Since the pandemic the word stress , burnout (energy depletion, exhaustion and decreased professional efficacy) and anxiety seems to be the catchphrase. In my last two years of coaching every second person and organisations complaint in these words.
Louise Hay the author of several international books says that stress is nothing but our response to fear. Fear of the unknown. It is lack of trust in ourselves because we don’t trust life. We don’t trust that we are taken care of at a higher level. So we feel we must control everything at a physical level.
Fear is a very normal and natural emotion of the body. It was originally made a part of our system to protect us against danger. All organisms feel it. It is there to take care of us. When we feel fearful there is an adrenalin rush which helps us to fight or run away or freeze. Yet these reactions are only relevant when we are chased by a bear in the wild kind of situation.
I met Neha(name changed) in a coffee shop. For first few minutes she talked about how stressed and anxious she is. How she is getting panic attacks which is affecting all the aspects of her life. When we delved deeper I figured out she was disappointed because of her latest appraisal and a generally super competitive work environment. As a good performer in studies she was recruited through the campus placement. She was there to set out the same example in her work environment.
So simply put, our subconscious mind does know the difference between being chased by the bear or a competitive work environment. It only process the feeling of “run” the adrenaline rushes and you think that you are in a life threatening situation.
By deliberately training the mind, these feelings can easily be coped with. By creating new patterns of a life full of joy where you can not only survive but thrive in your uniqueness.
I talked to Rashi (name changed) couple of times. She was angry and frustrated as she has a travelling job and the house and children were left on their own. Her partner struggled with his job since the pandemic had hit and the chips were down.
We took a stock of things, Reviewed the overall money problems of the family. We also worked on Rashi expressing her needs more openly and acknowledging the needs of her partner. Opening the gates of communication and setting clear boundaries are the keys of a blissful joyous connection.
I saw two more remarkable men, One was displaced from his homeland and another witnessed long bouts of war while growing up. Psychologically they can be categorised into trans-generational trauma and PTSD. The underlying basic emotion for both will be fear.
While some misfortune in some time and phase of life does nowhere indicates that it will repeat itself. unless we keep playing it like a loop in our head. As a matter of fact, the more we work on releasing these incidences from your subconscious mind the more we free ourselves and also become free to then design a life of our desires.
Have you ever noticed little children of 2-4 years of age? They have very little fear. They treat everything with a sense of exploration and anticipation. We were like that once. Over a period of time we are conditioned to become the “good boys or girls” that the adults around us wanted us to be. We felt obligated because as children it becomes a matter of survival for us. Children don’t know that they have a choice. As adults we can choose different.
Through these multiple case studies in my sessions I wish to open your perception to yourself. While unfortunate things happen, life throws a curveball we still have the power and force within ourselves which is readily available to create a better and brighter life. A life full of knowledge, acceptance and bliss.
While sometimes others may not be able to help us as we expect them to. Yet we truly have the potential to turn within and look for the answers there. As google, Siri and Alexa combined cannot answer all your questions and guess what? Following your intuitive wisdom will never let you down. A coach’s promise.
Life loves you!
And so it is.


St. Teresa of Avila believed that the key to mental prayer was seeing it as part of your friendship with God.
It’s relatively easy to overcomplicate mental prayer, thinking that only saints can pray to God, and not poor sinners like us.
However, that is not true at all, and St. Teresa of Avila sets the record straight.
In The Book of Her Life, she described mental prayer in simple terms as friendship with God.
[M]ental prayer is nothing else, in my opinion, but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing in secret with Him, who we know loves us.
All of us know how to converse with a friend, as we typically talk to our friends on a daily basis.
Should we not talk to God in a similar way?
St. Teresa does admit that loving God can be difficult, because God loves us so much, and we love him so little.
Yet, we shouldn’t let our weakness discourage us. Simply put, we should strive to love God in our brokenness, seeing how much he loves us.
Now true love and lasting friendship require certain dispositions: those of our Lord we know are absolutely perfect; ours, vicious, sensual and thankless; and you cannot, therefore, bring yourselves to love Him as He loves you, because you have not the disposition to do so; and if you do not love Him yet, seeing how much it concerns you to have His friendship, and how great is His love for you, rise above that pain you feel at being much with Him who is so different from you.
We may not be the best of friends, but God is our true friend, one who is always with us no matter how weak or sinful we might be.
The next time you pray to God, talk to him as a friend and pour out your life to him, knowing that he is there and always listening.


The devastating effects of guilt are portrayed vividly in dostoevsky's fictional but all to real novel crime and punishment in the story, the main character raskolnikov commits a murder and. A society’s guilt, especially guilt as great and terrible as america’s, must be expressed, experienced, heard — and reconciled with truth, love, grace, forgiveness if none of that can.
Ten applies his discussion to problems in the punishment of a variety of offenders--the dangerously mentally ill, nazi war criminals, negligent drivers, rapists, and others--and considers. The first time i remember inflicting guilt-motivated punishment of this kind on myself was in preschool after i got angry with a fellow student and pushed him so hard that he slipped and. Shame, guilt, and punishment drawing on foucault’s discipline and punish and on his lecture on the punitive societies as well as on affect theories, this text tries to analyze a surprising.
Collective guilt, or guilt by association, 1959's ben-hur and 1983's prison crime drama bad boys depict collective responsibility and punishment the play 'an inspector calls' by jb.
Guilt manifests in several ways in fyodor dostoevsky's 'crime and punishment' rodion raskolnikov's guilt is exacerbated by his isolationist.
Creon’s actions and judgment in the play antigone were questionable, but i don’t think he deserved the punishment he received at the conclusion of the.


A Little Interlude
I discovered this today on The Drabblecast and I feel it needs to be shared with the world.
Also, the episode I found it on was pretty awesome. I love James Patrick Kelly and I discovered him on Audible, so I was pleased as punch to hear two of his marvelous stories on one of my favorite podcasts. If you haven’t read his book “Think Like a Dinosaur: and Other Stories,” you need to change that about yourself.


|dc.description.abstract||Change occurs recurrently in business organisation. Change Management (CM) is the instrument that guides how the organisation formulates, prepares and supports employees to effectively accept changes in order to drive organisational accomplishments and results. The aim of this research is to explore the people dimension of CM. This study took a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 10 employees from a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) and three employees from a large-sized organisation. Whilst there is a range of literature on CM, this research seeks to address gaps within that body of literature relating to the importance of including people when making changes within an organisation. It highlights the necessity of giving thought to people for any successful change implementation. People are at the core of an organisation and without them collectively on board with the change, the implementation of the new process could be put in risk of failing.
The key findings identified six major themes regarding the people dimension of CM: communication, culture, resistance, conflict, change leadership and empowerment. Communication is a key component in the change process. Many participants in the study reported that the change plan was communicated to them by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who they felt was open and transparent through the whole process. Organisational culture comes in the form of shared beliefs and values. It is the commonly accepted behaviours in an organisation and the way one behaves and conducts oneself. Some participants felt that the culture of the organisation has changed however, they felt that it still needs to progress to being one of change ready. Resistance can come in many forms and this brings with it a lot of emotional reactions to change. If left unchecked, resistance to the change process can put the whole programme at risk and therefore potentially damage the organisation. Conflict can happen when a person feels that they have not been heard or feel unsupported through the process. The idea around conflict is to not make it about personal issues and focus on what is best for all concerned. However, conflict can also be seen as being
important in that it is a pointer for detecting faulty processes and therefore become an indicator for corrective action to be taken by change leaders and senior management. Change Leadership findings were that managers were aware of the need to be supportive of employees and transition them into the change plan thereby valuing open and clear communications with everyone involved. Employee feedback is an integral part of the change process as employees can feel empowered in that they feel heard. It was also found that empowerment can come through social interactions at work situations and not just through the pay and reward systems.
This report focuses on how to successfully implement change, not only through leadership but also employee empowerment and targeting behaviours as an effective driver for reconfiguring the organisation. It will discuss the theoretical implications as well as the extent to which the study addresses some identified research questions. Then it will discuss workplace policy implications on CM and if there are any learning for CM and Human Resource (HR) professionals. These implications predominantly relate to an increased awareness to value people when designing and implementing a change process in today’s SMEs in New Zealand (NZ). It also discusses the methodological implications arising from to the semi-structured interview design used in this study. This report concludes with a summary of the people dimension of CM for SMEs in the NZ business environment.||en_US


|Amazon Price||New from||Used from|
A cute read that ends rather quickly. It's a coming g of age book for the characters Holden and fern but not too much development for anyone else. Read morePublished 1 month ago by Katherine A. Hebert
this book is so good i love it ! itbgoes really deep ino her feelings at the end when someone she loves s much dies. I criwd so many times in this bok its not even funnyPublished 2 months ago by dilemma
This book is amazing! Okay, I'll admit when I first bought this book, it was solely for the cover. My friend and I bought it at the same time and finished at the same time, with... Read morePublished 3 months ago by Live & Laugh
This book was recommended by my best friend on earth and it totally broke my heart into a million pieces. Read morePublished 3 months ago by Alyson Belden
My daughter was reading this at school and she would come home talking about it, so I was curious and read it myself. Deals with a lot of life events well, was a well written book!Published 3 months ago by S. Allison
Five stars indefinitely, beautiful writing.
Warning there is a very heart-breaking moment.
This book is best for fifth through eighth grade. Read more
Will make you feel like you are in the family and you will be crying as the book goes on. Loved this book good for middle school kids and even adults!!!!!!!!!!!Published 4 months ago by Kmuller
I'm extremely picky when it comes to Middle Grade books. Due to this, I tend to avoid them most of the time because when I do read them, I'm notoriously hard on them and my rating... Read morePublished 6 months ago by endlesswonderofreading


Upon reading the pages of this book, by Alicia Paulson, I felt right at home. It was so refreshing to read of someone who shared the same type of ideals for preserving family history and the same appreciation for family heirlooms. Family history is not just what is past, but what we are creating each day. I really appreciated that she presents a way to create family heirlooms that does not involve traditional scrap booking, but combines photos and sewing. I feel nostalgic just looking at the pages and I can’t wait to complete many of the projects in this book.


