I gave a very short talk today. I was invited to be part of a panel, that was one of the (many interesting) events in the Applied Geospatial Research in Public Policy (AGRiPP) workshop. Our topic was Digital Literacy / Digital Humanities. Each of my co-panelists and I had 5 minutes, so I said something kind of like this.
I’m Rosie Le Faive, and I’m a librarian, so my exposure to digital literacy is usually in the context of “information literacy” – delivering 50-minute lectures to first-year university students on how to use the library. And most of what I cover is how to use our databases to find peer-reviewed research, but every year when I get these classes, I like to think about how I can take it deeper. What does information literacy mean?
I’m going to go on a sidebar… forgive me, it will spoil a movie from 18 months ago… but it will tie back in. [CW: abuse, murder].
In Avengers: Infinity War, the character Gamora is murdered by her abusive father, and in the film it’s framed as proving his love for her [ick face]. Some scenes later, in the middle of a battle, Gamora’s boyfriend realizes she didn’t return and demands “Where… is… Gamora?”. Iron Man, (who’d never met them till this movie) counters with “I’ll do you one better… Who’s Gamora?” and Drax, who usually misses emotional tones of things, says “I’ll do you one better… why is Gamora?” The audience laughs, Drax is stupid, the question is silly.
But I really like his question. Why is Gamora? In this movie, her entire story arc exists so that she can die, and spur a man into action (or mis-action). This is a trope in media that’s known as fridging, after a brutal scene in a Green Lantern comic. Women characters biting the dust in order to further a man’s storyline is so popular that feminists have given it a name and are aware of it. Fridging doesn’t happen by accident. There were thousands of people involved in the making of this film. Why did this get through the layers of decision-making? Were there no women in the right rooms?
Why does this information exist? That’s the question that interests me. Why was it made, and what was its path from creation to distribution to wherever I encounter it? What structures and institutions were part of the story of this information, and what does it say about them?
A digital humanities project that I just became aware of, and deeply admire for its work in this, is Lily Cho’s Mass Capture project. It digitizes a collection of certificates – known as C.I. 9‘s, which Canada used to keep track of and control people from China. This was in the days of the Chinese “Head Tax”, and if someone from China living in Canada wanted to return to their home country and be able to return (without re-paying the head tax) they had to fill out a C.I. 9. It contained a lot of personal information – name, birthdate, where they’re from, identifying features, and photographs. This was particularly exciting [edit: that is the wrong word, maybe interesting or fascinating; left for accountability] because it was the first mass photography project implemented by the Canadian State. But Cho’s work explores how this bureaucracy creates and constructs people as “non-citizens,” a special kind of subject (in the Foucauldian sense) as defined by government policies founded in racism and white supremacy.
So I like to think about information literacy as knowing where to look for information (e.g. libraries!), and understanding who created that information – the direct provenance and responsibility, but also why is this information – what systems and structures and institutions brought it to me, and why did they consider it valuable?
Understanding these structures won’t let us be free of them. After all, “We live in a society.” But I find that awareness gives us context, and with the ability to reframe, more agency in how we construct stories.


Dr. Sinan Sousan published two journal articles related to secondhand electronic cigarette exposure
Dr. Sinan Sousan published two journal articles related to secondhand electronic cigarette exposure. The first paper titled “Laboratory Determination of Gravimetric Correction Factors for Real-time Area Measurements of Electronic Cigarette Aerosols” was published in the Journal of Aerosol Science and Technology. The paper quantifies electronic cigarette aerosol exposure in laboratory settings and determines correction factors for real-time optical sensors that can be used for similar settings to estimate exposure in real-life scenarios. The paper can be accessed here.
The second paper titled “Increased JUUL Emissions from Initial Puffs after Removing and Reinserting Pod“ published in the Journal of Chemical Research in Toxicology. The paper quantifies aerosol exposure of the popular electronic cigarette JUUL and demonstrates that real-life vaping behavior could generate more than ten times the aerosol exposure compared to standard puffing protocols. The paper can be accessed here.
Congratulations, Dr. Sousan!


