Gordon James
Gordon has been writing for pleasure since fifth grade and draws on in-depth education and broad experience for his craft. A Masters in Christian Education coupled with life experiences ranging from factory worker to teacher, Pastor to stable-hand give him insights beyond the ordinary. Having lived and traveled from New England to Kenya and back, by way of Chicago, San Diego, Honolulu and now Dallas, TX, he has a point of view that is far from narrow. He is, in fact, well-equipped for the adventure that writing now presents.
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AAS BusAdmin/Acct from SUNY, BA from Moody, MACE from DTSMotto
It's not impossible... it's just hard work!
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Displaying Results 1 - 138 (of 138) for All Content
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How Fast a Hungry EgoHow quickly a selfish lover can kill a love! But... what intrinsic good is restraint?
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Starbucks "Via Veranda"Via Veranda Blend is a very good "instant coffee" that far outdoes other "instant" brands, with less acid and mellow flavor of the Veranda whole bean and ground coffee
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Gardening Weather in DallasWhen to plant is always dependent on the weather in Dallas, and especially on what season we are in. Here is an easy way to decide what 'temperature season' we are in at the moment.
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Tina Almost DiesWhat happens when a woman madly in love meets a man determined to ruin his competition and his partner betrays him? -
5 Bible Verses to Inspire Your FaithFive Bible verses to support you when you doubt, or are tired or just don't feel very Christian -
To the Woman of My DreamBeauty can be seen in many lights, and a sonnet fashioned after Shakespeare can highlight aspects of beauty and fairness we don't always see on the surface. -
Garden Events at Texas Discovery GardensTexas Discovery Gardens hosts many gardening events and educational programs for Dallas, Texas gardeners. -
Get Motivated AgainWe all get motivated to exercise, go at it for a week or two, and then quit. How do you get the motivation back? Here are three ways.
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Motivation ExerciseThe hardest part of motivation is the beginning. After that, it's easy! -
Exercise LamentThere are days when exercise is the last thing I want to do. Here is a lament to the 'good old days' of high motivation. -
Time to Make a Garden Plana little ditty to remind you how and why to plan on paper before beginning to plant. And re-plant! -
Top Three Kitchen Makeover Ideas for DallasWinter is here and so is the urge to do a kitchen makeover. Here are three good, inexpensive ideas.
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5 Ways to Boost Your Motivation to ExerciseHere are 5 easy, effective ways to boost your motivation to exercise.
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10 Motivating QuestionsThe most common reason we fail is our failing motivation. Behind this failure often stands an unanswered question. If this question was satisfactorily answered, it will give us the freedom to move on to success at whatever we are aiming to accomplish. -
Top Storage Idea for Dallas, TXSlat walls are a great storage and organizing idea for anyone in Dallas or even other areas of country.
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Easy Frost Protection for Dallas GardensCovering your plants with Frost Cloth or inexpensive sheets or blankets is the easiest way to get frost protection for you plants in the Dallas Area. But there are a few tricks, too. -
Think Your Way Thruough Building Your Own Storage ShedBuilding your own garden shed is something you can do, but it takes planning, persistence, and patience. Remember, the best plans turn out the best work.
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Plastic in the Compost Heap?A lot of talk about plastics has been floating around these days- Biodegradable Plastic, Bio-plastic, Compostable Plastic- what does it all mean? Can we actually put plastic in the compost heap? -
Mow Your Leaves Down to Mulch!Raking leaves with the kids is fun. Sometimes. Ok, well, most of the time it's an unwanted chore. But raking leaves is not a necessary chore. You can skip raking leaves and go directly to mowing the leaves down into your lawn. -
From Head To ToeExperience balances Books.
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A Childhood Memoir - Flowers for Mom in West Eaton, NYWhy did she tell me to take the flowers back? -
Letter to a DemonWhat would an 'elder demon' give as advice to a young, inexperienced demon, about ways to bedevil a theology student?
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A Childhood Memoir - Summers in West Eaton, NY"I spent my early childhood outdoors near our home. But I loved it.
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The Things I MissSometimes the things I miss are the little, very personal things.
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Late November Gardening TipsSome have been putting off the last of our planting. Well friends, time is UP! Now it's LATE November and your November gardening chores must get done now! Here are some tips to help you focus on the important things to plant.
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How Technology Has Changed My LifeCan you imagine a world with no digital technology? No texting, no cable or dish network? No tablets, netbooks, notebooks, or even desktops? Can you imagine a world like that? Well, I have been there, spent many years there, even.