The chiasm outlined by Jo-Ann A. Brant has a classic seven-point structure.
A Exterior: John 18:29-32, Jesus is brought to Pilate with a demand for execution; Pilate refuses
B Interior: John 18:33-38, Pilate asks about Jesus’s royal claim
C Exterior: John 18:38-40, Pilate finds Jesus innocent, but the temple elite choose Barabbas
D Interior: John 19:1-3, Soldiers scourge and scorn Jesus
C’ Exterior: John 19:4-8, Pilate finds Jesus innocent, but temple elite charge capital crime
B’ Interior: John 19:9-11, Pilate asks about Jesus’s origins
A’ Exterior: John 19:12-15, Temple elite demand Jesus’s execution; Pilate agrees
We have crested the final arc in this chiasm, with only three more verses left, and in them will come a decision so momentous it changed the entire trajectory of human history for the rest of eternity.
Pilate could feel his face pulled into a scowl, as he stared at the crowd before him, and the Sanhedrin officials standing at the front. As he idly stroked the highly polished pommel of his judge’s bench, he mulled over the last words of this mysterious spiritual king. You do not have any authority and power over me at all if it had not been given to you from above.
And it was true. He had served with honor in the army, proven himself an able cavalryman, lethal with the short and long sword, and had risen to the coveted Imperial Equestrian Guard order. From plebian to nobleman, he was now a man of wealth, married to a king’s daughter, and Procurator of a large Roman province. Nevertheless, these things had been given to him from above him.
His thoughts turned to his erstwhile friend and mentor, Sejanus. For just a few years, Sejanus had been almost the most powerful man in Rome, and Pilate had reaped the benefits. But Sejanus had been stripped of his honorific, “Friend of Caesar,” and put to death. And it could happen to me, even if my Claudia is Tiberius’s daughter. Pilate absently rubbed the back of his neck, then his eyes, and cheek. His head ached. Rousted from his bed at first dawn, thrust into yet another contentious conflict with the Sanhedrin. He looked darkly at Annas.
He had done all he could to free this righteous and just man, standing on The Stone Pavement, waiting with tranquil dignity for his judgement. Justice was the bedrock upon which Pax Romana was built, the justice and righteousness of imperial Rome was what the world so desperately needed, and he had been appointed to uphold it. Yet though he had washed his hands of this tawdry and sordid case, he still felt oily and unclean.
The one who handed me over to you has greater sin. Pilate found himself hoping the vengeance of the gods would rain upon that guiltier one and spare himself. He had a trust to keep with the Caesars, and he was a man of his word, a man of integrity, a military man who understood orders.
With both hands now resting on the finials of his judge’s bench, feet arranged as a Roman patrician, jaw so clenched even his eyes hurt, shoulders so knotted his movements were stiff, he jutted his chin toward Jesus, and raised his voice just enough for the temple elite to hear him.
Behold your king.
His voice sounded rasping and forced, making him realize how sore his throat felt, constricted. He tried to pull in a deep draught of air, now noticing how hard it was breathe. He held Caiaphas with his eyes, drilling hostile contempt into the other man’s face.
John had been praying, his prayer shawl over his head, rocking back and forth, tears forming out of sheer exhaustion and fading shock. Blessed are You, O Lord our Adonai, King of the Universe, Who protects Your own. Please spare my rabbi.
He thought of those years ago—had it only been three?—when the Baptist had pointed to Jesus. Behold! That was all he had said, at first. But all the heads had swiveled and all the mouths had fallen open, as they followed the point of his finger. John smiled as his sight turned inward to remember that warm spring day.
Jesus had kept walking with a measured pace, as though he had not noticed every eye was upon him, almost as if to continue past the rapt crowd and their taut prophet.
The Lamb of God. The Baptist had not shouted the words, but it was as though his voice rolled from heaven itself, with such power and depth their very bones had felt as though to vibrate from their joints. John remembered looking at Andrew questioningly, and Andrew looking at their rabbi with the same question.
They had not known what to do. But the Baptist’s gaze had held steady as he continued to hold his hand out to Jesus, and it had seemed as though all the energy of the cosmos swirled around them. The sky had grown bluer, the clouds whiter, the sandy earth a brilliant ochre, olive trees and grasses had turned a luscious, verdant green as the Lamb of God walked through.
Then, as if their minds had been connected, he and Andrew had come to the same decision in the same moment. John’s breath caught, and his heart pounded as he remembered the moment Jesus had stopped, without warning, to turn and look at them, as they had been following him from a distance.
Who or what are you seeking after?
John swallowed as he remembered. Now he spoke back to that figure in his mind, You, rabbi, You, Master, the Lamb of God, we are seeking after you. John opened his eyes as he strained forward to hear the conversation happening far in front of him between the governor and the Sanhedrin officials. Somewhere afar off, trumpets from the temple mount caught his attention. It is the sixth hour, he thought. They were to have sacrificed a lamb together on this day, his family with Peter’s family.
Realization, with sharp clarity, fell on him with all the force and heat of a midsummer noonday sun. Today was the Preparation of Passover, and suddenly John was overcome by what was happening to his rabbi. But the blood of the Lamb of God had already been shed. Would it be enough? Would the Lord spare him? Or would he be slaughtered after all, and skewered as every Passover lamb was, to be roasted?
Would his beloved Master also roast in the sun today, on a cross?
Now the Gabbatha, the stone pavement on which Jesus stood before Pilate, where the procurator’s dais had been placed, seemed like the pavement of the temple precinct, the place where the lambs were led to be inspected, then sent to the altar.
Away! Away! Crucify him!
John had not heard what Pilate had said, but he could hear the chief priests’ loud cries, and the furious growls of the Sanhedrin elders.
Your king would I crucify? Pilate had leaned forward as he spoke, keeping both hands on the arms of his judge’s seat. John could just make out his words, for the governor had not spoken loudly. But the chief priests’ answer was easy to hear, shouted with such brazen abandon, John could feel the blood drain from his head, as a wave of nausea and vertigo swept through him.
We do not have a king if not Caesar!
The crowd were mostly Zealots and Zionists, pledged to protect the holy people of God from every foreign power, who hated the Roman imperialists, who despised Sadducean politics. They had come to demand Bar Abbas’s release, and those of his followers were already planning their next moves once he was out of prison.
Now angry rumbles rippled through as knots of people began to murmur against this saying of their religious rulers. They had no king if not the Hasmonean dynasty! Certainly not the Caesars!
Fear sickened John, as the press of bodies all around him began to surge forward. Pilate’s face jerked up as he noted the change in the people. The captain of the guard had also noticed, and already was leading Jesus away to the back where prisoners were kept. Herod’s Praetorium guard drew imperceptibly closer, their hands quietly tightening on shield and sword.
With a slight gesture, Pilate indicated court was now closed, and armed men, waiting along the hall’s perimeter now pushed into the crowd and dispersed the smoldering men. John tried to move in the direction of Jesus’s captors, but the crush of crowd and soldiers shoved him back and back, until he lost sight of the Master altogether.
[Story taken from John 19:13-16]
[Judgment at Gabbatha | The Brooklyn Museum, James Tissot, Public Domain]


As a frequently used product with antimicrobial activity, consumed allicin might be discharged and concentrated in waste-activated sludge (WAS). However, the influence of allicin (as an exogenous pollutant) on WAS fermentation has not been clearly revealed. This study aimed to disclose the impacts of allicin on volatile fatty acid (VFA) generation during WAS fermentation. The results showed that the appropriate presence of allicin (10 mg/g TSS) significantly enhanced the VFA yield (1894 versus 575 mg COD/L in the control) with increased acetate proportion (24.3%). Further exploration found that allicin promoted WAS solubilization, hydrolysis and acidification simultaneously. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the key genes involved in extracellular hydrolysis metabolism (i.e., CAZymes), membrane transport (i.e., gtsA and ytfT), substrate metabolism (i.e., yhdR and pfkC) and fatty acid synthesis (i.e., accA and accD) were all highly expressed. Allicin also induced the bacteria to produce more signalling molecules and regulate cellular functions, thereby enhancing the microbial adaptive and regulatory capacity to the unfavourable environment. Moreover, the variations in fermentative microbes and their contributions to the upregulation of functional genes (i.e., ytfR, gltL, INV, iolD and pflD) for VFA generation were disclosed. Overall, the simultaneous stimulation of functional microbial abundances and metabolic activities contributed to VFA production in allicin-conditioned reactors.


Endangered Species: Short Stories
Gene Wolfe, whose tetralogy The Book of the New Sun was the most acclaimed science fiction work of the 1980s, offered his second collection of short fiction in 1990 to universal acclaim.
This is a hefty volume of over 30 unforgettable stories in a variety of genres-- SF, fantasy, horror, mainstream-many of them offering variations on themes and situations found in folklore and fairy tales, and including two stories, "The Cat" and "The Map," which are set in the universe of his New Sun novels. Wolfe's deconstructions/reconstructions are provocative, multilayered, and resonant.
This embarrassment of literary riches is a must for all Gene Wolfe fans, and anyone who loves a good tale beautifully told.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Tag This Book
This Book Has Been Tagged
Notify Me When The Price...
Log In to track this book on eReaderIQ.


