Articles written by Julie Hartnett

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Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Early childhood memories: 16 of 99
Christmas at Four Christmas was my favorite time of year. I suppose most children feel the same way. The opening of gifts and decorating the tree seemed to be the only thing we ever did as a family. I wanted my family to be like The Waltons or any other television show that was popular at the time. In reality, my mother was ... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Why I believe in God: 4 of 23
I was raised in a fairly religious family. I loved singing the hymns and playing with the kids when the sermon would begin. However, I always wondered what other people felt when they were praying. I would dutifully say the memorized prayers every Sunday, before bedtime and before meals. Still, I could not understand why I di... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Growing up gardening: My most amazing gardening memory: 17 of 67
My grandparents had the greenest thumbs in California. I can still picture their lush garden filled with rose bushes, various trees of avocado, persimmon, plum and citrus. The one thing they didn't grow were vegetables. There was one exception: the tomato. Being a young child, I didn't care for veggies of any kind. My older s... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Dealing with the loss of a mother: 13 of 48
December the 14th, 1989. I have never forgotten this date. What at first felt like every minute my mind would be consumed with grief and and guilt turned into hours then days and finally months. I was sixteen at the time, getting ready for school and running late as usual, I had asked my mother to make me a grilled cheese san... More..
Relationships & Family > Friendship Drama & Issues Telling a friend they can't sing, don't have talent, or anything else: 4 of 13
"You have to come over and see my new painting!" A girlfriend of mine gushed with such enthusiam, I grabbed my purse and headed to her house. She had explained that I had been a great influence in her latest work of art. I had seen her work before and likened it to Jackson Pollock. During a casual conversation I explained, "I... More..
Food & Drink > Dining Etiquette Dining etiquette: Why you should be polite to your waitress: 14 of 30
Your waitress is your connection to the kitchen. Remember this. She deals with cranky, bitchy people all day long. This is due in part because we all get a bit fussy when our tummy's are empty. So, your nice waitress comes to the table, greets you and askswhat you'd like to drink. After many years waitressing in a chainn rest... More..
Relationships & Family > Friendship Drama & Issues Can girls be best friends with a boy or is there really more to it: 21 of 43
I have recently found myself in a pickle of a dilemma. I met my husband while he was traveling around the world with his best friend. After a year of dating I joined them on their journey and quickly became one of "the boys". I have always had friends that were men, never having conflict with any woman they were dating. My hu... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Conservation Will there be wars over the ownership of water?: 31 of 50
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink? We're all familiar with the rhyme and we may be in for a real shock when that rhyme becomes reality. I grew up in the 1970's in California and clearly remember "the drought". And now, thirty years later, I'm living in Australia which is currently experiencing their worst drough... More..
Arts & Humanities > American Literature Racial injustice in To Kill a Mockingbird: 5 of 8
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best novels of our time with a message that is timeless. In a world that still deals with racial issues, Harper Lee leads us on a journey through the eyes of an eight year old child. A widower, Atticus Finch is doing his best to protect his two children from the reality of racial injustice.... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Mother: 33 of 48
Your Mom's RetardedMy mother was a crazy person. Certifiable. She was actually diagnosed as manic-depressive schizophrenic shortly after the birth of my sister. Every family has their own personal drama: the crazy Uncle who did time for that incident that no one really wants to talk about in mixed company. Or the Lesbian Aunt... More..