MAKE A NOTE!! -- October 15, 1999

CIRCULATION - 2,154

A Free Twice Monthly Newsletter with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics

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In This Issue:

NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the newsletter, cut out each entry, & post it at these locations to make it easier to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to others to check out too.

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HOW TO RESEARCH ANYTHING/BEST BUDGET COMPUTER BUYS

Deb R. wrote to say, "maybe you could do an article with a "Reader's Digest" version of the process you utilize in putting together your ezine. It would be educational." Some of what appears in the Make a Note comes across my "desk" because of certain interests I have, some from news articles, some people send to me, & others I DO research. Research may mean internet searches, or just asking around (some people are probably tired of my "asking around" :)). A lot depends on what you want to research. I believe in keeping informed and so I usually scan the web sites of CNN, ABC, Drudge (who often reports the same stories as the others only days earlier), the AP, and our local paper & TV station. CNN especially may have articles on "news you can use", because they have such a great variety of stories. If I see something of interest I will print it out & POST IT as I always advise you to do with the Make a Note. Sometimes people will send me info on web sites, ezines, or other info that I can use. Probably most of the stories that actually involve research come from the internet. The key here is to find reputable web sites and ezines. If it is something benign, like recipes, then obviously how "reputable" or accurate it is, is not as important as with medical info. You know what you like & if you find an ezine or web site you like, you subscribe or bookmark the site. With things like medical sites you should try to stick to organizations or people you know. For example, the former surgeon general C. Everett Koop just started his own web site; chances are the links on the site are probably legitimate ones. If you are open to "Alternative" medicine a good place to start would be with Dr. Weil's site, and again, most of his links should be reliable.  Organizations like the American Cancer Society for cancer, or the National Organization for Rare Disorders (for Rare Disorders), are good places to go because they normally are run through donations. There is no way I could even begin to tell you how to check EVERY site out, it really depends on what type of research you are doing. But the internet has a tremendous amount of info available, so don't forget to do internet searches. Often web sites can also help you find ezines that might be of interest to you that can keep you informed. The other day I caught the tail end of a PBS performance by the group, "Seven Nations". I liked the last song, but didn't know anything else about them. So I went to PBS.org, then I found a "Seven Nations" web site where I could actually listen to some clips, and a phone number where I could call & order their music (and ask the operator which was her favorite tape). One of my readers had asked about buying a computer and today on CNN's site they had a great article on the top 10 Budget PCs  http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9910/13/topbudget.nov.idg/index.html

Because my husband helps a lot of people with fixing their computers or helping them buy new ones, I also know that Gateways have a very good reputation (#2 on the CNN list). If you are looking for information, chances are that someone has already done the research for you and you just need to find it on the web. When we were trying to decide where to retire to, I used the search words "Best-Cities" and ended up with all kinds of "best" places to raise families, retire, live, etc. Don't forget when you use the search engine try to use as many words as you can to narrow it down & then slowly eliminate them if you don't get any results. You can do this on most search engines by putting a dash between words like I did between "Best-Cities" above. If you are looking in a particular state you might want to enter "Best-Cities-Colorado". If you are looking for a good doctor, hairstylist, mechanic, or other local stuff, don't be afraid to ask around.  So you probably now know more than you ever cared to about how I find my info. But let's make it interesting, is there anyone who has a research question & would like to try to stump me? I may not be able to print them all, but I enjoy a challenge. If there is an interest (although I sort of doubt it), I could also explain in each article how I came across the info.  POST IT...by your computer.

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HOMEFIRES EZINE/WEB SITE

Debbie Adams has a great product here. In this case, I found her site months ago through a link on a recipe site. I really liked all the info, but her ezine was going out twice weekly at that time which was too much for my mailbox. But she recently contacted me (not sure how she heard about the Make a Note) with new info that her ezine was now weekly (Note: the web site still says it is twice weekly, but it is weekly). You can check it out at http://www.homestead.com/homefireshearth/index.html.  Recipes, home info, funny stories, it is filled with good stuff for people just like you. I hope to feature some entries from her newsletter in future issues, once I clear everything with her. POST IT...by your computer.

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RECIPES N' MORE

This is a similar set up courtesy of Tam, but it focuses on one particular type of recipe each month (comes out once a month). It tends to run about 8 pages, but if you like recipes it is worth it. You can subscribe at http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/RecipesNMore.  For Pam S. who asked about snack ideas, you might check out the 9/1/99 issue. POST IT...by your computer.