Hmmmm, good point. Let me think on that.
Because we're working backwards, from the Story Telling down to Encoding down to Forming, it is tempting to make these sorts of connections. But because one party reacts to the steadfastness of another party does not mean that the storyform is dictating any specific judgment of the story results. Storyforms by themselves do not dictate meaning. Meaning emerges out of encoding, weaving, and especially reception. As an audience member I can just as easily interpret that More's conscience was important enough to hold it firm until death, regardless of how the State would react to it. Both this view and the one you shared are neither supported nor refuted by the storyform.
But I get what you're feeling. It seems weird that when one side capitulates to the other, they end up worse rivals than before, or that the Steadfast man of conscience somehow makes things worse. A couple of thoughts:
A) Typically in Dramatica, in discussing the "flavor" of an ending, we speak of two variables,
Judgment. The software suggests a third: the final state of the relationship.
Reaching the [Relationship] Story Solution means the...relationship will strengthen, lack of the [Relationship] Story Solution at the end of the story means they're in a degenerating relationship.
A good example of this is seen in the end of The Verdict. The lawyer Frank Galvin has won the suit in the end and regained his faith in the legal system. This means that the story has the dynamics of Success, and Good. Frank's relationship with his Impact Character Laura, however, has completely degenerated so that their orbits may never cross again. The [Relationship] Story has not reached its Solution which puts a darker spin on the end of the story than would be there if they had somehow been able to resolve the conflict between them. This darker feeling is appropriate for The Verdict. Depending on the story you're telling, it may be appropriate for your story as well.
B) Speaking of More's 'influence' on the IC is potentially misleading -- they're called the Main Character and Influence Character regardless of their Resolves. A Change IC is still the IC, and thus directs influence toward the MC. I think it's an easy mistake to link 'influence' to the Resolve dynamic, assuming that the Steadfast character influences the Change one, but it's not quite accurate.
I could be wrong, but I believe one way to interpret a Steadfast MC / Change IC scenario is to have the IC's influence on the MC wane, to the point that the IC gives up. It's less about the IC adopting the MC approach and more about how the MC resists the influence and remains Steadfast. In such stories the IC perspective is less relevant on its own -- how it influences the MC (and succeeds or fails in this regard) is more important.


[Abraham] considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead(Hebrews 11:19)
We have come to the BIG event in Abraham’s life. It is the high point to which his life of faith carried him. Of course, it’s not quite as easy as the clichés make it sound. Biblically, this is the big one and through the centuries people heap praise on this event. But practically, the specific example is not one we would support anyone following. Were a Pastor to preach on this incident, and one of his listeners say “I have been greatly inspired by your sermon. This afternoon, Junior and I are going off to worship and later we will return.” The pastor would do everything in his power to dissuade the man. In fact, the intervention would be quite intense and final. If the guy could not be dissuaded, junior would not be allowed to go with him.
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here am I, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba. (Genesis 22:1-19)
Clearly there is a lot going on here and as usual, I’m going to sprint through it. As the story of Abraham’s life has gone on, there have been many allusions and connections to this story. Here are some observations.
The timing of this event (After these things, looking back to the previous chapter with Birth of Isaac, his weaning and the subsequent banishment of Hagar and her son, and the treaty with Abimelech at Beersheba) is hard to nail down. Typically, it is thought that Isaac was early teens when this happened, given the physical task he performed. If so, that would make Abraham early teens plus 100 years.
It says God “tested” Abraham. The Hebrew word has a range of meanings: to test or try or prove. What seems to be tested is Abraham’s obedience. Given that one aspect of testing is perfecting, I would say that this testing was not to see if Abraham would obey so much as to push him into the step of growth where he came to understand that God would raise Isaac from the dead. In the previous blog (on Genesis 18) I talked about Abraham struggling with the thought that no matter how things may look, the Judge of the whole earth shall do right. Here, the judge of the whole earth will do right with Abraham’s covenant, promises and his son, his only son, whom he loves, Isaac.
The love for the son is a huge component in this event yet the story reads fairly devoid of emotional content. I think that any teaching of Jesus’ words, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26) should include this passage in its analysis. Outside observers would say that Abraham must hate Isaac, but in reality Abraham’s love for Isaac was intense, as was his love for Ishmael, whom he sent away in chapter 21.
In an interesting echo, God says this was to be done on a mountain “of which I will tell you”. This goes all the way back to the first call of Abraham. Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. (Genesis 12:1) Once again, there was a call to go but the specifics await a later revelation. He was to sacrifice on a mountain in Moriah (approximately 50 miles from where Abraham lived in Beersheba), which some say eventually became the Temple Mount, based on 2 Chronicles 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah. It seems, however, that Jerusalem was already inhabited at that time (Melchizedek, in Chapter 14, was King of Salem, which many think may have been Jerusalem). The place Abraham went to seems more remote, but still in the land of Moriah.
Another parallel can be found with the previous chapter. In chapter 21, God had told Abraham to send away his son from Hagar. God coupled that command with the promise that Ishmael would become a great nation. Abraham’s response was immediate So Abraham rose early in the morning (Genesis 21:14) and we find an equal immediacy in chapter 22, So Abraham rose early in the morning (Genesis 22:3).
I would like to point something else out. A lot of times we read this story and Isaac is mainly background. We don’t know what he was thinking or when or if he caught on to what was going on. “Whatchya doing with the knife, dad?” I think the text offers a clue. It’s a phrase found in verses 6 and 8. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here am I, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:6-8) It may be speculation on my part, but it seems that here is where Isaac came to understand what was going on. The repeated phrase “so they went both of them together” on each side of the interaction says more than they were walking together, but has the added weight that Isaac, now knowing the plan, submits in faith. Also, looking ahead to after the event, it says So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. (Genesis 22:19). The story emphasizes the unity of father and son in the event.
Upon reaching the place God revealed, it says that Abraham built the altar. Again, this is an echo from Abraham’s whole life. Whenever he went anywhere, he built an altar. In my article on Abraham’s call, I noted that in the Hebrew of Genesis 12:1-3 there were two imperatives, “go” (12:1) and “be a blessing” (12:2). Abraham went in obedience, but also in obedience to the second imperative, wherever he went, Abraham built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. (Genesis 12:8) Here in chapter 22, Abraham’s altar was to sacrifice Isaac and it equally fulfills his calling to be a blessing.
In the end, God did provide a ram as substitute for Isaac. Note that Abraham looked and saw a ram. Similarly, Hagar looked and saw a well in the previous chapter (21:19). Abraham, who showed no expectation of a substitute, received his son back from the dead, as he believed he would.
God’s striking words, I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. (Genesis 22:12), evokes for me another father who also did not withhold his son He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32) Speaking about false idols, the Psalmist says Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. (Psalms 115:8) From the life of Abraham, we see that the life of faith is a journey in becoming like the one we worship. We think like he thinks, and commit to his commitments.
In a conversation with a Jewish friend, it was pointed out that Jewish tradition says that Isaac was 37 years old at the time of this incident.
Pingback: Worship begins in your heart | bummyla
A couple of more interactions for thought:
In my conversation with the Jewish friend mentioned above, I observed that Scripturally, Isaac was 37 years-old when Sarah died and asked if Jewish tradition connects the two events. My friend replied yes, Jewish tradition has it that when Abraham and Isaac returned from the trip and explained what happened, Sarah was overcome with grief that something must have been wrong with Isaac’s purity that God would not accept his sacrifice and she died in mourning. This is an incredibly crass misreading and re-writing of the event which subtracts a lot but adds nothing to our understanding of the Revelation.
I recently read a sermon which pointed out that verse 19 does not mention Isaac, but that Abraham and his servants “walked together” back home. The Sermon builds on this point so that Isaac was hurt and threatened by the attempted sacrifice, left Abraham and went his own way. Again, I don’t think this speculation adds anything to the text. Isaac was at least back with Abraham when it was time to get a wife.


Coleridge cautioned us about being careful regarding who we curse. As penance for thedeed of failing to recognize the beauty in even slimy ugly things, the Marinermust wander around this old world & tell his story for others to hear: He prayeth best, who loveth best-All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.
Merry Christmas, TT


I am afraid of all my sorrows
That they would return upon him, and surround him, and overwhelm him, so that he should not be able to stand up against them, or under them; that they would increase and continue with him, and so he should never be released from them:
I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent:
a sudden apostrophe to God as near him; the meaning is not, that he was confident that God would not justify him but condemn him in a spiritual sense; Job did not despair of his everlasting salvation, he knew and believed in his living Redeemer; he knew he should be acquitted and justified by his righteousness, and not be condemned with the world; but he was certain of this, as he thought that God would neither "cleanse" F11 him, as some render the word, from the worms his flesh was clad with, and from the filthy boils and ulcers he was covered with; nor clear him so as that he should appear to be innocent in the sight and judgment of his friends; but go on to treat him as if he was a guilty person, by continuing his afflictions on him, even unto death; he had no hope of being freed from them, and so of being cleared from the imputation of his friends, who judged of him by his outward circumstances.
F11 (ynqnt al yk) "quod non mundabis me", Montanus, Bolducius, Beza.


I am a massive Marianne Curley fan (having read all her books as a teen and now as a ya) and have been waiting for the final book since I devoured the last one! She didn't disappoint at all! The story is gripping and pulls you in from the first page! The great thing is I had no idea how the plot would unravel and there were so many twists and turns...sigh..it was amazing!! I feel sad to have finished it just because the series has now come to an end!! Extremely well written and she ties up all loose ends which makes it a satisfying read! I really hope you continue to write more series Marianne!


