Heidi Bitsoli
I'm happiest at home with my husband, three cats and dog; in a good bookstore with a hot latte; or in my garden tending to my herbs. Right now I'm in freelance mode, and enjoying the chance to explore and write.
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- 17,683
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- 100
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- Contributor since
- 1/27/2009
Education/Experience
B.A., English, Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, MIInterests
Current events, NPR, Makeup, fashion, art, history, herbalism, gardening, house plants, cooking, pop culture, movies, animals, books, humor, coffee, recycling, local color, poetry, Michigan s Upper Peninsula, bird watching, publishing, being nosy.Affiliations
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Displaying Results 1 - 100 (of 100) for All Content
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Book Review: Lorraine Massey's "Curly Girl: The Handbook"Ladies with waves, curls and kinks in their hair who don't want to fight what nature gave them might want to take a look at Lorraine Massey and Michelle Bender's Curly Girl: The Handbook.
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'The Hunger Games': Definitely Not Child's PlaySuzanne Collins "The Hunger Games" may be marketed to teens, but it's a thought-provoking story of humanity, leadership, and freedom.
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Bartok's 'The Memory Palace' a Heartfelt Memoir of Mental Illness, Motherhood and Overcoming ObstaclesWriter and artist Mira Bartok has overcome a lot, from a devastating accident to coming to terms with her schizophrenic mother.
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When a Loved One Has Dementia: My Personal ExperienceWatching my mother fade away due to aging, health concerns and dementia is a painful thing to witness.
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Book Review: "Genius and Heroin: The Illustrated Catalogue of Creativity, Obsession, and Reckless Abandon Through the Ages"We've all heard the stories about creative types and their addictions, be they for alcohol, heroin, sex or something else. This book is a fascinating encyclopedia of artists and their obsessions.
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Book Review: Hothouse Flower, by Margot Berwin"Hothouse Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire" makes for a steamy summer read.
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Enjoy the "Pop" of Soda Without the CaloriesHow to get the 'pop' of soda without the artificial sweeteners or added calories
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On Being Childless by ChoiceThis woman has no desire to have children, and wonders why it's such a big deal to just say no.
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Fall Fashion Trends for Plus-sized LadiesNo matter your size -- here are some fashion forward trends for fall and winter 2010/
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Lady Gaga's Vanity Fair ManicureDo you love the gray-beige-pink nail color Lady Gaga graces on the cover of September 2010's Vanity Fair? Here's the scoop, and a cheaper substitute for those on the budget. -
Taking Care of an Aging ParentAn aging parent whose health and mind are on the decline offers new, yet timeless, challenges.
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On Growing TomatoesA casual gardener reflects on growing tomatoes.
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Hot Weather Survival TipsWhen the temperature climbs, beat the heat. Don't let it beat you.
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Book Review: Brunonia Barry's "The Map of True Places"Barry's second novel is a compelling mystery, proving she is not in a sophomore slump.
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Purple Yahoo!A "Purple" haiku, having fun with the color wheel.
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Packing Misery: A Move Goes from Bad to WorseAll moves are bad, but record-breaking rains, a stuck U-Haul and car troubles make a bad one even worse.
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Spring PoemA free-verse poem in honor of springtime.
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Biennial Plants: 10 Favorites10 favorite biennials for the garden.
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When Choice is a BurdenSometimes it seems like too many consumer choices are the opposite of freedom.
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Remembering My FatherMy father died in 1989, and over the years I realize how much I lost now that that vital link to family and the past is gone. Here's to him!
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Valentines Should Know: InterCourses Cookbook Has the Recipe for RomanceInterCourses: an aphrodisiac cookbook has the recipe for love, with sensual dishes that will fan the flames of passion
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Life on the Virtual Farm: FarmvilleFarmville is a fun escape from everyday things, and here's a few tips for newbies on how to earn coins and experience and level their way up. -
The Weirdest Things I've Done to Stop EatingCall it gross, call it sabotage, but I've done some odd things to get myself to stop snacking. They're childish and wasteful, yes, but they have gotten me to put the spoon down.
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Book Review: The Story Sisters, by Alice HoffmanAlice Hoffman's novel "The Story Sisters" is a fractured fairy tale of three girls, each touched by tragedy in a unique and heart-breaking way.
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Haiku: Happy New YearA new year's haiku
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Recipe: Bastard JambalayaAn easy, tasty, healthy recipe for jambalaya, somewhat varied from what you'd find in a cookbook, hence the "bastard. Plus, it's pretty hot.
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Gone at 32: Actress Brittany Murphy DiesIt's always a shock when someone so young dies
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Poem: Kentucky SnowWaking up one December morning in rural Kentucky, while visiting my mother, I was surprised and delighted to see snow had fallen overnight. -
Holiday HaikuA nature-inspired haiku.