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Dallas, You Can Make Compost All Winter Long!Composting in the winter can be a challenge. But in the Dallas area winter doesn't mean stop making compost. You can insulate your regular heap, you can use "trench composting" or you can use red worms to do your composting.
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Thanksgiving: A PoemWhen we need a reason to be thankful, there are literally hundreds--thousands!--of reasons to shout out our thanks!
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Thanksgiving, Military Hawaiian-StyleThere was a Thanksgiving day, now thirty years ago, a day filled with what could be called social disasters. But what could have been a Thanksgiving disaster, turned out to be a day fill of reasons to give thanks.
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Winter Storm WarningWhen young Global Warning is called into account by Father Winter... Look OUT!
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Early November Garden ChoresEarly November is a busy time for garden chores in the Dallas, Texas area. This time in early November is an excellent time to "divide" your Spring-flowering perennials.
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How to Tell If the Compost is DoneSome gardeners are new enough to compost making that it worries them that they might be using their compost '˜before it's done'. The good news is it does not harm the compost nor does it let it lose any nutrition for the soil.
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A Demon Under the Christmas TreeAt first impression, he looked like he was trying to blend in with the rest of the presents, maybe some huge stuffed animal. Honestly, finding a demon under the Christmas tree is a little disconcerting.
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Dolores - a Halloween StoryA car wreck on the way home from a Sweetheart Banquet--tragedy! But one survived the crash... but which one?
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In Dallas, Plant Spring Daffodils in OctoberJust like holidays require planning, so do the glorious Spring displays of daffodils in parks and around homes. Spring daffodils are the result of October gardeners who planned ahead.
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A Garden Pond with No DiggingA garden pool or pond is a great asset to your home, but the thought of digging a good sized pond is enough to halt construction. But with the right liner and supporting landscaping, you can have your garden pond with no digging at all!
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Bats for Halloween Or... Even More Often?Are you afraid of bats? Are they dirty, bad and disgusting? Wish all bats were dead bats? Texans might seem prone to brag sometimes, but this time we are just telling the truth: when it comes to bats, Texas has 'em! And they are all good!
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Faster Compost with No "Ick Factor"A dedicated Composter with twenty years experience has come up with a great way to make compost fast without the '˜ick' factor of open containers of compost materials on the kitchen counter.
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Plant Garlic Now, Dallas!We love garlic. We love to grow things in the garden, especially herbs. In the Dallas, TX area of north Texas, it is time to Ok, time to put these two together.
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You Can Compost Wood ChipsWood chips are seldom thought of as a great compost ingredient, and for good reasons. But with one change to your normal routine, you can compost wood chips just like anything else. The benefits you reap--only wood chip compost can give you.
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Building Your Own Garden PoolYou can build a large garden pool for $50-$100 depending on what kind of liner you use. The real investment is digging the hole in the ground and re-planting afterward. But oh! The fun during and after, when you make it a family event!
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A Chocolate Halloween Acrostic PoemHaving a craving for chocolate so sweet A thin piece of chocolate with nuts would be neat!
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How to Heel in PlantsHave you wondered what "Heeling in" a plant was? Here is a simple explanation and how-to in four easy steps.
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Fall Garden Clean Up SongSometimes we need a little something extra to remind us to get our chores done. Maybe this Fall Garden Cleanup song can help you?
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How I Got Started in GardeningI got started gardening in high school, at my parents newly bought home in a hamlet in Central New York State, a 100+ year old Greek Revival frame house with four columns and its own barn and very sturdy "out house".
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Build Your Own Rooting BedA Rooting Bed gives you an instant place to put your cuttings in the right environment to begin their new life. And they are a snap to make out of scrap lumber and a few screws.
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Row Markers from Seed PacketsRow markers with very complete seed information are easy to make. Laminate the empty seed packet with clear Contact paper and tape or glue them to the row stake.
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How to Make Permanent Plant LabelsPlant and garden labels can be made quickly and yet can also be permanent. You can then reuse them year after year in the garden or use them to permanently identify your roses or shrubs by color or name, or to locate spring bulbs.
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Three Top Containers for Fall Container GardenHere are the top three containers for a fall container garden. They are easily available, large enough to hold an appropriate quantity of soil, and are inexpensive. What do you think?
