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For Airbnb Guests Only: 6 Secrets to a Happy Airbnb Stay
Exclusively for Airbnb guests: How to evaluate Airbnb offerings and potential hosts for a happy stay and great experience. Six secrets for guests only. Text
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The Good, the Bad, the Sad, the Ugly, and the Catastrophe
The title of the epic 1966 Western starring Clint Eastwood reminds me of the epic struggle in American today to save democracy. Former President Trump refused to concede to the winner, Joe Biden. Anti-democracy forces tried to overturn that election and are working to make sure he wins in 2024.
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Confederate Cousins Killed in the Bloody Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862
Two descendants of the noted North Carolina Gaston family were killed at the Battle of Antietam. This is the story of one of them -- Lt. Hugh Jones Gaston, CSA, 48th North Carolina Regiment.
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Mongolia's Gobi Desert: Land of the Flaming Cliffs, Dinosaurs and Dino Eggs
Travel with me to Mongolia's Gobi Desert where, 100 years ago, a real-life "Indiana Jones" led an American expedition through this wild and remote land and discovered dinosaur fossils never before identified and fossilized eggs that showed how dinosaurs reproduced.
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Decorate Your Living Area with a Beautiful Photomural
How to decorate your living area with a photomural that you can remove and take with you to your next home. Includes illustrations and step-by-step instructions.
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Jeremy Brett: The Actor Who Became Sherlock Holmes -- Memories By Those Who Knew Him
Jeremy Brett is one of the finest actors to come out of British theater. His portrayal of Sherlock Holmes is arguably the most authentic of all Holmes movies and films. Did Holmes take over Jeremy? Or did Jeremy take over Sherlock? Here is a collection of memories of Jeremy by those who knew him.
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Davy Crockett Versus Andrew Jackson: Trump's Hero?
Why does Andrew Jackson's portrait hang in President Trump's Oval Office? Jackson had a history of favoring Indian removal. Jackson's first priority after getting elected President was to get the Indian Removal Act of 1830 passed. Davy Crockett fought against the Act, which Davy thought was unjust.
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Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Actors Die to Get in Here!)
Read about my visit to Hollywood Forever Cemetery. This is a cemetery like no other—full of burial places for loved ones, monuments to famous Hollywood actors, cultural and entertainment center, garden beauty, classic architecture, sites on National Register of Historic Places, and more.
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Genealogy Tip: Restore Old Faded Photos and Create a Family History Story
How an old album of faded snapshots came to life when I restored the photos and created a narrative about my mother's early years. I share technical details about how I scanned the photos used image manipulation software to improve the photos and stored them in my digital Genealogy folder.
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How to Use GPS for Genealogy and Family History
I share how I made my family history research more productive, more educational, and more fun by using commonly available GPS tools.
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Can Vitamin D Help Guard Against Coronavirus?
Can vitamin D help protect against coronavirus (COVID-19)? Here's what I learned about coronavirus, vitamin D and how it may help protect my health during the pandemic.
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Book Review: "Profits Unlimited: A Wall Street Insider Reveals the Secret to Life-Changing Wealth," by Paul Mampilly
Investment expert Paul Mampilly recently authored "Profits Unlimited" which shows how Main Street Americans can successfully build wealth. He also runs an investment newsletter based on the same principles. Read my review of his book, my actual experience, and my opinion after following his ideas.
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My Ancestor Died in the Bloody Cornfield, Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862
As a volunteer at the Antietam National Battlefield, I discovered I was walking over the very spot in the Bloody Cornfield where my ancestor, Robert Hugh Gaston, was killed. This is my story of the bloodiest battle in the bloodiest day in American history.
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10 Reasons Why We Eat This Nutritious Breakfast Dish Made With Trader Joe's Steel Cut Oats
This nutritious breakfast starts with Trader Joe's Steel Cut Oats. Here are ten reasons why we eat it every day for living healthy and aging gracefully. The recipe, preparation and cooking instructions are provided. Its unique health and nutrition benefits are awesome. Bon Appétit.
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How to Find Free Air for Your Tires
Paying for air is annoying. Here is how you can find free air, and also how to set your tire pressure for the best performance of your tires and your car.
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When I First Spied a Tesla Model X—Wow!
I first spied a Tesla Model X in the mall. My curiosity led me to learn all I could about Tesla, the pace-setting electric car.. Her's what I learned about its history, how it drives, how it works, and its future—WOW!