The genesis of Roulette (a French word meaning small wheel) is shrouded in mystery. This aura of mystery is reinforced by the belief that Roulette is a "demonic" game. In fact, if you add up all the numbers in the game from 1 to 36, you get 666: the devil's number.
However, this is an "ancient" origin. The history of roulette seems to begin in the time of the ancient Greeks. In fact, it seems that they were the first to invent a rudimentary form of roulette using wagon wheels.
Even the ancient Romans, especially the legionaries, are part of the history of roulette: in fact, it seems that they played roulette using a shield that was spun on the tip of a spear. Other sources on the history of roulette say that the Greeks played with the shield and the Romans with the wheel.
It is likely that both played both games.
There is also a hypothesis about a Chinese origin of Roulette : it seems that in ancient China a game with 37 animal statuettes arranged in a "mystical" way was widespread.
Roulette is most likely a fusion of two games:
The prototype of modern roulette is attributed to the French scientist Blaise Pascal, known for his studies on probability. While researching perpetual motion, he created the first roulette in 1655.
However, the first "official" reference to roulette as a game comes not from France, but from Canada. In 1758, a law banning certain games in Quebec included roulette. This "Canadian appearance" contributes to the doubts about the true origin of the game. However, many believe that the term roulette in the Canadian case refers to an old table game and not to a "type" of French roulette.
The first complete description of the game is found in a book published in France in 1801. It is a French novella, La Roulette, ou le Jour, by Jaques Lablee, which describes the game at the Palais Royal in Paris in 1796. Yes, it was a cylinder with alternating red and black numbers, zero and double zero. The zero was red and the double zero was black; but the colors were not paid with the publication of these combinations.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the color green was used for both zeros to avoid confusion.
In 1837 Louis Philippe ordered the closure of all casinos and gambling houses in France. Many managers emigrated to Germany. Among them, we remember the brothers Francois and Louis Blanc: in 1840, they arrived in Hamburg and acquired the local casino. They also had a winning idea: in 1843 they decided to abolish the double zero, which forced the opposing casinos to follow the same policy in order not to see their customers run away.
In 1856, he opened the Monte Carlo Casino, but it did not have the desired success, so much so that Princess Carolina called on Blanc to revive its fortunes. After an initial refusal, Blanc accepted the proposal and in 1863 founded the Société des Bains de Mer et du Cercle des Etrangers (the company's investors included the Bishop of Monaco and Cardinal Pecci, who would become Pope Leo XIII). The company received the casino concession for 50 years, until 1913.
Here is an excerpt from a very beautiful book that cannot be found in Italy, fundamental for understanding the history of roulette.
Gros Jeu - histoire secrète de Monte-Carlo (1953), which gives an idea of the situation of the game at the beginning of the 20th century:
"Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, after a series of exceptional years, peace finally reigned in Europe. The Boer War, which took place in a part of the world far from Monaco, did not affect the tranquillity of the Principality or its own situation. England was rich, the United States was prosperous, France was recovering from the hardships of the war of 1870 and the heavy indemnity demanded by Prussia.
The French no longer pay inheritance taxes and relatively little income tax. The world is full of rich and idle people with no other purpose in life than to have fun, with no other passion than gambling. Nightclubs were not yet known, there was little dancing, very little tennis and golf, and no bridge at all.
Gambling techniques, especially trente-et-qurante and roulette, were the most popular topics of conversation at the time, as was canasta around 1950. Newspapers and magazines devoted a series of articles to the various playing systems and their respective effectiveness........"
The closure of the German casinos helped to attract more users to Monte Carlo, helping to create the myth that still exists today.
Roulette was introduced in America at the time of the French Revolution. In fact, some French immigrants brought roulette to Louisiana, and New Orleans became the American gambling capital, exporting roulette to other cities.
"Primitive" American roulette had 0, 00 and a sort of "triple 0" represented by the image of "Eagle A". There were also numbers from 1 to 28. Soon the numbers were increased to 36 and the eagle was removed. Even today, the double 0 remains, although in the main casinos it is possible to find some single 0 roulette (European Roulette), where the minimum bets are usually high.


“Wake Up, Life is Calling” is a sequel to the national bestseller, “Life is What You Make it” by the popular Indian writer, Preeti Shenoy. Ankita, the protagonist of this story, overcomes her troublesome past and starts leading a normal life. She even joins a college to pursue creative writing. With everything falling into place, Ankita doesn’t realize that trouble is slowly creeping back into her life. Will Ankita be able to beat the odds this time? About the Author Preeti Shenoy is one of India’s most popular authors. She has been consistently nominated for the Forbes List of the 100 Most Influential Celebrities in India. Her books have been bestsellers. Shenoy used to love reading as a child. She is also a self-taught artist who works with watercolors and oil. Some of Shenoy’s popular works include 34 Bubblegums and Candies, Life is What You Make it, The Secret Wish List, It Happens for a Reason, The One You Cannot Have, It’s All in the Planet’s, and A Hundred Little Flames.


