59I have a Master of Library Science degree from North Carolina Central University and an industrial engineering degree from Purdue University. I volunteer as my church librarian and review books for several Christian publishers.
Before I took a long break to raise children (and homeschool some of them) I worked in employee benefits consulting and computer programming. I have also worked as an alterations specialist for a major bridal retailer. My most recent job has been a temporary assignment in institutional research at a university.
I blog about independent and nontraditional learning and fiber arts.
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Postmodern Threats to American Freedom
8 months ago
Why don't today's political opponents compromise or even communicate? They operate from different views of reality. People who can't agree on Pilate's question, "What is truth?" can't get along.
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Librarians: The Best Teachers
8 months ago
A librarian helps people learn for themselves--to become autodidacts, able to learn without a teacher. Great books are essential, and librarians offer access to those books.
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Really Hideous Knitting
2 months ago
Just for fun, laugh at knitting gone bad--either accidentally or intentionally.
- 1
Children's and YA Books from Indie Authors
8 months ago
Indie books can also be high-quality books. Those in this hub are fine examples of great YA reading that bypassed the big publishing houses.
- 9
Building a Writing Business: Patience Is Key
8 months ago
Give your writing business time to get established and start bringing in real money. Fiverr and Textbroker are examples of sites that pay well in time.
- 2
My Button Box
8 months ago
I have been blessed with buttons from many grandmothers, great aunts, friends, and neighbors. My button box reminds me of garments worn by loved ones and of life before the throw-away society.
- 1
Lessons From Movie Weddings
8 months ago
Three movie weddings offer life lessons for the engaged couple, their family, and their friends. They are also great family entertainment.
- 1
Sew (or Buy) a Modest Swimsuit
8 months ago
To get a modest swimsuit, you may have to make it yourself. Here are the best patterns I've found for swimwear beyond minimal coverage! Also included are some tips for ready-to-wear swimsuits.
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Sew a Slip--It's Easy and Fun!
8 months ago
A slip is a simple project for those wanting to sew lingerie. A basic slip pattern can be used for nightwear or a slip dress, too. Learn about slip sewing patterns, fabrics, and notions.
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Read Books This New Year: A Personal Plan
8 months ago
Plan to read more this year with a list that includes fiction and nonfiction for pleasure and personal growth. A librarian helps you choose your books.
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Knitted Scarves Inspired by Novels: The Hunger Games
8 months ago
Scarf knitting is a hobby that offers endless design opportunities. Here are scarves inspired by the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.
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Knitted Scarves Inspired by Novels: Divergent by Veronica Roth
2 months ago
The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth describes a society divided into five "factions" based on character qualities. Each faction wears distinct colors and styles, inspiring this scarf collection .
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Knitting With a Plan
8 months ago
Knitting is a relaxing activity, but a plan can make that knitting even more rewarding and productive. Plan to learn new knitting skills or accomplish a project goal today.
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Valentine's Day Acrostic
8 months ago
The lines of an acrostic poem spell out a word or phrase. Here is one for St. Valentine's Day
- 1
Harry Potter Scarves to Knit
8 months ago
Find patterns and yarn for knitted scarves inspired by the Harry Potter movies. Images of scarves are included as well as recommended yarn colors for each House at Hogwarts School.
- 1
Kid's Project: Build a Ziggurat or Pyramid
8 months ago
Instructions for a model ziggurat or pyramid made of craft foam sheets. Great simple project for history, geography or Bible class.
- 1
Real Books v. Textbooks
8 months ago
Textbooks cannot compare with real books, e.g. complete novels, biographies, poetry and essay collections, plays, and field guides. Real books offer real educatonal value, not fast/junk food.
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Action Plan for American Christians
8 months ago
Christians in America need to take their place in the marketplace of ideas. Get involved in education, the arts, and the mass media in order to impact the culture. Use your freedom to express Truth.
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How to Add Stitches in Knitting
8 months ago
Learn several different methods for increasing in knitting. Paired increases, invisible increases and casting on stitches at the end of a row are among the techniques covered.
- 4
How to Choose the Right Embroidery Needles for Any Project
8 months ago
Find the correct embroidery or tapestry needle for any fabric and thread with this easy guide.
