Free Legal Help

If you live in Texas, you can get free legal advice on several issues at TexasLawHelp.Org.

AARP overs a series of FAQ-type articles, as well.

The American Bar Association has a pretty map of the entire country (yes, even Puerto Rico is included) where you can click and find free legal advice that pertains to your state's jurisdiction.

The California Courts have a nice overview of free legal services as well as practical advice that may pertain to more than Californians (e.g., "Solve a Problem Without Going to Court").

There's a lot of info over at LawGuru.Com, too - where lawyers answer questions and those answers are then compiled into categories (bankruptcy law, adoption law, etc.) with search capabilities.

Buying a Bike 101

Various news reports relate that more bikes than cars were sold in 2004, 2005, and assumedly, two-wheelers will continue to win the sales race in 2006.

How to Choose the Right Bike?

Several sites offer tips, including:

1. Know your type. Do you want a road bike, a mountain bike, a touring bike, or a racing bike?

2. Know your fit. Make sure that the handlebars and seat are positioned properly, and that you have the right frame height and length.

3. Don't forget accessories. You might want a bell, or a horn, or a basket to tote things.

And remember, you never forget how to ride a bike - but if you're picking up riding again after several years, it won't be the same at the start as it was back in your teens. Start slow and be good to yourself.

Sources: primusweb.com, slowtwitch.com, about.com.

Simple Living: the Shakers

Simple living isn't a new idea. Before the American Revolution, Shakers came to New York seeking religious freedom. They are an offshoot of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, officially calling themselves the United Society of Believers.

They reached their height of popularity at the time of the Civil War, when their numbers reached around 6000. The Shaker community declined afterwards, some historians opining that their homemade works could no longer compete in a marketplace fueled by the Industrial Revolution. There is only one original Shaker community left, which was founded in 1783; it's located in Maine and has its own website.

Shaker furniture is known for its clean, simple lines and construction, which conformed to the Shaker philosophy of cleanliness, order, and economy. "Hands to work, hearts to God," is the Shaker motto; one of their most popular songs is "Tis a Gift to Be Simple."

To view lots of reproductions of Shaker furniture designs, check out Woodworks. For more on the history of the Shakers, check Wikipedia.

Sources: DIY Network.com, SabbathdayLake, Funtrivia.com, ShakerWoodworks.