Legendary News

Howard Zinn is Dead

2010-01-28T09:05:00.000-08:00

I just heard that Howard Zinn has died and I never got the chance to see him in person. I know that he was at the Evergreen State College a couple of times but it never fit with my schedule. Now he's gone and I've missed my chance.

When will I learn? We only have today!!

Howard's book, The People's History, of the United States changed me completely. It changed the way I looked at the world and the way I look at history.

Howard, you left your mark and you will be missed!!

A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present (P.S.)

Cleaning Sharks

2010-01-26T05:04:00.001-08:00

Anyone will tell you: I am not a domestic goddess. I hate housework--but sadly, I love a clean house. And no, as much as I would like to, I don't have a cleaning service. First because I can't afford one right now, and second because I'm too embarrassed to call one. So I'm constantly on the look-out for cleaning aids--that make my life simpler and a reasonably priced. Recently I found to really good products from the same company. The Shark Pocket Steamer and the Shark Pocket Mop.

Oh my gosh! I've bought other steam cleaners in the past and been very disappointed---mostly because I was constantly mopping up puddles and worried about getting burned by the steam. In addition, older versions of steam cleaners were heavy and plodding.

Before I purchased the Shark Pocket Mop, I read a lot of reviews--not all of them were favorable. Some even cited the problem that I hated in other steamers--the puddles.

I got both products last week--the pocket mop was easy to put together--and does an incredible job on my laminate floors--no puddles, no streaks. It is very light weight, has an extra long cord, and is easy to store. A big plus all the way around. Price is under $120--and I got free shipping. Yahoo.

The Pocket Steamer--is just as amazing--I cleaned all my cupboard doors, my appliances, my bathtub and counter tops--it worked like a dream. The attachments were easy to switch out. Price is under $100 and guess what? Free Shipping.

After the Wind

2010-01-18T09:14:00.001-08:00

Oh my gosh!!! It blew last night---I heard tin rattling all night--loud and booming. I got up twice to check it out. The first time around 12:30 a.m. I got up to check to see if the roof was holding on the patio. It was fine, I stood on the patio--in the extraordinarily warm night for quite a while and watched and listened as the gusts of wind screamed through the neighborhood--the roof rattled a bit, but was secured snuggly. So I went back to bed, thinking I would be able to sleep.
But I wasn't. I listened more closely--and now I was convinced that maybe I'd forgotten to lock the door on the shed--and maybe that was rattling. Or perhaps something had blown over from another yard and was somehow trapped between the house and shed and was being boiled up against the house and shed with every strong gust of wind. Make no mistake it was LOUD. So I got up again---Again went out to the patio--this time I saw the problem. The downspout on the corner from the house had come loose and was banging against the house with each gust. The noise did not lessen when I went back to bed--but I was able to finally get back to sleep--now that the anxiety had lessened. For the record--the dog--Ciara--only peaked her head out from under the covers ONCE. I should have taken my cues from her.

Weirdness in the Local News

Oh yes, all you aspiring mystery writers. Need a new unusual weapon of death. TISSUE Paper. Yep, I man (sadly) killed another man with tissue paper.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – An autopsy determined that a man found dead Friday outside a Tumwater residence suffocated on tissue paper stuffed in his mouth.

http://www.theolympian.com (weblink)

He's identified as 55-year-old Gerald F. Haag of Seattle.
Thurston County sheriff's deputies arrested a 49-year-old man for investigation of murder.
The sheriff's office says Michael Kerby of Seattle told the victim's sister he had killed her brother. Lt. Chris Mealy told The Olympian Kerby is cooperating with investigators.

I still haven't heard from WebsiteBusiness.com. But I'm willing to cut them a break, since yesterday was Sunday and today is a holiday. Yep, even website businesses are entitled to a holiday. I did take the initiative and contacted them via support ticket. So I'm not just sitting back waiting for them. I'm anxious to get started--and anxious to let everyone know how it works.

Under The Dome

2010-01-17T11:23:00.001-08:00

For me, reading Stephen King at Christmas time---is s long standing tradition, that began too many years ago when I was raising my children., It was often the only thing I got for Christmas--and it was always a wonderful time. I stopped buying Stephen King books right after his accident when the quality of his books declined and the plot lines haven't made sense. Then several years ago I started reading him again--and I knew he was back--my old friend. His newest book Under the
Dome, while not a masterpiece--is certainly an entertaining read. His characters are strong and interesting and when I am in his world with them I am completely at home.

