Articles written by Joan Schroeder

What is Helium

About me - Joan Schroeder

As long as I can remember, I have had a vivid and active imagination. As a child, I was the consummate daydreamer. I kept several diaries as a child, and wrote thousands of letters to pen pals in distant lands.

I loved to read history, poetry and Shakespeare.

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Home & Garden > Gardening (Other) True gardening stories: My funniest garden experience: 3 of 63
As a passionate marine enthusiast, I yearned for a pond in my backyard, a natural progression to the several aquariums I have kept indoors for many years. After reading several "how to" books covering backyard ponds, I felt that I was well equipped to venture out on this stimulating experience. Little did I imagine, it would ... More..
Health & Fitness > Medical Concerns & Issues What is gout: the definitive answers: 1 of 20
How vividly I recall my English history lessons and in particular, the colorful life of Henry the Eight. It was perhaps the first time that I had heard about an illness called gout. I took three things away from that lesson; gout was painful, deadly and it was a rich man's disease. I have since grown to be older and wiser, an... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Democratic Leaders Will the photo of Obama in a turban hurt his chances for the Democratic nomination?: 2 of 35
Throughout the ages, many politicians have gone to extremes to smear their opponents particularly when they feel they are backed into a corner. The claws come out and there is snarling and scratching, like with a cornered cat. It is a reaction to fear and uncertainty, and a desperate attempt to free oneself from imminent dang... More..
Sciences > Astronomy Astronomical explanation of the summer solstice: 1 of 15
Those long days that never seem to end. We all, at some point in our life, feel a day is never ending. But that is usually due to the fact that we are either bored, we are overly excited about an anticipated event at the end of the day, or we are having a real difficult time coping with the trials that beset us on a given day... More..
Sports & Recreation > Running What you need to know before you buy a treadmill: 1 of 12
To lose those extra pounds and burn unwanted fat, the use of a treadmill is the choice of many today. Prices have certainly become a lot more competitive in the last decade and the lure of being able to work out in the convenience of your home has certainly contributed to the increased demand for treadmills. With a treadmill,... More..
Travel > North & South America History and experience of the Inti Raymi festival: 1 of 11
It is one of the biggest, most awe inspiring spectacles of pre-Hispanic celebrations. The Inti Raymi Festival pays homage to the sun, capturing the majestic splendor of an historic Inca ceremony. Today the scripted extravaganza of an ancient ritual, is played out in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca empire.Long before the... More..
Sports & Recreation > Running Guide to sports drinks: 1 of 11
Electrolytes, sugar and nutrients are quickly depleted during strenuous exercises like running. Sports drinks contain these same nutrients that serve as a replenishment for athletes. You may ask the question, what is wrong with drinking good old water?. The answer is, nothing. However, under conditions where rapid depletion o... More..
Health & Fitness > Nutrition Basics Checking food contents: 1 of 10
Checking food contents is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and is critical when shopping for someone with food allergies and certain dietary restrictions. Even though I am a very particular shopper who regularly checks food contents, there are times when I made the mistake of assuming that the product I am... More..
Health & Fitness > General Health (Other) Sciatica symptoms: 2 of 19
Sciatica is a debilitating affliction. Having suffered from sciatica, I have experienced first hand, its sudden onset and severely debilitating effects. While people may experience different symptoms and varying levels of difficulty and intensity, below are some of the more common symptoms.1) Lower back pain. This is usually ... More..
Pets & Animals > Aquarium Fish How to care for Oscars: 1 of 9
Did you know that the Oscar fish can recognize its owners the same way cats and dogs do? In no time you will have an Oscar eating out of your hands, literally. If you own Oscars, you may have already noticed the Oscar's strong personality, and if you haven't yet tried feeding them directly from your hands, you are in for a pl... More..