Articles written by Jill Ardary

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About me - Jill Ardary

I grew up in the small college town of Cookeville, Tennessee: home of Tennessee Tech University. I lived in Cookeville from the third grade until I graduated from TTU in 1985.

I have been writing poems and short stories for as long as I can remember. I wrote

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Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: My first trip to a foreign country: 3 of 46
Oh the wonders that are seen through the eyes of a five year old. Wonders that are both scary and delightful at the same time.I was five years old when my family visited Mexico. We had driven out to Arizona to visit my Uncle Dan and his family. My Uncle Dan, Aunt Joyce, and cousins Luke and Amy lived in Tucson at the time.I'm... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Childhood memories: 29 of 308
MY SNAKE KILLING GRANDMAI was reminiscing with my family one day about my Grandma Dorothy. At this point I've got to say at age 96, Grandma Dorothy is still alive and going, well not quite as strong as she used to. And as usual when talking about my grandma the subject of her snake killing abilities came up.I said "Ya know, I... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: My senior year in high school: 7 of 36
The toughest history teacher of all times taught at the high school I attended in Cookeville, Tennessee. His name is Jack Sallee, (pronounced suh-lee). Without question, his students could always count on his tests being difficult, as well as his teaching style being very structured. Any student who walked away from Sallee's ... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Gender Issues Working outside the home and traditional family gender roles: Is it time to reconsider?: 1 of 4
Working outside the home and traditional family gender roles: Is it time to reconsider?First of all, HUH? That was my first reaction when I read this debate topic. What exactly are we supposed to be reconsidering? And what are "traditional family gender roles"? Are tradional family gender roles where Mom spends all day at hom... More..
Health & Fitness > Diet & Weight Loss Pros and cons of the Jenny Craig weight loss program: 1 of 4
Jenny Craig, I believe, is a great program for those who need help in losing weight. Many celebrities have used the program; most recently Queen Latifa and Valerie Betinelli. Have you seen their pictures lately? Wow!I worked the Jenny Craig program in the past and was able to lose over forty unwanted pounds. I also learned qu... More..
Arts & Humanities > Thoughts on Writing Does motherhood really spell the end of writing?: 10 of 33
Motherhood! What a wonderful and magical time of life: from the time you first believe you are pregnant to confirming it. From the time your child is born; to the first word, the first step, the first day of school, the first girlfriend or boyfriend, to the first day he/she has moved out and started a life of his/her own. All... More..
Personal Finance > Taxes Organizing paperwork for tax time: 6 of 19
WriteStart with something to gather receipts into (large shoe box is actually practical).Go through your wallets, purses, pockets and wherever else you may have stored receiptsGather together empty file folders, highlighters, pens, calculator, and a box that can hold file folders (I use motor oil boxes from auto parts stores,... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Valentine's Day story: 19 of 53
Kenny and I were talking to the teenagers from next door. We began discussing the family who was going to be moving into the neighborhood; the buzz was they were an interracial couple with two children. One girl was talking about a boy she knew who had a white mom and a black dad. "We called him Oreo." she said. I cringed. I'... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Trash & Recycling How to best recycle plastics: 4 of 9
The simplest way to recycle plastics is put them in your curbside recycling bin. The recycling centers they are taken to will separate them there. Before placing items in bins , be sure to follow the basic rules I wrote below under "Before recycling".If you are not lucky enough to have curb side recycling the next best things... More..
Travel > Public Transportation Public transportation should be free: 22 of 45
I am fortunate enough to have a vehicle to use. I do not YET completely own it. The bank owns most of it. This vehicle costs me money to use in the forms of auto notes, gasoline, and regular maintenance. Because let's face whenever a vehicle is driven, parts are going to wear out and have to be replaced. So far I have replace... More..