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Krampus: A Scary Holiday LegendStephen Colbert made a joke about the Christmas Krampus on his Comedy Central show, but it turns out the hairy beast is a real mythological character.
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Eye Shadow: Versatile MakeupEye shadow is extremely versatile. Apply it dry, wet or blended with vaseline and you can come up with countless looks, from dramatic lids to sleek lines to rosy cheeks.
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When the News Makes News: Daily Paper Folds After Five DaysA little startup paper in Detroit took a blow after five days of publication, when publishers told the staff they were postponing further publication until after the new year.
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Haiku: Writer's BlockHaiku for when the words won't come easily.
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My Experience with DepressionFinding the right words to describe my depression.
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Thanksgiving Haiku: GluttonyA haiku about Thanksgiving
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Easy Stuffing for ThanksgivingMaking dressing for Thanksgiving (or any stuffed poultry) is easy. Here's a tasty version that pairs perfectly with turkey.
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Easy Thanksgiving TurkeyCooking a turkey for Thanksgiving isn't hard to do. Here's an easy but tasty recipe for a succulent bird.
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Recipe: Apple CrumbleDo you have too many apples or are craving something sweet? Try this easy apple crumble/cobbler recipe.
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Review of the Lavender Cookbook: Culinary Recipes for Entertaining and Every DayLove lavender? Love to cook? Here's a cookbook that's the perfect marriage of your two passions.
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Holiday Poem: MistletoeA holiday poem about being caught under the mistletoe.
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Thanksgiving HaikuHaiku about overdoing it on Thanksgiving
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Poem: EnoughA free-verse poem about dealing with someone difficult for far too long.
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Perfect Holiday Gift Ideas for Someone Who Loves to Send Letters and CardsKnow someone who loves to send letters and note cards? Here are some great gift ideas for just that type of person.
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Holiday Gift Ideas for the Woman Who Loves to Do Her NailsKnow someone who loves to do their nails? Here are some handy gift ideas.
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Poem: Final DaysA free-verse poem about the restless, last days of a job.
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Top Holiday and Christmas Movies10 favorite movies to get you through the holidays and Christmas. Warning: Not all are warm and fuzzy, but whether you want feel-good traditional or gut-busting black comedy, there's something here for everyone.
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Haiku: PensiveA haiku about being in a quiet mood.
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Write it the Right Way: Tips for Better GrammarIt's a perfectly human error to write something wrong, but it's easy enough to correct. This article contains a few tips and examples on avoiding common grammar errors.
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Job Hunting TipsLooking for work is never easy. A few smart strategies can help in job hunting.
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Book Review: "The Worst Hard Time," by Timothy EganTimothy Egan's "The Worst Hard Time" is a powerful history about the nightmare years of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s America, during the Great Depression. He gives a riveting account of the suffering area's people endured and how they fought to survive.
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Three Great Independent Bookstores in the Detroit AreaLove books and love to buy locally? Here are three great places to buy books in the metro Detroit area.
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Witch PoemBeyond the witch as Halloween icon ...
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Twilight Saga: Does it Deserve to Be so Popular?The Twilight saga has enchanted so many, but is it really so magical? There are appealing elements but there is a lot of dysfunction as well.
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Naked Coffee Guy: Victim or Villain?A Virginia man decides the first thing he wants when waking up is Folger's in his cup. Even before putting on pants. Now he faces charges for exposing himself to a woman and child walking past his house.
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Strategies for a Healthier Holiday SeasonThe holidays are one big danger zone of temptation. The author vows a few simple strategies to leave a few pounds and some bad behaviors behind with the turn of the calendar year.
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Book Review: Joe Hill's "Heart-Shaped Box"Joe Hill's "Heart-Shaped Box" is a wonderfully scary novel, about an aging rocker who buys a spiteful ghost and ends up paying in more than currency.
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Bad Economy Means Nostalgia and Tradition Are in for the HolidaysIn a lagging economy consumers want comfort and joy for Christmas, not the weird, wacky and pricey.
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Fat Tax: Good Intentions, Bad IdeaThe fat tax proposal has people in an uproar. Yes, Americans are fat. Yes, health care is expensive. Yes, unhealthy lifestyles are costly. But don't just punish the number on the scale.
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Book Review: Wicked PlantsWicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities, by Amy Stewart. The book is a collection of poisonous plants, their effects and their role in history.
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Haiku for a Cold DayWith three cats, turning the heat on is always a big event for the little heat-seekers. A haiku in observation. -
What's in a Name?The author keeps a good sense of humor over how her first, middle and last names are always misspelled, mispronounced or otherwise mangled. -
Word GoblinAll these terrific and terrifying haikus for the Halloween contest have made me giddy, so I had to write one more.