Yet something was amiss in this work--the ending, although it was foreshadowed in skeletal framework was not fully developed for the novel. This will make a far better movie, which I wouldn't hesitate to go see. So if you are a long-time Stephen King fan--wait until it comes out in paperback or read it on Kindle as I did. If you are new to Stephen King--wait for the movie--you'll find it more satisfying

Hazel Pete Basket Weaving

2009-05-18T18:17:00.001-07:00

I had an the incredible opportunity to attend the basket weaving conference at Great Wolf Lodge this weekend. The Annual Event is hosted by the Hazel Pete institute. Native American weavers from all over the country, but particularly from the Northwest came together to teach the craft to willing learners. It was a time for conversation and laughter, a time to hear the stories, and a time to sit beside a master and weave a basket.

I had an amazing time. I made a woven cedar vase and a seagrass basket.

As you can see I'm hardly a weaver, but I have been bitten by the weaving bug and will be weaving more baskets as soon as my supplies arrive. Oh yes, I ordered seagrass coils on line, they should be here by next week.

I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't know anything about Hazel Pete or the incredible legacy she has left us. But after spending the Friday with her daughters and granddaughters, cousins, aunties, and tribal family---I wanted to know more about this amazing woman.

Hazel Pete was born in a one-room house in 1914 on the Chehalis Reservation. Hazel attend s government day school on the Chehalis Reservation, went on to an Indian boarding school and Tulalip and ultimately graduated from Chemawa High School in Salem Oregon. After high school she studied for two years at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Sante Fe New Mexico.

Sweet Potato Fries---Oh My

2009-05-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

Sweet Potato fries have become my new favorite food. And despite their name, they are baked, not fried. Here is the recipe I've been using. I'd love to get more recipes.

1 - 1 1/2 lb sweet potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (preferably the easy release kind).

Peal the sweet potatoes. Cut into strips that are about 1/2 inch wide on each side.

Place the sweet potatoes into a sealable plastic bag. Add oil, salt, paprika and cinnamon. Seal the bag and shake well to thoroughly coat the fries. Spread the potatoes out onto the baking sheet in a single layer.

Cook for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes. Transfer immediately to a paper towel lined plate and serve warm.

5 Sweet Summer Books

2009-05-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

What could be better than a sweet reading list for summer.

1. Sweet by Heather Byer (2007) A charming memoir about a young woman coming of age in the pool rooms of New York.
2.Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel by Jamie Ford.
Set in Seattle, Ford tells the story of a Henry Lee who rediscovers bittersweet memories of his time in a Japanese internment camp while combing through newly discovered boxes from the camp.
3. The Sweet By and By: A Novel by Todd Johnson

Life is choosing whom and what you love. The story is told through a series of first-person vignettes from five women with interconnected lives. Two of the women live in a nursing home, trying to cope with the corresponding loneliness, loss of freedom, and the inevitability of becoming sicker, weaker, and less in control of their own lives.
4. Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by Scott Hahn and Kimberly Hahn

The Hahns use their own journey to show how their commitment to Jesus Christ and the Bible is what ultimately led them down an entirely unforseeable path towards Rome.
5. The Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love by Jill Conner Browne

This celebration of southern womanhood is indeed a full of laughs. I mean tears running down your cheeks, snorting at your desk at work laughs.

May's Theme is Sweet

2009-05-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

The theme this month is sweet---no one, not even my mother or my dog, would ever call me sweet. I am a lot of things. I am for instance smart, I'm a hard worker, I am kind, I am cynical, but I am not sweet. And shockingly, I have no interest in becoming sweet----not in this life or any other life. So why is that I wonder?
Maybe it is because when I apply the adjective "sweet" to a person, I see them as less then genuine, as people you can only take so much of---sort of like chocolate---I love chocolate and yes, it is SWEET, but I can only take so much of it at a time---I could not tolerate a steady diet of chocolate--even if it was totally nutritious.

My Puppy Valentine

2009-02-16T09:41:00.001-08:00

Today begins my third week with Ciara (pronounced KeyRa). This last week she has become a wild child. She is constantly on the prowl for new things to pounce on and attack---no bottle cap, box, paper bag, envelope. She is beginning to bark and growl during play---which is pretty funny when you hear it.