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10 Ways an HIV-Positive Teen Girl was Bullied in Middle School and How She Turned Her Life Around
Here is the true story of a courageous middle school HIV-Positive teen girl and how she was bullied. It is also a story of misguided gossip about HIV and AIDS and how it nearly wrecked her life.
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The Dolly Sods Wilderness Experience
If you have ever longed for a hike into a mysterious, wind-swept landscape with lots of unusual land forms, marvelous views, and lots of solitude, Dolly Sods is the place for you.
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Automatic Crawl Space Air Circulation Controlled Remotely by Humidistat and Monitored by Smartphone
How to monitor the crawl space under your house for moisture. Why damp crawl spaces are bad for your house and your health. Solutions to damp crawl space problems.
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How to Squirrel-Proof a Bird Feeder
Before I tell you about our personal battle to squirrel-proof our bird feeder, I want to introduce you to the lead character in this hub -- a smart squirrel. Take a look at this pic.
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Outdoor Garden Lighting Magic - Control With Your Smartphone
Creative outdoor lighting controlled by your smartphone is easier than ever. How to set up low-voltage outdoor lighting as part of a simple home automation network.
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VIZIO's VIA Plus, The Next Generation with VIZIO Mobile Phone and Tablet, What Happened?
In 2011, VIZIO presented their new Connected Consumer Electronics Ecosytem calling it VIA Plus. VIZIO's prototype HDTV included Google TV and Google's Chrome browser.
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Are Vent-Free Propane Gas Log Fireplaces Good or Bad?
Pros and cons of vent-free gas log fireplaces. How safe are vent-free units? Cautions before you buy and install a vent-free unit.
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Replace Your Propane Gas Log Fireplace with an Electric Fireplace Insert
Propane gas log fireplace sets provide good heat. But, here are many reasons why you should replace them with an electric fireplace set.
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How to Seal an Unused Fireplace and Save Money on Heating Bills
If you have one or more masonry fireplaces in your home, you can save big money on your heating bills by sealing them off when not in use.
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10 Reasons Not to Buy a Kindle
Millions of people are turning to Kindle as their preferred reading device. But not everyone is comfortable with this new-age "book" in their hands.
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Install an Electric Fireplace Insert and Stop Burning Wood in Your Fireplace
Seven reasons why the electric fireplace is superior to wood-burning in your fireplace.
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How to Water Tomato Plants With Your Smartphone
There's nothing like the taste of fresh, home-grown tomatoes. Here's everything you need to know to grow luscious tomatoes with precise irrigation -- using your smartphone.
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Turn Your Smartphone into a Freeze Alarm
Worried about your water pipes freezing when you are away from home? Install a freeze alarm that will alert you via Internet or telephone.
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DIY Solar and Wind Energy
If you think your electric bill is high now, wait till your electric rates soar over the next ten years. There are many forces at work putting upward pressure on electric rates. If you’re like most people looking for ways to save money every...
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Control Your Thermostat with Your Smartphone and Save Money and Energy
If you want to save on your home energy bills, make sure you are using a programmable thermostat. Of all the things you can do to save energy at home, installing a programmable thermostat should be number one. In Energy Efficient Homes for...
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You Can Make Your Own Solar Panel
Are you a home handyperson? Do you enjoy home improvement projects around your house? Do you like to work with your hands and create something of value? If you are a motivated do-it-yourselfer, if you can read and learn and follow...
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New Year's Resolution to Make Yours a Smart Home
Just what is a New Year’s resolution anyway? Wikipedia offers the follow definition: "A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally...
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Great Solar Energy Gifts
Perhaps you know someone who has expressed an interest in solar energy. Why not give them a gift of solar power -- perhaps on the pages of a book that explains how solar energy can be transformed into electrical energy, or in a practical reference...
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Control Your Thermostat With Your Smartphone
Suppose you left home for a long trip. It’s midwinter. A few hours into your trip you suddenly remember – you forgot to turn your thermostat down. You are wasting valuable energy and money. Not to worry. You just finished installing a...
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How Your Electric Utility Can Save You Money
If you are like most people you want to save money everywhere you can. Take your electric bill. Do you know that your electric utility can help you save money? No way, you say! Think again. Many utilities are hard pressed to keep up with...