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COOKING CONTEST SITE

This is a fun one that I found out about from an article in the local paper.  Not only can you get all the low down on upcoming cooking contests (for you competitive types :)), but for those of us just interested in shamelessly using other people's creativity for our own advancement :), they have a section of recipes that have won contests. And a really fun thing they do on this site is as you move the cursor around, it is followed by a trail of pink stars. http://www.recipecontests.com  POST IT...by your computer.

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"BACK ISSUE TREASURE"-RECIPE SITES

And since we were on the subject & I have received so many requests lately asking for recipes, check out the October 1st, 1998 back issue. It has my favorite recipe sites, many of the best are affiliated with companies (Pillsbury, Mr. Food, etc). Check out the CopyKat site, which has recipes that copycat restaurant specialties. This issue also has articles on saving money on airfare. To receive the back issue, send an email to make-a-note-issues@xc.org  and in the subject or body of the message put "MAN-004" without the quote marks. :) POST IT...by your computer.

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LOTS OF FEEDBACK INFO

This month was such a busy one for feedback worth repeating that I needed to leave some extra space. 

RE: New Improved Toothpaste (Colgate Total) - Issue 10/1/99

Lauren wrote from Boston, MA to say that she suffered an allergic reaction to the toothpaste when she tried it a few months ago. Yes, this is always a possibility & if it happens you should see your doctor. But we should also keep in mind that just about anything can cause an allergic reaction in someone somewhere. Once at an outdoor baseball game, I starting wheezing & felt a serious asthma attack developing even though I hadn't had trouble for months. Fortunately my good friend, Susan C. (hiya Susan!) asked if it could be a reaction to the strong perfume of a woman near us. I hadn't even noticed until she mentioned it, but when we moved away my symptoms began to subside. So we should always be alert for ANY potential reaction, esp. with new things. Thanks for the note Lauren! POST IT...in your medicine cabinet.

RE: Grape Juice & Potassium - Issue 10/1/99

Alisa Raley wrote from South Carolina to remind us about the benefits of eating raw fruit & vegetables. I agree, in most cases the food is better for you the more "raw" or natural it is. But there are some exceptions, depending on what you are looking for. For example, skim milk has no fat, yet MORE calcium than whole or low fat milk. Tomato sauce seems to have a better influence on men's prostate health, than do raw tomatoes. So it pays to do your homework on the nutrients that are important to you, but I think most studies have shown that in the majority of cases you get a lot more health benefits from fresh food. POST IT...on your shopping list.

RE: Length of Newsletter - Issue 10/1/99

Maureen M. from Ontario, Canada wrote, "I think the length is just about perfect. I'm always sorry when I get to the end...Keep up the good work."  Deb in Minnesota wrote, "Length of your newsletter is never a worry, if I'm not interested in something I just skip over it to the parts that appeal to me. I always find something of interest in your letter so please don't think of cutting back."

Thanks so much to all of you who wrote back.

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JOKE

"When my daughter was about 4, she still had a hard time grasping the concept of marriage. So I got out our wedding album with the pictures of my wife & I, thinking visual images would help, and explained the entire service to her. Once finished, I asked if she had any questions, and she replied, 'Oh, I see. Is that when Mommy came to work for us?'"

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QUOTE

For years I have been meaning to put together a wall hanging and am finally getting around to it. These are the words that I have chosen to go up there for posterity :), taking a theme that I have read about in the works of many authors. Some how these words put it all together in my mind. I hope they bless you too, let me know what you think.

"The Tapestry"

It has been said that our lives are like a tapestry. Yet we can see only the reverse side of it. We see the snarls, knots, and confused threads of our trials and tribulations, and we can't imagine a plan behind it all.  Until we get to heaven, when the Great Shepherd will turn the tapestry around. Then we will see how with loving kindness, He wove every "thread" together into the perfect picture...the perfect plan of our lives.  

Sharon Powell

1999

Best displayed between the same 2 works of embroidery, one showing the front & the other showing the reverse side. I'd also like to add I Corinthians 13:12 and Jeremiah 29:11. But then this is a work in progress. :)

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All for this issue, hope you found something useful. Feel free to forward the newsletter on to anyone you think might be interested.  

God bless,

Sharon

Editor, Make a Note

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Thanks again to Pastor Wilson without whom this newsletter would not be possible.

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