She has become the darling of our H & R Block office. My boss, Wendy, bought her a Valentine Bandana---and we all take turns taking her out during the day. So Ciara has the impression that work is fun and everybody loves you. Aah that that were true.

I'm no longer taking her to work at my State job, no one said to stop bringing her--but I think it was coming--so she spent her first day at home alone, last Monday, where I left her gated in the kitchen with her crate and a gazillion puppy pads. She missed every single puppy pad. Next day she moved into the bathroom, where she managed to hit the puppy pads every single time.

Koala love story wins hearts after deadly fires

2009-02-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

Koala love story wins hearts after deadly fires: "www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XSPx7S4jr4"

We are one big family, humans, plants, and animals--all living on this earth together--all struggling against adversity--and reaching out to each other for kindness.

The video

Economic Stimulus Payment--Report it Correctly Or Slow Down Your Refund

2009-01-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

If you are one of the millions of taxpayers who have ALREADY filed your taxes and are anticipating your refund to hit your bank account any day now, you may be in for a big surprise. IRS says that many taxpayers are not reporting the correct amount of Economic Stimulus Payment they received last year, and that is resulting in slower refunds this year and in some cases reduced refunds.

If you haven't filed your tax return yet, don't rely on your memory for the amount of economic stimulus payment you received. Instead go to this website, type in your information and know for sure what you received.

Obama's Speech on the National Mall

2009-01-19T07:59:00.000-08:00

MyFox Washington DC | Full Text of Barack Obama's Speech

Once in a generation comes an individual whose greatness is predestine and innate--Barak Obama is such a man--and if we allow ourselves to believe and to shed the cloak of cynicism we can once again become a proud nation and a proud people.

My favorite quote from yesterday's speech on the National Mall follows. I only hope that my daughter, who is D.C. to attend the inauguration, was able to hear this speech in person.

And yet, as I stand here today, what gives me the greatest hope of all is not the stone and marble that surrounds us today, but what fills the spaces in between. It is you -- Americans of every race and region and station who came here because you believe in what this country can be and because you want to help us get there.

It is the same thing that gave me hope from the day we began this campaign for the presidency nearly two years ago; a belief that if we could just recognize ourselves in one another and bring everybody together -- Democrats, Republicans and Independents; Latino, Asian and Native American; black and white, gay and straight, disabled and not -- then not only would we restore hope and opportunity in places that yearned for both, but maybe, just maybe, we might perfect our union in the process.

This is what I believed, but you made this belief real. You proved once more that people who love this country can change it. And as I prepare to assume the presidency, yours are the voices I will take with me every day I walk into that Oval Office -- the voices of men and women who have different stories but hold common hopes; who ask only for what was promised us as Americans -- that we might make of our lives what we will and see our children climb higher than we did.

Tell-A-Friend: Sign the Stop Puppy Mills Pledge

2009-01-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

Tell-A-Friend: Sign the Stop Puppy Mills Pledge

As many of you know my beloved dog Wyatt died January 7, 2009 and I have been heartsick ever since. Part of the healing process for me is researching dogs and puppies in order to educate myself when April rolls around, and I have enough free time to adopt a new canine member to my family.

I have been combing the classified ads and roaming all over the internet gathering information and looking at dogs and puppies.

Just last week in the NICKLE give away ad newspaper there were countless ads for all kinds of puppies, all of them located in Snohomish County. On the news yesterday a huge puppymill was busted in Gold Bar in Snohomish County. 155 puppies and dogs were confiscated and found to be in deplorable conditions. That drove me to even more research.

If you are looking for a puppy or a new dog. Educate yourself. Watch this video.

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

This Weeks Most Common Tax Problems

2009-01-17T19:31:00.000-08:00

Electronic Filing began on 1/15/09--and our office has been really busy. Two things have account for the early surge of tax filers. First, many companies are getting their W-2s out earlier this year and second because there was not major last minute changes to the tax law, all the forms are available for filing.

That said--we has several angry customers this week who weren't allowed to file with us until they received their Unemployment 1099G which lists not only how much UC they received but also the amount of federal withholding. So save yourself some grief and WAIT until the form comes in.

The second upset for customers is that many of our military customers wanted to file their tax returns using the final LES. Military W-2s will be available on line by the end of the month--again YOU must wait.