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3 Easy Steps to a Fall Vegetable Container GardenGrowing a fall vegetable garden in containers is not difficult to get started, nor to keep going. Plan out the container, location, plants and get ready for some fresh produce from you own 'farm'.
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Chocolate Cake ---Fast!Chocolate cake is an all-time favorite. But what if you could make one or two servings in five minutes, start-to-finish? Would it make your favorite even more desirable, or just more dangerous? Can chocolate cake in five minutes even be done?
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Whither Thou GoestAutumn poem contrasting harvest and the growing season, remarking how harvest always follows the summer.
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Barak Obama, the Worst President in History?Is Barak Obama the worst president America has ever had? That is one politician's opinion, and there are plenty of common people who would agree. But what criteria do you use to select the worst --or even the best-- president in the history of America?
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2013: Queens, NYC After the ShotWhat will the world be like in 2013? Assuming some kind of 'end of the world'? In this story, we see the aftermath of a man-made flu pandemic gone bad. This time, it's Maria's story from Queens, NYC.
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Muslim Group Will Build Ground Zero Islamic CenterThe go-ahead has been given to build a mosque and cultural center 2 blocks from Ground Zero. What message does this send to Americans in general and what can we do about it if we oppose it?
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National Ice Cream Sandwich DayNational Ice Cream Sandwich Day is August 2, so find out here how what they are and how you can get one or make a natural home made one for yourself.
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The End of the BeginningWriting a novel, serialized, about the year 2013, the year after the 'end of the world' in December 2012. This is the second installment.
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2013: The AftermathIf 2012 is the end of the world as some say, what will 2013 look like? Here, in fiction form, is one 'look' at the year after the end of the world. And a question: how would you complete the story?
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Cries of Repentence: Why, Lord?What does a prayer of repentance, real repentance, look like? And how does God answer it?
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By the Hurried CreekWhen the snow melts and exposes the spring forest floor, what goes through the mind of the melting snow?
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Today Dallas Got SnowSnow began falling in Dallas TX this morning about 3 a.m. and has not stopped yet, breaking the February record for snow falling in one day. The problems this is causing and will cause are deadly.
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Snow in Dallas TXBeginning in the early morning hours, snow began to fall in the Dallas, TX area. The following pictures are of my suburb, Farmers Branch, a nearin Dallas Suburb.
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Evening Fire FlamesThrough drowsy eyelids the author feels the passion of fiery flames consuming seasoned wood
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the Mystery of the Missing Phoebe BirdsA childhood reminiscence of a mystery solved only much later in life.
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Only the Plaza RemainsMy personal reflection on the Oklahoma City National Memorial, in poem form.
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White Bread, Black CoffeeThe feelings that come and go on a moving day, feelings about the past and the future.
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Unfinished BusinessHow does one finish a mystery when the full secret is not revealed?
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First Lines #1Here is an excellent first line, but no story to accompany it. How would YOU tell it?
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Each Night the StairsAn old man on an old staircase, and a sudden illumination.
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Snippit of Another LifeWhat we see in another person's life is not always a reflection of their reality.
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Worst Nightmare/Best DreamsWhat happens when your worst nightmare becomes your best dream?
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I'm DONE!What a relief it is to finish a project on time!
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Today I Carried My FatherThere comes a day too late to ask any more questions.
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Do Justice, Love MercyJustice may or may not begin or even exist in a home full of anger. But there is a place of hope.
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The Guaranteed Cure for Writers BlockIf it were only true --a fool proof cure for writer's block.
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Sophie on the WayWhat do you think of, looking back at your daughter?
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Summer SoundsRemember the warm summer breeze that summer night?
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Seed Swap: The First Thing on the List of February Garden ChoresFebruary garden chores begin with seed swapping and planting. Here are some easy ways to accomplish this first of February chores.
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Black History Month MemoirI was a "grumpy old White guy from up north out in the country," who happened to be living in a large southern city and anything about a "Black History Month" celebration was a long way from home and my own personal history.
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A Dog's LifeAn interview with a dog, regarding "Life from a dog's point of view".
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September, 3 P.MWhat other way to describe sunlight shining through a golden leaved tree, but to call it a lampstand to God.
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Spiritual "Safe Mode"Comparing safe mode on your computer to life after a spiritual failure, what do you do about it? How do you recover?
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Now, I'm AfraidFear comes to us in many different situations.
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Food and FellowshipFood and Fellowship are perfectly illustrated in the closeness of a nursing mother and child.
