from the 1930s for his poems. Here's his account of something that really frightened him as a child. The house showed signs of being haunted. I've also added some memories his younger sister had of that same house. T...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:13:53

473. Writing Blogs I Follow

I follow quite a few blogs about writing topics from self-publishing to promoting a book to writing memoirs or just ones by writers that I admire. Since I often recommend these blogs to my fellow writers, I decided to share them here for others to discover. Online Writer: Will work for page view...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:51:32

474. Murals in Carnegie Libraries

I'm fascinated by the Carnegie libraries that one sees in towns and cities across the United States. Built in the early 1900s, many of these survive and serve as public buildings even today. Some of these Carnegie Library buildings had public art added in the form of murals. The scene here was pa...
Arts & Design - Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:55:33

475. Better Than Great - Writing with Superlatives

Worried that your writing is rather ho-hum? If you want to pep up your adjectives and adverbs take a look at Better Than Great by Arthur Plotnik. I'm a writer and keep quite an array of writing reference tools on my desk. There's no room for anything new unless it earns a space. This book just e...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:24:12

476. It's Turkey Day

Americans sometimes refer to the Thanksgiving holiday as "Turkey Day" because of the emphasis on the big turkey dinner. Of course, the holiday is so much more. It's a time of reviewing our blessings and celebrating the harvest season as winter approaches. One more time, we think back to the e...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:34:38

477. Book Club Guide for My Flint Hills Childhood

Book club members will thoroughly enjoy traveling back through time to the 1930s with this nostalgic memoir. Written by Gail Lee Martin, it was self-published for her 85th birthday. My Flint Hills Childhood provides a wealth of topics to fuel book club discussions. Members will find it an enjoyab...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:30:47

478. I Love Books and Libraries

I made a good career choice when I picked librarianship.� It kept me fascinated for 30 years.� All aspects of library work from childrens librarian to reference librarian, middle management to library director, offered new challenges and rewards.� Even though Im retired, I still brake for librari...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:18:37

479. Honor a Loved One with a Memorial Web Page News!

We miss that special person and feel like there's a big hole in our life. One way to keep their memory vivid and to honor them is with a memorial webpage or a tribute website. Many funeral homes offer such a webpage where people can post photos and tributes, but the format is limiting and these c...
Healthy Living - Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:17:24

480. Gifts for Squidoo Fanatics

I'm finding some nifty gift items created by Squidoo lensmasters and wanted to showcase them here for your convenience. Leave this page open on the computer as a subtle hint to the family on what you want for Christmas or a birthday. If they aren't good at taking a hint, then treat yourself to so...
Squidoo Community - Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:31:56

481. The Best Insect Web Pages on Squidoo

Starting in February 2011, I'm assigned the Insect sub-topic under the Pets and Animals category to search for lenses deserving a blessing. This is my first time as an angel and these are new categories, sub-topics and sub-sub-topics. My plan is to work my way through all the sections under insec...
Pets & Animals - Sun, 11 Sep 2011 03:13:17

482. Rookery Photos of Little Blue Heron

I'm privileged to live near a rookery of Little Blue Herons. The "little" is part of their name, not just their description. Most people think of the Great Blue Heron and don't give much attention to the Little Blue Heron. I'd I passed a small lake several times a week and noticed the blue heron...
Pets & Animals - Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:09:45

483. Need Home Health Care in Kissimmee?

When health problems force us to look for care, few people want to leave their home and go into a nursing home. With home health care, that can be avoided. Delores Stephenson has twenty years of hospital experience and wants to help you in your home. She is available to work in the Kissimmee, Ce...
Healthy Living - Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:06:31

484. Make a Thrifty Christmas into a Merry Christmas

I grew up during the 1950s and at times the family struggled with lay offs, bills, a recession and a house full of children. Despite that, our Christmas holiday was a happy time for us all. Perhaps the lessons learned by my thrifty parents during their childhood in the Great Depression prepared t...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:29:30

485. Unique Christmas Trees

Make your Christmas tree special by decorating it with a unique theme. Chose something with special meaning for you and find ornaments that fit that theme. It can be work related or hobbies or all about your locale or vacation. In this lens, you'll find some ideas to help you decorate your th...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:05:31

486. Gail Lee Martin - A Lensography

At 85, Gail Lee Martin self-published her book, My Flint Hills Childhood: Growing Up in 1930s Kansas. The following lenses relate to topics included in her book. For all the readers of her memoir, these lenses give more background on everything from feedsack dresses to old-fashioned holidays. Exp...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:47:18