In Loving Memory

2009-01-11T18:46:00.001-08:00

Wyatt was born in either 1998 or 1999. He was a stud dog for a breeder and lived in a small dog run. I got him in June of 2002 when he was three or four years old. When I picked him up at the breeder's I already had one broken wrist, by the time I left the breeder, I had a second broken wrist.

Wyatt, although terribly sweet, had not been socialized. But it didn't take him long. Three days to be exact, before he got the swing of sleeping on my bed. He was a great dog. He loved to go for walks, eat pig ears, play in the water, visit his friends, go camping, and follow me wherever I went. He played frisbee, but only to please me--it was never his passion.

He was my best friend. He was my heart. He died peacefully in my arms at the vet's on January 7, 2009. His is missed every moment of every day.

Feeling the Pinch

2009-01-04T09:45:00.001-08:00

Oh my gosh! Someone sent this picture to me today in an email. Unfortunately the photographer was not identified--sure would like to give him/her the credit they deserve.

This poor pup should be the poster pup for our economic depression.

Bush Bashing to Become an Olympic Sport

2008-12-18T09:04:00.000-08:00

Ever since that courageous and outraged Iraqi journalist heaved a couple of size 10 loafers at our dishonored president Bush, the Olympic Committee has been bombarded with
requests to include Bush Bashing in the next Olympics. All countries wishing to send a team are holding their Olympic trials on the Internet. So if you think you have some shoe tossing prowess. Go to Sock and Awe and try out.

Christmas List

2008-11-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

I can't remember when anyone has asked me for a Christmas list---it's been a long time, and truthfully, spending time with my family is the best gift I can ever get, and every year I have that blessing. This year, I'm invited to my daughter's in Spokane, which is a real treat. So if any of my family is reading this, I just want you to know what a joy you all are and how much spending time with you means to me. That gushing stuff said. Here is a brief list.

1. Books: 2666 By Roberto Bolano---to the best of my knowledge it is not out on Kindle and I'd really like to read it.
2. Books: Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden---again as far as I can tell not out on Kindle. This book is the 2007 Canadian Giller Prize Winner.
3. Socks. I totally love socks. Wild socks, goofy socks, toe socks, bland socks, soft socks, socks---can't have too many of them--and for me it is way to have fun, without drawing a lot of attention to myself. Yep, love those socks.
4. Sweatshirts: Love 'em, they are warm and comfortable, and the nicer ones can pass as sweaters---a person can't have enough nice sweat shirts.
5. DS Mystery Series Games: Yes I know DS is for kids, but I love the mystery games, I've played sample games online--but don't actually own one, so you can't go wrong and buy me one that I already have, cuz I don't have any. They say there is a series--the only one I can find advertised is the MillionHeir---but I love mysteries, so I think any in the series would be fine.

So that's it---that's all I've got. Hope this is helpful.

The Auto Industry Bailout with a Main Street Twist

2008-11-17T19:26:00.000-08:00

Whether or not to bailout the beleaguered auto industry was all the talk of the Sunday talk shows. Most folks think the American Auto industry has been playing a poor game of catch up to Asian car markers and has caused most if not all of the problems they find themselves in. While their is a huge consensus for the causes of the auto industry debacle, the real debate centers around whether or not the government should bail them out. Lots of different bailout schemes are being touted, but none of them seem to have much to offer the American Public. So here is my suggestion, if we want to save our auto industry, let's give every American who buys an American car a $2000 refundable tax credit in the year of purchase--in addition, why not guarantee car loans to qualified buyers at a 6 percent interest rate. If folks could get a car loan at 6 percent and a $2000 refundable tax credit for buying American made cars, we'd all be lining up to trade in our cars for new ones. Everybody wins.

State Employee Contract

2008-09-14T18:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't read the actual contract proposal yet--but I have read several summaries of the proposed contract. Although a 2 percent per year doesn't sound like much and hardly keeps up with inflation--it is more than I expected. In addition the Union got us an additional personal holiday in each of the two years of the contract. Not bad.

I, for one, wasn't happy about being forced to be a part of this union, but this is the second contract they negotiated--and both times they at least got us something. So here's a big shout out to the Union!!!!

Changing Neuropathways to Stop Smoking

2008-08-10T14:27:00.001-07:00

Ever wonder why it is so darn hard to quit smoking? As a failed white-knuckler, I now only too well how easy it is to fail. Then I learned something. I learned how nicotine effects the neuropathways of the brain, and how to change those pathways so I have a reasonable chance for success.