An absolute avalanche of Lewis & Clark material is sweeping toward us, and the Bicentennial of the Expedition is still several years away! The following annotated list of web sites attempts to combine the best of the nationally-recognized websites addressing the Lewis & Clark Expedition with items that are specific to Montana.
The annotations are provided as "helpful hints" only and do not constitute full-blown reviews. Because the Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission periodically will update this listing, your suggestions for additions or corrections are most welcome. To view our Links Policy, please click here. Many other very informative web sites exist and are worth accessing. The following list is offered to possibly help you "jump start" your search for good, reliable and informative Lewis & Clark material.
- Travel Montana's Lewis & Clark Site- http://lewisandclark.state.mt.us
Travel Montana's site provides an indepth look at the Lewis & Clark Trail in Montana, its history and its travel opportunities. It includes an interactive map that allows you to read an historical account of the site, read the actual journal entry, view the site as it appears today, and view streaming video from the Ken Burns archive. For each point along the route you have access to information on cities, events, accommodations, attractions and travel planning assistance. You will also find quick links to L&C camping sites, equipment rental, guided adventures, Indian Nations, a timeline, expedition history, Montana cities and lodging opportunities. Check out additional Links to details and accounts of the Expedition.
- Travel Montana - http://visitmt.com
Information about Montana and its places to visit are just a small portion of this vast site. Focusing on aiding the visitor in finding lodging, fun in the outdoors, restaurants, tourist attractions and more, this site is a complete travel planner. It features hundreds of photographs, a virtual tour, links to related sites, and answers to almost any question about what Montana has to offer to its travelers. Whether you need information on lodging along the Lewis & Clark trail or you want a list of places to see near an area you will be visiting, this site has it all.
- Montana Historical Society Library - http://www.discoveringmontana.com/MHSWeb/lewisandclark/css/default.asp
This website provides access to sources of information on the Expedition and related themes from the collections of the Montana Historical Society. Just as Thomas Jefferson dispatched Meriwether Lewis up the Missouri River to its source and beyond to record and gather information, we at the Montana Historical Society are inviting you to "explore" and "expand" the boundaries of your perceptions about Lewis and Clark under the Big Sky.
- Montana Historical Society - http://www.montanahistoricalsociety.org
Welcome to the Montana Historical Society! We are Montana's Museum, Montana's Historical Press and Publishers, and Montana's Memory and Research Center, and we help preserve Montana's Special Historic Buildings and Sites. Visit our on-line Museum Store!
- Bureau of Land Management - http://www.mt.blm.gov/lewisandclark/index.html
The Bicentennial creates an unprecedented opportunity for the BLM to share the legacies of Lewis and Clark with communities and tribes. It will also rekindle an appreciation for America's vast natural, historic and cultural resource heritage and perpetuate the spirit of discovery for future generations.
- Travelers' Rest Preservation and Heritage Association - http://www.travelersrest.org
Travelers' Rest Preservation and Heritage Association, a nonprofit organization, manages Travelers' Rest State Park through a unique agreement with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The park is located 1/4 mile west of Hwy. 93 at 6550 Mormon Creek Road in Lolo, and is the site of a L&C latrine, confirmed in the summer of 2002.
- Pompeys Pillar National Monument - http://www.pompeyspillar.org
Pompeys Pillar National Monument is one of the most famous sandstone buttes in America as it bears the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which appears on the trail today as it did 200 years ago. On the face of the 150-foot butte, Captain William Clark carved his name on July 25, 1806, during his return to the United States through the beautiful Yellowstone Valley. The Pillar overlooks the Yellowstone River about 25 miles east of Billings, Montana. The area is easily accessible from Interstate 94, using exit 23, or from State Highway 312.
- Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research - http://www.itrr.umt.edu
In May, 2000, ITRR released two reports, "The Lewis & Clark Interest and Awareness Study" and "Lewis & Clark National Estimation and Awareness Study." The first report's key findings are related to the level of awareness of and interest in visiting the various historical sites and attractions associated with it. The objectives of the second report were to determine the level of awareness, establish a benchmark of interest in attending Montana events, provide an estimate of the number of potential visitors to Montana, and determine a profile of potential visitors and where they were most likely to go in Montana.
- National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial - http://www.lewisandclark200.org
The National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial is working very hard to prepare for the Bicentennial at a national level. Their site contains information on the Council, agencies and contacts, conservation, projects, related links, coming events, education, American Indian tribes, and more. Focused on the trail as a whole, this site can answer any questions about how the Bicentennial is looking at a National level.
- The Smithsonian Institution - http://www.edgate.com
This site focuses on the map-making aspects of the Expedition, contains extensive factual historical data, wide-reaching, scholarly material, and extensive links to valid historical sources.
- Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Online - http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/
Welcome to the Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Online, sponsored by University of Nebraska Press, the Center for Great Plains Studies, and the UNL Libraries Electronic Text Center.
- Montana Science Institute - http://www.mt-science.org
The Montana Science Institute concentrates on environmental education, specializing in water quality, chemistry, biology and geology classes and research opportunities offered throughout the academic year and during summers for K-12 students and teachers. Also featured are ecology tours, float trips and field trip packages, custom designed for the public and all ages. The Institue is located at Lakeside on the upper Missouri River near Helena, Montana and has developed several activities that relate to the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial. Serving as an educational institution, MSI hopes to be of service to those who wish to travel the trail and learn more about the fascinating voyage. Here is a list of some of the Lewis & Clark Programs MSI is planning. Visit their website for more information about these activities and about the Institute.
- U.S. Forest Service - http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot/heritage/landc/lewis_and_clark.htm
A U.S. Forest Service site that addresses the topic of the Expedition in the Rocky Mountains of Montana; a solid place to begin work on this difficult, controversial leg of the journey; includes useful Indian material.
- L&C National Historic Trail Interpretive Center - http://www.fs.fed.us./r1/lewisclark/lcic.htm
A site for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center in Great Falls; information especially useful prior to a visit to the Center.
The place to start looking for Indian perspectives on the Lewis and Clark Expedition; excellent "Index of Native American Resources on the Internet" listings; site run by a private individual; includes oral/written-history, regional, and Canadian sites, as well as Indian timelines and sources for photo images.
- L&C Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc. - http://www.lewisandclark.org/
One of the "must" Expedition sites, run by the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc.; extensive information and valuable links to other Expedition sites; called by many "one of the best Lewis and Clark site on the Web."
- VIAs, Inc. - http://www.lewis-clark.org/
Dr. Joseph Mussulman's ever-expanding VIAs, Inc., website "Discovering Lewis and Clark," addressing myriad aspects of the Expedition; can benefit students, buffs, scholars, and travelers of the Trail; imaginative, innovative, and solidly based in historical fact; includes strong Indian content; user needs advanced software to receive.
- U.S. Park Service's L&C National Historic Trail - http://www.nps.gov/lecl/
This is the home page for the U.S. National Park Service's Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail office; reliable information; useful links to other Lewis and Clark websites.
- PBS - http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/
The background informational/contextual site for the Ken Burns/Dayton Duncan 1997 PBS documentary on the Expedition; useful links to other reputable Lewis and Clark sites; solid classroom resources for teachers; excellent Indian content.
- Jay Rasmussen's Web Site - http://www.lcarchive.org
This site contains a comprehensive archive of over 650 web sites related to the Lewis and Clark Expedition compiled by Jay Rasmussen.
- National L&C Education Center at UM - http://www.lewisandclarkeducationcenter.com
The National Lewis and Clark Education Center at the University of Montana offers a number of upcoming professional development programs for K-12 teachers from around the country.
- Idaho's L&C Bicentennial - http://www.lewisandclarkidaho.org
This is Idaho's official Lewis and Clark website and contains information on agencies and organizations preparing for the Bicentennial.
- Missouri Historical Society - http://www.lewisandclarkexhibit.org
The Missouri Historical Society has released the first phase of the Lewis and Clark National Bicentennial Exhibition web site. Please visit to discover what the exhibit is al about, where it is going, and much, much more.
- Sierra Club's L&C Bicentennial Campaign - http://www.sierraclub.org/lewisandclark
The Sierra Club's Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Campaign is about celebrating, protecting and restoring the wild places and wildlife in the land explored by Lewis and Clark. To guide you to these natural treasures and find out what you can do to help protect them please visit this website.
- U.S. Army's Lewis & Clark Web Page - http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/LC/index.htm
The U. S. Army commemorates the expedition of Lewis and Clark in this new website. It's a fairly ambitious undertaking, comprised of distinct sections titled The People, The Mission, Explore and L & C Links. This site has great utility for military history buffs and those studying Lewis and Clark, but takes it one step further by providing the military perspective on America's first and most famous overland expedition.
- Office of Public Instruction's Web Page - http://www.opi.state.mt.us/Lewis&Clark/Index.html
The Office of Public Instruction, with encouragement and support from the Montana L&C Bicentennial Commission, has expanded educational opportunities related th the L&C Bicentennial Commemoration in Montana through the launching of their web page.
- The Great Falls Tribune L&C Web Page - http://www.greatfallstribune.com/communities/lewisandclark/index.html
The Great Falls Tribune's Lewis & Clark web page contains many articles related to the Expedition, including information on the Honor Guard, the Interpretive Center in Great Falls, as well as a wonderful interactive map of the trail through Montana.
- The Lemhi-Shoshone- Sacajawea's People - http://www.lemhishoshone.com
This page contains a slide show of Lemhi-Shosone Country, Photos of the 5th Annual Lemhi-Shoshone Lewis & Clark Reunion, history, various articles and a petition seeking federal recognition.
- The Museum of Idaho - Lewis & Clark Exhibit - http://www.museumofidaho.org
The Mueum of Idaho, located in Idaho Falls, Idaho opened their Lewis & Clark exhibit, Discovering Idaho: The World of Lewis and Park presented by Bechtel, on Feb. 17 and the exhibit runs through Sept. 6. This 11,000 sq. ft. exhibit hosts a variety of items: a Shoshone village; the boats, animals and plants of L&C; L&C original and replicated items; Discovering the Rivers of Lewis & Clark presented by American Rivers; and more. There are over 800 items of the L&C time from 38 different institutions, organizations, agencies, or individuals from 10 different states.
- Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Products - http://www.lewisandclarkproducts.com
To recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and to acknowledge Sacagawea, whose unparalleled contributions to the Corps of Discovery are just being recognized, we are pleased to present this "BICENTENNIAL COLLECTION" of unique and outstanding products to commemorate the Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea and the Bicentennial of their Expedition.
- The Nature Conservancy - http://www.nature.orgwherewework/northamerica/lewisandclark
The Nature Conservancy's Lewis & Clark page explores landscapes the Corps of Discovery explored, its changes during the past 200 years and the work of the Conservancy and its partners to protect and conserve what remains.
- Blackfeet Coins - https://www.blackfeetcoins.com
Blackfeet Commemorative Coins are an Official Product of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial and consist of the Lewis & Clark Expedition - Blackfeet Country Bicentennial Limited Edition Fine Silver 24kt Gold Select Plated Coin, the Limited Edition Fine Silver Coin and the Bicentennial Bronze Medallion. Blackfeet Commemorative Coins is a Blackfeet Tribal Enterprise managed by Siyeh Development Corporation located in Browning, Montana.
- Lewis-and-Clark-Expedition.com - http://www.lewis-and-clark-expedition.com
This site contains some brief historical information on the Expedition, in addition to links to various suppliers of L&C products and services.
- Montana Committee for the Humanities - www.humanities-mt.org
The Montana Committee for the Humanities' Speakers Bureau offers communities and non-profit organizations the opportunity to explore ideas and issues through a rich variety of programs. Their roster consists of over sixty humanities-focused public programs your organization can choose from to host in your community. The programs are presented free of charge to the public.
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The bodies of Dana’s ex-husband, Ethan, and his girlfriend are found in a cave after he ran off to join a cultish spiritual movement. With police thinking it was a murder-suicide, Dana – a disillusioned corporate lawyer - heads to New Mexico to learn more about where Ethan spent his final days. She signs up for the retreat run by the yoga guru, Lama Yoni, and starts to discover some unsettling truths – both about herself, her failed marriage and this New Age community. Inspired by a real life incident in Arizona, Soulmates is an engrossing story as we join Dana on her somewhat sinister journey to find out what happened to Ethan. Told from different viewpoints – that perhaps weren’t distinct enough – this dark tale is a blend of relationship introspection, satire about cult indoctrination and mystery.
In Soulmates, by Jessica Grose, a woman tries to figure out what lead to her ex-husband's mysterious death. The synopsis says: "It's been two years since the divorce, and Dana has moved on. She's killing it at her law firm, she's never looked better, thanks to all those healthy meals she cooks, and she's thrown away Ethan's ratty old plaid recliner. She hardly thinks about her husband - ex-husband - anymore, or about how the man she'd known since college ran away to the Southwest with a yoga instructor, spouting spiritual claptrap that Dana still can't comprehend.
But when she sees Ethan's picture splashed across the front page of the New York Post - "Nama-Slay: Yoga Couple Found Dead in New Mexico Cave" - Dana discovers she hasn't fully let go of Ethan or the past. The article implies that it was a murder-suicide, and Ethan's to blame. How could the man she once loved so deeply be a killer? Restless to find answers that might help her finally to let go, Dana begins to dig into the mystery surrounding Ethan's death. Sifting through the clues of his life, Dana finds herself back in the last years of their marriage . . . and discovers that their relationship - like Ethan's death - wasn't what it appeared to be." Soulmates is out in September 2016.