487. Kansas Notable Books 2011, 2010 & 2009

Around 150 books by Kansas authors or about Kansas competed for inclusion each year in the Kansas Notable Books list. I entered my mother's book in the 2010 competition (My Flint Hills Childhood: Growing up in 1930s Kansas). She was up against some stiff competition and did not win a place in the...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:22:35

488. Visiting Civil War Battlefields

The sesquicentennial of the American Civil War makes it a perfect time to take the family to see historic battlefields from that war. The sites already attract travelers who are Civil War buffs and those seeking family history, but make a great daytrip or longer vacation for anyone. You may not t...
Culture & Society - Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:02:15

489. Romance of the Sandhill Cranes

I've been documenting the lives of a pair of sandhill cranes for the past three years. Almost daily, they pass behind my house in Florida so I have quite a few opportunities to take pictures. They've gotten used to me and my camera and are pretty nonchalant about my paparazzi behavior. I have hun...
Pets & Animals - Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:24:58

490. Where's an Angel When You Need One? My Unblessed Lenses

A Squidoo angel recently commented to me that it was hard to find a lens of mine that wasn't already blessed by some other angel. Flattering, but not totally accurate. It occurred to me that it would make it a lot easier for the angels to find my hidden gems if I showcased them. Here they are rea...
Squidoo Community - Thu, 10 May 2012 21:12:39

491. Angel blessings 601 to ???

I never dreamed that more than 600 angel blessing would be bestowed on my Squidoo pages. When I started my Squidoo journey, I hardly knew what a blessing was or what it meant. It is such an honor to receive an angel blessing on Squidoo. That's not just because it gives your lens a little boost in...
Squidoo Community - Thu, 10 May 2012 21:08:29

492. Sugar Substitutes - Good or Bad for You?

Dieters look for a magic solution to sweet cravings minus the calories, but don't want to sacrifice their health. Scary news stories make you think twice about using some of the sugar substitutes currently on the market. I'll include links to those health articles so you can get up-to-date on the...
Food & Cooking - Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:38:59

493. Free Kindle Books for Children

If you find your kids fascinated by your Kindle, use that interest to get them to reading more. To try it out, load the Kindle with some free ebooks for children. There's quite a selection of classic children's books available and for free downloading. These are out of copyright and available for...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:11:34

494. Best Wishes for 2012 from Virginia Allain

I wanted to share with you some of the happy and sad events of my year. This is my Christmas newsletter since it looks like I won't get that mailed out in time for Christmas. We've stayed healthy this year, except for a bout of sciatica that I had in September. Since I do a lot of writing online...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:56:03

495. Meet the Author: C.J. Garriott

C.J. Garriott started life in the Kansas Flint Hills, eventually progressing to Texas and finally to the Texas coastal bend area. There she developed a passion for the small town of Seadrift, started a community newsletter and published some books, including Curve of the Coast (recently expanded ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:37:56

496. The Writing Workshop at Twin Farms

In the summer of 2008, I attended the Twin Farms Writing Workshop in Wakefield, New Hampshire. It was a week of growth as a writer and a wonderful networking opportunity. Titia Bozuwa hosts these writing workshops regularly at Twin Farms each summer. There are several formats. The series I atten...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:51:02

497. Remembering Larry Ross of Kansas

On June 10, 2011, Larry Ross died after battling colon cancer. He had been my brother-in-law for forty years and was a pretty special guy. Friends and family started posting their regrets and memories via Facebook and by emails. Knowing how transient those postings and messages are, I wanted to s...
Squidoo Community - Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:52:08

498. New Hampshire Gifts

It's so beautiful in New Hampshire that I can't resist taking hundreds of photos. My camera captures wildlife, scenery, and architecture. Everything is so photogenic in New England, so these pictures matched with t-shirts, tote bags, mugs and mouse pads make great gifts Take a look at New Hampsh...
Travel & Places - Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:08:17

499. Spider Decorations for the Halloween Table or Party

Most people shudder when they see a spider. Add some creepiness to your Halloween table with lots of spider and spider web designs. You can have spiders or webs on your placemats, on the centerpiece, on candles, on drink coasters and much more. Don't have a "blah" table for that Halloween party ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:16:29

