Articles written by Nicki Orser

What is Helium

About me - Nicki Orser

After earning a Bachelor's Degree in music from Colorado State University, I moved to California to work as a music therapist.

While working on a research project involving music, memory, and grief resolution with the elderly, I was reminded how vital it is

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Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Life: 1 of 150
Carolyn had spent several hours in the bathroom during the past few weeks. At first, she blamed it on the pack of sun-sweetened prunes she had snacked on or the new Korean restaurant she had sampled during her lunch break. At forty, she was sure that she was much too young to have begun the change, but she became certain that... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Life's journey: 6 of 307
Ripping StitchesThree hay bales and a harvest moonwatched as she shedthe layers of her youth.Wilted under calloused hands, he spoonedher insides out. She stared ahead.Three hay bales and a harvest moonstared with her. Soon,they knew, she'd need to rethreadthe layers of her youth,sew herself together again,or tear the memory f... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Death of a parent: 8 of 67
Waiting for the Thaw The snow fell lightly on and off throughout the day. The fishing holes had been carved out early, leaving ice chunks like diamonds scattered around our feet. My three sistersTrudy, Jenny, and Katieand I had messed with the lines several times already that morning so we could watch our dad sprint across th... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Cats that have changed our lives: 11 of 79
The High Cost of Cat FoodThere's no denying that pets are important. They can bring joy, laughter - and the occasional dead mouse - into your home. And while they may scratch up your sofa or shed all over your freshly laundered sweaters, their presence can be a welcome addition to almost any family. In fact, a cat can even ch... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: First dates: 10 of 62
Waiting for the ThawBarbara had been waiting. She watched through the curtains for her next student to arrive. It was six o'clock on Wednesday. His would be the last lesson before the Thanksgiving holiday.The snow was beginning to pile outside the window. She would have to shovel the walks again tomorrow.She scrubbed at the k... More..
Health & Fitness > Sexual Health The controversy about the HPV vaccine: 5 of 21
Mandatory HPV Vaccinations for Children Injects itself into a Vein of Controversy My first exposure to the new Gardasil vaccine came late one night while watching a rerun of Friends. The ad featured a diverse array of women in white T-shirts with the words "Tell Someone" spray painted across their chests. "Did you know that ... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Growing old: 50 of 190
A New Pair of ShoesShe hid six-packs of Pepsibeneath her bed,Hershey bars in bathroom drawers,sweetened her tea with stolen packetsfrom 7-11.Her toes became rainbowsRoy G. Bivs before blackeninglike shrimps in a Cajun salad,swollen stumps confined to paperslippers and support hose.But she knew those feetwhen they clicked acro... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: When you hate being pregnant: 8 of 29
Your article must be a minimum of 1200 characters (200 words).Our Little ZygoteThere's a squatter in my belly warming his fingers above the burning trashcan that has become my gut. I think he must be smoking crack or shooting heroin inside my veins, but its just progesterone - the crank of pregnancy hormones - which leaves me... More..
Food & Drink > Seafood Recipes Recipes: Baked salmon with herbs: 6 of 12
If you're interested in incorporating salmon into your diet, consider your desire for fishy tastes. They're also higher in fat and contain the highest amount of omega-3 fats. Coho salmon, also called silver salmon, is milder in flavor: with Pink or Chum salmon as the most mild.GRILLED WHOLE CALIFORNIA KING SALMON WITH AROMATI... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Growing up: 50 of 98
Cocooned in our Down ComforterYou're the boy who crashedhis Matchbox cars, scabbed his knees on concretewalks, wore shoes and socksto the Santa Cruz shore.Freckled back to the sun, you skatedconcrete walls of swimming pools and smokedfrom five-foot bongswhile Scorpionssang about Gorky Park.And later, while parkedfor a summer ... More..