Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my mentors on Squidoo and fellow writer on this blog, Bev Owens, known as bevspaper. My family was going out to dinner with some neighbors and they were joking about how they would explain that Mom was not there because she was meeting her “online friend.” Now that the web has evolved, that term “online friend” has taken on a whole new meaning. The Internet allows us to connect with people all over the world about issues or common interests. In the course of conversations or reading their writings, we actually get to know people pretty well. We become friends in spirit.

Another of my online friends is Michelle, known as a_willow. Michelle is from Croatia and it is unlikely (but not impossible) that we will ever be able to meet face to face. When I told her that I was meeting with Bev, she said to give her a big hug. Michelle has written an inspirational article on friendship which asks the question, “Is it possible to have a friend whom you've never met in person?" Her answer is an unequivocal YES and she tells why on her page.

A friend is someone who is there for you in time rather than space. Some qualities that Michelle values in a friend are generosity (of time and attention), trustworthiness, and straightforwardness. Her friends are also open-minded, enthusiastic, courageous, and creative. Michelle is persistent when working towards a goal and finds that she looks for friends with the same quality. With a friend you can be spontaneous and show your deepest self. Michelle has many friends online that have these qualities. This article is interspersed with quotes that will make you appreciate your friends even more and want to be a better one.

Once you have an online friend, it is natural that you would want to meet. But if that is not possible, you can be friends in spirit. Do you agree or not?

Visit: Long Distance Friends

A couple of years ago, when I was still a newbie to Squidoo, I noticed a lens called How to Reuse Paper Rolls. I found it so useful I added it to my favorites. Time and time again I have gone back to this lens to look for toilet roll crafts I can share with my kids.

Yes, I am one of those people that just can’t throw the toilet rolls away. I save them for projects like the ones on this lens or I give them to my kid's teachers when they ask for donations like these to do crafts in their classrooms. Right now I have another bag full of Seventh Generation rolls to eco-craft with (I have a family of five so this happens) and my most recent use for some of these rolls was seedling pots. Which reminds me I need to water them…

So how useful is this lens and why do I like it? To start, the corny YouTube Video at the top of the lens is a perfect fit for this lens and it does bring up a good question, “What do you do with toilet paper rolls?” The rest of the YouTube videos on the lens are also a great fit for this lens and I love, really love, the toilet paper roll ornament idea on the last video. What a clever idea!

The next thing I noticed was the clever household tips for extending the vacuum cleaner with a paper towel roll and for keeping electrical cords organized. These tips are as eye opening, simple and practical as the first two. I am grateful for the crafty links that follow too. As a parent of three kids that love art, this is most useful.

I’m not at all surprised that this page has made Lens of the Day and more. If I had the power I would give it five green thumbs for being so Ecolicious. Even most of the products advertised on the page relate to the recycling theme.

The only thing I would like to see changed on this page is the introduction. It is not as fun, strange or unique as the rest of the lens. I’d like to see it improved to measure up to the rest of the lens, but besides that this lens is practical, eco-friendly and parent-friendly. We need more lenses like it. Hats off to a_willow for putting together all these great ideas into one place.

Visit: How To Reuse Paper Rolls
Image Credit: Necessity by kittytrishia

Being a Giant Squid Greeter myself, I know exactly how much time, effort, and dedication goes into the title.

Now that we've welcomed the new Greeters, BevsPaper, luvmyludwig, and OhMe, I'd like to give a much-deserved shout-out here to the fantastic Greeters from this past third quarter, Joan4, kab, Rajays, and a_willow.

Also, a "welcome back" to JustBon-Crochet-Designs!

And surely, I can't let this opportunity go by without a big thank-you to the Giant Squid Organizers, bdkz and rms, whose tireless devotion is manifested at each and every day at Squidoo.

Thank you all for being the, well, just the coolest!

Here's to all of Squidoo having an even more successful fourth quarter with the New Giant Squid Challenge.