Columns

Homemade is Better—Easy Sauces: Mayonnaise

A while back, it occurred to me that many of the sauces and spreads we use are almost always easy enough to make.  I’m going to start a series of easy sauces to make that have multiple applications!  For example, mayonnaise is the main ingredient in some salad dressings, like creamy coleslaw or even a… Read more »

Beats from the Basement—Spice Girls

Album: Greatest Hits Artist: Spice Girls I don’t think there’s ever been a girl group as influential as the Spice Girls.  Their massive success in the late 90s has inspired the emergence of other pop acts over the last two decades such as *NSYNC, The Pussycat Dolls, and, more recently, Fifth Harmony. It’s easy to… Read more »

Dear Barb—Growth and Remembrance

Dear Barb: Hi, my neighbor has a small black dog that has a huge growth of some kind on its stomach.  It is so big it almost touches the ground.  The poor dog walks awkwardly because of the weight of this thing.  I have talked to her and she always says, “oh its fine, he… Read more »

The Study Dude—How to Write a Haunting Narrative Essay

Have you ever wanted to tell a story, perhaps about your life?  Well then, you’ve likely wanted to write what is called a narrative essay.  It’s the kind of essay that starts with vivid visuals of the scene—from the scents to the sounds to a smorgasbord for the senses—and ends with a deep reflection. According… Read more »

Homemade is Better—Candied Apples

Halloween is slowing creeping in, although you’d never know it by all the decorations that showed up in the stores in mid-September!  Such is the life of a consumer.  This week I thought I’d make a sweet tooth favorite, candied apples!  I’m drooling just thinking about them.  Whether you’re a parent, DINK(Double Income No Kids),… Read more »

Eight Ways to Make Your Freelance Business Fail

Freelancers want to succeed.  So, how can you earn six-figures freelancing during COVID?  Let’s look at this question upside down. Let’s instead ask, How can you earn a rock bottom salary—yes, next to nil? Now, that’s the devil’s advocate. Once we know that, then avoiding it should be a piece of cake, right? Jennifer Goforth… Read more »

Dear Barb—Trapped

Dear Barb: Like everyone else I am getting so tired of this virus.  My husband and I are stuck in the house working from home and limiting contact with others.  At least during the summer, we were able to get out; now that the cold weather is here and cases are on the rise we… Read more »