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Halloween Haiku: The Day AfterA haiku for those who think way ahead
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Halloween Haiku: Candy LandA haiku inspired by Halloween
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GrimaceMy haiku for the Halloween contest
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Halloween HaikuHaiku about reading too many scary ghost stories
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Autumn HaikuAutumn always brings me to a thoughtful and observant mood, so on a cold, windy day such as today, I feel moved to try a few haiku.
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Inexpensive, Homemade Holiday Gift Idea: Cookbook of Your Favorite RecipesDo you want to give a great gift that has heart and won't hit you hard in the wallet? Put together your own cookbook of beloved recipes.
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Scary Movies Perfect for Halloween and BeyondHalloween is the perfect time to watch a scary movie. Here are some suggestions for something beyond the Draculas and the Frankensteins
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1980s Hair: A Trip Down Memory LaneWho can forget the fads of the 1980s, including these memorable hairdos and hair-don'ts
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Movie Review: Julie & JuliaNora Ephron's Julie & Julia is a tasty morsel of a movie
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Easy Costume Ideas for HalloweenDon't feel like buying a costume, but you still want to dress up for Halloween? Here are a few ideas, starting from super easy and super cheap.
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Remembering September 11Eight years later, the events and emotions surrounding September 11, 2001, have not faded from memory
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Go Gray: How to Try One of This Fall's Hottest HuesSteel, silver, gray: All these hues are hot this fall. These makeup, accessory and clothing ideas are great ways to add 'now' drama to your look
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My Love Affair with MakeupI've always been fascinated with makeup, ever since I was a little girl. And the love affair with those tubes and pots of potions has not faded.
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Yes, No and Maybe to These TrendsI don't like to follow trends or consider myself trendy, but I do like to keep informed and incorporate what I like
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Embarrassed at the Office: What a BoobEveryone has his or her embarrassing moment in their life. The ones at work resonate the most, probably because you see these people almost every day!
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A Book is a Great Bargain and an Even Better GetawayWant to splurge a bit without breaking the bank? A book is the way to go. They're free at the library or you can find good deals at bookstores if you know how to shop.
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Garage Sales: Make Money and Clear ClutterFollow these handy tips to make the most of your garage or yard sale.
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Book Review: "Julie and Julia"Julie Powell's book, "Julie and Julia" offers some tasty moments, along with a few unsavory bites.
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Book Review: "Salt and Silver"Anna Katherine's "Salt and Silver" takes readers to hell and back, and along the way we meet feisty Allie and the mysterious Ryan.
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Book Review: "Let the Right One In"Swedish writer John Ajvide Lindqvist's "Let The Right One In" is a haunting, dark and disturbing vampire story that horror fans can really sink their teeth into.
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WordsmithingAn free verse ode to unusual words
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The Stick Inducted into National Toy Hall of FameThe versatile stick joins the cardboard box in the National Toy Hall of Fame. Talk about recession-proof fun!
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Pet HaikuPoetry Month challenge: Write about a pet, so here goes.
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Haiku: Sleeping InHaiku in honor of wanting to sleep in, especially on a work day.
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Haiku: InterruptedMy husband and I set the alarm for every morning, but we rarely need it, thanks to our three cats' insistence on being fed.
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Earth Day HaikusHaikus in honor of Earth Day
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Haiku: On HaikusThe five-seven-five syllable line pattern for the haiku is an enjoyable challenge, to make something profound and meaningful out of something so small.
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Work HaikusA series of haikus about those days when your mind is anywhere but on completing your work.
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Nature HaikusHaikus written in tribute to spring
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Rough StartA cinquain about waking up with a migraine.
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A Strong Foundation: Makeup Choices Made EasyScared of choosing the wrong color of foundation? There's no need to fear with the wealth makeup and tinted moisturizer options in stores and online. -
Zoolander: A Comedy Cult ClassicBen Stiller and Owen Wilson make a dynamite comedy duo in Zoolander, as male model enemies who must make nice to save Stiller's title character from an assassination scheme. -
Managing Migraine PainA throbbing head is no laughing matter: Learn to track pain triggers to manage the mean agony of a migraine.
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A Mother's LoveNo words could ever express enough thanks for a mother's love and work.
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Desperately Seeking Susan: Up Close and PersonalIf you love Madonna and the 1980s, look no further than this flick for fun, fashion and fierce performances.
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Houseplants Are Nature's Air PurifiersHouseplants, by pulling in carbon dioxide and pollutants, and exhaling oxygen and moisture, are great ways to purify the air. -
Grow Your Own Vegetables and Herbs and Save MoneySave money and freshen your menu by flexing your green thumb.
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Homeownership: The Pros and WoesFirst-time homeowners battle uncertainty and keep hope in a touch economic climate.