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I Found My Clock SittingThe thoughts of a man separated from family on a holiday by a thousand miles and a bad marriage.
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Return to SchoolWhat really goes on in the dorms of an Evangelical seminary? A lot of education of many different kinds.
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Hammer and TongueA Preacher and a Blacksmith--how their work parallels and how they know if they have done a good job.
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Good EggHow do you describe your nearly grown son?
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Best New Annuals for 2010: The All-America Selection Flowers Are Ready!Of all the annual flowers introduced in 2010, two stand out enough to be awarded AAS Bedding Plants.
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I Remember LilacsI remember lilacs. Hands-full of sweet-smelling joy stronger than that perfume the old ladies at church wore.
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I'm Fascinated with Clockscheap man-made instruments that measure the uncontrollable, unseen dimension of Time.
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First Portrait of GodIn nature a child sees God as Creator on a dew-drenched Sunday morning.
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Course ObjectiveLife is like a class room experience with a good teacher in charge.
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Applesauce for Breakfast, AgainI can't stop the snow from falling, I can't tell the sun to shine. I can't tell my Lord His business, I can only say "That's fine."
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By Chance or DesignTwenty two years together is always based on more than mere compatibility at the beginning, or at the end.
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Beautiful Tyrant is LoveWho would call freedom from true love freedom? Who would call true love a tyrant?
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Autumn FlocksIs it geese or is it excited teenage kids that I hear out there?
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Resting My MindWhat happens when worrisome thoughts--very much like gabby old ladies--enter your head instead of sleep?
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All is RightHow is it that we, who will impose our order on Creation, can not impose it on ourselves?
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January Garden Chores in North TexasA North Texas January flower garden has more to do in it than just look at seed catalogs. To do: Planning according to past and future events, starting seeds and protecting plants all need tender care
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Vampire Weight LossWhen every woman's dream came true--easy weight loss method combined with an irresistible vampire lover--what could possibly spoil the dream?
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Why Not Try Organic Gardening This Year?Why not try organic gardening this year? It makes sense for you health and your budget. But most of all it makes sense for the planet.
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Sarah's NeedHer name was Sarah. Well, O.K. not really. But to tell her story I need to not use her real name. Not that she would likely see this nor would any of her friends. Assuming she has any.
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Garden PlanningBefore planting your vegetable garden or flower garden, make a master garden plan for your property. Without it, you are 'shooting in the dark' aiming for regrets about some of your choices.
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3 Way to Recycle Your Live Christmas TreeThree ways to recycle your Christmas tree are: keep it whole as a bird feeder in your back yard, or cut it up for wind-proof winter mulch, or dry it and cut it up for fire-starting wood.
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Permanently Changing Student BehaviorMaking changes in students lives permanent is difficult. By consistent application of good rules we can help students make those changes in the shortest time possible.
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Garden Chores in OctoberOctober garden chores consist of getting spring bulbs in, summer bulbs out, winter flowers in and moving shrubs and trees. Oh, and taking care of the lawn and leaves.
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Is Milk a Fat-Burning Food?The effects of milk on weight loss has been researched and in some cases has been found, along with other dairy products, to be an aid in losing belly fat. It has also been maligned as a near poison. What are the facts?
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What Yom Kippur Means to Me, a Gentile ChristianWhat Yom Kippur Means to me, a Gentile Christian is a time to reflect on how well I have lived my Christian life and confess my faults and sins to my Lord.
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Positive Influence in Children's Character FormationAll teachers want their teaching to be a good character influence on their students. Two ways are to have their students imagine their heroes in their students neighborhood and situations and ask, what would your hero do now?
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Planting a Winter Vegetable Garden in TexasPlanting a winter garden in Dallas, Texas is easy as long as you can choose the correct and suitable varieties and kinds of vegetables.
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Starbucks Via Instant Coffee?Starbucks Via Instant Coffee is a small sized, single serving packet of microground coffee grounds with flavor favorably comparable to their brewed coffee.
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Red Spider Lilies - Naked Ladies in the Autumn Flower BedRed spider lilies go by several names but their flaming red flowers and spidery red stamens are unmistakable in the Southern flower bed.
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Common Problems with The Texas Lilac VitexThe Texas superstar plant, Texas Lilac Vitex, is a great addition to your landscape, but it is vigorous to the point of invasive and must be trimmed twice or 3 times a year and can not be legally home-propagated.