The Art of Self-Editing: A Masterclass for Amazon Self-Published Authors
Unleash Your Inner Editor and Polish Your Prose to Perfection
In the realm of self-publishing, authors don their many hats — writers, marketers, and now, editors. Embark on this journey of self-editing mastery, a crucial step in crafting a polished manuscript that captivates readers. Prepare to transform your raw words into a refined symphony of storytelling, ready to enchant and enthrall.
1. Embrace the Editor’s Mindset: From Writer to Artisan
Transitioning from writer to editor requires a shift in perspective. As an editor, your focus shifts from creating content to refining it. Embrace this new role as an artisan, meticulously shaping and molding your prose until it gleams with brilliance.
2. Master the Art of Self-Critique: A Journey of Discovery
Self-critique, the cornerstone of self-editing, demands honesty and a discerning eye. Approach your manuscript as an objective reader, seeking areas for improvement. This critical analysis unveils opportunities to enhance clarity, tighten structure, and eliminate inconsistencies, ensuring your story’s seamless flow.
3. Harness the Power of Editing Tools: Your Digital Allies
Leverage the myriad editing tools at your disposal to streamline your editing process. Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and Hemingway Editor stand as your digital allies, aiding in identifying grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and readability issues. These tools serve as your eagle-eyed assistants, ensuring your manuscript is polished to perfection.
4. Embark on a Reading Odyssey: Immersing Yourself in Your Story
Step away from the editing screen and dive deep into your manuscript as a reader. Immerse yourself in the narrative, letting the story wash over you. This fresh perspective unveils inconsistencies in plot, character development, and pacing. It’s like taking a road trip through your story, spotting detours and roadblocks that need attention.
5. Craft Compelling Characters: The Heartbeats of Your Story
Characters are the lifeblood of any narrative. As you self-edit, scrutinize each character’s arc, motivations, and interactions. Ensure they are well-developed, relatable, and consistent throughout the story. Your characters should leap off the page, etching themselves into readers’ memories long after they finish your book.
6. Structure Your Story: The Architectural Masterpiece
A well-structured story is like a sturdy house with a solid foundation and a clear layout. Examine your plot, ensuring it has a compelling beginning, a rising action that builds tension, a satisfying climax, and a resolution that ties up loose ends. Your story’s structure should guide readers through an emotional journey, leaving them breathless and eager for more.
7. Polish Your Prose: The Art of Wordsmithing
As you self-edit, pay meticulous attention to your prose. Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases, tightening your sentences and paragraphs for maximum impact. Craft vivid imagery and sensory details that transport readers into your story’s world. Your words should dance on the page, painting pictures and evoking emotions.
8. Seek Feedback: The Wisdom of the Crowd
While self-editing is essential, seeking feedback from beta readers or critique partners adds an invaluable layer to the process. These readers provide fresh perspectives, pointing out areas for improvement that you might have missed. Embrace their insights with an open mind, considering their suggestions and incorporating them where appropriate.
9. The Final Polish: Your Manuscript’s Grand Finale
After multiple rounds of self-editing and feedback, your manuscript is nearing its final form. At this stage, focus on the finer details: proofreading for any remaining errors, ensuring consistency in formatting, and creating a visually appealing layout. Remember, a well-presented manuscript reflects professionalism and attention to detail, leaving a positive impression on potential readers and publishers.
Unleash Your Polished Masterpiece: The Gateway to Success
As you embark on your journey of self-editing, remember that the goal is not perfection but excellence. Embrace the process, learn from your mistakes, and grow as a writer. With dedication and perseverance, you will transform your manuscript into a polished masterpiece, ready to captivate readers and leave a lasting impression. The world of self-publishing awaits your arrival, and your story is poised to take flight.


Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise
Anders Ericcson, Robert Pool
This is a wonderful book that I only wish had been released years ago. Ericcson and Pool outline how expertise is developed, and discuss the proper way to practice. As you read, take note of the major differences between naïve practice and purposeful practice, and then the subtle difference between purposeful practice and deliberate practice and think about what changes you can institute to your own practices to make them more deliberate and- as a result- more effective. The authors additionally debunk the role of 'natural talent' in developing expertise, and note that positing that an individual has acheived success in a field due to 'natural talent' discounts the vast effort the individual applied to gaining expertise, and can even be insulting.
Decide and Deliver: Five Steps to Breakthrough Performance in Your Organization
Marcia Blenko, Michael C. Mankins, Paul Rogers
This book, an output of several years of research done by Bain & Company, examines how decisions are made and acted upon by an organization and shows how successfull decision-making and execution can make organizations excel. Beyond walking through a five-step process for improving 'decision effectiveness', the book features many exercises that allow you to quickly assess some of the principles yourself. The authors provide several case studies for how companies succeed and fail based on their decision-making effectiveness, and provide frameworks so readers can implement many of these learnings within their organizations.
The Experience Economy
B. Joseph Pine II, James H. Gilmore
What makes a coffee at Starbucks worth (or at least cost) so much more than the beans from which they're made? What about a coffee at a café on the Champs-Élysées? This book examines how customers value experience and how organizations can capitalize on this. Additionally, for readers who operate in a commoditized market, it is important to consider how the experience- whether around purchasing, delivery, or service- can differentiate a company and its products. These differentiators can increase not only the value of your product to your customers, but subsequently also improve customer loyalty. The book was refreshed by its authors in 2011, increasing its relevance in the digital age.
Until Ron Chernow's Pulitzer Prize winning biography - and Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award winning musical inspired by said biography - Alexander Hamilton was commonly one of the most under-rated American Founding Fathers. From tragedy to triumph and back to tragedy, Hamilton's story is one of immense grit, insatiable hunger for knowledge, and (as expected with any civil servant) political scheming. Though removed by hundreds of years, it's incredible how many personal characteristics Hamilton shares with the business titans of today. Chernow masterfully - and thankfully - gives a comprehensive view of Hamilton's development, inspiration, and work by providing not only an in-depth analysis of each, but also providing the background context historically of America's infancy and even the material which Hamilton himself was reading.
The Innovator's Dilemma
Clayton M. Christensen
This a canonical business book that talks about how companies miss out on the waves of disruption that new technologies cause in markets. Chirstensen reviews many cases of innovation that companies did and did not identify, and the evolution of the market that followed. That said, while many of the market distruptions highlighted in the book are very well explained, it is not obvious that they were as easy to identify at the time. Unfortunately, Christensen does not provide a detailed plan for identifying these opportunities- though of course he perhaps addresses those if you buy his other book: The Innovator's Solution (which I haven't done so yet).
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Chip Heath, Dan Heath
In this book, Chip and Dan Heath explore how ideas stick with our audiences. They identify some of the critical characteristics of ideas that make them memorable, and provide a mnemonic for remembering them easily. The authors review not only the characteristics of these communications but also how to apply them in your daily communications. Effective communications is critical at every level of an organization, from mobilizing the front-line to persuading customers. The effectiveness of this format is easily experienced as you'll find that the message of this book sticks quite well.
Jason Fried, David H. Hansson
I've had the pleasure of listening to Fried talk at a fireside chat which led me to this book. Rework is a fantastic playbook for being more productive, the right way. The authors keenly point out why much of the conventional wisdom about businesses is often wrong in quite an edgy way (one section is named Underdo Your Competition), and ask you focus on what it is that needs to be done, and how to do it. I have personally changed much of my work style after reading Rework, including blocking out several hours of interruption-free time every day. At its heart, this book stresses that you have to worker smarter, not harder; you should be constantly looking for ways to make your work more efficient rather than looking to spend more time working.
Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business
John Mackey, Rajendra Sisodia
Whole Foods Co-Founder Mackey, along with his Conscious Capitalism Inc. Co-Founder Sisodia re-imagine capitalism where businesses take into account and value the full breadth of their stakeholder map. When companies treat each of their stakeholders ethically, they not only contribute to more meaningfully to the communities they touch, but they are frequently more profitable as well. While not everyone will take the extreme of accepting $1 as their annual salary (nor do most have the luxury of being able to), being more conscious as you run your business is a lesson from which everyone can learn.
Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends
I was introduced to this book when Sanders spoke at Foundercon back in 2013. The subtitle is evocative of Carnegie's classic, and adds to many of its learnings. At its core, the book is about being an enabler not only as a manager but also as a networker, with the goal of becoming what Sanders terms a 'lovecat'. Sharing your knowledge (which incidentally led me to make this entire page), helping to make meaningful connections within your network, and being a compassionate businessperson will likely cost you little and serves to grow your business intelligence and can create personal evangelists on your team.
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
While roughly a dozen biographies on Elon Musk have already been written, Vance is the first to write with the aid of Musk himself and access to colleagues, employees, and family. Vance follows the story of Musk as he becomes a business titan and builds Musk Co. from the ground up. Those who have studies social styles will quickly note that Elon Musk is a Driver, but has the attention to detail of an Analytic and the public persona of an Expressive. While his incessant driving has left behind those who couldn't comply, I couldn't help but be inspired by Musk's indomitable spirit. It distinctly reminds me that hard work at all costs has its costs, yet the rewards are in achieving what was once thought to be impossible.
Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard
Chip Heath, Dan Heath
In their follow-up to Made to Stick, the Heath brothers dive into how change is brought about, from our personal lives up to corporate restructures. They apply Jonathan Haidt's elephant rider metaphor - popularized in The Happiness Hypothesis - to demonstrate the common pitfalls of our attempts to change, and how to avoid them. The Heath brothers format the book in well de-composed (and not dissimilar from their previously successful) format walking readers through directing the 'Rider', motivating the 'elephant', and finally shapping the 'Path'.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
Sapiens provides a refreshing look at examining the impact humanity from the lens of multiple perspectives, including biological and cultural. Harari applies this framework to examine everything from domestication, to religion, to capitalism. The explanation of 'shared myths' - those truths that invariably hold together the society that we live in as well as any that came before - allows us to examine how these myths shaped our world today, and inadvertently provides us a way to examine how to change those myths. While in the context of institutions like government or economics this may seem manipulative, in reality this is exactly what legislatures and economists do today.
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbably
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Possible one of the most obnoxious non-fiction (depending on your views on Yevgenia) books I've forced myself through, Taleb explores in The Black Swan the phenomenom of highly improbably events, our numerous biases that prevent us from predicting them, and their disproportionate impact on the world around us. While I feel that Taleb unnecessarily overcomplicates his explanations of many phenomena in an attempt to a) relate them to himself (and his hate of the French); and b) make it all the more dramatic when he reveals the answer, Taleb still provides one of the most comprehensive accounts of the making of the improbable events that transpire around us, and the effects that conspire to prevent us from clearly predicting them.
The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail - But Some Don't
The Twitter wars between Silver and Taleb are legendary, but after reading both The Signal and the Noise and Taleb's The Black Swan it is hard for me not to find myself on Silver's side. Silver lays out one of the most compelling and lucid cases for accepting randomness in the world around us and being able to make predictions nonetheless. To me, one of the most important lessons of the book is to accept uncertainty - where there are limits to our understanding, there will be limits to the accuracy of the predictions we can make. Making overly precise predictions over systemic uncertainty is an excellent way for an unexpected outcome.
Everything is Obvious: Once You Know the Answer
Duncan J. Watts
Everything is Obvious is the perfect sociioligical companion to Silver's The Signal and the Noise. It examines the decision-making process we all go through in the face of probabilistic statements. Of note, the book breaks down the confusion of using probabilistic statements for discrete events. From a strategic sense, the lessons are to keep open-minded and prepare for unexpected outcomes. Emergent strategy is required for businesses to cope with the inevitable deltas between their projections and reality.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE
Phil Knight, the founder and chairman of Nike, writes a poignant memoir about the creation of Nike: the personal adventures, the difficulty (particularly financial), and the rewards. Knight speaks of his travels in his post-university days, which reminded me of my own travels during the time. The work of growing a business across both national and cultural borders is remarkable. Additionally, Knight writes candidly about the difficulty in managing both Nike and his own home life as he was growing his business.
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
What started as a business read quickly became one of the most transformative I've ever read on communications. Whether you are coaching an employee who is struggling, approaching your manager for a promotion or funding for a project, or having a tough conversation with a relative, high stakes conversations quickly become tense. This book has really changed how I communicate and it has paid dividends in both my personal and professional life. Remember, always assume that whoever you are speaking with is rational!
Geoffrey G. Parker, Marshall W. Van Alstyne, Sangeet Paul Choudary
Companies positioning themselves as 'platforms' are becoming an increasingly important part of our economy. Whether intermediating rides with Uber and Lyft, launching new products with Kickstarter and Indiegogo, or renting out homes with Airbnb and VRBO (or, even connecting romantic partners like Hinge and OkCupid), platform companies act as a intermediary to improve the flow of goods, services, and information between counterparties, and also engage in important filtration, quality assurance, and sometimes literal insurance activities in order to maximize the flow of activities between counterparties and ensure the best experience possible for all parties. This is a wonderful primer on how to manage a platform business, and the strategy that these companies employ today.