500. Art by Patricia Jedrick

I first met Patricia Jedrick in Maryland, back in the 1980s. She had been painting for many years and it was a treat to just walk around her home looking at her art on the walls. She has since moved to South Carolina. In her new home, she set up her studio again and continues to paint in water co...
Arts & Design - Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:09:24

501. Walking Off Thanksgiving Calories

At Thanksgiving, people usually remove all restraints from their eating. Indulging in extra helpings of mashed potatoes, pecan pie and other holiday delights seems okay on that special day. Here's what you need to know before indulging: how much exercise will it take to compensate for that hu...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:43:34

502. My Flint Hills Childhood Won the 2010 Ferguson Kansas History Book Award

Each fall, the Kansas Authors Club announces winners for various book awards at their annual convention. My sister and mom usually attend together, but not this year. At 86, my mom felt the trip and activities would be too wearing for her. She missed out on the thrill of a lifetime, and so it was...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:05:51

503. The Challenge - Create Fifteen Lenses in 15 Categories

The Get Cracking duo have done it again! They challenged Squidoo lensmasters to complete a certain number of lenses using their posted themes. This time the goal number is fifteen lenses. The themes are taken from Squidoo's official categories. They've provided a strong enticement to get partici...
Squidoo Community - Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:56:35

504. Lake Forest Resort - Bulletin Board

If you spend your weekends or the whole summer at Lake Forest RV Resort, NH, you'll want to know what's happening. The bulletin board is a short walk away, down by the lake. If it isn't convenient to stroll down to see what's going on, then check this webpage. I'll post events from the newslette...
Travel & Places - Sun, 18 Sep 2011 15:13:27

505. How Many Ways Can You Spell Bixby?

Researching a family tree gets complicated when you run into spelling variations. This happened to me with Mary Bysebe who also showed up as Mary Byxby, Mary Byxbe, and Mary Bixbe. From the dates, I was pretty sure that all of these were the same Mary, but how could I decide which was the correct...
Relationships & Family - Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:11:06

506. Blogs I Follow

I have a lot of online writing friends from my time on eHow and now on Squidoo. Since they are freelance writers, many of them have a personal blog or one that promotes a favorite topic or cause. A lot of my family members are writers too, so I'll add their blogs as well. Mostly this page makes ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:07:19

507. Civil War Booklist for Researchers

I'm exhaustively researching the background for my book on a Civil War ancestor. As a librarian, I knew others would find the books useful too, so I've compiled a bibliography here of the books as I use them. With each book on the list, I want to give you enough detail so you can see how you coul...
Culture & Society - Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:05:53

508. Lighter Recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Thanksgiving (and Christmas too) can be an all-out calorie splurge, but it doesn't have to be that way. I've looked high and low for recipes that cut calories or fat or sugar or all of these. Since my brother-in-law was diagnosed with diabetes, the family Thanksgiving now includes a pumpkin pie ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:51:39

509. Promote a Book Using Squidoo

Authors, particularly self-published authors, need to promote their book in a wide variety of ways. Making the information about the book and author available on the internet is important. Here's how to make a Squidoo lens to promote a book. Sign up for the Squidoo account, giving the usual info...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:11:13

510. Gift Ideas for Florida Retirees

If your parents or grandparents moved to Florida or are snowbirds wintering in Florida, you might need some gift ideas to fit their new lifestyle. Make their birthday, anniversary or Christmas special with a gift that is just what a Florida retiree needs. Since I retired to Florida seven years a...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:12:31

511. Repair Christmas Lights

Pre-lit Christmas trees seem like the perfect way to remove all the drudgery of testing, replacing and restringing the lights on the Christmas tree each December. Unfortunately it's not quite that easy. When a section of the pre-lit Christmas tree won't light up, you have a job ahead of you track...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:49:43

512. Get Top Rated Free Books for Kindle

I just got a new Kindle Touch and of course, I wanted to try it out. It surprised me to see how many books were available for free downloading. Many of these are classic titles where the copyright has expired. If you're looking for quality reading at no cost for your eReader, take a look at the ...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:05:08

513. Gifts for People with Gluten Intolerance

Birthday, Christmas or Father's Day isn't as much fun if you can't eat the cake or desserts. Gluten intolerance affects many people and restricts what foods they can enjoy on special occasions (and everyday). Our neighbor suffers from this problem, and when I baked some gluten-free brownies for h...
Food & Cooking - Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:39:30

