Articles written by Emma Riley Sutton

What is Helium

About me - Emma Riley Sutton

My friends call me "The Queen of Useless Information;" if you need any information about something that doesn't matter, ask me. I absorb strange facts and trivia. I am not sure how or why I acquired this unusual skill, but I am proud of it.

I earned two B.A.s,

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Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Breathing life into your fictional characters: 1 of 72
The key to creating great characters is to know your character. When you know the characters you create, the more real they are to your readers. The best ways to get to know your characters are writing detailed character sketches. These sketches should include background information, journaling as your characters, and a compl... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Breeds Should we be banning certain dog breeds?: 1 of 63
Specific dog owners should be banned from owning certain breeds of dogs. For centuries, dogs have been bred with certain tasks and jobs for them to do. We should not expect them to, suddenly, stop doing what has been bred into them to do. There are several different examples of this.Look at the Maltese. These dogs have been b... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: The decision to homeschool: 1 of 46
The decision to home school our daughter was made long before she was born. It started for the basic reasons. Public school is no place for children and many private schools in our area have turned into reform schools. We wanted more control over what she was taught and the pace in which it was taught. We wanted to be able to... More..
Health & Fitness > Addiction Is addiction to alcohol or drugs a disease?: 1 of 42
Addiction being a disease is a lazy way of thinking. Addiction to alcohol and/or drugs is not a disease. Addiction is a behavior. It is a behavior that can be modified, if not completely changed. It takes a strong will and support of loved ones to be changed, yet it can be done.Diabetes is a disease. Cancer is a disease. Diab... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Funerals: 1 of 38
I was there. I saw it. I still don't believe it. My best friend's mother had passed away. My friend was a practical joker and a big movie buff, so after a bit I knew I had to be an unaware extra in a remake of a Monty Python movie. That is the only way all of this, any of this, could have happened. Well, Murphy could have bee... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Pets as part of the family: 2 of 67
Pets? What are pets? I have "non-human family members." Some have fur, some have feathers, and some even have quills. I am not familiar with the term "pets." Could I have pets and just not know it? I don't think so. Certainly I would know who and what is living with me. At least I hope I would. This is so confusing. Maybe if ... More..
Pets & Animals > Vets & Pet Health Knowing when it's time to euthanize: 1 of 26
Baxter was getting worse. He had been diagnosed with a debilitating and painful back problem common to most hounds - the joy of having long, heavy bodies and short legs. We both knew the time was coming to end his suffering. And, to end ours. He was fighting valiantly, but his pain was getting worse."How will I know when THAT... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Celebrations & Holidays (Other) Great places to travel to for the Fourth of July: 1 of 26
Tired of the backyard barbeques and fireworks display in the middle of your street? There are many options for you to consider as you head out across America to celebrate her birthday and the freedom you enjoy. Just about any place you decide to go will be having some sort of celebration. All you have to do is pick which cele... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Economic Values Why welfare isn't working: 1 of 24
Welfare is not working! It is a trap. It is a vicious circle that pushes people down and tries to keep them down, no matter how hard they work to get up again. My family fell into the trap when my husband fell down the stairs at home.My husband shattered his wrist three years ago. He had surgery and almost lost his hand. Eigh... More..
Education > Homeschooling Is homeschooling really for you?: 1 of 23
To home school or not to home school? That is the question. It is a question that many parents are facing as public and private schools are becoming even more sub-standard than ever before. It is not an easy decision to make and should not be taken lightly. Children's lives and educations hang in the balance. As parents work ... More..