Kerime B. Toksü's 2literal.com » random

A Fascinating Woman — Carleen Hutchins — from Science Teacher to Violin Maker

KBT — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:45:43 +0000

Carleen Hutchins, who I’d never heard of until today, died this past Friday at 98. What an interesting woman! After receiving a BA in biology from Cornell in 1933, she followed the then-common career path for college-educated women: teaching degree and marriage. But her life took a thrilling turn in 1947 when — unhappy with the viola she was playing — she decided to build herself a violin and became an innovator in the field. But my favorite story about her is when she stole a shelf from a phone booth at Columbia U with her friend Dr. Virginia Apgar (creator of the Apgar score), who thought it would make the perfect back for a violin. It did.

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Best handbags and totes on the web

KBT — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:02:34 +0000

Check out these bags by Rachel Lozada at Etsy. The totes fold up into a tiny square, while the shoulder bags are reversible — two bags in one! They’re so cute. And they’re made by my cousin, Rachel Lozada, a busy mom who sews like crazy during nap time. (Theirs, not hers. I think.)

Summer’s almost over – and it’s a good thing

KBT — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:55:58 +0000

I’ve been traveling on and off all summer and have gotten very little writing and even less blogging done. It’s been a blast to be on the road (makes me feel itchy sitting at home right now) but it’s time to get back to work. Whip-snapping time. No more creemees, you. Time to hit the gym, pound the keyboard, etc etc etc.

Toothpaste – the essential travel accessory

KBT — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:32:53 +0000

On my recent vacation, I learned that toothpaste cleans silver! The concierge, Marie, at our motel (okay, she’s the owner’s daughter and it’s a mom & pop outfit, but she’s the best concierge I’ve ever known), admired my earrings and I told her they were a little tarnished. She told me to try toothpaste and it worked like a charm. Who knew? Here are a few other travel-related uses for toothpaste:

zit cream (I’ve tried it and it works)
beach tar remover (use non-gel)
google de-fogger (squeeze it on and wipe it off)
stain remover – ink or lipstick (depends on fabric)

Of course there’s more you can do with toothpaste (like fill nailholes in walls; I’ve filled entire cracks in plaster). Wondering what’s inside this amazing concoction? See the jump to Wired, below.

LINK:
- WIRED: “What’s Inside: Colgate Whitening Oxygen Bubbles Brisk Mint Toothpaste”

Not just cute kitty wrestlers

KBT — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:57:47 +0000

Need a mini-break from work? These kitties wrestle until…