The Refresh Orlando Heirs

Gourds played an essential role in the daily life of early cultures. Commonly used as containers and vessels, they were also used for musical instruments. Some cultures used gourds for birdhouses and feeders and this is what most people today think of when they hear the word gourd. Or maybe you can remember a dipper made out of a gourd at Grandma’s house years ago.

Now artists and crafts people have discovered a new medium to develop their creativity. I’m not sure when the gourd craze officially started but it worked it’s way into my life about eight years ago by way of an article in a gardening magazine. It looked interesting and so that spring I decided to grow a couple gourd plants.

My first creations were, of course, birdhouses. Later, after some research and book purchases, the world of gourds exploded and I have found that the creative possibilities are limitless. Even if you can’t come up with your own ideas there are a multitude of books and tutorials written by gourd artists and crafters explaining different techniques that can be done with gourds.

Gourd craft is working its way into the hands of accomplished artists who have found the gourd to be an exciting new way to showcase their art. They are not just for crafters anymore.

So now that you have gotten a little gourd enthusiasm of your own what comes next? Well, the gourd of course. Gourd growers and suppliers, once few and far between, are beginning to pop up everywhere. Many can be found on the internet.

Gourds come in all shapes and sizes, from minis to giants. The name of the gourd can give you a clue about the shape, such as egg, cannonball, canteen, basketball, bottle and so forth. You get the idea.

In order to work with the gourd it must be dry. If you happen to find gourds being sold in the fall at a farmers market they will most likely be freshly harvested. These will have to dry for a few months to a year or more depending on size. I personally don’t like to purchase green gourds, as they are called, just in case they haven’t fully matured. Some growers new to the world of gourd craft don’t understand the needs of the gourd artist. They are only concerned with growing gourds for fall decoration. A poorly grown gourd, instead of drying, may rot or have a shell too thin to work with.

I’m in favor of buying gourds that have already dried. This way surprises and disappointments can be reduced. You still may have a few along the way though. When gourds dry they produce a moldy skin that eventually dries on the gourd. This skin has to be removed before art work can begin. After the skin is removed you may discover some holes or warts on your gourd. Or during cleaning you might discover your hard gourd has turned soft once you got it wet. This is the sign of a thin shell. There are things that can be done with a thin shell but for the most part we look for gourds with thick, sturdy shells.

To avoid these problems, look for cleaned, ready to craft gourds. These gourds have been cleaned for you. Cleaning is a messy job and you may not have the desire or area in which to do it yourself.

So come and join in the fun and find out for yourself the addicting powers of the gourd.

Martha Bloom: grower and crafter of gourds.
Find gourds, ready to craft when they arrive at your door.

http://marthasgourds.com

How successful is 3G REALLY in the UK? I’m getting mixed messages about 3G take-up in the UK. On one hand, 3 announce that they have added 3m subscribers (http://www.guardian.co.uk/mobile/article/0,2763,1449689,00.html), and then on the other that Vodafone is thought to have attracted fewer than 200,000 customers in the UK to date (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1438432,00.html), and Virgin Mobile have announced that they are pulling back from a a major launch of 3G due to a sensing a lack of interest (http://www.guardian.co.uk/mobile/article/0,2763,1441419,00.html)among subscribers for the new technology.

The mobile operators have spent a small fortune, enough to wipe out the debt of a third world country on launching 3G, and an even bigger fortune on acquiring licences. I was personally part of the Vodafone Live! launch in 2002, so I know that Vodafone have spent more on launching 3G given the extra coverage it has had.

So, despite spending millions launching their services why aren’t consumers switching to 3G? Do the operators need to offer cheaper voice minutes to get people to take 3G handsets in the hope that consumers will start to use data services?

Maybe the operators have made a fundamental mistake - there’s no point persuading users to upgrade to 3G to make videocalls, only for them to realise they have no one to call! If none of your mates have got a video-calling handset then it’s useless.

Until 3G penetration reaches some sort of critical mass then I think users won’t get excited about video calling.

Connected runs a blog following developments in the internet and mobile internet sectors. Connected has over 10 years experience in strategy consulting and business development, and has seen and lived through the highs, and the lows of the industry.

Based in London, Connected can be contacted on admin@connectedinternet.co.uk and his blog can be found at http://www.connectedinternet.co.uk

Are you writing to someone who is romancing you off your feet? Does this guy seem to know just what to say or write that gets you a step or two further down the garden path?

Perhaps more dangerous than the notorious Internet rapists and murderers are the Cyber Lotharios. Maybe you know one. Smooth as silk. Seduction is his native language.