The last time I checked in on the eTextbook platform at Chegg, it was February of this year; what a difference six months has made! While the original system was impressive, the changes are even more so and they are going to help set Chegg apart in the digital arena. Here’s what’s up:
iPhone Reader: Taking advantage of the retina display on iPhone, the new-and-improved Chegg app now has a direct tie to the eTextbook platform. This experience is fully optimized and provides a crisp-and-clean interface that is easy to navigate and easy on the eyes. Want to take it for a spin? The app has a sample eTextbook, so try it for yourself. Let me know what you think.
Notepad: In the first review, I mentioned the notes feature, but the new notepad is a totally revised experience. Clip a quote, grab a picture, or insert a Wikipedia definition into your note page and start a digital record of the notes and parts of the book you find most interesting. This is particularly helpful when going back to study for a test.
Homework Help: The old system had a Q&A component. The new system has deep integration with the Homework Help social interaction that Chegg is really promoting this fall.
Highlights: When I buy a used book, I typically look at the highlighting from the previous owner to see if s/he did a good job calling out useful content. The new highlight feature in Chegg tech allows you to see passages of the book that have been highlighted by other users. I thought this was a great use of digital content, kind of like getting the wisdom of all others who have used the same text.
While You Wait: While this isn’t a feature of the digital book itself, it is a nice feature of the larger process. Now when you order your textbook rental, if you are worried the book will not arrive by the first day of class, you can pay $0.99 to get a digital copy of the book for seven days while you wait for the print copy.
Chegg is setting the bar high for eTextbooks. As I have mentioned in past posts, Chegg needs a digital strategy to ensure its future now that it has serious competition from many rental companies trying to emulate what Chegg started a few years ago. You can tell by recent updates that the folks at Chegg get it, that they understand that they cannot rest upon their rental laurels and that they must continually innovate and that such innovation must come in the form of an interactive digital hub that is mobile friendly.


