Articles written by Rita Mcconnell

What is Helium

About me - Rita Mcconnell

I'm a freelance writer living on a small farm north of Pittsburgh, PA, with my husband and two young daughters, a herd of cows, two horses, two cats, and one lovable Labrador Retriever.

I began my professional career in the mid-1990s working with the Pennsylvania

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Education > Homeschooling Is homeschooling better than formal education?: 2 of 67
While for many parents home schooling may seem to be the optimal way to educate their children, this method raises questions and can delay many important aspects of socialization. I would not choose this form of education for my children.In my work at a small liberal arts college, I had the opportunity to become acquainted wi... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Environmental Awareness Little everyday things that can help the environment: 1 of 31
Since the scientists of the world have agreed that global warming is not only occurring, but is likely the result of human activity on Earth, there's been plenty of blame handed out.But the truth of the matter is, nearly every human being on the planet bears some responsibility for the environmental pickle we find ourselves i... More..
Education > College Search Selling yourself to colleges: Tips for writing winning essays: 1 of 16
A top admissions officer at a well-respected liberal arts college once told me that the best college admissions essay he ever read was about a family holiday tradition in which the student's family members competed to see who could shoot a raisin the farthest distance out of their noses.I was skeptical. He told me that one th... More..
Jobs & Careers > Starting Out Breaking into the real world after college: 1 of 15
Many graduates looking to enter the workforce after college often discover the same thing: the real world began four years earlier.Graduates seeking work find they aren't quite ready for prime time for a variety of reasons. Chief among them: today's students often hesitate to make their own decisions and take responsibility f... More..
Hobbies & Games > Yarn & Needle Crafts The lost art of sewing: 1 of 15
It Really is Sew EasyEconomic times such as these often make us wonder how our parents and grandparents survived worse. The answer is easy they knew how to do things.With all that consumes our time these days, few of us know basic survival skills things like using tools, cooking, canning, gardening, and sewing. We should be a... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Toddlers Living with an active toddler: 1 of 9
Toddler. The word itself is enough to make anyone who's ever parented one want a nap of their own.By design, the average toddler is a wonder of bundled energy. Should we ever find a way to bottle the excitement and movement they generate in the space of a few hours, the world would never again need to look for forms of renewa... More..
Business > Business News & Issues Is Wal-Mart bad for America?: 2 of 16
If anything should convince the Wal-Mart haters that the retailer is not out to destroy the world, it's the company's achievements related to the environment.Yes, I said the environment. But before I go on, I want to be clear. Wal-Mart is a corporation, and like any for-profit entity it has issues and creates them for others.... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Environmental Awareness Smog pollution and how to stop it: 1 of 8
Ground Level Ozone (O3), better known to most as smog, is one of the most commonly occurring types of air pollution in the world. It's also one environmental issue eco-minded people can directly impact through prescribed actions.Ground Level Ozone occurs when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions... More..
Home & Garden > Pet & Pest Problems How to get rid of bats in your house: 2 of 15
Where ever the human aversion to bats originated, it's fairly embedded in most cultures. Discovering one in your home is never a pleasant experience. In fact, it's down right creepy.That's too bad, as bats are quite useful creatures. Without them, there would certainly be more insects, likely making insect-carried disease mor... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Homemade Halloween costumes: 2 of 15
Growing up, my brother and I had some of the best Halloween costumes ever made. Robin the Boy Wonder, a bride to rival Vera Wang, a 1960's Martian visitor, Princess Leia from the Empire Strikes Back in full "Dinner with Darth Vader in Cloud City" regalia. We were once even a pair of dice. Our costumes were rarely from a store... More..