More dangerous, because these guys (well, maybe there are girls too, but I am more familiar with the guys) are GOOD.

These guys are the Internet equivalent of a Bill Clinton, if Bill Clinton hadn’t gotten caught. They are the cyber version of handsome — they write beautifully, know just what you want to hear and tell you. They POUR it on, and for a thirsty woman, it is nectar from the Gods.

These fellows post on dating sites indefinitely, waiting for the unsuspecting newbie to the dating site. You might contact him, he might contact you, but like a used car salesman, he knows a pigeon when he sees one.

Then slowly, softly, but determinably, he has his way with you.

How do you tell if you have one of these guys on the wire? What if he is a really nice guy, really meaning every word he says?

Well, one thing would be if you find yourself agreeing to things that you never would if you were in your right mind. Particularly if that has to do with sex. Or maybe money.

These guys make manipulation feel like a warm bath. You just slide right in and it feels delicious.

But there is a certain vagueness, particularly about past relationships, and perhaps about future plans. These guys may reassure, but they also will leave themselves a way out.

How can you tell?

Well, one thing you can do is ask for a relationship history. Then pay attention to how he responds, as well as what he actually says.

Does he groan and moan about doing the job? Is he grudging in what he tells you? Or is he open and serious, understanding what you are asking and why?

Does he seem to have trouble remembering his own history, what her name was, what order the different relationships came in? Is he reluctant to divulge, or does he sound like he is fudging?

Does he seem to be moving you fast towards a romantic getaway? Maybe he makes plans for the two of you to meet, and reserves only one room. Is he heavily sexually suggestive and titillating? Does he ask questions like “What kind of lingerie are you wearing?”

Even though a new and legitimate relationship can be highly sexually charged, a guy who is seriously interested in you and a possible future with you will be protective and understanding of you and your feelings.

If you feel antsy, pay attention. If your hormones may be doing your thinking, put on the brakes. Better to let this dangerous Clark Gable type swim away than to be left flat and busted.

Kathryn Lord, Romance Coach
Helping singles find someone wonderful!
eBk: “Find A Sweetheart Soon! Your Love Trip Planner for Women”"
4870 Oak Ridge Road, Vicksburg, MS 39183 / Ph. 601-619-0030
Stay current with my complimentary enewsletter *eMAIL to eMATE*
Subscribe at http://find-a-sweetheart.com/newsletter.html
www.Find-A-Sweetheart.com / Kathryn@Find-A-Sweetheart.com

If your web site is to be successful, it needs to be published for your customers, not for you.

If you are going to establish a Web site that will be useful to your business, you will need to set clear goals and aims. Even if your aim is to establish a small foothold for later expansion, this can still be an acknowledged goal for the project.

You will need to remember that with any Internet project there will be two distinct groups with a valid stake in these goals: your customers, and your business.

Balancing the needs of both interested parties during the project will help to make your Web site successful, useful, and a valuable business asset rather than just another expense.

Target Activities

If you are to attract visitors and turn them into customers, you need to have a Web site that meets their needs. This means you will need a good idea of what you want your visitors to be able to do there.

Amongst other tasks, you may want your customers to use your site to:

Register their interest as prospective customers for existing or future products and services.

Feel part of a community with similar goals or needs to their own.

Buy products or services directly, through some form of e-commerce.

Be encouraged to contact you by phone or mail to make a purchase of goods or services.

Find information on your location so that they can seek you out to make purchases or order services in person.

Find current information and price lists for products they wish to distribute as resellers or stockists.

Find current information and price lists for products they wish to purchase (either directly or indirectly).

Feel a strong corporate or brand identity.

Locate information that is relevant to them as a prospective or existing customer or reseller.

Some of the tasks may be specific to the Web site; other tasks will complement existing services that you already offer by telephone or by fax. Either way, if you know what you expect your visitors to do when they get to your Web site, you have more chance of making their visit useful to them… and profitable to you.

About the Author

Jon Wilson is an independent writer, consultant and developer, bringing high quality internet services within reach of small businesses in a time effective, cost effective manner.

Every year, I receive many phone calls from parents wanting to
purchase Venus Flytraps for their kids’ science project. I ask
them what type of experiment that they are doing, and usually it
is about what type of food source will keep the traps closed. I
patiently listen to what they have to say, and then I share with
them three reasons why Venus Flytraps make lousy test subjects:

1. Venus Flytraps are usually dormant when school is in
session.

The school year goes from September through June. Venus Flytraps
are often dormant from November through April. During dormancy,
Flytraps stop growing and their traps stop working.

