Themes of Shade
August 29, 2007
A Shade Garden can be created in any of several different types of shade. It can be in the mottled shade that comes from a broad leaf tree to the deep dark woods mentioned in Robert Frost’s “Stopping by A Woods on A Snowy Evening”. We have morning shade (not so good for a shade garden if this area gets afternoon sun - it will much too hot and drying) and afternoon shade. And we can even create or modify our shade with man-made constructions. Each type of shade supports different types of plants although there is over-lap. Of course, you should always be prepared to experiment with your garden.
Each of these types of shade can have a different theme with different type of plants. The possibilities are almost endless and they do not all have to be gray or green types of gardens. You will be able to make use of most of the shade spots you have around your home.
If you have no shade, as was discussed in a previous article, you can plant trees to provide some partial shading. These trees can provide shade for part of the day, like maples, or have a mottled shade, like aspens. In the shade of these trees you can plant a Hummingbird Garden.
8 Advantages to Writing a Book as an Entrepreneur
August 29, 2007
As an aspiring or an established entrepreneur, you are an expert in something, but does the rest of the world know? You have a wealth of information, experience and knowledge that you can package into a book that will benefit others. This truly is the information age and people want to know what you know.
1. A book will give you unbelievable credibility which increases the respect you will receive from customers and business associates. Wouldn’t you be more likely to purchase widgets from the business person who wrote the book on widgets? New customers are more likely to take advice from, or purchase the services/products from, an established author. Many consultants increase the levels of their business simply by writing a book on their area of expertise.
2. The typical business person might run into roadblocks when seeking media recognition and publicity for their product or service because the media tend to see this kind of exposure as advertising. However, books receive exposure in the form of reviews or features all the time. Books make great print stories and authors make great featured guests on radio and television shows. Sure beats pulling together an advertising budget.
Dogs and Children ? What Parents Need to Know to Prevent Dog Bites
August 28, 2007
Dogs and children are a perfect fit. They are what fond memories are made of and part of a joyful childhood. But sometimes tragedy does strike. What should you do to prevent an accidental attack?
The first caution for parents is to NEVER leave very young children (pre-school age - under six) left unattended with a dog. If you trust your dog then you likely do not believe that the dog will suddenly choose to attack. However, the dog is not much different than a small child itself. If a dog is unintentionally harmed or feels threatened it may bite in self-defense, just as small children may push or scratch another child when they feel threatened. Do not subject your dog or child to possible harm by leaving them alone to play. Your dog is not an adult. Always supervise dogs and children and you will be preventing a problem from occurring.
Discourage your children from hugging and kissing their dog as most bites to the face happen this way.
What is a Battle Ready Sword?
August 28, 2007
You’d think that the term "battle ready sword" would be pretty much self explanatory wouldn’t you?
Unfortunately, many of the swords being described as "battle ready" are anything but. And to quote Adrian Ko from Sword Forum International, "a lot of these swords I wouldn’t want to take into battle even if they were strapped to a M-16. And even then I’d be worried!"
Don’t let that put you off though. You’ll find that there are actually some pretty good swords to be found in this broad category, IF you know what to look for.
The first thing you need to look for in a truly "functional" sword is the type of steel it is made from. To keep it simple, 99% of all real battle ready swords are made from properly heat treated high carbon steel.
Stainless steel swords are a big no no. Why? Well basically, stainless steel is great for making knives. But any stainless steel blade over 12" in length tends to become brittle, which is clearly not the kind of thing you want for a "battle ready sword." So steer well away from sales pitches that describe "fully functional stainless steel blade"!
Westie Puppies For Sale ? 7 Important Questions To Ask Your West Highland Terrier Breeder
August 28, 2007
Let’s say you’ve made up your mind on the breed you want, which is a cute westie puppies for sale. The next step to take is finding a responsible breeder. You can do that from the parent club website or even at a Westie show. Local club Breeder Referral Officers may be able to help you find a breeder in your area. Find out if they are AKC registered or whatever association is relevant for your country.
Responsible breeders always breed to improve the health of the breed, not just to create a product for re-sale. They know their stock, study pedigrees and do extensive health screening. They will kindly answer your questions and help you with a lot of advice and useful information.
You should visit in person the facilities where the puppy or pups were raised, as this will play a role in the future health and personality of your Westie. You should also see at least one of the parents and some of the littermates.
A responsible breeder should also provide a contract with health guarantees and papers for registering your puppy. Breeders of West Highland Terriers can be found worldwide; from USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. From states such as Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Is Your Title Compelling?
