Articles written by Claudia Bushee

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Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Love: 12 of 141

Tom Petty was singing, "Running Down a Dream," in Lucy's head. From her perch on the altar, she pressed a half smile. She saw her younger son, Jack, sitting in the front pew, bringing his index finger to his lips. He was quieting his nine-month-old cousin, who was warbling, "baa, baa, baa," while reaching for Jack's tie. Jac...
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Are high taxes on cigarettes fair?: 9 of 29

YES, taxing cigarettes can generate a lot of dough for the coffers. Cigarettes start off as a luxury. You don't have to smoke. Just like you don't have to eat candy, or to expand on this concept, buy new cars. But, of course, cigarettes are addictive. So once you start, and if you are paying a tax, you will be shelling out a...
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History The legacy of Jimmy Carter: 1 of 3

Jimmy Carter signed copies of his latest book, A Remarkable Mother, at a bookstore on Van Ness in San Francisco a few weeks ago. There were about 200 of us waiting in the sunny, but wind-chilled line that wound around the side of the building. What was remarkable was the group of folks waiting to have their books signed. Jim...
Food & Drink > Soups & Stews Recipes: Chili: 20 of 42

I'm sharing this Award Winning Chili Blanco with you all, the Helium Community, because it is so doggoned good. And it's easy to prepare, too! Tasty, low fat and a crowd pleaser - you are going to love this recipe. A tossed salad or sliced tomatoes are all you need to complete this meal. CHILI BLANCO* Serves 4 to 6 Note: You...
Style & Beauty > Fashion Trends & Styles Should underweight models be banned from participating in runway fashion shows?: 10 of 20

YES, banning underweight girls from runway shows is a start towards a healthier industry. Currently, bookers (the representatives of fashion companies) encourage models to stay rail thin to snag jobs. My daughter was a model for two years, from 2005 to 2007. She worked in Chicago, Miami, and Milan, Italy. She is six feet tal...
Politics, News & Issues > Soccer News & Opinion How to be a great soccer parent: 4 of 7

When my son was eight, and had been playing soccer for a couple of seasons, his coach called me to take over the team. I'm an odd choice for the job of soccer coach of a boys' team. I'm a woman who never played soccer and never participated in team sports. Coach Norbert called me up, probably the last call he planned to make...
Relationships & Family > Family Life Our family's most unique and unusual autumn tradition: 14 of 21

Our family heads for the beach in October. We stay in a rental house overlooking the Monterey Bay in Aptos, California. The prices for beach rentals are less costly in the fall and the hoards of sunbathers have left the beach for job and school, allowing the autumn beachcomber a vacated stretch of sand and surf. We take our ...
Relationships & Family > Marriage & Divorce (Other) Was the California Supreme Court right in legalizing gay marriage?: 23 of 32

YES, the California State Supreme Court was correct in its ruling that gays be allowed to marry. Marriage is a contract between two people, and although traditionally and spiritually that contract involved a man and a woman, there is no basis in law that marriage exclude persons of the same gender. There are thousands of sto...
Style & Beauty > Body Image Summer beauty: Overcoming body image issues: 53 of 63

The negativity that American women feel about their bodies is exposed in the summer. Going to the beach becomes an exercise in fear. Fear that a stomach bulge will be unveiled. Fear that some snarky kid will point a finger and call out, "Whale." Fear that only the thin are welcome on the warm sands. We, as a nation, have got...
Health & Fitness > Weight Issues Thoughts on obesity: 11 of 12

I have had it with seeing giant posteriors wedged into low cut jeans, the fat spilling over the top like foam on a beer. I don't like sitting between two fatties on a plane, both consuming $6, 1400 calorie burgers from Carl's, Jr. And I'm flat out aghast at seeing an overweight mother or father turning their kid into the som...