Jamaica Inn was my latest CC spin choice. I also realised recently that I would be able to join in Heavenali’s Daphne Du Maurier reading week too, provided I got my review done on time. So here we go!
My Du Maurier journey began many, many years ago when I read Rebecca, undoubtedly her most famous novel. I was left feeling rather underwhelmed. It was okay but not amazing or even particularly memorable, in my opinion. I thought that would be that regards DDM.
About a decade later, in 2007, I was travelling around England, with Mr Books for the World Cup, when in a gorgeous B and B near Hadrian’s Wall, I discovered a copy of Mary Anne. The first pages had me hooked. This story – part family history, part fiction was just the right thing at the right time. I left behind my just-finished (and unloved) copy of Chesil Beach (that’s another story entirely) and invited Mary Anne to join me for the rest of our trip.
A few years back a CCSspin gave me My Cousin Rachel. I was a little cautious in my approach but ended up loving the psychological tension that oozed off every page. DDM was definitely back in my good books.
Which brings us to Jamaica Inn. I found it to be a very light, easy gothic mystery romance. It was enjoyable, although predictable. The romance was less gushing, soft romance and more realistic, making-the-best-of-a-(possible)-bad situation, while the mystery was carefully plotted tension rather than seat-of-your-pants terror.
Joss Merlyn was a tough man with a weak character. Aunt Patience was just weak. Jem Merlyn was enigmatic and painted as the ‘bad boy rebel’. Vicar Francis Davey was enigmatic and painted as the ‘knight in shining armour’. Mary was our spunky, sassy heroine. As independent and in control as a woman of her age was allowed to be (some time in the 1820’s I believe).
On reflection, Jamaica Inn was less gothic and more an interesting dip into the mind of an alcoholic. His psychological pain was sympathetically drawn by Du Maurier, curiously more so than the obvious and devastating pain suffered by Aunt Patience at his hands.
The pretty, pretty VMC cover (designed by Neisha Crosland) added to my pleasure.
Du Maurier tells us in a note at the start, that Jamaica Inn is a real place, while Annabel @Shiny New Books fills in some of the blanks:
Jamaica Inn, the setting for her famous novel of 1936, sits high on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. It was built in 1750 as a coaching inn and was a stopping-off place for many a smuggler. Du Maurier stayed there in 1930, and when out riding with her friend Foy Quiller-Couch got lost in the fog – but their horses returned them safely. This experience and hearing the tales of smuggling and ghosts associated with the inn inspired Daphne. These days, the lively inn is a famous tourist destination.
Favourite Character: Bad boy Jem of course!
Favourite or Forget: Enjoyable but forgettable.
Facts: Made into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock in 1939, an ITV series in 1983, adapted for the stage by David Horlock in 1990 and a BBC adaptation in 2014.


QSFer Louice Svedin has a new queer fantasy book out:
Anne has led a privileged life: she is a weaver, a magic user, in a world ruled by the extraordinary.
Yet one day it all changes. She is deemed too powerful by the aristocracy and is sent to a monastery for life. To avoid this fate she embarks on a journey, driven by a prophecy she doesn’t want to fulfill. But will she have any choice in the end?
The Book of Songs is the first stand-alone novel in The Weaver Trilogy. Written by Louice Svedin, it’s a story about friendship and sacrifice, and how who we are often is shaped by those we meet.
Get It On Amazon
When the realization of my complete loneliness dawned on me, I was deep inside the forest. Even though I really only wanted to lay down on the ground and die, there was something that made me keep going and to keep living. This pained existence continued for months, and I had long since given up on the idea of ever being happy again when I met her.
At first, I thought she was a spirit of the forest, a nymph that had spent its entire life among the mossy stones and decaying tree trunks. The blonde woman was too beautiful to be real, and she moved smoothly over the uneven ground as she walked away from me. I was torn between my longing for company and the fear that she might want to hurt me. Finally, I decided to follow her at a distance in the hope of getting to know her.I watched her closely and to my amazement I understood that this was her life just as much as it was mine. Soon I foolishly started to daydream that she, just as I, was cast out and alone in this world and that if I only took the final step and showed myself to her, she’d welcome me with open arms. This thought consumed my world so completely that I eventually believed it.
Weeks later I finally decided that I was going to introduce myself to her. I meticulously planned the developments of the meeting, and when I awoke that day I washed up in a freezing stream in an attempt to look as good as possible. After hours of waiting I overcame my paralyzing nervousness and walked into her camp.
It felt like a dream to be in a place that I previously had only watched from afar, but the dream was quickly crushed when I saw that she wasn’t there. I sighed deeply, and didn’t react with more than a gasp when an arm was put around my neck and slowly started strangling me.
‘Who are you?’ a female voice asked harshly, and panic stricken I tried to break free. ‘Answer me!’
‘I-I’m Nathania,’ I hissed in pain.
‘Why are you here?’ she demanded to know, and I tried to find the words that so teasingly stayed away from me. Nothing had gone as I’d planned, and dumbfounded I tried to remember how I was supposed to act in that situation.
‘I was alone,’ I whimpered, and cursed my inability to explain the feelings I‘d experienced the entire time I’d been in the forest, the terrible fear that’d filled me since my life had been stolen from me.
‘Are you the one who has been following me?’
I flinched in shock. Was this really the woman I had followed for so long? And had she seen me despite all my efforts?
‘I didn’t mean any harm,’ I ensured her pitifully as tears welled up in my eyes. ‘I just didn’t want to be alone anymore.’
The pressure to my throat eased and the woman slowly let me go. She carefully turned me around and scrutinized my face thoroughly. I tried to look into her brown eyes, but soon gave up and focused on her pale-blonde hair instead. Her gaze was too intense for me to be able to face it.
‘Yes,’ she said after an uncomfortably long silence. ‘I see no ill will in your eyes, and honestly I don’t think you could harm me even if you wanted to. You may come with me, but only if you make yourself useful.’
I looked at the near white-haired woman without comprehending, and then the meaning of her words dawned on me.
‘S-so you forgive me?’ I stuttered.
‘Yes,’ the woman answered soberly. ‘My name is Sam, by the way. What did you say yours was again? Nathania?’
I nodded shyly and she placed one of her incredibly soft hands on my shoulder.
‘Nice to meet you, Nathania,’ Sam said with a warm smile, and I felt my heart swell with joy. After all this time I finally had someone to share my life with.
Weeks passed, and I followed Sam wherever she went. At times I noticed that she was annoyed by my behavior, but after a while she seemed to get used to it. Moreover, she didn’t seem to have it in herself to purposely disappoint me. One night, when I’d finally accepted that Sam wouldn’t get rid of me based on the tiniest mistake, I dared to ask her where we were going. The warm glow of the campfire moved softly over Sam’s face, and she looked at me for a brief moment only to turn her gaze to the tiny piece of dark sky that was visible through the branches that reached over our heads.
‘The place I’m looking for has no name,’ Sam said, and a mysterious longing made her eyes so dark that they were almost black. ‘What I’m searching for is a place where I can live without needing to hide who I am. Where I won’t be killed if they find out I’m different from them. Do you get what I’m saying?’I nodded in astonishment. I understood her completely. It was the same thing I was searching for, and I thanked the gods that we had the same goal. That meant I wouldn’t be left on my own when she finally found what she was looking for.
Louice Svedin is a 23 year old psychology student who lives in Sundsvall, Sweden. She started writing The Book of Songs when she was 13 years old and in 2014 it was released in Swedish by Mörkersdottir förlag. In her spare time Louice practices aikido, a Japanese martial arts (or budo as it’s also called) in which she has a black belt.
1 thought on “ANNOUNCEMENT: The Book of Songs, by Louice Svedin”
What an amazing cover!


