Articles written by Ann Johnson

Where Knowledge Rules

What is Helium

About me - Ann Johnson

I am a happily married mother of 3 sons and 1 grandson, with another on the way. I have always loved writing, but until finding out about Helium, I have never shown anyone what I write.

I am lucky to live in one of the worlds best countries, Australia, and

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Food & Drink > Beer (Other) Home brewing beer kits: Good for beginners?: 1 of 6
Home brewing is so much fun and so easy to do, that soon you are looking for something more challenging to brew besides beer. You will spend hours in brew shops, looking around for which brew you will make, kegs, buckets, bottle brushes, bottles and all the other little goodies which go with brewing. Depending on which type ... More..
Other Grocery shopping horror stories: 15 of 62
Grocery shopping is not the most joyous of tasks at the best of times. No matter how much promising, coaxing or threatening you do with the kids, and no matter how much they promise to behave, someone is going to play up. I needed a few things from the shops, so when there, did the same thing everyone does, put my son sittin... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Running away: 8 of 24
Gone, he has gone and left me here, with a smile and a kiss and a wave and a suggestion to come and join him when I can, and everything looks different now. I am 14, he is 23. I don't know why my parents don't approve of him!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Can I go to him? Of c... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Life topics: What happened to the use of common sense?: 1 of 3
Now there's a question we ask ourselves nearly every day. What happened to good old common sense? Why do we have to have a sticker on a hair dryer that suggests we do not use them whilst in the shower? Who would? Why do we teach our kids to stop first and look before crossing a road? It's all about keeping safe, and it's our... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rescue & Adoption Your new pet: Adopt from a shelter or go through a breeder?: 25 of 68
When the time comes to buy the family a pet, where the pet comes from depends on what the family decides it needs in a pet. What breed are you after, what size, what age and how much do you want to spend? If the decision is made that it doesn't matter what breed of animal, as long as it is friendly and suits your needs, then... More..
Personal Finance > Smart Spending Everyday things can become new again: 11 of 27
Throw everything else away- bi carb soda and white vinegar are the only two cleaning products to stock in the cupboard. Why waste money on expensive household cleaners when cheap, natural ones are already in your pantry? In the bathroom vinegar can be used for cleaning toilets, removing soap scum and hard water deposits on t... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Death of a friend: 10 of 21
Do you ever get over the death of a friend? I am not sure, as it has now been 9 months since one of my closest friends passed away and it's not getting any easier yet. We can say it was prematurely, but I guess it really wasn't considering the state of his heart. He was only 34. He has been a friend for about 15 years, and w... More..
Relationships & Family > Couple Communication I like sports; he doesn't: 33 of 58
I am a woman, and I love watching sports on television. I know this is unusual, and my husbands' friends smile at him, punch his arm and slap him on the back and tell him how lucky he is- but he looks at them with a feeble smile and tries to change the subject. He just doesn't get it. He would rather potter around the house ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Views Teens views: Are required chores at home right or wrong?: 8 of 13
Make your bed, clean your room- two things most of us get our kids to do from an early age, but do we include them in what we call chores? What designates a chore? Is it only a chore if you get paid for it, or are chores anything done around the family home? Helping out in the family structure should be just the norm. Do the... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Mangoes: 2 of 3
Nothing heralds the approach of summer in my state like the site of mangoes on the trees. You watch them as they grow, you can smell them in the air; you can actually taste them without even taking a bite! As the colour of the fruit turns to bright orange, with a pink blush on the cheeks, you start to think about last summer... More..