How should we categorize Breed ‘Em And Weep? This blog from Berkshires writer Jenn Mattern is ostensibly about the trials and tribulations of motherhood but, really, it is about so much more.

We could see putting Jenn’s blog under our Quirky category because how else would you describe, say, an imagined couple’s therapy session between Obama and McCain? It could go under Communication because Jenn has written the world’s wisest words on how to talk to a sad person. Humorous could work too, because virtually every post of Jenn’s has a comic touch, as could Community, because Breed ‘Em And Weep has a loyal group of readers who form friendships through her site.

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If you are single it may feel like you’ve searched everywhere for your special someone. But maybe you haven’t really searched, you know, everywhere. Like inside prison. Now, thanks to the magic of the internet, you don’t have to be a petty criminal to look for love inside the big house. At meet-an-inmate.com you can peruse prisoner personals—#198676 has a love of animals and a passion for cooking, #213783 loves all types of music—and then write an old fashion snail mail letter to your selection. If nothing else it is a way to brighten some one’s day. We’re just not sure we’d give our home address for a reply.

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This is one of the coolest sites on the web and so, by definition, it is one of our favorites. Learn how to add Bluetooth to your iPod, construct an electricity-producing wind generator from an old scanner, turn a calculator into a metal detector, create a hologram, make a wallet from duct tape and much much more. On the community-run Instructables people give and receive how-to advice on all manner of things, from quirky to practical. What’s great about it is the (usually) easy to follow instructions, with photos and/or video of each step. Check it out.

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Your mother always told you that homemade gifts were the most special. But she probably didn’t specify whose home they had to be made in. So if you aren’t handy, or are short on time, Etsy is the perfect place to purchase that special gift. Or, if you are handy and long on time, Etsy is the perfect place to sell that special gift.

Etsy is a bit like eBay in that it connects buyers and sellers. Except Etsy only deals in handmade crafts and vintage objects. And the goods for sale here have a lot more style than most of those on eBay. And the user interface is much more friendly. Even if you don’t want to buy anything it is worth checking Etsy out for an example of how good an online store can be. Search for artworks by color, through a time machine of items other Etsy shoppers have perused, find a home manufacturer by location, or request to have an item handmade especially for you!

As good as many of the crafts on Etsy are, the best part of this website might be its community spirit. Registered Etsy users can communicate through chats, forums and emails, team up on group projects, even take part in online workshops and classes. Many people have made friends—and more than a few have found a spouse—through this site. You might come to Etsy looking for that special gift but come away with a whole lot more.

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When we first visited 43 Things it struck us as a decidedly uncool website. Who cares whether Suzi_1 wants to drink more water or Melanie122 wants to loose weight? On the 43 Things web community people declare their life goals and give reports on their progress. And the more time we spent on the site the more we found it inspiring and informative. More interesting than following one particular person’s goals is following the communities that spring up around a shared goals. Not every goal has an active and intelligent participation so look around further if you are disappointed with you initial experience.

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