Articles written by Jess Howe - Page 4

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About me - Jess Howe

I write sf, fantasy and (a little bit) horror. Want to go to space and solve murder mysteries, or live in a world where dwarves make each other from stone? Yes, that's me. I also love poetry - of various kinds! ...and, I draw.

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Pets & Animals > Exotic Pets & Animals How to raise Giant Madagascar Hissing cockroaches as pets: 2 of 8
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are often run into at theme parks on Halloween, where there are roach-eating contests. And there's a museum at the University of California, Davis, that has a display of them. But did you know that they're a good pet for someone who's never had a pet before? They're clean and actually pretty cal... More..
Sciences > Microbiology The role of algae in the ecological lifecycle: 1 of 4
Algae, whether red or green, have an important role in the ecosystem of this world. They start out in our oceans, are as food sources to the smallest of creatures who then get eaten by larger and larger creatures exponentially, till their influence gets to the top of the food chain. Where, ironically enough, we eat them. We p... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Mother's Day & Father's Day A brief history of Father's Day: 11 of 43
Does anyone truly remember Sonora Dodd? You might not, but she's the one responsible by all accounts for the Father's Day holiday you know. Sonora's father was a vet of the Civil War, and as she listened to a Mother's Day sermon, she thought it might be a good idea to honor the men of the family as well. The first Father's Da... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Skin: 7 of 25
Our skin shows the pain in our lives. It all comes out in the scars; Skin tells our stories. Each pock, each wrinkle, has its own. Each bruise and bump says who we are. Skin is truth, blind truth. You can't hide from your skin, Skin will always tell. The plastic surgery folks can't hide, Nor those who use creams ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Classical Literature & Mythology Medieval literature: 2 of 7
What's meant anyway by the title phrase? The Society of Creative Anachronism defines its "Medieval Era" as 900-1600 AD. That covers an awful lot of ground with regards to world history. I've known people in the SCA who go a bit farther back, too, to somewhere around 600 AD, say; that makes it an even longer list.You do, after... More..
Creative Writing > Songs Songs: Winter nights: 11 of 35
Cold winter nightsWhen I need something warmI wrap myself in solitudeLike one lonely snowflake.Oh, those cold winter nightsI want someone beside meTo fly with or fall withLike the birds of the shore.(chorus)It's so lonely in the winterWhen you have no one to hold youAnd you need some solace from the worldNeed some solace from... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips How to critique a short story in an online writing group: 6 of 18
In this article, I'll go over the "do's" and "don'ts" of critiquing in an online group, as well as a few finer points. It's a learning process figuring them out, but the results can be very satisfying. After this I hope you'll join a group and see who's out there.Why shouldn't you ever simply say "this story sucks" even if yo... More..
Creative Writing > Songs Songs: Darkness: 2 of 6
Enter the darkness of my mindListen to the madness of what used - to - be...I kiss the solitude goodbyeAnd enter Alice's Wonderland.This is a place without pain, without dreamin'This is the hollow where the sacrifice was madeThis is the place where I can't hear my screamin'...Because I'm only half alive.Don't wake me up from ... More..
Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games (Other) The history of Faberge eggs: 1 of 3
When we of the western, 21st century world, think of Faberge, we might think of many things, but probably few of these have to do with the original reasoning behind the famous Faberge eggs. We know that 1885 was the time when Tsar Alexander ordered the very first of these for his wife Maria, and that his son Nicholas conti... More..
Health & Fitness > Nutrition Basics The benefits of lycopene: 1 of 3
Pass the watermelon, says the National Kidney Foundation. Why? Because it's good for your kidneys. A simple, very fast aid against kidney disease, even down to minor things like just kidney irritation.As someone with kidney issues from Lupus, I'm all for this. I take enough medication already; if eating a whole watermelon onc... More..