Articles written by Kimberly Schimmel

Where Knowledge Rules

What is Helium

About me - Kimberly Schimmel

I am a graduate of Purdue's school of industrial engineering, a mother of six children, and a graduate student in library science. I'm married (25 years, so far) to a college professor.

I enjoy working in my church nursery, especially with the newborns.

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Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Sports: 1 of 24
Every sports team needs a mascot. The mascot is a source of team identity, a rallying point for the fans, and a means for schools to market themselves. Unfortunately for my high school, someone in the distant past had decided we were the Flashes. The Flashes is an example of a bad mascot. First, opposing teams corrupted the ... More..
Education > Adult Education Adult education: How to achieve your learning goals: 3 of 26
Most people equate "education" with "school," i.e. a brick edifice filled with teachers dispensing knowledge. A true education, however, consists of acquiring what Dorothy Sayers called the "tools of learning" and then using those tools for the rest of one's life. Thus a true education is a lifetime of learning. As an inform... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Freedom: 3 of 24
The Last Free Man Someone was knocking on the door. He was not surprised. He rose slowly, walked to the door, and opened it for the men. He assumed they were federal agents. He stood in the doorway, calmly looking at the men, but saying nothing. The silence was uncomfortable for the agents. Their leader cleared his throat an... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Family: 32 of 169
The women in my family have a way of being found by needy animals-or perhaps we find them, although none of us makes a conscious effort to do so. I believe my granny had something in her DNA that made her and all her female descendants emit a homing beacon for critters. This trait is apparently a dominant gene, because it is... More..
Education > College Study Tips College bound reading list recommendations: 1 of 5
College bound students can expect to do a lot of reading as they pursue their degrees. What can they read to prepare for the challenges of college life? Here are some suggestions based on the writer's experience as a college graduate, graduate student, and mother of college students. First, students preparing for college sho... More..
Pets & Animals > Rodents How to tame a guinea pig: 2 of 9
Guinea pigs are naturally shy creatures, but can be socialized to become great pets. My family has had experience with seven of our own guinea pigs over the years; we also have experience pet sitting for friends' piggies. Taming (socializing) a guinea pig is a fairly simple process. First, keep in mind that the guinea pig, o... More..
Hobbies & Games > Yarn & Needle Crafts Sewing space: Tips for organizing your sewing space: 1 of 4
Many women lament that they don't sew because they don't have the time. I contend that, for many women, the problem is not lack of time, but rather lack of organization. The professional seamstress is highly productive because she is highly organized. The amateur can learn to organize like a professional. First, the professi... More..
Style & Beauty > Shoes How to care for leather shoes: 2 of 7
Good dress shoes are expensive, so you need to know how to make your shoes last longer. Proper shoe care enables you to enjoy your purchase for more than one season. Begin by purchasing quality leather shoes in the correct size. Real leather breathes and has a bit of stretch for comfort. If shoes are not the correct size, th... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Childbirth & Labor How to survive postpartum depression: 3 of 9
Those who have never been clinically depressed may wonder if depression is a "real" illness. I was such a person myself, thinking depression was merely disappointment or sadness: something you soon get over. The idea that anyone would need medical intervention seemed absurd to me. All that changed, after my sixth pregnancy, ... More..
Computers & Technology > Computers & Technology (Other) Effects of technology in today's business world: 1 of 3
The effects of a new technology do not always represent a step forward for any particular business. If the existing technology is “good enough,” then any potential new technology must be evaluated to determine: Will it save time and, if so, what will we do with the time we save? Is it a net savings wh... More..