Articles written by Ray Mickol

What is Helium

About me - Ray Mickol

Winner, loser. Eagle Scout. Big city firefighter. Drunk. Recovering. Unsuccessful at married life once. Married to an answered prayer now. Last addictions left, coffee, cigarettes and Internet porn {just kidding about the last one}. Father of two teens and

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Home & Garden > Plumbing Repairs Essential information to have before hiring a plumber: 1 of 14
You finally got to the point where you can't take those leaking pipes or worse yet, you have sewage backing up through your drains. Now is the time to hire a plumber. What should you look for in a plumber? What is the essential information you will need before hiring a plumber?CompetenceThis has to be the #1 criteria ahead of... More..
Health & Fitness > Childhood Disorders Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms: 1 of 5
Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] is a neurological disorder that is thought to be related to the chemistry of the brain and its anatomy. It is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. While some of this is normal in children and adolescents, in someone with ADHD, thes... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Self-Help (Other) Learning through life's experiences: 12 of 50
Sometimes, it seems as if life just batters you around. College of hard knocks. I was never able to find the right classes so it seemed but I was always able to find the frat parties. At this point in my life, I find it amazing that some learn easy what it took a knuckle head like me years of drunken, drug fueled, hi-octane o... More..
Health & Fitness > First Aid How to treat frostbite: 2 of 8
Frostbite is most likely to occur in the unprepared individual, so the best initial treatment would be to prevent frostbite from occurring in the first place. If frostbite should occur in the individual, field treatment would be necessary. In order to be prepared for the environment and to prevent frostbite we have to look at... More..
Health & Fitness > Digestive Diseases What is Gilbert's disease?: 2 of 7
Gilbert's Disease [GS], also known as Gilbert's Syndrome,is a relatively common genetic disorder found in approximately 7% of the U.S. population. Gilbert's Disease primarily affects the normal functioning of the liver. While relatively benign, Gilbert's Disease [GS] usually has no harmful complications nor is it progressive.... More..
Home & Garden > Electrical Repairs Upgrading a two-prong outlet: 2 of 6
Replacing a two prong outlet with a three prong outlet is a moderately difficult task for the do-it yourselfer. It is not just unscrewing the wires from the old two prong outlet and putting in the new three pronged. You have to first make sure you have the proper wiring to make that third prong, the grounding connection, effe... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Letting go of a bipolar family member: 2 of 6
Letting go of a bi-polar family member. How often have I wanted to do that. The liberation, the freedom. Not caring anymore. Not having to deal with the insanity, the frustration, the anger. Let me have that freedom. She told me she was bi-polar before we married. How bad could it be? She held a nice steady job for years. Mot... More..
Health & Fitness > Asthma Asthma explained simply: 3 of 8
Simply explained, asthma is a chronic [incurable] condition that affects the respiratory system. Asthma symptoms can range from mild, such as a constant, slight shortness of breath, to life threatening where there is no movement of air in or out of the lungs. Asthma patients can learn to manage their condition using a combina... More..
Home & Garden > Home Interior Fire safety: Recommended practices in an emergency: 3 of 7
If you awoke in the middle of the night and your house was on fire, would you know how to get out? How about your children? We remember all those fire drills from our school days, but have you ever had a home fire drill? If asked, can your children recite your family's fire safety plan? If you answered no to any of these ques... More..
Health & Fitness > Respiratory Diseases Cystic fibrosis: An overview: 6 of 13
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects breathing and digestion. Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator resulting in poorly hydrated and thickened mucous secretions in the lungs. Cystic Fibrosis also causes serious digestive problems because of thi... More..