Recently I read a lot of posts mentioning The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō as a must read classic about tea. I have never read it, but to me (not to discard Japanese tea culture), the true origin of tea comes from China and this is principally what I am interested in. What do you think? How do you see both cultures and their differences?
Each time I asked my Chinese friends about tea, the first words that came out of their mouths was The Classic of Tea by Lu Yu, instantly.
I haven’t read the entire book yet, (the translation) but I have read a lot about its content. (I know, it sounds like reading cheat sheets), it’s easily found on Amazon> The Classic of Tea: Origins & Rituals
So here’s a list of 5 books about tea to check out:
5: Brief History of Tea by Roy Moxham
4: Darjeeling: The Colorful History and Precarious Fate of the World’s Greatest Tea by Jeff Koehler
3: Tea: The Drink that Changed the World by Laura C. Martin
2: The Tea Cyclopedia: A Celebration of the World’s Favorite Drink by Keith Souter
1: The Classic of Tea by Lu Yu
Lu Yu deserves a little special treatment in the meantime.
- Indulging in Tea and Dim Sum: A Cultural Experience in New York City’s Food Scene
- The Mystical Ginkgo Leaf: A Look at Its Ancient Medicinal and Spiritual Uses
- Discover the Health Benefits and Unique Flavor of Sagan Dayla: The Traditional Herbal Tea from Central Asia
- 5 Ways Tea Can Boost Your Health and Wellness
- The 5 Best Places in NYC for Tea Lovers Based on Reviews
Visit My New Blog About Expat Life


