Articles written by Karen Bledsoe - Page 3

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About me - Karen Bledsoe

Dr. Karen E. Bledsoe teaches biology at Western Oregon University, where she specializes in science education for adult learners. A lifetime gardener, she naturally gravitated toward botany in college, and earned a master's degree in botany from Oregon State

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Home & Garden > Vegetables & Herbs Growing lettuce: 1 of 7
"As exciting as lettuce," someone once said, who had obviously never seen my lettuce patch ablaze with bright green, maroon, and scarlet. Mascara, Outredgeous, Devil's Tongue, Flashy Trout's Back, Red Sails, Drunken Woman Frizzy Headed - these are all varieties of lettuce that are as colorful as names suggest and are a delig... More..
Education > Education (Other) Why cell phones should be banned in the classroom: 7 of 44
It's the middle of the morning Biology lecture. Students arrayed in the lecture hall are all following along, taking notes, asking questions - except "Jennifer" (a composite of several students). Once again I see the tell-tale blue glow. She's got her cell phone out and is busy texting her friends. She doesn't even bother to... More..
Health & Fitness > First Aid How to save a choking victim: 2 of 12
You're sitting in a restaurant, when suddenly a man at the table near you bolts up with a look of panic on his face. He can't speak and he clutches frantically at his throat. The man, you realize, may be choking. What do you do? WHEN AN ADULT IS CHOKING 1) Assess Ask the person, "Can you speak?" If the person can speak or br... More..
Education > College Study Tips What makes a good college essay?: 1 of 6
Picture your poor professor, sitting down to grade a stack of essays that have just been handed in. Suppose the class is biology and the assignment was to write a biography of a famous biologist. Professor Jones picks up the first essay: "Gregor Mendel was a very famous scientist. He was born in 1822 and died in 1884. He was... More..
Travel > France Are the French hospitable to American tourists?: 4 of 23
Paris is the city of lights, with hundreds of monuments and museums documenting its rich and ancient history, thousands of cafes and bars with a lively nightlife, and a cuisine to die for. Is it also the city of tourist-hating snobs as it's been stereotyped to be? The answer is: it depends on the tourist. My own foray into F... More..
Health & Fitness > Healthy Living & Wellness Best ways to lessen stress: 5 of 26
Stress is hard to escape in today's fast-paced world. It's when stress pushes us to our very limits, when we're ready to wave the white flat of surrender but no one is responding, that stress threatens our physical and mental well-being. During those times when deadlines pile up, when the cat and the kids are all having medi... More..
Health & Fitness > First Aid How to administer first aid to kids: 1 of 5
Kids sure are creative. They can figure out a dozen things to do with colored paper and glitter, a hundred games to play with dolls and trucks - and a thousand ways to get hurt. Sometimes it seems as though your kids need first aid every day, even several times a day. Fortunately, most of their "emergencies" are fairly minor... More..
Health & Fitness > First Aid How to prepare for sports first aid: 1 of 5
So your six-year-old has joined the local soccer team and you, faithful parent, have volunteered as an assistant coach. That's great. You child will feel good that you're so supportive, and this will give you and your child something fun to do together. Now the coach asks you if you'll be in charge of the first aid box and a... More..
Pets & Animals > Cat Care & Health How to care for an obese cat: 4 of 19
When our darling rescued kittens hit adolescence, they ballooned into furry blimps. There was no getting around the issue. It wasn't just baby fat. They weren't just chubby or even pleasingly plump. They were just plain fat, too fat to keep their own bottoms clean. Something had to be done. Our kittens aren't the only cats w... More..
Home & Garden > Gardening (Other) Best plants to grow in a garden: 4 of 18
Ask me, "What are the best plants to grow in a garden," and I'll ask you, "What kind of garden do you have?" Your choices of "best" depend on so many factors: size, amount of light, type of soil, availability of water, and personal taste. Do you want a quiet garden retreat? A kitchen garden? A woodsy shade garden? A sunny pe... More..