August 28, 2007
Short Story Writing Tips:
Your title is your selling tool. It’s the first thing readers will scan and contemplate whether to read your story.
What your title’s job is, it has to lure the readers into your story ? it has to be so compelling that they won’t even have a chance to ask themselves, ‘Will this story interest me?’
Their eyes will glide over the title and into the story before they realize it. The action will be instant.
What’s a compelling title? It’s one that instantly grabs our attention because it’s?
- Intriguing
- Interesting
- Catchy
- Provocative
- Amusing
Your title may not be all these things but it will have to be at least one. There should be something about it that grabs your readers.
So how do you write compelling titles?
Start by learning from the masters.
Learn from those whose articles and stories are published in newspapers, magazines and, in particular, pay close attention how the writers of Readers Digest go about it. They have been luring readers into their written material for years. They know their stuff.
Here are a few examples of titles taken from Readers Digest?.
A Happiness Poem
August 27, 2007
If a happiness poem could bring forth a smile,
Then my face would always dress in style.
If my ears could hear my computer screen,
From one to another, they, too, would grin.
My keyboard types for my eyes not my tongue
This happiness poem will never be sung.
But what of my eyes? Don’t they shine?
Yes, but not from this poem of mine.
The pen is mightier than the sword,
But a pen can write only words.
The feelings I sense and the senses I feel
For keyboard and screen remain far too real.
My ears and my nose remain at rest.
My cheeks and hairline are doing their best.
But if this happiness poem could make my mouth smile,
My face would forever dress up in style.
About The Author
David Leonhardt first published this happiness poem in A Daily Dose of Happiness at http://TheHappyGuy.com/daily-happiness-free-ezine.html. Read his friendship poem at http://TheHappyGuy.com/friendship-poem.html
Theme Gardens
August 27, 2007
Flower gardens are for enjoyment. They provide you with visual beauty, the joy of working with soil and plants, and the pride of showing others what you have created. As a gardener, one is always experimenting and learning anew what delights a flower garden may bring forth. This enjoyment can be intensified by creating your garden, or a room within the garden, with a theme.
Think of the old formal gardens with their hedges uniquely designed to provide a visual appeal that has survived the ages. Think of the Japanese Garden with its calm Zen-like quality. Theme gardens can be based upon a historical time or place or special types or colors of plants. They can be created for the wild creatures we hope to draw to our garden such as butterflies or hummingbirds.
Each type of garden has an unique appeal and some even more pleasing gardens can be had by using combinations. We Americans are famous for being the “Melting Pot”, for combining things we have brought from the rest of the world. Imagine having a butterfly garden surrounded by old rose varieties. Imagine a vegetable garden with a Zen garden in the middle. The combinations are endless.
Scottish Terrier Rescue - For the Love of Scotties
August 27, 2007
Purebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters, and volunteers can be found in every state to seek them out. Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, and even breeds considered rare, all pass through shelters every year. Those who perform Scottish Terrier rescue are committed to matching homeless terriers with loving new owners.
Dog owners give up their pets for a variety of reasons, and many of them have nothing to do with the animal’s temperament or behavior. Perfectly loving, well-behaved Scottish Terriers are rescued every year because their owners have died, moved into retirement homes, or are suffering from ill health. Other dogs find their way into shelters because of allergies, divorce, or new babies.
Scottish Terrier rescue organizations do find strays, dogs with behavioral problems, and dogs who have not been housebroken. A dog that has lost its owner, for whatever reason, will probably grieve, so it is crucial that adopted terriers be matched with the very best new owner. Rescuers will want to determine that the home the terrier is destined for is loving, secure, and committed to keeping the dog permanently.
Surf Waves With Jack Johnson
August 27, 2007
Lately I’ve been listening to some pretty cool music by some beach bum named Jack Johnson. The tunes he plays really touch a chord within me. They are just so honest and selfless, like stories being told by a wise old palm tree that has endured countless days of peaceful monotony, and yet have also experienced the rare tropical storm with gale force winds. I decided to have a look for his website, as I have come to know that humans have written about just about anything of interest on the Internet.
I found out some interesting things about this soft, rhythmic flowing voice and guitarist on his official site, http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com. The guy is hardly a beach bum; he’s been a pro surfer, is a popular surfing film producer, and the weirdest tidbit of knowledge is the fact that he didn’t really want to be a famous musician at all! He’d rather surf some waves, and maybe that’s why his music is so natural and unforced-he hasn’t let his popularity affect his priorities.
