Greeting Card Examples

Card #1:  Friendship

Front:

I wished a wish today and left it floating on a gentle breeze.

I thought a thought today and in my mind it lingered softly.

I remembered a memory today and held the smile on my lips.

I prayed a prayer today and lifted it up through the day’s events.

Inside text:

Our friendship brings to life all the sweet, gentle blessings that I have prayed for.

Card#2: Friendship

Front text:

Even when I turn right instead of left….

Inside text:

You still find a way to be sweet and forgiving!

Thanks for being there, in the fun times, and in the hard times, too.

Or

Thanks for being there through the tough decisions.

Writing Fee Schedule

Freelance Writing Fees

Terra L. Anders 2011

Hourly Rate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $30

Daily Rate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $150

Per-Word rate   . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $0.30 per word

Catalog Copy   . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $75 per page

Editing & Rewriting . . . . . . . . .  $30 per hour

Greeting Card  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $30 & up

Press Release  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100

Product Guide  . . . .. . . . . . . . . .   $30 per hour

Product Review  . . . . .. . . . . . . .  $50

Magazine article . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25 and up

Grant Writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . determined upon project review

OTHER INFORMATION:

1.      All fees are negotiable according to size and nature of the project

2.      Fee includes reasonable revisions within 30 days of completion of project

3.      Changes in concept or nature of the assignment is additional fee

4.      All projects are subject to written agreement

Brainy Birds Get the Point

By Terra Anders

Being called a “bird brain” is not necessarily an insult.  The proper response might be, “Which bird?”  Scientists have studied this very topic; the size of birds’ brains in relation to the intelligent behavior that they exhibit.  Those who are waging a battle to get rid of birds on their roofs or rafters should take heed.  They may not be dealing with idiots. 

While admittedly the definition of intelligence itself is still controversial among the scientific experts, the study of how birds display intelligent behavior is based almost entirely on observational conclusions.  Still, observing is one of the fundamental scientific tools for any scientist, so it does seem to hold at least some weight.  Anyone considering bird prevention on property and structures must take into account the kind of bird that is causing the problem.

In his efforts to further define exactly what intelligence is, behavioral scientist, Louis Lefebvre, spent some time on researching birds and their ability to innovate.  In this case, he defined innovation as the ability to adapt to changing or different challenges.  Most of the studies revealed that birds seem to be most innovative when it comes to where to live and how to get their next meal.  Bird lovers around the globe have reported amazing bird behavior, and Lefebvre studied these reports to determine if we could learn anything new about human intelligence from these so-called “bird brain” activities. The information from this study also helps us understand how to more effectively adapt our own bird removal techniques.

After years of study, Lefebrve was able to organize the amazingly innovative activities of a wide range of bird species to reveal some pretty amazing stuff.  He began to measure the number of innovative behaviors the birds exhibited and found that among the birds in his study; those in the cordivae family were the most active.  No, the cordivae family is not linked to any criminal organization, but they do tend to hang out in gangs, so you may still want to rid birds like these from your property.  This family actually includes birds like crows, magpies, ravens, jaws and nutcrackers. 

The large-brained crow, for example, ranked highest on Lefebvre’s list of intelligent birds, measuring 117 innovative actions during the study in comparison to a mere 13 reports for the smaller brained dove.   It’s not clear if this really helps in determining which bird deterrent to use, but it does suggest that if we are dealing with birds who are innovative, we’ll need to be innovative in our approach to controlling them.  Either the birds, like crows, are so smart that one may need to change and adjust the deterrent methods often to keep up with them.  On the other hand, the birds, like doves, may be so dumb that they simply don’t understand that you just don’t want them around.  The best one can do to stop bird lodging is to create an unfriendly environment that coaxes the crows or other birds not to lay claim to that ledge they have their eye on. 

Crows are not loners.  They are always found in flocks of fellow fliers and they love to be where the action is.  Crow search parties are always working to find the perfect location for their community to settle in. They look for high places to perch, and a location that proves to be a plentiful feeding ground as well.  To prevent fences, window ledges, gutters, roofs or rafters from being their next housing development, bird spike strips can be laid down.  These spikes come in plastic or stainless steel, and are manufactured in manageable two-foot lengths.  Widths vary from 3, 5, 7, or 8 feet depending on the product you choose.  They can be easily installed with glue, screws or even securely tied in place, depending on the area being protected. No specialized experts are required for installation, but some bird deterrent companies like Absolute Bird Control and Bird·B·Gone, do offer installation services if requested. The plastic bird spikes are durable and comes in six different colors to help blend into the structure.  The stainless steel version of this bird deterrent is designed similarly and the metal barbs, while not available in colors, are virtually invisible when installed.

Even the most intelligent bird in flight knows they are not welcome when they are met with a prickly barb upon landing.  Best of all, one can use these bird spikes comfortably, knowing that the crows have flown the coop and that no harm was inflicted on the birds in the process. 

Drawstrings and Kids Fashions Don't Mix

When you are choosing clothing for your child, be aware that fashion and safety are sometimes at odds.  Ask anyone who has tried to run in stiletto heels.  Jackets, sweatshirts and pants should not have drawstrings at the neck or waistline.  This is a hidden hazard that can be fatal.   CPSC is cracking down quite hard on this clothing no-no, in an attempt to decrease the number of injuries and deaths caused by  drawstrings in youth clothing.  The latest slap on the hand was delivered to Ms. Bubbles, Inc., a Los Angeles-based clothing manufacturer.  Not only did the company have to recall over 55,000 jackets in 2009, but they now are fined for not reporting the issue to CPSC earlier.

     

Photo:  CPSC

     CPSC announced that Ms. Bubbles, Inc. agreed to pay $40,000 as a civil penalty to settle CPSC claims that the firm “knowingly failed to report the strangulation hazard on a girls’ denim jacket sold through T.J. Maxx, J.C. Penney, and Forman Mills stores across the US from August 2006 through December 2007. 

    
     The jacket hood had a drawstring that was in violation of CPSC drawstring guidelines for clothing sized 2T-16.  Drawstrings in the hoods and waistbands of children and youth jackets and sweatshirts have been blamed for the strangulation death of over 20 children since 1985 when they became tangled in playground equipment, cribs or doors.

   
     United States federal law requires manufacturers, distributors and retailers or report, within 24 hours, products that contain a significant product hazard, or knowingly violates an established CPSC safety regulation. Ms. Bubbles, Inc. denies that they knowingly violated the law.