Articles written by Roshan Richards

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About me - Roshan Richards

When I am not running teenagers everywhere, gardening, or tending my chickens, I work under a grant-funded program as a Victim Advocate for a local police department. I serve victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and stalking in

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Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Why I read: 1 of 24

That's Why I Read It's been too many years ago to admit to now, but it is a more vivid memory than many I have of that time. It was winter, and I was home visiting from college. Mom and I were in the den catching up on our everyday lives as the snowstorm outside began to settle into heavy drifts, the wind dying with the sun....
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: When kids grow up: 1 of 21

Yesterday, I took my oldest son to the Department of Motor Vehicle Services to get his learner's permit. I was standing at the counter, which had an endearing older man with a great sense of humor sitting behind it, with my 6 foot, 15-year-old son standing next to me fidgeting for the test. I must have had a funny expression...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Teens Why too many teenagers don't read regularly: 1 of 15

"I hate reading." Man, if I had a quarter for every time I heard that in the few short years I was a secondary English and At-Risk youth teacher, I could have retired after two. Yet, I understand why the myriads of teenagers, from all walks of life, are making this their mantra. I get it. What do you expect the reaction to b...
Education > College Search How to identify which college or university is right for you and your child: 1 of 10

It is undoubtedly one of the most significant choices we make in our lifetimes, and choosing a good "fit" in an institution of higher learning requires a bit more research and attention than deciding if we want sprinkles on our ice cream. Indeed, there are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing the proper college...
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: When I realized I was meant to be a writer: 7 of 54

It's All Over But the Writin' I was about eight when my parents finished stripping the upstairs hall walls of our Victorian home. They were very excited to add their personal touch to this section of the house, as the new wallpaper was already purchased, rolled and propped up in the landing corner with the wallpaper paste wa...
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Life goes by too fast: 3 of 21

My 12-year-old son was diligently working on a loose baby tooth a few weeks back. He had mentioned a couple of times about how it was soon to go the way of the all baby teeth, and how he was looking forward to the generosity of the tooth fairy; but, I only half heard and acknowledged his comments due to hot and cold running ...
Home & Garden > Gardening (Other) Bugs that are good for your garden: 4 of 22

It only takes one encounter with a wilted cucumber vine or a ravaged head of lettuce to tempt even the most seasoned gardener with acts of chemical warfare. It's true- bugs bug. But the complete truth is that only about 3% of all insects are the ones doing the dastardly deeds. The remaining 97% are actually beneficial to our...
Personal Finance > Managing Credit How to protect yourself from falling victim to identity theft: 5 of 26

Identity theft isn't just on the rise anymore- it is soaring. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) an estimated 10 million people fall victim to identity theft each year in the United States alone, and the U.S. Department of Justice Statistics states that identity theft is now surpassing drug trafficking to become...
Personal Finance > Mortgages & Home Loans Remortgaging: Is this the right time?: 4 of 10

Riding Out the Storm The economic news as of late has been more than dismal, it has put the "ug" in ugly. With house prices taking a kick to the shins, it is no wonder so many people are taking a "wait and see" approach before refinancing or purchasing a home. Unfortunately, that approach, which smacks of a deer caught in he...
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: All I want for Christmas: 4 of 10

I Want That This is my first Christmas as the parent of a child who cares about Christmas. He is three and has discovered a world of toy cars, action figures, trains, race tracks, and board games that have, somehow, not found their way into his toy box yet. And for this, every day, all day, I am bombarded into deafness by th...