Niotine reacts with neurons and neurotransmitters in the brain to release feelings of calm and pleasure whenever nicotine enters the system. Nicotine replacement products such as gum and patches, etc., allow the body to slowly withdraw from the nicotine. Which is very necessary to be successful in quitting.

However, if you don't deal with the neuropathways of the brain, your chances of relapse are high. Neuropathways are the brain's automatic transmission, they react for you, so you don't have to think about it. And therein lies the problem when it comes to nicotine.

The most successful way to do this is using hypnosis either with a certified hypnotherapist or using self-hypnosis. What self-hypnosis does is create new pathways in the brain. It teaches you new behaviors to employ when you are stressed, need to focus, frustrated, or just need a break (times when you normally would reach for a cigarette.) And it does it pretty quickly. I know because I haven't had a cigarette in 20 years and that is what finally worked for me.

Stop Smoking Now
Click Here!
Stop Smoking For Good
Click Here!

NO FREE LUNCH

2008-08-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

I posted earlier that I was trying at this new (to me) way of making money at a
website called freelunchroom.com. In essence this is someone paying you to respond to offers. The folks I contracted with at freelance.com were great, super honest, and paid immediately.

However, I've subsequently had to cancel my credit cards and debit cards and get them all re-issued. The reason is that companies that I signed up for free offers or offers under $5, were billing me for larger and ongoing fees. Even though within 24 hours of signing up, I followed their cancellation policies and cancelled. Fortunately, I kept copies of all these transactions and the credit and debit card companies are refunding the money to me.

But needless to say---it was a HUGE hassle--still is. I know that people do make money this way---obviously they know something I don't.

Freelancing Update

2008-07-07T21:09:00.000-07:00

Two great opportunities came my way today. I don't know if either of them will pan out. One is from GetAFreelancer. I placed a bid weeks and weeks ago and got no response from this vender. Just got an email offering me 60 re-writes per week, if her client likes my writing. I emailed back and accepted, but I believe she is offering it to several writers So I'm still waiting to here. The second, is from Blogvertise, who accepted my blog, and will give me opportunities to write for them. I haven't seen any yet, but will keep you posted.

FreeLunchRoom

2008-07-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'm trying out this new deal--it is getting paid for completing offers. Everyone has seen this deals--get a free laptop, get a free ipod, then you have to complete all these offers, and just when you think you're close--the up the ante. Well, it's kinda like that---except someone pays me to complete offers for them. This weekend and did two--and was paid $45. Now that is not all profit, because some of these offers you sign up for cost money. But by my calculations I've cleared between $30 to $35. So not bad.

It gets tricky though, because a lot of this are free trial offers, so once you go green, you have to get in there and get them canceled--or it will cost you a whole lot more than you make. So as far as a way to make money---I'm still on the fence about it.

I will say that the folks at FreeLunchRoom are really nice and have all sorts of videos and manuals to help.

Oh Say Can You See

2008-07-04T22:29:00.001-07:00

Back in the day folks didn't go shopping on holidays---because hardly anything was open. Fireworks stands, a gas station or two, maybe a corner grocery but that was it. Really, unless you go to a parade, or a family gathering, it just looks like any other day with a bunch of American flags hung from the city streets. Wal-mart parking lot was full when I went by, so was Safeway, and MarketPlace foods.

I stayed home this year--no parades---not because I don't love parades, I do. But because I didn't want to spend the gas. I watched the neighborhood fireworks and thought about what America means to me. I could say all the trite things that everyone says, greatest country on earth, freedom, etc. And to some extent that is all very true---but it doesn't really say anything new.

What being American means to me--is that I'm a single woman who raised three children alone--and this country made if possible for me to earn a living, buy home, and see my children through college. Maybe I could do that elsewhere in the world--for sure in Europe, but there are lots of places that that wouldn't have been possible. See the problem with saying that America is the greatest country on earth, etc., is that it is the only frame of reference I have. Although I've traveled outside the country---I haven't lived outside the country. Doesn't everyone feel that their country is the greatest, the best? Aren't they like me, the country they live is all they know. I love this country because it is mine, like my mother is mine. I didn't choose my mother and I didn't choose this country. Both have been good to me, both have disappointed me.

