Articles written by Vernon Huffman - Page 3

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Some of my travel adventures are at http://sturly.com/vernon_maps.

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Society & Lifestyle > Cultural Relations Cultural exchange in the home environment: 1 of 3
When we travel in another culture, it is always great to see the grand historic displays, participate in traditional public events, and study the local art. Sometimes the most relevant question is: "How do people live here today?" This question is best answered by staying in the home of people from that culture. Such visits ... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Traveling mishaps: 12 of 33
Things I've Seen on the Side of the Road Before I took up cross-country cycling, I didn't realize what a common practice it is to pee in an empty drink container and toss it from the car window. We're not just talking about those stretches of highway where every other sign reminds you how far it is to the next rest stop. All... More..
Sports & Recreation > Biking Tips for maintaining control, power and speed when taking the plunge on your bicycle: 4 of 11
My favorite part of every hill is going back down. Screaming down hills is much briefer than slogging up them, but makes it all worthwhile. Ample speed in descent creates enough momentum to take most of the sting out of the next uphill. That's why experienced interval riders prefer to only stop at the top, if they need to st... More..
Personal Finance > Smart Spending Money-saving tips: How to save money by using alternative energy: 3 of 8
Perhaps the fastest growing portion of every home budget in the USA is energy costs. These costs show in utility bills, particularly gas, oil, and electric, but also in transportation, and even across the household consumables that depend upon transportation. More than half of the households in the country spend the greatest... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Environmental Awareness Organic farming and world hunger: 3 of 7
Organic Farming is not earth-shattering new science. A couple of generations ago, farmers everywhere called it "common sense." Certainly in the age of communication we have more opportunities to share experiences and learn useful techniques, but there is nothing new in understanding the role of compost and building up health... More..
Health & Fitness > Mental Health (Other) Is suicide a personal right?: 30 of 69
What liberty could be more basic than control over one's future? To be or not to be is an intensely personal decision each of us must decide. When fear of life is greater than fear of death, there is always a way out. It's quite preposterous to suggest that anyone has the power or authority to force another person to live ag... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Christmas Is Christmas becoming too commercialized?: 36 of 73
The poster featured a fat, jolly Santa, pipe in his teeth and a huge bag of presents over his shoulder. "The Santi-Christ," read the title, "Patron Saint of Overconsumption." And in italics, across the bottom "Oh, come. Let us ignore him." I contrast this with every other church reader board proclaiming "the reason for the s... More..
Sports & Recreation > Biking Choosing cycling clothing: 2 of 4
When I imagine the design of perfect cycling apparel, I must admit that I don't wear it because it doesn't yet exist. Thus, this article will serve the dual purpose of focusing my mind upon the goal of getting the best possible bike clothes, and putting my designs out where some entrepreneurial clothing maker might find them... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." - Should Americans live in fear?: 2 of 4
As this nation crawled out of the Great Depression, FDR (the only 3 term president ever) made the famous statement "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." Today messages bombard us from every direction telling us to be afraid, but I contend that FDR's message is still true. Ninety-nine percent of the violence in America t... More..
Sports & Recreation > Biking Ways to make any bicycle comfortable: 1 of 1
Let's begin by assessing the bicycle. Is it safe and ready to ride? Are the tires full of air and the chain lubricated? Do the brakes and shifters function properly? Are the wheels true and all four sets of bearings - both hubs, headset, and bottom bracket - properly adjusted? Are there dents, rust spots, or loose pieces tha... More..