Articles written by Lucy E. Zahnle

What is Helium

About me - Lucy E. Zahnle

I have been writing stories and poems since first grade. I added articles and novels to the mix in high school. I love the magic that letters and words can conjure.

I have an Associate's Degree in computer programming from Bryan College and a Bachelor's Degree

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Celebrations & Holidays > New Year's Celebrating the New Year throughout history: 1 of 13
Throughout history, great civilizations have had different opinions as to when the new year should begin. Ancient Mesopotamians who lived in Babylonia celebrated the new year on the new moon nearest the spring equinox (mid-March,) but those Mesopotamians who lived in Assyriaset the full moon nearest the autumn equinox (mid-Se... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: A lack of love: 1 of 13
Love is Not A child, unwanted, sits on the stair, Hungry, ragged, and alone While Mother's lover haunts his lair, For love is not where love's unknown. The wealthy pair in the hilltop mansion, Slightly acquainted, their hearts cold stone, Wedded for riches and for fashion. Love is not where love's unknown. The lady on t... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Tips for editing a manuscript efficiently: 1 of 11
Trimming an Overlong Manuscript Many writers have to struggle to meet word count requirements in their stories while others, like myself, are too verbose. Getting word count to agree with a publisher's requirements is difficult enough if you have to add content, but having to delete perhaps entire scenes from a manuscript ca... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Waiting: 17 of 179
Waiting is what we do from birth, Waiting for sadness, waiting for mirth, Waiting to grow up, waiting to live, Waiting to see what fate will give; Waiting for love and children sweet, Sticky kisses and muddy feet; Waiting through our days on Earth, Waiting to find our life's true worth, And when all of our waiting's done, W... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Eerie tales: 3 of 28
Dogs in Moonlight Neglected by the mother, kicked by the father, and left outside in the icy cold of night and the broiling heat of day by both, the dog waited for the boys to return. The boys were the only ones who loved or cared for him, but he hadn't seen them in days. He missed them; missed the gentle caresses of the old... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Lifestyles & Subcultures (Other) The Society for Creative Anachronism: 1 of 8
My four children, all grown now, were raised as participants in a medieval re-enactment organization called the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Beginning from a point of total ignorance, I have learned a great deal about how to get children to be safe, to behave, and even to enjoy, SCA events. Babies (newborn to twel... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Sonnets: 7 of 53
Give and TakeA tree that takes sweet Nature's food with greedAnd refuses to give something in return,Producing neither flower, fruit, nor seed,Will then by Nature's patient love be spurned.Thus derelict, the tree will wither soon and die,Leaving nothing of worth to celebrate.So too will Fate pay those who cheat and lie,Who, ... More..
Food & Drink > Cuisine & Food (Other) Medieval food history: 1 of 7
Humble, yet indispensable, bread has fed the peoples of the world, high-born and low, since ancient times. In medieval Europe, it figured in every meal for peasant or king. However, for those in power, bread proved useful in many ways besides mere eating. Bread delineated the different levels of medieval society. At the dini... More..
Relationships & Family > Family (Other) How to show honor and respect to our children: 1 of 7
Standing in my merchant booth at a renaissance faire one Saturday afternoon, I watched a fellow vendor shoo a group of five little girls out of his space, his hands fluttering in irritation as he turned his back on them to attend an adult customer. He was the sixth vendor they'd visited that day and not a single one had had ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Essay writing tips: 3 of 20
Choosing an Essay Topic An essay topic is what your paper is about generally. A thesis statement is a single sentence that states what you want to say about your topic. For instance, if an essay paper topic is "Cats," then the thesis statement might be "Cats are smarter than dogs." A thesis statement is easier to create after... More..