Stagefright 2.0, as it’s being dubbed by researchers from security firm Zimperium, is a set of two bugs that are triggered when processing specially designed MP3 audio or MP4 video files. The first flaw, which is found in the libutils library and is indexed as CVE-2015-6602, resides in every Android version since 1.0, which was released in 2008. The vulnerability can be exploited even on newer devices with beefed up defenses by exploiting a second vulnerability in libstagefright, a code library Android uses to process media files. Google still hasn’t issued a CVE index number for this second bug.
When combined, the flaws allow attackers to used booby-trapped audio or video files to execute malicious code on phones running Android 5.0 or later. Devices running 5.0 or earlier can be similarly exploited when they use the vulnerable function inside libutils, a condition that depends on what third-party apps are installed and what functionality came preloaded on the phone.
New Stagefright Attack Vectors
- Man-in-the-middle attack
- Third-party media player
- Instant messaging apps


|A Century of Progress
By Joseph Pierre Birren
Joseph Pierre Birren was born on May 14, 1864, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Henry Birren and Anna Catherine Faber. Henry / Heinrich Birren hailed from Steinsel, Luxembourg where he was born on August 10, 1812. He died in Chicago, Illinois on November 10, 1880. In Diekirch, Luxembourg in 1844, he married Anna Catherine Faber, born July 13, 1822, in Bauschleiden, Luxembourg. She passed away in Chicago, Illinois on March 20, 1895. The couple immigrated to the United States in 1845, initially settling in Buffalo, New York, where sons Nicholas (1846) and Cornelius (1848) were born. In 1848, the family moved to Chicago, here another eight children would be born, Nicholas Henry (1850), Margaretha (1852), Maria (1853), Anna (1856), John Henry (1859), Peter Andrew (1862), Joseph Pierre (1864) and Elizabeth (1866).
Growing up in Chicago Joseph P. Birren studied art, initially with Professor Lauth, then with C. F. Schwerdt, a portrait painter, before attending the Chicago Art Institute. There he studied under J. H. Vanderpoel. Joseph P. Birren painted beside such young rising American artists as John H. Twachtman, Arthur B. Davies, Harry Aiken Vincent and Oliver Dennett Grover — who all contributed to a cyclorama that represented Christ before Pilate, executed in Chicago in 1886, a 365 feet circular canvas. He also contributed to the 1887 Battle of Gettysburg cyclorama, whose sky was painted by Twachtman. In 1888, the Gross Organization commissioned Joseph P. Birren, along with C. H. Collins and C. Wilhelmi of Dusseldorf, to bring the cyclorama to Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, and install it for exhibition. Joseph Birren took the occasion to travel around the world, sketching and drawing along the trip. In Paris, he studied at the Julian and Colarossi Academies in 1889, returning to America a year later. To replenish his savings, Birren landed a job with George Luks, as a newspaper illustrator for Texas Siftings in New York in 1890. Returning to Chicago in 1892, Birren worked as art director for the Chicago Graphic during the World’s Columbian Exposition. His business associates included J.C. Leyendecker, Karl Anderson, and other rising artists. Having achieved financial prosperity with his own business of fashion design, Birren retired in 1916 and turned to full-time painting. From 1893 until his death, his work was exhibited regularly at the Art Institute of Chicago and sporadically at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
In the fall of 1931 Joseph Pierre Birren visited Luxembourg. In Steinsel he painted a small picture of the local church:
Roman Catholic Church by Pierre Joseph Birren
On the back of the picture he wrote:
‘Steinsel, Luxembourg. Birthplace of Heinrich Birren (my father) 1812-1880 and R.C. Church built after my father’s departure for U.S.A. in 1845. Drawn in Sept 1931’ Joseph P. Birren
In October 1931, Grand-Duchess Charlotte conferred upon Joseph P. Birren the honor of chevalier dans l’Ordre Grand-Ducal de la Couronne de Chêne [Knight of the Grand-Ducal Order of the Oak Leaf Crown]. A painting by Joseph P. Birren came to symbolize the 1933 Chicago’s World Fair A Century of Progress, 1833-1933 and was selected by the US Postal Service for a commemorative envelope of the fair.
Joseph P. Birren passed away in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 4, 1933. His son, Faber Birren (1900-1988), became a specialist on the effects of color on humans, publishing many books and articles on the subject.
© 2007-2011 Fausto Gardini. Jacksonville, Florida
A version of this article was written for the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, Inc. in 2007 for the Luxembourg American Cultural Center (LACC) of Belgium, Wisconsin.


The business world is extremely noisy.
So how do we make sense of it?
The path ahead for better decision-making for many is about using complex models and searching for more data. However, there is also another approach.
That is about reducing complexity by using strategy tools for your business.
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For Young Research Forum Registration
- Access to All Sessions
- Coffee during the conference
- Handbook & Conference Kit
- A free paper abstract (For Young Researchers)
- Lunch during the conference
- Certificate Accreditation from the Organizing Committee
- CPD Certificate
For Student Delegates
- Access to All Sessions.
- Refreshment breaks the conference.
- Conference Kit.
- Lunch during the conference.
- Certificate Accreditation from the Organizing Committee.
- CPD Certificate.
- Special Networking breaks for interaction.


