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Postmodern Threats to American Freedom
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
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
Just for fun, laugh at knitting gone bad--either accidentally or intentionally.
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Resources for Serious Technical Knitters
Some knitters go beyond following a pattern and into the realm of technical knitting. These books help you understand the why of knitting techniques.
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Children's and YA Books from Indie Authors
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.
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Building a Writing Business: Patience Is Key
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.
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Teaching Children to Crochet
Crochet is a craft that is inexpensive to start and not difficult to learn. Teaching children crochet develops their confidence as well as their fine motor skills.
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My Button Box
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.
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Lessons From Movie Weddings
Three movie weddings offer life lessons for the engaged couple, their family, and their friends. They are also great family entertainment.
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Sew (or Buy) a Modest Swimsuit
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!
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
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
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
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
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
The lines of an acrostic poem spell out a word or phrase. Here is one for St. Valentine's Day
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Harry Potter Scarves to Knit
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.
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Kid's Project: Build a Ziggurat or Pyramid
Instructions for a model ziggurat or pyramid made of craft foam sheets. Great simple project for history, geography or Bible class.
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Real Books v. Textbooks
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
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
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.
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How to Choose the Right Embroidery Needles for Any Project
Find the correct embroidery or tapestry needle for any fabric and thread with this easy guide.
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Copy Bella's Wedding Dress From Breaking Dawn
A guide to sewing a copy of Bella's wedding gown from the Twilight Saga: fabric requirements, cost estimate and essential dressmaking skills
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RIP, Public Schools
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
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?
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Recommended Reading From a Church Librarian
Four nonfiction titles and two novels are suggested by a church librarian. Books about technology, honesty, relationships, and political intrigue are included.
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5 Books about Historical Needlework: Plain and Fancy
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.
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Don't Like the Word Illegal? Don't Break the Law!
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?
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?
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.
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A Poem for Groundhog Day
A poem in the acrostic style to celebrate Groundhog Day.
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I Found My Perfect Wedding Dress Without Really Trying
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
An acrostic poem about freezing rain. Includes photograph and video illustrating this winter weather phenomenon.
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1981 High School Valedictorian Speech
The actual text of a high school graduation speech given by a class valedictorian in 1981 at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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A Personal Experience with EMDR : Learning to Cope with Strong Emotions
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.
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Three Money-Saving Strategies for Book Lovers
Money-saving strategies to find used and new 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
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
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...
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Building Real Project Teams vs Phony Team-Building Exercises
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...
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Knit or Crochet for a Worthy Cause
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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Copy a Royal Wedding Dress
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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Nontraditional Paths to College Credits and a College Degree
Nontraditional students can use independent learning and testing programs such as CLEP and DANTES to gain college credit. Many colleges are friendly to the student who wants or needs to learn outside the college walls.
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Proper Care and Storage of Books in Your Home Library
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
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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Gifted Students: Who Cares about These Children?
Gifted children are a neglected population in many schools. Who is gifted and how are their needs different from other students? Learn about the reading habits of highly gifted children and the challenges they present...
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Older Adults Returning to College
Older students should not fear returning to college. Middle-aged students have some advantages that make them competitive with the traditional younger students.
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I 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.