For any science projects to work, your young budding scientists
will need to use plants that are actively growing. That means
the best time to do any science project on Venus Flytraps is
during June through September. Not many young budding scientists
are willing to do science projects during the summer when there
are many trees to climb and ponds to swim in.

2. Traps on a Venus Flytrap will open and close about half a
dozen times. After that, they stop working.

Now, how many kids (and adults) out there are disciplined enough
to not poke a Flytrap and to leave it alone? If a trap does not
close properly, would it be because of the testing stimulus or
because the trap was poked and poked and poked and poked and
simply stopped working?

3. Traps will live for about 2 months, then it stops working
and slowly turns black, regardless if it had been triggered or
not.

Again, if a trap does not close properly, would it be because of
the testing stimulus or because the trap had come to the end of
its life cycle?

Select a Different Plant

For these reasons, I often persuade parents to select a
different plant. The ideal plant is one that also moves, like
the Venus Flytrap, but is also actively growing throughout the
school year.

The plant? The Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis).

The Cape Sundew is native to South Africa and is considered a
tropical plant. It does not require any dormancy and will grow
beautifully throughout the year. They are also readily available
by most nurseries that specializes in carnivorous plants.

Like Venus Flytraps, Cape Sundews have leaves that close around
an insect. It does so very slowly, however, taking about 15
minutes to witness this amazing behavior.

Just make sure that your plant has been grown in very bright
lights and has lots of dew on it. If not, your experiment may
not work properly.

So, if your kids want a Venus Flytrap for a science project, use
a Cape Sundew instead. But, still get them a Venus Flytrap.
Growing it can be a part of their summertime activities.

Have you ever read the inspirational, motivational poem written by Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling?

Do you want to know who can be called as a Leader, a Man?
At the time of depression, do you want to know how to react to the events ?
After spending quite a number of years, with all your energy, suddenly a failure occurs, for no fault of yours. You may be a victim of the circumstances. How the entire world evaluate you at that particular moment? Where are your friends at that fateful moment?

Who ever shared your wealth, are they supporting you at your adversity? What to do, then? Do you know what you should do at the time of failure?
For many more such questions, you may find the right answers in – ‘If’
If you have not read the beautiful poem, for your ready reference, it is given below:

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two imposters just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,

And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run -

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And - which is more - you’ll be a Man my son!

Rudyard Kipling turned down many honours offered to him including a knighthood, Poet Laureate and the Order of Merit, but in 1907 he accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature. And he is ever remembered for his poem ‘If’.

Now contemplate on the mottos of your life.
You can carry a copy of the poem in your wallet or you can copy it in the first page of your personal diary so that whenever you are depressed you can read it. More so whenever you have leisure time you can read and memorize it.

A boy fell on the ground while he was playing. He looked at his mom painfully. She cheerfully said to his son, “Rise my boy, with a handful of sand. Gain something whenever you fall!”
The boy understood the lesson.

Failure is not a failure till you accept it and quit the ground.
Every fall is to rise again with some gain!

S.Nagarajan is a vehicle body engineer by profession. He has written more than 1300 articles in 16 magazines and published 18 books so far. He is revealing Eastern Secret Wisdom through T.V.Programmes, magazine articles, seminars, courses. His email
address is : snagarajans@gmail.com

The history of the computer inevitably includes the development
of electronics, we look at the explosive (!) growth of
electronics in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

If anything could be said in favor of war, it may be that it
speeds up the development of technology. Of course much of that
technology is employed in killing people and destroying
infrastructure, but there are also things which could be
considered beneficial.

Electronics was around in the early part of the 20th Century,
wireless, or radio, was in its infancy at the time of the first
world war. Radio broadcasting came into prominence in the ’20s
and 30’s, Television started in the ’30’s.

The second world war, from 1939 in Europe, and a couple of years
later involving the USA, ended in 1945. Radar (Radio Aid To
Detection And Ranging) was developed from early experiments,
just prior to the war, in Britain and Germany. There was rapid
development in the field, and, by the end of the war, Radar was
being used in several fields.

Aircraft Navigation - Using ground transmitters in sets of 3,
widely spaced, to give an aircraft using a receiver a method of
pinpointing its position. This is a similar system to that used
in gps today, substituting satellites for the ground stations.

Targeting - A beam was transmitted from a Radar station in
England so that it intercepted a target in Germany. An aircraft
could fly along the beam, guided by signals, dots or dashes, if
it strayed off the beam, left or right. Known as flying on the
beam.

