Birding Trails - Florida
March 10, 2010
Birding Trails - Florida
by: Rick Chapo
If you’re into birding, finding new trails is always an enjoyable task. Here’s a primer on birding trails in Florida.
Birding Trails - Florida
It goes without saying that Florida is a rather large state. The following birding trails represent a mere sample of what is out there, but are proven birding spots. With that being said, let’s get on with it.
1. St. Joseph’s Peninsula Park - Over 247 species of birds can be seen on the trails at St. Joseph’s. The real attraction, however, happens every October and September. During this period, hawks and falcons are all over the park as they migrate from northern areas to the Gulf of Mexico for the winter season. You can expect to see sharp-shinned hawks, broad wing hawks and even a few copper hawks. If you’re lucky, you can sight one of the smaller numbers of red-shoulder hawks, red-tail hawks and the elusive, endangered Peregrine Falcon.
3 Easy Steps to Growing Plants from Seed
March 7, 2010
3 Easy Steps to Growing Plants from Seed
by: Fran Barnwell
Growing your own plants from seed can be one of the most
exciting and worthwhile gardening activities. And of course
it is a really inexpensive way to grow the number of plants
you need for your garden or containers.
In this article I am going to deal with growing seeds from
packets purchased at a garden centre - as this is the
easiest way to start. These packets will have a picture on
the front and growing instructions on the reverse, including
germination times and the best time of year to sow. The
instructions are important so do keep the packet safe even
if you have used all the seeds!
1. Equipment you need:
- Clean pots or seed trays, with drainage holes and not too
flimsy
- Seed compost or multi-purpose compost is just as effective
- Clear plastic bags or cling film or propagator
- Vermiculite - can be used to give the seeds a light
covering instead of compost
Craft Show Items Priced To Sell!
March 5, 2010
Craft Show Items Priced To Sell!
by: Natalie Goyette
Pricing your craft show items correctly, and so that you make a
decent profit is paramount if you are going to be successful in
this industry. So how do you make the most money from your
craft show items, and still have them fly off the shelves
because they are a great price. Read on to find out!
In order to at least decide on your initial price structure you
may want to follow a mathematical formula for arriving at the
most favorable retail price:
production costs + overhead costs + selling costs + profit =
best price
Production costs include cost of materials and labor; overhead
costs are rent, utilities, insurance, professional fees; selling
costs may be show fees, traveling costs and marketing expenses;
and profit is why you went into this as a business in the first
place!
If you’re not comfortable with numbers, get help from a savvy
friend or your bookkeeper or accountant if you have one. Or
maybe ask another crafter how they arrive at their best price.
Oil Painting Supplies - Guide For Beginners
March 4, 2010
Oil Painting Supplies - Guide For Beginners
by: Ralph Serpe
When I first began painting some 10 years ago, I remember my first trip to my local art supply store. I recall my feeling of utter confusion as I perused the aisles. This particular art store had every tube of paint, brush, medium and canvas known to man, far too many choices for a confused beginner. After several moments, a sales person came by and began to assist me in finding the supplies I needed. To make a long story short, I left the store 30 minutes later with a box full supplies, half of which I had absolutely no idea what to do with. I wish I knew then what I know now. I could have saved myself a lot of money.
When you are first starting out in oil painting, you shouldn’t go overboard on supplies. It’s best to start with the basics. When you become more experienced, you can then try out different supplies until you find the items you are most comfortable working with.
Revolutionary War 1778-1783: Pensions
March 1, 2010
Revolutionary War 1778-1783: Pensions
by: Jeannette Austin
The American Revolutionary War began in Massachusettson April 19, 1775. The
date of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia was July 4, 177
General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781, with the peace
treaty being signed in 1783.
After the war ended, provisions for benefits to veterans were established, in 1789. Many of the
first applications, however, were destroyed by fire in 1800 and again in 1814. A partial record of
earlier pensioners does exist for 1792, 1794 and 1795, in Reports to Congress. Here is how the
pensions went:
1. Invalid pensioners who were disabled prior to 8/26/1776 (and since 4/19/1775). The Act of
1782 extending the provisions found that there were 1500 (invalid) pensioners on the rolls.
2. Half-pay for life went to officers, and widows of those officers. This began in 1780; then in
1788 Congress granted seven years half-pay to officers who served at the end of the war.
3. 2,480 officers received Commutation Certificates, however, delayed payments existed.
4. The Law of 1818 provided that every indigent person who had served to the war’s close, or for
Five Fantastic Holiday Decorating Ideas
February 28, 2010
Five Fantastic Holiday Decorating Ideas
by: Jennifer Thoden
It’s that time of the year. My favorite time of the year… when we pull out our greenery, lights, ribbons and wrapping paper! It’s a family time, hopefully a happy time and a nostalgic time. And I love all of it!
