Welcome to the 104th edition of The Tarheel Tavern, the carnival of North Carolina bloggers, which I am pleased to host this week. It’s a small but hearty group, chatting on the theme of “paying tribute.”

This week at Another Blue Puzzle Piece, etbnc pays tribute to writers Ursula K. Le Guin and Jose Saramago and to their insightful books, Changing Planes and The Cave.

Anton at Mister Sugar describes the Melanesian way of sharing and pays tribute to the family that made his Peace Corps experience so enjoyable.

Screwy Hoolie at Scrutiny Hooligans says, “It’s got to start somewhere. It’s got to start sometime.” He’s asking a new Congressman to pay some tribute to a campaign promise and follow through on promoting alternative energy in Western NC.

Bora at A Blog Around the Clock pays tribute to Charles Darwin this week with a collection of posts about Darwin Day, the international celebration of science and humanity.

To wrap it up, I’m sharing a post on the two woman who gave me the guts to go it alone in the world of freelance writing.

That’s it for this week. Next week, THT goes to Science and Politics. Hope to see you there.

Kivi

I’m hosting this week’s edition of the Tarheel Tavern, a carnival of North Carolina bloggers. Being that it’s a tavern and it’s late at night (way past deadline, sorry Erin!), we are on a first-name basis and moving fast. Mind you, I haven’t been to a tavern since my wee ones were born, but as I recall, it goes something like this:

We warm up with some friendly food chat.

Zha shows us what Chicken Curry with Fruit looks like (along with some special tips).

Laurie tells you why you might want to hold the rice on your next Chinese take-out.

Then the brains pipe in. LabLit — Never read it? Where have you been? Bora introduces you to the genre in two book reviews on Ira Foxglove and Intuition.

Marcus is wondering if Bill Gates’ foundation will make the right choices.

Justin enlightens us on the difference between rights and entitlements in a local context and how the past haunts the present.

Next, those down a few seats try to blow your mind.

Do you see dates and letters in color? Waterfall does.

Been to Wilmington and Lisbon? I doubt it, if you ask Ron.

Finally, the guys at the end of the bar just want to make the girls laugh.

Billy riffs on making money with your blog.

Ogre shares a joke about Marines. Is it funny ha-ha or funny too-close-to-the bone? You decide.

Then go home and go to bed. I’m headed there now. See you THTers next week at 2Sides 2Ron!

As a North Carolina blogger, I am privileged to host this week’s edition of the Tarheel Tavern. If you are here for freelance writing tips, consider this a bonus post. If you are here for the THT, enjoy!

This is not only my first THT hosting gig, but my first step into the Tavern (I’ve just been reading it to date). So here’s a short intro in lieu of a post: I’m a freelance writer who works primarily in the nonprofit sector, thus the blog name. I do email and print newsletters, websites, annual reports, etc. for nonprofit clients while also pursuing a variety of other side businesses, including teaching workshops for the Duke certificate program in nonprofit management and e-courses on my websites. I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, but moved to Lexington, NC (my husband’s hometown) in 2001. Two little girls, three cats, one dog. Liberal/Progressive Dem – and not ashamed to be called one, even in ultra-conservative Davidson County. Vegetarian in a town that breathes barbecue. Not a NASCAR fan, but love-love-love Richard Childress for opening his winery here. You get the picture.

I’m hosting because Erin said the Tavern was in a pinch, and thus my first theme was born. Many commented on how great “in a pinch” was as a theme; few submitted posts on theme. If you are ever hosting and are in a pinch for a theme, feel free to recycle this one! Instead of using it, I’m going to start with the three posts that I personally enjoyed the most and then add the others in no particular order. As usual at the THT, it’s a great, fun, engaging mess of wonderful folks contributing. On to the show . . .

Etbnc at Another Blue Puzzle Piece (on theme!) explains what escaping the pinch of the finger trap can teach us about analyzing and solving problems, big and small.

Christine Kane reminds us that we all need to give ourselves just a bit more credit for the good stuff we do and stop feeling like we are insignificant in Don’t Be Eeyore, Either.

Justin Thibault at the View from the Cheap Seats offers up Friday Funnies: Are you a Yankee Or A Rebel – A Case Study. Justin is 60% Rebel. After living here almost five years, I scored “41% Dixie. Barely in Yankeedom.” Give me another five and who knows.

Billy at the Blogging Poet is driving the coolest thing on the streets and it might be for hire if you ask nicely. Hint: He’s now Billy the Flying Poet.

Ron at 2sides2ron has launched a new blog carnival on HIV/AIDS. I started one for nonprofit consultants a month ago, so we are both newbie carnival founders. I’m in good company!

Gordon at Scrutiny Hooligans shares his take on the latest “pinch” of international proportions in Look At Me! I’ve Got Nukes!

In her ongoing quest to raise money for the Heart Walk in every creative way possible, Erin at Poetic Acceptance is selling copies of her poetry chapbook. Get yours while you can.

Alex Wilson is at the Clarion Writing Workshop and shares stories about meeting some of the people who inspire him in Clarion Week 1: Chip and Me.

Laura at Moomin Lights shares her delight in seeing Ben Vereen and the North Carolina Symphony.

Laurie at . . . Slowly She Turned has a garden update with lots of photos. We got a late start on our garden this year (we blame our newborn), so I’m jealous of the produce!

Bora at A Blog Around the Clock asks, Cloning – what’s the big deal? I still think cloning is a bit weird, but I understand it better now that the science has been stripped of the politics.

That’s it for this week. Next week THT will be at A Sort of Notebook. See you there!

My last post on diversifying your income streams appeared in the Carnival of Business #5 this week. Here are my three favorites for freelance writers from that edition.

Title: Being Bold
Posted at: Career Intensity Blog – David V. Lorenzo

About being confident in yourself — a must for all self-employed people, especially those who work in fields where your work can be viewed very subjectively, like freelance writing.

Title: Entrepreneurship is Not for the Faint of Heart It is a Vocation & a Lifestyle
Posted at: Emmanuel Oluwatosin: Inspiring Excellence Realizing Ambitions

A bit of downer on the harsh realities, but if this post scares the sh** out of you, then self-employment isn’t for you. If it makes you take a deep breath and think, then you are OK.

Title: Simple Steps to Start Business
Posted at: Journey To Financial Freedom

Three basic steps to take before fully embracing self-employment.