by Joanna Campbell Slan I couldn't let my "bee encounter" buzz by without doing a wee bee research activity. Here's what I learned: The bees that are dying are domestic honeybees, commercially raised. The colonies are collapsing. African bees are mating with wild honeybees, creating a more aggressive strain. By looking at them, a bee expert can't tell the difference between African bees and native wild bees. A nest that's bred with … [Read more...] about The Bee's Knees–Facts about Bee Swarms
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Sweethearts–A Miniature Shop for Lovers
Around Valentine's Day I felt absolutely compelled to create a miniature shop of all things heart-shaped. But I didn't want to spend a lot of money. Here's what I wound up with... The shell of the shop was a paper mache "hatbox." I cut out the front door, covered it in black and white Contact paper, trimmed it with black Duck Tape, and added a patio. I also bought a cheap Styrofoam heart wreath and took it apart to put the hearts on the top … [Read more...] about Sweethearts–A Miniature Shop for Lovers
QTR — And Why It Matters
By Joanna Campbell Slan Last night our dear friend Eric introduced me to a new term: QTR. I'd never heard of it. So he explained, "It means Quality Time Remaining," and he went on to say it has to do with how you spend the rest of your life. Now Eric is as smart a man as any I've ever met. Maybe even more important, he's wise and he's kind. So when he talks, I listen, and then I think. A lot. This morning, I looked up QTR and found this … [Read more...] about QTR — And Why It Matters
Sea Trash Brooch
8 MILLION tons of plastic are added to our oceans every year. But we can all do something about it! Next time you walk the beach, pick up that plastic and transform it. I'll tell you how in a future post. … [Read more...] about Sea Trash Brooch
How I Write a Short Story, Part IV
To review: I have these elements...a time frame (St. Patrick's Day), interesting factoids (people actually DO make their own luck to some extent), a conflict (Clancy hates St. Patrick's Day), and a mystery (why? because it's the day her husband left her). I need some activities (Kiki's crafts--I'll have to come up with these), and a resolution (I'll think of something).I also have a cute sidebar problem. Anya loves animals and when … [Read more...] about How I Write a Short Story, Part IV
How I Write a Short Story, Part III
So Barb H. had a wonderful idea, "Perhaps St Patrick's day has always been unlucky for Clancy because that is when her father died or her husband left her or she lost a child. I am getting all these crazy ideas and am probably off base. I will be anxious to hear what you say!" Barb thinks like I do! So now I have these elements...a time frame (St. Patrick's Day), interesting factoids (people actually DO make their own luck to some extent), a … [Read more...] about How I Write a Short Story, Part III