In this episode we talk about the history of childhood.
In the 19th century, people started to see childhood as a space where children should just be kids, play, go to school, and eat candy. But this was not the experience of most children in the 19th century. Most kids still needed to work. Some worked really hard jobs on the street.
In very Victorian fashion, people were there to chronicle it. One of the more famous descriptions of child workers is Henry Mayhew's story of the 'watercress girl'-a young girl who sold greens door to door.
"I asked her about her toys and her games with her companions; but the look of amazement that answered me soon put an end to any attempt at fun on my part. I then talked to her about the parks, and whether she ever went to them. "The parks!" she replied in wonder, "where are they?" I explained to her, telling her that they were large open places with green grass and tall trees, where beautiful carriages drove about, and people walked for pleasure, and children played"
My books for the day were:
Hugh Cunningham, Children and Childhood in Western Society Since 1500


The Notarial Archives Division, the Conveyance Division, and the Mortgage Division are divisions of the Clerk of Civil District Court.The Conveyance Division, and the Mortgage Division are located on the 4th floor of 1340 Poydras Street in downtown New Orleans. Records in the Conveyance Office date from April 1, 1827 to present. Records of the Mortgage Office date from 1788 to present.
The function of the Conveyance Division is to summarize, register and index alienations (changes of ownership or possession, as in leases) of property in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. For this object, the Conveyance Division summarizes transactions involving real estate (and before the Civil War, slaves), and provides a summary of the property description. It also includes the date of the transaction, the names of parties to acts, the consideration, and the name of the notary before whom the act was passed. Retrieving the notary's name and the act date from the Conveyance Division record, researchers may access the original act in the Notarial Archives.
The original act is always longer than the summaries in the Conveyance Division. It contains original signatures, and generally several attachments. Attachments may include visual materials such as site plans or elevations of the property being sold, along with powers of attorney from all parts of the world, Conveyance and Mortgage certificates, tax research certificates, correspondence, corporate resolutions, and so on.
Conveyance certificates are necessary to prove that the seller of a particular property at a particular time actually owns and has not previously alienated the subject property.
Name indices in the Conveyance Division are paper-based until January 1, 1989. They include indexes to vendors (sellers) and vendees (buyers). Both words derive from the French vendre, to sell. A Soundex, similar but not identical to Federal census Soundex indices, is also available for vendors (only) from 1900 to 1989. This is now available to the public in the Conveyance Office. The Soundex is arranged by party names, as are the vendor and vendee indices, but Soundex entries also provide keys to transaction types and property locations. Staff in the Conveyance Office will gladly assist researchers in using the Soundex and other Conveyance Division records.
The function of the Mortgage Division (records 1788 to date) is to summarize and index party names to transactions involving encumbrances on property, or releases of mortgages on property in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. As do Conveyance Division records, Mortgage Division records supply party names, property descriptions, dates, considerations, and the name of the notary before whom the mortgage or the release was passed. With that information, one can enter the Notarial Archives and access the original document. Note however that some Mortgage Division records, such as liens, are original inscriptions and do not derive from notarial acts.
A property may be sold with an encumbrance recorded against it, but the encumbrance must go with it if it has not been cancelled.
The Mortgage Division is also the repository of indices to incorporations and charters of civil and religious corporations, civic and charitable organizations, partnerships, and other group charters created according to law in Orleans Parish. These records are particularly useful for the study of economic and social history.
Liens by contractors, builders, and suppliers, as well as judicial liens are also among the records indexed in the Mortgage Office. Records on uncancelled liens are essential to current transfers of property, while older records of this type are particularly useful in the study of historic architecture.


Uncovering Performance in Medieval Scandinavia:
A Survey and Analysis of Medieval Performance in Scandinavia
The academic study of Scandinavian culture and Scandinavian literature has long ignored the engagement of the Nordic nations in the tradition of drama and performance in medieval Europe. Early drama history scholars like Sophus Birket Smith and G.E. Klemming made claims about a perceived lack of practice based on limited sources and most of the scholars who followed them have accepted those claims as valid. Unfortunately, Birket Smith and Klemming were working with an incomplete corpus and nineteenth-century ideas about what constituted “drama”. Later scholars such as Frederick and Lise-Lone Marker and Terry Gunnell have made great headway in expanding the concept of drama and performance within the field of Scandinavian studies while also clarifying what texts we do, in fact, still have. The work that has been done, however, is still far below the level of depth and complexity of work that has been done with the study of medieval drama and performance in other language traditions. It is my goal to gather and present a more complete corpus of early Scandinavian drama along with an analysis of the work that has been done to date. The goal of this dissertation is to offer an overview of this long misunderstood tradition and to introduce the international scholarly community to a revised corpus of medieval drama running the gamut from liturgical drama to secular comedy.


„Death is unacceptable. I did not sign this contract!“ – that’s the feeling!
Flight From Death: The Quest for Immortality
directed by Patrick Shen, fl. 1999; produced by Greg Bennick, fl. 1996 (Alexandria, VA: Filmakers Library, 2003), 1 hour 26 mins
„Hailed by viewers as a “life-transformational film” and “one of the most ambitious documentaries ever made” by Australia’s 106.7, Flight from Death uncovers fear of death as a possible root cause of much of our everyday behaviors. Through stunning visuals and insightful interviews, this 7-time “Best Documentary” award-winning film explores fear of death and its influence on our behavior, specifically in regards to violence. In the end, this film provides the most comprehensive and mind-blowing investigation of humankind’s relationship with death ever captured in a documentary.“


