tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:48:38 +0000Blogging from the beautiful river city of Dubuque Iowa.http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Zoe)Blogger9112542.515252-90.679401tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-6742077722651745102Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:15:00 +00002009-11-08T12:19:14.453-06:00I've enjoyed Pam Kress Dunn's column in the freebie arts newspaper, 365Ink, and today I'm delighted to find that her columns are posted online at Giving Voice. I identify with Pam's columns because she's about my age and writes about some of the same concerns that have colored my own experiences. Here's a Wordle that I made of my recent musings: The weekend weather has been amazing - too mildhttp://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/11/wordle-image.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-2210543687789746157Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:02:00 +00002009-11-07T18:29:58.566-06:00The following guest post was written by my teenage son, who spends his waking hours writing his first fantasy novel. For a high school composition assignment, he wrote this advice to other fiction writers: To Condemn Oneself To write is to give oneself to loneliness. You cannot write “casually.” Your writing must be serious or it will fail, sending you into the ever growing pit of failed http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/11/everyone-can-write.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-6803098118539991277Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:49:00 +00002009-11-06T18:52:56.595-06:00Another blog's guest post about Relocating to End Unemployment suggests that writing a weblog after moving to a new city can help you network and even find employment. I'm skeptical that blogging can overcome the impact of a U.S. unemployment rate past 10% [here are the official statistics]. Anyway, here's his advice: 8. Start a Blog Start writing about your adventures in your new town, and http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/11/reasons-to-be-skeptical.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-6774519650420085232Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:01:00 +00002009-11-07T18:24:24.905-06:00My stats show a dramatic increase in visits to this weblog, thanks to a mention in the local newspaper. It feels like I've gotten a dusting of positive reinforcement! Guess I'd better write interesting stuff! Notice the huge jump in visitors this week: This weblog was mentioned on page 2 of the Nov. 2, 2009 Telegraph Herald in an article that profiled local bloggers. Meet your online http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/11/stats-spike.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-8556505780047415274Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:47:00 +00002009-11-03T21:07:56.824-06:00The excitement in my life includes a pending mention of this weblog in an article about local bloggers in the area newspaper, the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. The reporter will also feature Michael May, another local blogger who writes The Dubuquer as well as the Dubuque public library's Adult Services blog. To tell you the truth, I'm a little nervous about the upcoming flash of fame. I guess http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/10/warming-recipes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-3994253677277007175Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:28:00 +00002009-10-24T13:28:47.891-05:00Some issues are so vital that they dim my usual absorption in what's happening locally. This entry in the Reuters environment blog talks about a trip taken by photographers and journalists to the Midway islands in the Pacific ocean. Their shocking photographs and compelling stories plead for justice for the poor creatures impacted by human waste. We need to be concerned. A massive clot of http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/10/great-pacific-garbage-patch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-2120587733421725179Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:28:00 +00002009-11-04T14:37:01.977-06:00Once in a while I grow materialistically perturbed at the falling-apart ramshackle items I live with, and go on a hunt for affordable replacements. My son's dresser, for instance, originally a freebie, has been growing more decrepit. I'm tired of sifting wood chips out of his t-shirts (as I'm sure he's tired of wearing them) and the bottom drawer is pretty well unfixable. This past weekend, I http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/10/furniture-serendipity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-415606481636887808Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:25:00 +00002009-10-22T16:53:21.862-05:00My life has been too packed with activity and responsibilities to blog much, but this week I treated myself to a broadband Internet connection, which means that surfing is sooo much more delightful than it was using plain old dialup, so I foresee I will sometime in the future be sharing more photos. I've had the good fortune during this lovely autumn weather to make several enjoyable daytrips http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/09/lotsa-journeys.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-6196926017062415403Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:42:00 +00002009-08-17T15:02:58.598-05:00This weekend a friend and I took our second hike in Whitewater Canyon, a natural area located only a short drive from Dubuque, and near Cascade, Iowa. We were hoping for an experience similar to a visit last fall, when we walked to the scenic overlook above Whitewater creek, spectacular in its fall colors.As [Whitewater] creek flows from southern Dubuque County into northeastern Jones County, itshttp://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/08/whitewater-canyon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-1025397805565048892Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:08:00 +00002009-10-29T12:00:14.615-05:00I'm amazed and a mite shocked to find a new book out about Oelwein Iowa, called Methland: The Death and Life of An American Small Town. It sounds just as controversial as another unflattering book published a few years ago about northeast Iowa, Postville (about the unsavory behavior of the Hasidic Jews who arrived to operate the notorious meat packing plant that was later raided by federal http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/08/oelwein-iowa-methland.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-9186675333328228350Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:01:00 +00002009-10-07T09:55:44.305-05:00This summer, my long haired cat got a radical hair cut called a "lion cut." Basically the cat is put under anaesthesia by the vet and shaved to the skin, with the exception of the tail and feet. I made this choice because he had to undergo surgery due to anal gland problems and his thick fur has always made him uncomfortable during hot weather. The vet did a great job. The cost for the cut http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/07/lion-cut-cat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-3060674602131230087Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:29:00 +00002009-10-07T09:58:27.494-05:00I attended a teen book club with my teen and had so much fun with a round-robin-style cooperative story writing exercise that I tried it again with a grown-up friend. Here's how:Choose half a sentence (or 1 ½ sentences) from a published novel for a writing prompt. Write it at the top of a piece of paper and give that paper to a friend. Meanwhile, the friend does the same for you. Grab a pen and http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/07/story-writing-with-friend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-309499028874060979Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:28:00 +00002009-10-07T09:59:39.004-05:00The other day I got an automated priming phone call from an unidentified group that asked me one simple but skewed question: "Do you consider yourself pro-life?" Now, how can there be but one right answer to that? Thinking of cats, kids, flowers, birds, etc., of course I chose the loaded response. Which evidently placed me on the list to receive a real-human-being followup call from Alta Vistahttp://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/07/overpopulation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-5182313193128303818Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:05:00 +00002009-06-18T23:43:31.287-05:00With two hungry boys to feed this week, I did some baking. Below is a recipe that I customized from a version found in a family friend's "Canardly" cookbook. I was amazed to find that both my kids ate walnuts. Wheat bran gives a good texture to the crust and is a good way of sneaking in extra fiber. The eggs and nuts make this a delicious high protein snack.Mundt BarsCrust:1/2 c. wheat bran or http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/06/mundt-bar-recipe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-4167431025285314771Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:59:00 +00002009-10-07T10:01:17.281-05:00While college can be a wonderful experience, it can also bring financial challenges. It's vital to get a handle on money issues before they impact your academic success. If you are a struggling college student, use these ten smart money tips to reduce your financial stress: Don't get caught up in the credit card trap. When funds are limited, the temptation to use a credit card may be http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/06/10-tips-for-financially-struggling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-8795546718720306117Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:39:00 +00002009-06-01T11:53:33.660-05:00The great thing about living green is that it also tends to be the more frugal choice. Activities like cooking at home to reduce packaging, composting, or reducing energy usage are all earth friendly as well as wallet friendly. Since I relish the thought of lower electric bills, as my ordinary lightbulbs burn out, I've changed them for the twisty compact fluorescent type.So I'm excited about an http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/06/green-leds-cats.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-7681783997805600209Wed, 27 May 2009 18:10:00 +00002009-05-27T14:59:52.322-05:00I had a very nice mini-vacation during Memorial Day weekend. I wrote three reviews at TripAdvisor.com about places we visited. We drove a big ~400 mile triangle through the tri-state area.Highlighting our trip was the spectacular Devil's Lake state park near Baraboo, Wisconsin. The hiking was marvelous and the scenery was awesome. Here's a view from an overlook on the South Bluff trail which http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/05/memorial-day-mini-vacation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-8231335388674477801Mon, 11 May 2009 17:53:00 +00002009-05-11T13:44:14.387-05:00"Love is probably the best antidepressant there is because one of the most common sources of depression is feeling unloved." -- [source]SONNET 29 by William ShakespeareWhen, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries And look upon myself and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/05/love-sonnet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-4922007414892672028Tue, 05 May 2009 03:12:00 +00002009-05-04T23:00:35.550-05:00I spent a lot of energy this past weekend turning over dirt in the backyard so I could grow a few veggies. And I'm not alone. According to the Consumer Reports Health Blog: Gardening can put green back in your wallet. If you’re looking for more ways to stay healthy and save money, look no further than your own backyard. Growing a simple vegetable garden can save hundreds of dollars in food http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/05/backyard-veggie-gardening.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-6820412526735226519Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:18:00 +00002009-04-30T12:36:13.724-05:00Here's another frugal and nutritious recipe. I made this granola after discovering that I'd accidentally bought ahead on oatmeal. Generally, granola recipes use honey, and I didn't have any, so I used the brown sugar mixture, which turned out well. Other substitutions can be made depending upon what you have on hand. Cornmeal gives a gritty texture but will work instead of wheat germ.If you want http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/04/granola-recipe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-7946994671934693933Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:40:00 +00002009-04-26T12:04:30.934-05:00Wow, spring is gorgeous! But it doesn't last long. As a more upbeat post from my recent gloomy strugglng frugality articles, I'd like to share a few photos of flowers blooming in my yard. Here's a pussy willow, in its full blown pollinated glory:Here's my forsythia. The rabbits chewed it down over the winter, but it survived. This shrub's arching branches are lovely and I can't wait until it http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/04/spring-flowers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-4334686692678584445Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:54:00 +00002009-04-16T18:15:57.837-05:00Today I wrote another in my series of frugality articles. It appears below and here on Helium.Tips for budgeting when income doesn’t meet expensesStretching a low income involves making hard choices. If you can’t pay the bills, you must cut expenses. Successful strategies include deciding what you really need, downsizing extras, and finding alternatives to spending. Use these strategies to ride http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/04/stretching-inadequate-income.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-5338918762228052336Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:50:00 +00002009-04-14T20:55:35.260-05:00Of the lotsa stuff going on in my life, the biggest change to report is emotional. I've lost my optimism. Getting clobbered by life is not an exceptional occurrence, a fact that's obvious to me whenever I listen to other people's stories. There's trouble everywhere, and always someone who has worse things to suffer than you do.Most of us keep striving despite adversity, creeping forward, balancedhttp://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/04/alone-on-bridge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-8115024222142254846Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:43:00 +00002009-04-03T22:49:41.025-05:00I managed to write six frugality articles for Helium this month. Here's the latest:UPDATE:My frugal living newsletters are now available here.How to Save Money on Groceries without Coupons Feel clobbered by rising food costs? Need tips for saving money at the grocery store, without going to the trouble of clipping coupons? Here are three strategies to ease the impact at the checkout:1. Shop at http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/03/grocery-strategies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103512438639525242.post-3427274825737677729Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-03-24T08:00:47.381-05:00How to Shrink Your Electric Bill. Do you open your electricity bill with anxiety and dread? Would you like to shrink your energy use in the face of endless rate increases? Are you concerned about limiting power use in your home in order to live green?By taking a few common sense steps in managing your household's daily use of energy, you can reduce your electric bill. The following ideas will http://creativedubuque.blogspot.com/2009/03/slash-your-electric-bill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Zoe)1