Every year, I celebrate the meer act of decorating my home. And I wanted to share some of things I plan on doing this year… and hopefully spark some ideas for yourself.
1. Wreaths aren’t just for doors. I hang wreaths everywhere. On all my windows (facing in)… on any blank wall I can find… my front door… my porch posts… and small ones on my staircase. I’ve even been known to hang a few on my kitchen cabinets.
I’m talking about plain, simple green wreaths of your preferred greenery (fake or natural), and hung with a ribbon. Hang them everywhere!
2. Garland galore! Hang garland anywhere you can. Across table tops, around candles, on top of your mantel and also under your mantel… along the tops of your kitchen cabinets… swagged on your curtain rods… and of course wrapped around your banisters!
Dance Can Be a Profession!
February 26, 2010
Dance Can Be a Profession!
by: Muska Assad
I did not know that dance can be used for fun, worship, exercise, or for a profession at the same time. I thought that dance simply involved moving the body in a way that flows with the rhythms of music and used solely for fun or entertainment. Because the country I have come from, dance is being considered just as a fun thing not a as a profession.
My perspective of dance changed after watching the dance performances during my freshman orientation at college. The performers really caught my attention, amazing me with their different methods of dancing, notably by the way they performed the movements, the face expressions they had while dancing, and the dancing skill itself. They were expressing each situation with certain acting positions and by moving each part of the body in certain skillful ways.
I was interested in the part of the performance where the dancers wore beautiful short white skirts with special flat shoes. I did not know which type of dance it was, so I became quite eager to learn more. I began by researching various aspects of dance, including the history of dance, types of dance, and the importance of dance.
Album Storage - Store And Protect Your Special Photos And Memories
February 23, 2010
Album Storage - Store And Protect Your Special Photos And Memories
by: Vera Raposo
Online photo albums are a great way to preserve your memories and share
them with the world.
Scanning and saving photos to your computer is a simple way to view your pictures and organize them chronologically or according to subject matter.
You can create wonderful photo albums that can be viewed online by your friends and family by utilizing the tools and storage options that are available online.
Online photo albums are inexpensive to create, and some sites will allow you to create and store your albums free of charge. Which software and options you choose will depend on the size of your photo album and what you wish to do with it.
There are many places on the internet that will allow you to store
photos and create albums for free. You simply upload your photos and
organize them as you see fit.
You will be able to send a link to friends and family that will allow them to access your album instantly. Free online album storage will generally contain advertisements or banners, but if this is not an issue for you, free storage is a wonderful way to share your special memories.
Creating Spectacular Scrapbooks With Memorabilia
February 21, 2010
Creating Spectacular Scrapbooks With Memorabilia
by: Vera Raposo
Memorabilia comes in many forms and including it in your scrapbooks is
a great way to make memories come to life. People make scrapbooks for
many reasons.
Gifts for loved ones, special occasions, children’s
photos and artwork, and special times in our lives are just a few of the
possible themes for a scrapbook. The use of various memorabilia can turn
your scrapbook into a personal, spectacular way to remember the events
that are important to our lives.
Scrapbooks that center around our children’s lives and experiences are
among the most popular themes. Memorabilia from the lives of your
children can include school photos, mementos from field trips, birthday
card invitations, and various artworks they have created through the
years.
You might want to include photos and emblems of a favorite sport or
team, team rosters from sports in which your child participated,
programs from band or choral performances, or items collected during a
vacation or trip to summer camp.
How to Grow African Violets
February 18, 2010
How to Grow African Violets
by: Sharon Rosenzweig
How to Grow African Violets
Anyone can grow beautiful African Violets if they provide the simple conditions required for healthy growth.
Natural Light:
Adequate light is the most important factor in promoting flowering. Place plants near any window that has bright, but filtered, light. An east window is best because it gets morning sun. A thin curtain will be necessary if placing plants in a south or west window. In order to develop a nice symetrical form, plants must be turned 1/4 turn every week.
Fluorescent Light:
If adequate natural light is not available, plants can be grown under fluorescent lights. Use double tube fixtures with one cool white bulb and one broad spectrum bulb. Lights should be 8 to 10 inches above the top of the plants and turned on for 12 to 14 hours a day. If plants have tight centers or seem to be bleaching out, reduce the number of hours to 8-10 a day.
When to Water:
More violets die from overwatering than from any other single cause. Violet soil should be kept evenly moist and never allowed to become soggy. Water only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Always use tepid water.