Review of the Scientific Literature on Young Adults Related to Cardiovascular Disease Intervention
Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal
First page number:
Last page number:
Many young adults are at risk for cardiovascular disease related to their behavioral choices. Irresponsible alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary habits, and excessive weight gain are some of the behaviors that put young adults at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified that 15% of young adults are diagnosed with chronic illnesses related to their behavioral choices. The purpose of this review is to identify, in the literature, interventions that are currently available to young adults and evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of those interventions. An extensive electronic search was conducted using CINAHL, EBSCOhost, Cochrane, PubMed, and Google Scholar. A total of 130 articles were identified and 27 articles met the inclusion criteria. Three main interventions were identified for young adults: personalized interventions, technology-based interventions, and educational/behavioral interventions. The interventions were all effective to different degrees and interventions were most effective when they were combined. This review impacts in what manner nurses and health care providers deliver health promotion, prevention, and management of cardiovascular risk factors in young adults, in particular, nurses play a key role in lifestyle modifications including diet and exercise.
Young adults; Intervention; Cardiovascular risk factors; Diet; Physical activity
Cardiovascular Diseases | Diseases | Medicine and Health Sciences
Tran, D. T.,
Review of the Scientific Literature on Young Adults Related to Cardiovascular Disease Intervention.
Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal, 5(1),


Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reading Maybe in Another Life by one of my favorite adult authors Taylor Jenkins Reid. The novel tells two stories, both centered around main character Hannah; each story exists because of a specific choice that Hannah made at the end of a night out. I won't go into details because I think it's a novel that you need to go into with the least amount of information possible, but suffice it to say that the novel kindled some personal reflection on fate and free will. Are our lives pre-ordained to follow certain paths? Are our lives based on the choices we make on a regular basis?
It is written in the stars.
Fate. Destiny. These concepts are such familiar friends, constantly alluded to in all the media we consume. And, in fact, it's really easy to believe that our lives are being guided, perhaps even shaped, by some greater external force out there, religious or otherwise. It's a romantic notion, an ideal that many of us are happy to embrace. It is comforting to feel like you're following the path you're meant to take. And personally, it's extremely wonderful to feel like my path is being opened for me by my Creator. But believing in fate also has unintentionally harmful consequences. It's an excuse for when things go awry, a shield to hide behind when afraid to choose, a place to lay the blame when things are falling apart or you want to leave your past behind.
It is the choices you make that define your life.
Choice, too, is a familiar concept. Every single day, in just about any given moment, we are granted the capacity to choose - who we want, what we want, what we like, what we don't like, what we fear, and more. The gift of choice is one that can be both used well or abused. We can use it to make decisions that better the world, benefit others and even help ourselves in the process. We can make choices out of love, kindness and respect. But we can also use our choices as excuses, or choose actions out of fear, anger, sorrow, or pain. We can make the choice to inflict those terrible feelings on others, or to encourage our own apathy to the issues around us.
I believe in fate and free will.
Personally, these two concepts work hand in hand in my own life. Because of my faith, I believe that there is a higher purpose, a greater Hand guiding my way through this life. But I also believe that, in spite of that, I'm free to make my choices - whether they be wrong or right. It's an interesting contradiction, and yet I feel many of us share the same sentiment - that there is a balance between both options in our own belief systems.
YOUR TURN: What are your thoughts on fate and free will?
Don't forget to check out Maybe in Another Life!


Grape phenolic compounds can be divided into two groups: non-flavonoid (hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, stilbenes) and flavonoid compounds (anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols and flavonols). Fourteen phenolic compounds classified as hydroxybenzoic acids: gallic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid and syringic acid; hydroxycinnamic acid: protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid and p-coumaric acid; flavan-3-ols: catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate; flavonols: Quercitrin hydrate and rutin hydrate and stilbenes: trans-resveratrol and trans-piceatannol have been proven to be potent antioxidants and to have immense biological, pharmacological and medicinal properties. Grape by-products are a rich source of phenolics but usually wasted from juice and wine processing industries.
Grape seed extracts have liver protective and antiallergic properties. The seeds also are an excellent source of phenolic compounds such as:
Catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin-gallate have high antioxidant capacity; found in high amounts.
Suppress lipid accumulation in the vascular wall, stopping the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins)
Have anti-aging, anti-mutagenic, anti-cancer (colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cancer, cervical cancer and skin cancer), anti-atherogenic, and antiviral properties; they also provide significant protection against acute liver injury caused by multiple factors, such as hepatic viruses, excessive alcohol consumption and hepatotoxins (for example, paracetamol, flutamide and carbon tetrachloride).4
Exerts anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory activities; prevents interstitial collagen deposition in fibrosis; prevents cardiac hypertrophy (animal studies);2 present in high amount.
A strong antioxidant.
Has been shown to prevent the formation of diabetic cataract.3
Chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid are potent antioxidants.
Possesses strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer (prostate cancer, breast cancer) properties.6 It is also an inhibitor of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, delphinidin, that prevents HCV attachment to the cell surface.5
Purple skinned grapes have higher anthocyanin content as compared to the bronze-skinned grapes. It is also reported that red grape cultivars contain high levels of cyanidin and peonidin in skin tissues, whereas black cultivars contain high levels of delphinidin and malvidin. Anthocyanin pigments play an important role in protection towards fungal and bacterial infections in grapes.
The stilbene compounds; trans-resveratrol & trans-piceatannol, which are phytoalexins, are found in higher amounts in the skin and stem extracts than in seeds. The compounds quercetin and its glycoside rutin (flavonols), and trans-Resveratrol (stilbene).
Dietary antioxidants have been associated with the reduced risk of type II diabetes. Flavonoids may also have antidiabetic activity. A recent study showed 2 to 8 fold stimulation in insulin secretion by isolated pancreatic islets at 16.5 mM glucose concentration in the presence of grape seed, skin and stems extracts. Grape seed extract’s procyanidins directly act on specific components of the insulin and exert a significant anti-hyperglycemic effect, suggesting that grape seeds and skins could be a valuable food derived bioresource that is rich in antioxidants and anti-hyperglycemic compounds which represents a source of potential new oral hypoglycemic agent and may be useful in the treatment of type II diabetes.
- Doshi et al. – Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Activity And Insulinotropic Effect Of Extracts Prepared From Grape (Vitis Vinifera L) Byproducts – J Food Sci Technol. 2015 Jan; 52(1): 181–190.
- Ryu et al. – Gallic Acid Prevents Isoproterenol-induced Cardiac Hypertrophy And Fibrosis Through Regulation Of JNK2 Signaling And Smad3 Binding Activity. – Sci Rep. 2016; 6: 34790. Published online 2016 Oct 5. doi: 10.1038/srep34790
- Wu et al. – Investigation Of Synergistic Mechanism And Identification Of Interaction Site Of Aldose Reductase With The Combination Of Gigantol And Syringic Acid For Prevention Of Diabetic Cataract – BMC Complement Altern Medv.16; 2016
- Zou et al. – Protective Role of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins Against Ccl4 Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice – Med Sci Monitv.22; 2016
- Calland et al. – Polyphenols Inhibit Hepatitis C Virus Entry by a New Mechanism of Action – J Virol. 2015 Oct 1; 89(19): 10053–10063.
- Yang et al. – Delphinidin-3-glucoside Suppresses Breast Carcinogenesis By Inactivating The Akt/HOTAIR Signaling Pathway – BMC Cancerv.16; 2016