Interception - a series of ground stations around the South-East
coast of England, feeding into a central control room, where
their tracks could be displayed, significantly assisted in the
Battle of Britain (1940).

Airborne Interception (AI) - Developed towards the end of the
war, used a Tranceiver (transmitter/receiver) in a night fighter
to find a target in the dark, or bad weather, and track it to
within firing range.

Beacon - A tranceiver was located at the end of a runway so that
ground staff could guide a returning aircraft to land in bad
weather, this became more and more sophisticated, developing
into GCA or Ground Controlled Approach.

Shipping - radar equipped vessels could track other vessels in
darkness or fog, whether peacefully or aggressively.

Many other sytems were developed or initiated in that 6 year
period. Knowledge of electronics, and what it could be used for
vastly increased. In parallel with the development of radar,
other fields of electronics were also advancing, under pressure
from the requirement to improve the technology.

Long range guns on ships or in the field needed to be aimed
accurately. The calculations required in ballistics to aim a gun
so that you can hit the target, or aim a V2 rocket so that it
hits London from continental Europe, are phenomenal.

This, then was the scene at the end of the war. We knew how to
tackle large calculations with speed, and we had developed a new
concept in electronics, Pulse Technology. This is so called
because radar uses short pulses of high energy, for two main
reasons.

1. The pulses can be coded. For example, in the Navigation
example we looked at, 3 ground stations transmit a signal whose
source needs to be identified. One transmitter could transmit a
series of single pulses spaced say 10 milliseconds. A second
could transmit a pair of pulses at 10 millisecond spacing, and
the third 3 pulses. A chart would tell the navigator where the
pulse sets were transmitted from, and the distances obtained
from the radar set used to locate the position on the chart.

2. The power, or strength, of the signal. A continuous radio
signal, like a radio broadcast, takes a given amount of power.
However, a 1 millisecond pulse every 10 milliseconds, uses only
one tenth of the power, on average. So a radar transmitter can
have a much greater range for the same power. This is is
especially important in a primary (transmit and receive) radar
system, where we must detect the reflection of the signal we
transmit. Likewise a secondary (receive) radar system, for
example the navigation system above, will have a bigger range.

Next we will look at how early computers were now possible due
to these developments.

Christmas is just around the corner and it’s not too late to start those craft projects. This Christmas craft project is ideal for kids under adult supervision. Not only is this a fun craft project, but using old light bulbs to make ornaments for the Tree will cut down on waste and help our environment.

Materials:

1 old light bulb (any shape or size )

Ribbon, Yarn, or any type of Craft String
Paint Brushes (you can use multiple sizes)

Paint or Paint Markers (Preferably the classic Christmas Colors)

You can use any color you wish..

Instructions:

Lay out newspaper on your work area. Be sure to lay newspaper on floor as well in case you accidently drop the bulb or paint on the floor.
Choose a basic color for your base. Paint the entire bulb with this color except for the top part. Let dry. Drying time depends upon the paint used.
After the bulb is completely dry create and paint a festive holiday scene.
After the bulb is completely dry tie a piece of ribbon, yarn or craft string at the top ”base” of the bulb.
Viola! You now have a decorative ornament to adorn your Christmas tree.

Ideas:

Use Christmas stencils, rubber stamps, and stickers instead of free hand painting.
You might want to add a little shimmer to your ornament by spraying a clear glitter finish coating..

Safety Precautions:

Because light bulbs are thin and can easily break if not handled delicately cuts can occur. To avoid this from occurring, Please be careful when handling and make sure your hands are dry at all times. Keep plenty of paper towels around. If a Child is participating in this craft project adult supervision is advised.

Lynda K. Smith is the Owner/Webmaster of http://www.craftsxcetra.com
a Free Craft Projects website. She is a Digital Graphics Artist and Website Designer. She loves to do crafts
at every level. Visit today

Looking to make that 1% difference that enhances your Scrapbook pages and brings them to a whole new level? Enlarge the photos!

While on a routine shopping trip to a local Costco with my CD’s full of photos, I was amazed to find that they offered 8×12 - so I figured I’d try one. Immediately upon getting the photos back from that order I put my 8×12 to work.

The advantage of using this great new size on your scrapbooks is that it fits top to bottom, or side to side on a 12×12 scrapbook layout. Generally this size photo is the one I like the best out of the set, so having it bigger shows detail and shows the subject(s) large… add a matted 4×6 photo and title to the mix and even can easily continue your layout to fill two pages. For those that haven’t experienced this new size, I’d like to invite you to get to your local Costco, or other digital media outlet which processes JPG/GIF and give your layout a face-lift.

