You're on vacation or commuting to work, and realize that your book simply stinks. Instead of harping in hindsight (why didn't you also take along that novel from your nightstand?) you can now press a button and wirelessly download a new book or your favorite blog in under two minutes. Well, next time, that is. First you'll need to pick up a Kindle, the electronic reading device produced by Amazon.

Another electronic reading device is the Sony Reader. It can store up to 160 books, but they must be downloaded directly from your PC, so choose a few before you head out for a long weekend.

Either way, you'll save trees from being made into paper; chemicals from being turned into ink; energy running printing presses, and will be reducing the carbon footprint that would have been used for shipping.

With a quick Internet search, I was able to spot a Sony Reader for as low as $194. And check out a video of the little guy in action. The Kindle is still holding its price at $359. though I did find one on ebay for $285. Watch the Kindle work its magic in this clip.

Eight months ago, Rob Beschizza, a writer for ...Read More

I love spending time with my mom's book group, perusing Water for Elephants and other wonderful fiction I might have otherwise overlooked. We dissect the chapters over glasses of Chardonnay, sips of tea and mouthfuls of Charles Chocolate almonds, feeling  engaged and challenged.

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Abundant joy doesn't come from big spending or exhausting work. It's a truism that many of life's best pleasures are the simplest ones. 

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United by color or theme instead of design or period, collections make a confident statement without much cost (carbon or cash). Using what you already have around the house or scooping up vintage pieces ...Read More

Fold 1,000 origami paper cranes, says an ancient Japanese legend, and the gods will grant your wish. A young girl named Sadako, suffering wounds from the bombing of Hiroshima, made the legend world-famous, and today the paper crane is a symbol of peace and goodwill everywhere.

If you’d like to try your hand at the art of origami ...Read More

For the gardener who enjoys pruning and snipping for relaxation, a bonsai-sized topiary can satisfy the urge to trim when there’s no outdoor space for a grand English-style topiary or when the weather is simply raining on your green parade.

Miniature topiaries provide plenty of opportunity to snip, trim, and clip to your heart’s ...Read More

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I'm a guitar player, and my workhorse of the last 8 years has been a Tanglewood Indiana. Since 3 of those years were spent at university, my guitar is now looking a little careworn and scuffed (same goes for me), and more

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