I think there is a difference between loving the land and the people of America and loving the government. I truly love the people and the land. The government, provides me with safety nets, like Social Security and Medicare when I retire (hopefully), it provides unemployment when I cannot work. The government facilitates trade with other countries, defends the land and people from invaders and is there to hold us up in times of natural disasters. It's important to remember all things that the government does that holds us all together day to day, year to year, century to century. Because too often, and I am certainly guilty of this, we think of the government as politics. I'm not crazy about the current politics--more accurately I would prefer that the last eight years of non-leadership didn't happen. But I truly appreciate the government.

Being proud to be an American is not quite as cut and dry as the song would imply. Being an American is complicated: it is not all truisms and platitudes--it is scandals and greed, and back-biting politics, as well as altruism, generosity, and leadership. Some days I'm prouder than others. What I do know is that America is all I've got--all I've got to give to my children and grandchildren. I want it to be strong and kind and I don't give a damn if it is the greatest nation in world to anyone but us.

Raccoon Shooting in Rainier Neighborhood

2008-07-03T16:07:00.001-07:00

My children will remember the great ferret debacle--where the whole neighborhood --including the police department went into mob action over a ferret. It was ugly, for the ferret, and pretty traumatic for my children. That was 25 years ago. In all that time, the neighborhood properly ashamed and chagrined over their abysmal behavior, has been domestic pet and wild life friendly. (In case you're wondering, there has long been a debate as to whether the ferret was domesticated and freed, or was in fact a wild ferret. The truth will never be known.) But everything changed last night.

Maybe I should have seen it coming when folks down at the store were all upset over sighting a coyote in town. Each person was telling the others where they had seen it. Really? There have been coyotes in town since the day I moved in over 25 years ago. Frankly, my guess is the coyotes have a family history here longer than any one else. But suddenly folks were getting worked up.

Then as things do, it escalated and mutated now folks are getting worked up about a raccoon or raccoons that were eating the koi out of their ponds. I get that koi, especially large ones, are expensive. But they are fish---they are outside. Raccoons aren't their only problem. We have cats, cougars, owls, eagles, hawks--you name it---they all need to eat.

Well as it turns out, a neighbor down the block shot a raccoon. It was daylight and as would be expected it wasn't a lethal shot. The raccoon was wounded and leaving a blood trail--which in turn was being followed by the shooter, the shooter's wife and about 15 neighbors of various ages and physical conditions---all tromping through the yards trying to find the injured animal.
(Not to render aid, but to dispatch the poor creature to meet his god.) Alas, they were unsuccessful in finding the wounded animal.

I hope the wound was not serious and that the raccoon will recover. I doubt seriously that it will return to the neighbor's pond--it has probably learned its lesson. The scary part for me, is that now we have pistol-packing neighbors that will shoot at anything that gets near their yards or ponds---this is, I fear, a recipe for a future tragedy.

Month One As A Freelancer

2008-07-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Today I added up my total earnings for the month from my combined buyers, ContentGuru and GetAFreelancer. I earned a total of $128--subtract from that the 10.00 I spent at Elance to get writing gigs, and the $13 I spent at Freelancer to get more opportunities to bid on jobs. I cleared a whole $104 for writing 48 articles. Yep, 48 articles--and I don't think I'm nuts. But I do work hard.

Here's the deal, I learned a whole lot this month. I learned to research fast, organize, and write fast. I learned about SEO writing--which is essential producing internet pollution, but I did it and I'm still doing it. It's part of paying my dues. My main gig for now is writing real articles (no keyword stuffing) for the internet for $2 a piece. While the money sucks, I get to search the internet and write---two of my favorite things to do. And, while I am writing two-dollar articles, I am not driving around (saving gas money) and not buying anything---still another savings

Washington Faeries In Big Trouble

2008-04-27T15:14:00.001-07:00

Washington State boasts one the largest flocks of faeries in all the world. But all that is about to change. Many of the most prominent faeries are now over 80 years old. Washington DOT (Department of Trolls and Faeries), Elizabeth Gingham says, " we just failed to plan and the legislature failed to plan."

Washington's faeries are key to the tourist industry all around Puget Sound. More and more the older faeries have proved unreliable, and DOT has had to pull a number of them from their routes.
We are committed to our flock, Gingham says, and will do whatever it takes to renew and refurbish the flock.

The Legislature will have to deal with some important issues in the coming session. (1) What to do with the aged faeries; (2) where to get the money to increase the flock and (3) what can be done to help ailing businesses while the fleet is being revamped.