The prices at my local Costco were 49¢ for 4×6’s, returned within one-hour and $1.99 for 8×12, returned within twenty-four hours.

TIP: Burn your photos to Compact Discs by the size you want to print them (i.e. 4×6, 5×7, 8×12, etc) - one size per disc. Your organization now saves you time at the kiosk.

When all is said and done, and you’ve tried using this idea - Step back and take a look at The Bigger Picture!

See Sample at http://www.LStarkeyDesigns.com/newsletter/8×12.jpg

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lizi Starkey, whose experience in scrap booking spans over 14 years, started off at the age of 16 years old while babysitting for a Creative Memories Consultant (Lakeside, CA) in exchange for scrap booking supplies. In 1997 Lizi found her first scrapbook store in San Jose at the age of 22. While working at “Scrapbook Junction” from 2001 to 2002 and teaching “Basics”, Lizi was published in The Creating Keepsakes Wedding Idea Book on page 63.

Though Lizi is being picked up in Lake Havasu (where her house is being built) by “Scrapbooks And More”, her true endeavor is to provide private one-on-one scrap booking lessons from home, from beginner to advanced, and to all ages.

Lizi’s Website, http://www.LStarkeyDesigns.com, hosts more tips, tricks, and general Scrapbooking Ideas for many years to come.

There are a lot of jigsaw puzzles to choose from today. Pictures of everything from beach scenes to mountain views, avant-garde art to reprint masterpieces, and everything in between. Not only is there a variety in the number of scenes you can choose from, there is also a variety of sizes and border shapes available. Puzzles are a fun challenge to put together. They can also be a very nice gift. Here is a way of preserving them to create that gift.

MATERIALS

1 Jigsaw puzzle

2 Craft paint brushes
(sponge brushes if you are going to wash it out with soap and water, dry it and use again for the next coat of paint)

1 Roll of wide paper tape (inexpensive painter’s tan tape)

2 Pieces of flat cardboard (approximately 2″ larger than the expected size of the completed puzzle)

Decoupage liquid (sold in any craft section)

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Decide which puzzle would be best according to the interests of the person who will be receiving the gift.

2) Put the puzzle together on one of the flat cardboard pieces. Find a place where it will be out of the way since it usually takes a while to get the puzzle completely connected.

3) When the puzzle is finished, brush on decoupage over the entire top picture surface and allow to completely dry. Be sure to get the decoupage liquid in the crevices between the pieces. This acts as a surface sealer and also helps in sticking the puzzle pieces together. The decoupage will dry fairly quickly and will dry to a clear finish.

4) Place the other piece of flat cardboard on top of the dried puzzle.

5) Tape the edges of the bottom and top pieces of cardboard together at several places on all the edges. The completed puzzle will then be sandwiched between the two pieces of cardboard. A few pieces of tape here and there will do to keep them the puzzle in tact until it is turned over.

6) Carefully and quickly flip the taped cardboard/puzzle/cardboard over to the other side. The completed puzzle will now have the back of the puzzle showing.

7) Gently remove the tape and remove the top piece of cardboard.

Cover the entire back of the puzzle vertically with tape strips. Gently press and rub the taped areas to make it stick better. Then repeat by taping the entire area again, placing the tape horizontally across the puzzle (tape on tape). And repeat once more, placing the tape diagonally across the puzzle, pressing and rubbing as you go. You should now be able to pick up the puzzle as one piece. However, if you want to be extra cautious, place the other piece of cardboard back on top of the puzzle. Then flip the cardboard/puzzle/cardboard trio over once more. There’s no need to tape the edges again before flipping it this time.

9) Now that the taped puzzle shows the picture side again, paint the decoupage over it’s surface again. Be sure to get the decoupage liquid in the crevices between the pieces. Allow to completely dry and paint the picture side with the decoupage once more. Allow to dry completely.

10) Frame the puzzle as you would any other picture.

NOTE: The puzzle becomes a gift of shared-time memories as well if the person it is meant for also helps you put it together. Just surprise them later by gluing it together and framing it.

Regenia G. Butcher is an author on a site for Creative Writers (http://www.Writing.Com). She is also a crafter and is currently working on a “quirky” word reference book. She usually not only sees the glass half full, but rejoices that there IS a glass. You can visit her portfolio at: http://www.sensity.writing.com