An eBook is a digital media that is the same as any paperback book that you would purchase at your favorite bookstore. EBook stands for electronic book. EBooks can be read on the computer or there are devices known as eBook readers where you can read them and now some mobile phones come with the capability of reading eBooks.
EBooks, when they were first introduced into society, were written for specific areas and a very small audience. They were basically only meant for small interest groups. Eventually the readership grew as Adobe came out with PDF formats making reading eBooks a whole lot easier. In fact, many authors whose books were rejected by your run-of-the-mill publisher were able to create their book in eBook format so that it could be sold and read by millions.
There are currently only two eBook readers that are on the market: The Amazon Kindle model or Sony’s PRS-500. The amazing thing is that eBooks are not available worldwide yet. And not ever author wants their works in an eBook format. Take J.K Rowling for example. The Harry Potter series author refuses to have any of her novels converted into eBook format.
Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of eBooks versus print books. Let’s start with the pros, the good stuff. With an eBook, the text can be searched online and cross referenced using hyperlinks, there is less physical space, an eBook reader can hold several eBooks which is easier to lug around than several print books, eBook authors earn continual royalties, eBook readers have text size and font face adjustments making eBook easier to read, you can open an eBook at the last page where you left off, eBooks are definitely cheaper to purchase than print books, because they are easier to distribute, eBooks can amount to higher sales, they require less ink to print and eBooks can have images and multimedia clips embedded. Now as with anything there are cons to eBooks. If the eBook is viewed on your personal pc, additional software may be needed, to view an eBook whether it be on a pc or reader, it requires extra electric consumption, looking at the screen for long periods of time may hurt your eyes and cause headaches, in order for an eBook to run properly, it relies on an electronic device and if that doesn’t work properly, reading an eBook would be impossible, eBook are easily hacked through the use of hardware of software modification without the author or publishers approval, if an eBook is not saved properly it could be lost in the cyberspace world forever and eBooks are very susceptible to piracy. Basically piracy is taking an eBook, copying it exactly and reselling it as your own. It is highly illegal.
With that said, eBooks are a huge part of the online publishing world. The possibilities in writing one are endless and promoting your eBook is just as easy with all the media outlets on the net today.
Self-Publishing Related Articles
- All About eBooks
- Avoidable Self-Publishing Mistakes
- Characteristics Of Self-Publishing
- Common Obstacles for Self-Publishing
- Creating Your Own Blog
- Different Kinds of Self-Publishing
- Downside Of Self-Publishing
- Dynamics Behind Self-Publishing
- Ebooks Online Publishing Tips For Beginners
- Going For Self-Publishing Marketing Tips
- How Does Online Publishing Work
- Is Online Publishing Right For You
- Making the Most of Your Online Publishing Efforts
- Motivations for Self-Publishing
- Online Publishing Basics
- Online Publishing Through Article Marketing
- Online Publishing Tips and Tricks for Better Results
- Online Publishing Tips for Article Marketing Beginners
- Online Publishing With ClickBank
- Online Publishing With Squidoo
- POD and Self-Publishing
- Preparing Writing a Book for Self-Publishing
- Product Creation – Online Publishing for Business
- Review: Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter
- Self Publishing In The Modern World
- Self Publishing Your Book through Lulu
- Self-Publishing through the Eyes of Non-Authors
- Self-Publishing Tips: Book Writing Magic
- Self-Publishing Tips: Proper Layout
- Self-Publishing Your Book?
- Self-Publishing Your Music
- Using Online Publishing to Promote Offline Products
- What are the Potential Benefits of Online Publishing?
- What Is Online Publishing
- Which Is Which: Traditional Publishing Or Self-Publishing
- Why Get Into Self-Publishing
- Why I Will Engage In Self Publishing?
- Why is Online Publishing Important?
- Why You Should Consider Self-Publishing Your Own Book


In the Jan. 19, 2009 issue of The New Yorker, there is an article entitled, “Baby Food” written by Jill Lepore. I got to this quote and it just about made me cry:
“When the babe, soon after it is born into this cold world, is applied to its mother’s bosom; its sense of perceiving warmth is first agreeably affected; next its sense of smell is delighted with the odour of her milk; then its taste is gratified by the flavour of it; afterwards the appetites of hunger and of thirst afford pleasure by the possession of their objects, and by the subsequent digestion of the aliment; and, lastly, the sense of touch is delighted by the softness and smoothness of the milky fountain, the source of such variety and happiness.”
No offense, I swear I’m not a genderist, but I can’t believe it was written by a man; in 1794, Erasmus Darwin (Charles’ grandpappy) included this passage in his “Zoonomia; or The Laws of Organic Life.” I feel like it so beautifully expresses the whole, multi-layered experience. I realize it is written from the perspective of the child, and I wasn’t ever breastfed, and most of us wouldn’t remember it if we were, but it reflects so well the feeling of total satisfaction and well-being that pervades every aspect of existence when a child nurses. Even though as a mother nursing, we don’t directly experience these exact sensations of satisfaction, I think we know and can feel that they’re there, and it’s contagious.
Just thought I’d share.


The role of seed technology in the development of root and tuber crops sector and poverty alleviation
Seed technology is the method through which the genetic and physical characteristics of seed could be improved involving such initiatives as variety development, evaluation, seed testing quality control and release amongst others. It is also a basic tool for food security if properly utilized. This technology has not been fully applied in the root and tuber crops possibly because of the limited use as a tropical crop compared to the temperate crops. It has been shown that root and tuber crops can sustain the life of both animals and humans. Root crop based institutes like the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike realized of late the inclusion of the programme in their research agenda for increased food production hence the necessity to emphasize its role bring it to the front burner. This paper therefore highlights the role of seed technology on the development of the root and tuber crops for increased food production poverty alleviation with emphasis on both major and minor root crops, the seed systems and their ability to alleviate hunger and poverty. It concluded that it is evident that a well-structured root and tuber seed technology programme with modern facility can alleviate poverty since poverty may actually not be totally eradicated.
Keywords: Seed technology, Roots and Tubers and increased food production


New Releases for Fall
Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple
I really enjoyed the book Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. It was fast paced, funny and incredibly quirky. It stands out in my mind as a memorable Book Club selection. So I can't wait to get my hands on her new book Today Will Be Different. It is sitting on my library new releases shelf, but I've restrained myself thus far in the hopes of letting someone else get their hands on a new release before I've drooled over it. I have been really into books about women in crisis lately...not sure what that says about me. Anyway, this one is about Eleanor and her bad day. Count me in.
Hungry Heart by Jennifer Weiner
I have already expressed my friendly feelings for Jennifer Weiner over here. Her memoir Hungry Heart is sitting on my nightstand right now, and I'm about halfway through it. I plan on finishing this weekend, so should have a full review soon...but I'm liking what I've read so far. I think her personality really comes through in her fiction writing, and if you follow her on social media you will recognize her sassy humor and commentary. Right now I'd say it's definitely a go for the over 40 crowd (Hey, that's me!)
The Survivor's Guide to Family Happiness by Maddie Dawson
I absolutely LOVED this book, and am so grateful to Netgalley for sending me a copy in advance so I could shout from the rooftops in conjunction with it's release! Nina Popkin is one of my favorite literary characters, right up there with Isabel Spellman. Some women find their fantasy man in fiction...I just find women I want to be best friends with. I won't go on and on again, just head over here to see what I thought about this book. OH, and ten bonus points go out to the author for regularly liking my tweets!!
This Book is Out of Control by Richard Byrne
I am a huge fan of the children's book This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne. As someone who regularly does a preschool story time, I love interactive books...and funny books. If you give me one that is both, I am over the moon! The look on a little kid's face when they realize the book has eaten the dog, and when the dog materializes again it's feet are on upside down, is priceless. So I have high expectations for this new tale. Ben got a new gadget which he believes isn't working...until he notices it's working on the book instead. I imagine lot's of giggles.
Faithful by Alice Hoffman
I have seen a lot of really good advanced reviews for this new Alice Hoffman book, Faithful. First off, I have to give a big ole Kudos to whoever came up with the cover...because it is absolutely beautiful. I know it sounds silly to be judging a book by it's cover (*ahem) but it can really make the difference in a big seller, or heavy use library book...and shouldn't be overlooked. (I love the Maddie Dawson cover too!) And then when the book blurb on Goodreads says "A fan of Chinese food, dogs, bookstores, and men she should stay away from, Shelby has to fight her way back to her own future." I am sold...hook, line and sinker. I can't wait until the 1st of November so I can get my hands on it.
So there ya go...a few new releases for your To Read list. I don't know about you, but my pile has hit Eiffel Tower proportions, and is a bit of a safety hazard. Here's hoping I can recover from this chest crud that has sidelined me, and finish a few of them this weekend!
Any new releases you think I should be aware of? Read any good books lately? (When I read that in my head it sounds very smarmy and almost like a pick-up line, FYI.) Let me know in the comments or over on my Facebook page.


Director: Max Lewendel
Writer: William Shakespeare
Reviewer: Amy Taylor
Venetian tragedy, racial tension and deadly ambition lie at the heart of Max Lewendel’s revival of his 2009 production ofOthello. A co-production with Icarus Theatre Collective and Kings Theatre, Southsea, this production brings music, energy and unity to this infamous and controversial tragedy.
Written in the early 16thcentury, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy is set in Venice against the backdrop of the Turkish invasion at the time and follows the evil Iago (David Martin) as he plots the downfall of his ensign, Othello (Gary Stoner), a general in the Venetian army, through a tangled web of lies and deceit that eventually leads to betrayal and tragedy.
Icarus Theatre Collective’s revival of their 2009 adaptation of Shakespeare’s infamous tragedy brings together the rich themes of war, race, jealous, hatred, deception and murder to create an almost timeless play chronicling the extremes of human ambition. Although named after the eponymous “Moor of Venice”, Shakespeare’s focus, perhaps unsurprisingly, is not on Othello, but on the jealous and devious Iago. Throughout the piece Iago, using lies, deception and manipulation uses Othello and others throughout the play to plant the seeds of jealousy and doubt that lead to the piece’s bloody and tragic ending.
And herein lies the true message of this play; manipulation, weakness, jealousy and perhaps most importantly, ambition. Iago is angry with Othello for promoting the young Cassio (Julian Pindar) over him, and in seeking his revenge he chooses to play on Othello’s weaknesses to get what he wants. However, the weaknesses he exploits are varied and damning; the inherent racism for a man of Othello’s creed and powerful standing in society, his secret marriage to Desdemona (Holly Piper) and perhaps most importantly of all, his jealousy. While the story ofOthellois very well-known, Lewendel manages to bring something fresh and unforgettable to the piece by using the skills of a group of highly talented actors who also play a selection of string instruments with ease, style and effortless elegance. Although the scenes with the many violins and cellos played by the cast can become a little repetitive, the music transforms and brings Shakespeare’s language to a new level, making the play more engaging, more exciting and more involving than before. Additionally, unlike the traditional portrayal of Desdemona and the other female characters, Piper, along with her contemporaries Deborah Klayman as Emiliaand Alice Bonifacio as Bianca, portray their rôles with dignity and strength and without the traditional “wetness” of Shakespeare’s heroines. An accomplished and impressive version ofOthello, Icarus Theatre Collective are a company to watch in 2014.