- 4
Copy Bella's Wedding Dress From Breaking Dawn
8 months ago
A guide to sewing a copy of Bella's wedding gown from the Twilight Saga: fabric requirements, cost estimate and essential dressmaking skills
- 18
RIP, Public Schools
8 months ago
Public education can and must be replaced by private education, because government is no good at providing education. It is good, however, at providing opportunities to practice stupidity.
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Skills Employers Want Now
8 months ago
Learn which skills employers want most in college graduates. Do companies need to teach writing and research skills in-house? How wide is the gap between a college education and essential job skills?
- 3
Recommended Reading From a Church Librarian
8 months ago
Four nonfiction titles and two novels are suggested by a church librarian. Books about technology, honesty, relationships, and political intrigue are included.
- 11
5 Books about Historical Needlework: Plain and Fancy
8 months ago
This annotated bibliography of five books covers different aspects of historical needlework from. Knitting, embroidery, and other forms of needlework are included from various times and places.
- 11
Don't Like the Word Illegal? Don't Break the Law!
8 months ago
Many Latinos object to the term "illegal immigrant" and want to substitute euphemisms to obscure the fact that undocumented immigrants either broke the law or were brought here by lawbreaking parents.
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Is Home School the Right Choice for Your Family?
8 months ago
Parents, consider these five important questions when choosing between home schooling and other educational options such as private or public school.
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Is My Child Gifted? Does it Matter?
3 years ago
What are the signs of giftedness in children? What are the defining characteristics of giftedness? Late-talking children and twice exceptional children are also discussed.
- 10
A Poem for Groundhog Day
8 months ago
A poem in the acrostic style to celebrate Groundhog Day.
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I Found My Perfect Wedding Dress Without Really Trying
8 months ago
Shopping for a wedding dress can be simplified. Discover what features and fabrics you want in a wedding gown and know your options by shopping the magazines and catalogs first, then finding a dress.
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Freezing Rain: An Acrostic Poem
8 months ago
An acrostic poem about freezing rain. Includes photograph and video illustrating this winter weather phenomenon.
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A Personal Experience with EMDR : Learning to Cope with Strong Emotions
3 years ago
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)is a therapy that can work without drugs to effect relief from certain stress and anxiety disorders. An account of the author's successful experience as a patient.
- 18
7 Money-Saving Strategies for Book-Lovers
7 weeks ago
This article lists money-saving strategies for finding new and used books at low prices. Paperback Swap, Ed McKay's, and Goodwill are my best book buddies.
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Should Cell Phones in Cars Be Banned? a Libertarian Speaks
8 months ago
A ban on cell phone use while driving is discussed and alternatives proposed. Texting while driving is a serious problem, but what will be effective in making people want to behave responsibly?
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Create a High School Transcript for Your Home School
8 months ago
Step-by-step instructions for creating an official high school transcript for a home school graduate: free online templates, translating nontraditional learning experiences into Carnegie units, chronological v. subject organization of transcript.
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Building Real Project Teams vs Phony Team-Building Exercises
8 months ago
An honest, slightly humourous look at the "team-building" racket. Successful project teams are carefully built by managers who understand each employee's talents. No amount of phony team-building will make up for a poorly selected team.
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Knit or Crochet for a Worthy Cause
8 months ago
Knitting and crocheting for charity is a time-honored way to contribute to your community. Learn about worthy causes that need your knit or crocheted hats, scarves or blankets and get involved.
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Free Crochet Patterns: Easy Crocheted Socks
22 months ago
Socks can be crocheted as well as knitted. These free patterns for crocheted socks are designed to be as comfortable as hand knit socks. Top-down and toe-up sock patterns are included.Unusual patterns include pedicure socks and 1916 baby socks.
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Copy a Royal Wedding Dress
8 months ago
The wedding dress worn by Kate Middleton has inspired dressmakers to sew similar styles. Learn what you will need to make a dress similar to Kate's.
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Proper Care and Storage of Books in Your Home Library
8 months ago
The books in a home library will last longer and look better with a bit of loving care. Proper shelving, cleaning, and storage will extend the life of your books. Valuable books can also be repaired.
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How to Knit with Color Patterns: Step by Step to a Fair Isle Sweater
16 months ago
Knit colour patterns with confidence by following these simple steps to learning fair isle knitting. A fair isle sweater knit from a vintage Girl Scout pattern is used as an example of the technique.
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Older Adults Returning to College
8 months ago
Older students should not fear returning to college. Middle-aged students have some advantages that make them competitive with the traditional younger students.