514. Cordless Lighted Christmas Decorations

Don't you hate running extension cords everywhere to have some Christmas lights! Of course, many of the places you want to decorate, just don't have an electrical plug nearby. Dress up your fireplace mantle, windows or dining table without fussing over "where is the nearest place to plug in." Use...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:13:30

515. The Lens-a-Day Challenge

Many Squidoo lensmasters joined the Get Cracking Lens Challenge on Facebook. I thought I'd give it a try. Most of the time, I'm creating a lens every day or so anyway. The exciting part of this challenge will be getting a new assignment each day. I still have plenty of ideas and topics that I wan...
Squidoo Community - Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:18:24

516. Genealogy Questions to Solve - My Family Tree

It seems like for every genealogy discovery I make, I uncover another riddle or puzzle to keep me working. When I find several versions of a name, I wonder is it a misspelling? Which is the correct one and how can I find out? The same problem happens with birth dates, death dates and marriage dat...
Relationships & Family - Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:46:46

517. Christmas Window Posters

These window posters are easy-up and easy to store for next year. For a few dollars they add big impact when the lights shine through them. Seen from the sidewalk or street, they add a festive touch to your home for the Christmas holidays. No trudging through the snow to put them up, they attach ...
Holidays & Celebrations - Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:04:30

518. Candy Corn Costume

Everyone loves candy corn. Try the candy corn quizzes and make some candy corn cookies. Don't let the fun end there. Dress up in a candy corn costume for Halloween. One of the cutest costumes available for teens and tweens is the candy corn costume. Whether they dress as a candy corn witch or as...
Holidays & Celebrations - Wed, 23 May 2012 15:06:18

519. Gifted and Sold Lenses - My Lensography

As my lens list is over 300 lenses now, it gets harder to keep track of them all and maintain them regularly. To ease this, I sold, traded or gave away a number of lenses over the past year. Even after a lens leaves my hands, I remain curious about how it is doing. It's interesting to see what an...
Squidoo Community - Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:11:09

520. Tryst by Elswyth Thane

This vintage romance touched me the first time I read it. Since then I've probably re-read it ten or twelve times. Here's my review from Amazon: "You will find yourself reading this one over and over. The plight of these out-of-sync lovers and the resolution is very touching. It has many moments...
Books, Poetry & Writing - Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:41:01

521. Lenses Created in 2011 by Virginia Allain

I'm inspired by another lensmaster's work to create this lens. Thank you, pkmcr! My goal in 2011 was to make two lenses a week for a total of 104 new lenses. With this month-by-month lensography, I'll be able to see my progress towards this goal. I bet this will catch on and more lensmasters on ...
Squidoo Community - Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:03:30

522. The American Civil War 365 Days

150 years ago the United States erupted in a civil war. There is much to learn about that time and this is just the book for anyone fascinated by Civil War history and all the details that go with that time period. This weighty book would make a good doorstop, that is if you could tear yourself ...
Culture & Society - Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:40:24

523. Make a Family Christmas Newsletter on Squidoo

Creating a web site on Squidoo for your family's Christmas newsletter is easy if you follow my steps below. It lets you add text and photos to make a fun and even interactive record of the family's year. Zip an email or post the link on Facebook so all your friends and relatives can visit the web...
Holidays & Celebrations - Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:21:45

524. eHow Zazzlers Showcase

Many eHow writers are very creative people, so in addition to writing how-to articles quite a number of them also create products on Zazzle. Zazzle is a print-on-demand site where one can turn original artwork photographs and catchy phrases into useful items. Others can then shop online and buy t...
Arts & Design - Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:53

525. Electric Fireplaces - A New Warming Tradition

Wouldn't you love to toast your toes by the fireplace as you read a great book or watch the latest movie! Treat your family to an electric fireplace for Christmas. You'll love the extra heat for that chill room or just enjoy the flames without heat when it isn't cold out. There's something so ro...
Home & Garden - Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:38:20

526. Wildlife Photo Gifts by Virginia Allain

I create gifts using my nature photography. In the past three years, I've taken around 14,000 photos and many of those are of wildflowers and animals. I made this page because I wanted to share my photos through my Zazzle gallery and my designs, and this is a fun way to reach new visitors. Every...
Arts & Design - Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:08:13

527. Take a Fall Photography Walk

A brisk autumn day with crackling leaves underfoot makes a wonderful time for a walk. Take along the camera and make it a photo walk. Having the camera with you makes you look at the scenery with new eyes. Mentally you frame up that scene and look for the best angle or you focus in on a red leaf ...
Arts & Design - Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:30:29

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