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September Composting in Dallas, TexasSeptember composting in Dallas, Texas is easy and benefits the garden for next twelve months. Composting ingredients are abundant, time is available and compost as mulch prepares the garden for winter.
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Try Texas Lilac for a Beautiful, Easy-to-Grow ShrubTexas Lilac Vitex is a profuse blooming, low water using, tough, beautiful shrub or tree with many landscaping uses.
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Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden in September and OctoberSeptember and October are prime time for fall vegetable gardening. This is the time to plant and these are the kinds of vegetables that will grow best.
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Help! I Have a Fairy Ring on My Lawn!A Fairy Ring is the above-ground part of a beneficial mat of underground fungus. They do no harm to your lawn but are poisonous to eat.
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No Sign of the CatWhat possible danger could there be of taking in a stray cat?
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Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur -A Very Short OverviewRosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are called the High Holy days of the Jewish Religion. Here is a quick guide to what you can expect to see and hear during these days.
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ACORN Denied All Federal FundingFollowing the U.S. Senate's vote three days ago, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to deny all federal funds to ACORN Thursday, September 17, 2008
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No Alpha Males in the FutureAlpha males are being replaced with the collaborative culture that non-alpha males-whether they are middle manager women or "Beta males"-bring to the executive suite.
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Free Crepe Myrtle Trees from Hardwood CuttingsCrepe Myrtles are one of the most popular and most beautiful flowering trees in the South. You can multiply yours and your neighbor's for free using hardwood cuttings.
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Buy Patio Furniture on Clearance NowThis is the season to buy patio furniture and grills at the cheapest prices of the season. You can get what you want cheaper now than any other time.
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The Alpha Male in American SocietyAn Alpha Male, as described on ManUp Radio, is ambitious, self-confident, competitive and opinionated. And they have historically been the American Idol of what men want to be.
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Refuse Clothesline Drying for Social ReasonsConsider not clothesline drying for two social reasons. First, if your neighbors object and second if there are local ordinances against it.
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A Cup of Coffee at Forest and Web Chapel, North DallasThis is my review of my local, neighborhood Starbucks at Forest and Web Chapel. The service and seating is great for both a rush-hour and non-rush hour cup of coffee.
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Environmental Disadvantages to Air Drying on a ClotheslineAir drying clothes on an outdoor clothes line has disadvantages as well as advantages. In the spring there is pollen. In the autumn there is blowing dust and spiders These are more great reasons for not using a clothes lines.
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Air Drying on a Clothesline Has Some Seasonal DisadvantagesAir drying clothes on an outdoor clothes line has disadvantages as well as advantages. In the summer there is sun bleaching and rotting. In the winter there is discomfort for you, freezing and slow drying for you clothes.
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New Crepe Myrtle Trees from SeedCrepe myrtle is easy to grow from their seed pods. Start crepe myrtle seeds early in the year so they will mature enough before winter. Use moist soil, light water, and room temperature and your crepe myrtle seeds should sprout in less than a week.
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A Cool Low Calorie Meal in 3 CoursesA diet doesn't have to be boring nor does it need to lack a touch of class. Here is a great low calorie way to add some class to your diet's evening meal.
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Broccoli: The Perfect Diet Food IsWhen you think of the perfect food, does broccoli come to mind? It is high fiber, high in glucosinolate phytochemicals, and is low-calorie and has a low glycemic index. All together this makes it a very nearly perfect diet food.
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The Most Common Exterior Painting MistakesAccording to the experts and to personal experience, the most common mistake in exterior painting is the lack of surface preparation. The mistake of skimping on surface preparation affects everything that happens after it in the painting process.
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Leaving TownWhat does it mean when you get an envelope with just a blank sheet of paper inside it? It depends on what is inside you...
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More Cheap Shopping for Dorm RoomsThere are many inexpensive and out-of-the-ordinary places to shop for your dorm room, places full of things that make it a stand-out and a good reflection of you and your new life.
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Green Marketing Tips for Green BusinessesEvery business must advertise one way or another or die. For those of us who are 'green' it is a little more complicated but the basics still apply. 'Say it often, say it loud, say it local.'
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Getting Your Student's Attention BackLosing your student's attention is frustrating but with some pre-planning and some firm kindness, you can get their attention back and keep it in the future.
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Sprouts Farmers Market in DallasSprouts Farmers Market is an organic and non-organic meat and vegetable market with a sizable supplement and vitamin section as well as bulk nuts and grains with friendly service and equally friendly pricing.