The 19-year-old girl, Si Chun (Ma Sichun), lost her father and lived a lonely life. The lack of fatherly love made her long for the warmth of an adult man. This kind of thinking met a worker named Guo Xiao (Guo Xiaodong). Although Guo Xiao is more than ten years older than Si Chun, Si Chun is still deeply attracted by Guo Xiao's maturity and stability. In the body of Si Chun, Guo Xiao also found the feeling of returning to youth and youth, and the two fell in love.
Although love is beautiful, the reality is cruel. The huge age difference has gradually increased the disagreement between Sichun and Guo Xiao, and the topic has been decreasing. In the end, the two people who could not afford to choose to break up. However, at this time, Si Chun’s belly is already pregnant with Guo Xiao’s child. The stubborn thoughts concealed the facts of pregnancy and planned to raise the child and raise it alone.
(Douban) Add Synopsis In Portuguese


"Vanessa is a superb storyteller." --ReShonda Tate Billingsley
AAMBC Christian Fiction Writer of the Year Award Winner
When one woman is caught in the act of her greatest transgression, it's the beginning of her greatest transformation…
It started innocently: a coincidental meeting between old high school friends--first loves--at Butterfly's business, The Painted Lady Flower Shop. Then came lunch, then confessions of unhappy marriages, loneliness. It went on that way for years between Butterfly and Ethan. That's how they built the soul tie--the bond that, despite their devotion to God, has now led to adultery. And as with all things done in secret, they've been found out. Well, Butterfly has.
As a leader in her church, Butterfly is suddenly cast into the spotlight. But she soon realizes she's being used as a pawn to bring down a new pastor--a young man who is upsetting tradition by preaching about real-life issues real people deal with. People like Butterfly. And as she faces a challenging search for truth, forgiveness, and the real meaning of love, she may finally break out of her cocoon…
"Those who seek pure, old-fashioned Christian fiction will enjoy Griggs's latest." --Library Journal
From the time they met as teenagers, Ethan and Butterfly have shared a powerful connection that hasn't faded even after 15 years apart. When Ethan reappears in Butterfly's life, they're tempted thanks to unhappy marriages to pick up right where they left off. As their emotional intimacy grows over the next 10 years, they continue to shy away from sexual infidelity, despite kisses and deep conversations. Ethan finally convinces Butterfly to spend a night with him in a hotel, but before they get to their room she runs into a deacon from her church, whose wife, the next day, accuses Butterfly of adultery in front of the whole congregation. Though she's innocent, Butterfly ends what she considers to be an emotional affair with Ethan and begins to rebuild trust with her unfaithful, unappreciative husband. Griggs's newest (after Redeeming Waters), exploring her common themes of fidelity and spiritual faith, is also a lesson in emotional infidelity. Her heroine is unfortunately passive, permitting her husband to mistreat her and Ethan to string her along for a decade. This character trait will likely frustrate readers who otherwise may appreciate a woman's struggle with her faith.
Forever Soul Ties
I read this book in 5 hours...I could not put it down! I will definitely add her to my list of best authors! I loved every moment..I will continue to support her and tell all my friends. Would love to see a part two :-)


Timeless novels earn their distinction by dealing with timeless themes. In that way, Zorba the Greek, by Nikos Kazantzakis, made the Guardian Unlimited’s list of ‘Top 100 Books of all Time.’
But it takes more than a universal theme to propel a work of fiction through the ages. The theme must come packaged with compelling plots and characters. Since Kazantzakis’ novel lacks the former, it’s the latter that has appealed to millions of readers since its publication more than six decades ago.
Alexis Zorba, the eponymous 65-year-old character, is an unschooled laborer, cook, musician, war veteran, world-traveler, womanizer, inventor, and an emotionally sincere man with the heart of a teenager.
We meet Zorba on a cold, rainy day when he walks into a café at the Piraeus port and introduces himself to the story’s narrator, whom we know only as ‘Boss,’ a thirty-five-year-old Greek intellectual. Boss is on his way to Crete, where he plans to re-open a disused coal mine and experience ‘real’ life. He wants to stop “chewing paper and covering [himself] with ink.” Zorba accompanies Boss on his venture and the two men begin a dance of the minds.
The novel isn’t a battle of wits. It’s a warm, often dark, portrait of two personalities — the uninhibited vs. the introspective.
Zorba is a bold and charming philanderer shaped by his many adventures. He’s also a Puritan’s nightmare — an anti-clerical, semi-existentialist whose lust for life borders on hedonism. He worships women, not as individuals, but as a species. He embodies the traits of some of literature’s most memorable figures: Don Quixote’s eccentricity; Odysseus’ masculinity; Madame Bovary’s restlessness; Mersault’s physicality and rage at the indifference of the universe.
Boss, meanwhile, is a stifled bookworm with no ability to enjoy life because of his over-analysis of it.
Written in first-person from Boss’ perspective, we see only what Boss sees and become acquainted with Zorba only through dialogue and Boss’ musings. And it’s in that dialogue where much of Zorba’s seize-the-day attitude is revealed: “To live — Do you know what that means? To undo your belt and look for trouble!”
Mostly, though, it’s the undercurrent of death and Zorba’s constant awareness of it that defines the novel. Zorba doesn’t welcome God into his life and fall into a geriatric lull of acceptance. He grows more restless and wild with age, angrier at the callousness of the universe, and more determined to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment. He works the coal-mine wholeheartedly, seduces a former cabaret singer, fights young village men, and proudly announces to Boss, “I think I must have five or six demons inside me!”
Zorba is not a thinker. “Boss,” he says, “everything’s simple in this world. How many times must I tell you? So don’t go and complicate things!” He has no use for philosophy since it can’t solve the only mystery that really matters — death. “All those damned books you read, what good are they? Why do you read them? If they don’t tell you that, what do they tell you?”
Kazantzakis spent his entire career wrestling with religion, haunted by questions of life and death. He has long since passed into the eternity that he tried so hard to understand, but Zorba lives on in the hearts of millions.
In that sense, Kazantzakis just may have found mortality’s loophole.


Woman of Wood
by Kathrin KöhlerListen to the poem from the woman's perspective:
Listen to the poem from the man's perspective:
Listen to the poem read as a whole:
he came at me with an ax, blow after blow lightning sharp, but cold, and he cleaved me in two — He made her out of wood, his wife — cut down the prize walnut of his newly purchased farm and carved her out of the trunk. severed my roots, threw my limbs in a heap and dragged me to his home — he came at me with chisels and knives He began with her eyes, deep brown, and an expression he had not intended, rendering her incapable of not watching as he turned my flesh into sawdust taking from me until I became less. whittled her down to size. Custom-made she fit better than a well worn chair. Every morning he hands me an ax and has me split wood in the clearing behind his cabin. There is something about the way he watches me as I light the cooking fire —
Kathrin Köhler's favourite fruit is the Durian fruit. Drupes were around back when mammals were dominated by giant lizards and were barely surviving. While munching primeval fruits Kathrin likes to contemplate the paradigm of language and the paradox of human existence. She also writes and reads, bakes and bikes, and engages in other alliterative activities. She's a poet who has recently picked up the bad habit of writing short stories. Her poem "Stardust" won first place in the Baltimore Science Fiction Society's 2011 poetry contest. She wonders what a Goblin Fruit salad would taste like.
Back to Table of Contents


|Reviews for Enveloping Love|
| floire chapter 12 . 8/6/2011
hey great story! :D
i need an sequel...SEQUEL! :))
anyways hope to read more reiminako fanfic
| chakeroo chapter 12 . 1/9/2011
great story! :D
| Peace Faith chapter 12 . 11/4/2009
It's a little confusing in the middle with the POV switches but besides that it a good piece. I particularly like the MakoAmi in this. The ending was different but good.
| Jedi Caro chapter 12 . 8/4/2009
damn, this story had me on the edge of my seat! love it from beginning to end!
| Zalleon chapter 12 . 8/1/2009
Reverie not revere, other than that good story. Loved the ending. I didn't see the dream sequence thing coming at all! Keep up the good work.
| Ze chapter 12 . 12/1/2007
yay, everything worked out.
| Ze chapter 11 . 12/1/2007
| Ze chapter 10 . 12/1/2007
Urgh, makes me mad! Glad Rei kicked some ass tho
| Ze chapter 9 . 12/1/2007
| Ze chapter 8 . 12/1/2007
| Ze chapter 7 . 12/1/2007
the idea of them playing football is hilarious.
| Ze chapter 6 . 12/1/2007
oh, oh my...
| Ze chapter 5 . 12/1/2007
Yay, Rei caught her...
| Ze chapter 4 . 12/1/2007
“What are you both doing in the closet?” Classic! I loved this chapter! Especially Rei getting caught staring.
| Ze chapter 3 . 12/1/2007
Reading through Mina's pov is so frustrating! open your eyes!