Sister Marya Roy, MM
Born: April 7, 1928
Entered: October 30, 1947
Died: July 20, 2000
“Because they are unfathomable, one can only describe them vaguely…” (#15 Tao Te Ching). This is the quotation that comes to mind in trying to write something about the life and person of Sister Marya Roy. My first recollection of Marya was sitting with her in the Vista Dome train going to San Francisco and then to Hawaii. It was 1952. We were on our way to our first mission. The fact that at least ten of us, Maryknoll Sisters, were on the wrong train did not seem to worry Marya. She was too taken up by the beauty of the stars, clearly visible and twinkling brightly in the night skies. I knew immediately that Marya had a very special appreciation for the beauties of nature. I also think it had something to do with her love and faithfulness to prayer. When asked what she most appreciated about a community, Marya’s answer remained constant throughout the years, “A community faithful to prayer.”
Barbara Jean Roy, better known in the Maryknoll Community as Sister Marya, was born on April 7, 1928, in Hartford, Connecticut. She entered Maryknoll on October 30, 1947. She was a member of the pioneer group of our new Valley Park Novitiate in Missouri. She made her first vows at Valley Park on May 8, 1950, and her final vows on May 8,1953 in Hawaii. Before joining Maryknoll, Barbara Jean attended St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut, and in 1952 she completed her studies for her bachelor’s degree in education from Maryknoll Teachers College.
The varieties of Asian cultures represented in Hawaii was an on-going fascination for Marya. She was sympathetic with the customs and ideas of peoples of other nations and nationalities. She sensed that a more thorough knowledge of their culture would enable her to impart a positive attitude among the students with whom she daily came in contact, and on whom she exerted considerable influence. She wanted to foster in them a love and understanding for all peoples. Her own deep love for Asians and their culture prompted her to request permission to attend the University of Hawaii where she obtained a Master’s degree in Asian Studies in 1977.
During her twenty-seven years of service in Hawaii, Marya filled a number of posts in various schools staffed by the Maryknoll Sisters, on the islands of Maui and Oahu. She worked as an elementary and secondary school teacher, as a guidance director, as administrator, and as principal of both elementary and secondary schools.
Always tugging at her heart, however, was the desire to serve in the Far East. China was her first choice, but after attending an Asia World Section meeting in Korea, she felt that God was calling her to that country. She was assigned there in 1979. Language study was not easy. Marya was fifty-one years old at the time, and she never became very comfortable with the language. Nonetheless, she had a deep desire to serve the people. She taught English to seminarians and workers and even engaged in some pastoral work. From 1986 to 1989, she served as Director of Research and Planning for the Congregation.
The lure of China, however, was still in her heart. When China opened up to the outside world and began welcoming foreign teachers into their universities to teach English, she discerned her desire to teach in China, with her community, the Korea Region and with the China Coordinating Committee in Hong Kong. In 1990, she secured a position at the Sichuan Institute of Foreign Languages. In 1991, she made her way to Northeast China to teach in the Harbin Institute of Electrical Technology. She was hoping eventually to find a position in the Korean Autonomous Region in Mainland China, where she could unite her love for the Koreans with her love for the Chinese people.
This desire never materialized. It became obvious that Marya’s health had been declining. In early 1994, Sister Marya returned to the Center from Korea and underwent treatment for her illness. Following her recovery, Dr. Field sent the following message to Dr. Hsieh, “The diagnosis, prognosis, risks, options and alternatives were all explained at length with the patient and all questions answered. Thank you for allowing me to take part in the care of this pleasant patient…”
Marya was still hoping to return to China but after careful consideration, it was obvious to all that her teaching days in China had come to a close. She returned to Korea.
When Marya’s health problems began to limit her independence in ministry and community, the Korea Region decided she needed treatment and health supervision in an English speaking environment. Shortly after joining her friend Sister Margaret Shepherd in Hong Kong to celebrate their Golden Jubilee in May 1997, Marya returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center. On April 1, 1999, she was assigned to Monrovia where she spent a happy year despite continuing health problems.
On Sunday, July 16th, Sister Kay Byrne noticed that Marya was not in chapel for Mass, a major clue that something was radically wrong. On Monday, Marya was back in her place in chapel, as usual, and later that day went to see her doctor. She was extremely ill. During the next two days, she lost much of her energy and appetite, and her general condition worsened. She died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, July 20, 2000.
There was something unique about Marya. One of her friends has described her as a woman of style. Another, as a woman you could not easily forget. Marya was something of a paradox. She was a wonderful cook, but her favorite restaurant was MacDonald’s. She seemed impatient about things that did not matter and very patient in most trying situations. She was also full of surprises, and her death was a surprise of sadness to all who knew and loved her.
The Chinese sage says that “to return to the root is to find peace. To find peace is to fulfill one’s destiny” (Tao Te Ching, #16). Sister Marya has now returned to her root where she has found her peace.
We offer our condolences to Sister Marya’s family and friends. We thank you for sharing Sister with us and for the gift she has been for each of us.


A Picture of God: A free online Bible study. The world can be divided, mostly, into these major belief systems: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and secularism (or sometimes called humanism, or Secular Humanism). Only a small percent of humanity falls outside these categories. How do you choose which God or religion to believe in?
ChristWise: Leader’s Guide for Juniors, Teens, and Youth. By Troy Fitzgerald.This book is a comprehensive resource that includes a rich discussion of the different ways to lead young people at different stages of development. The Leader’s guide includes insights into the process of preparing young people on their journey toward baptism. The Leader’s Guide contains:
- All the material in the three student editions
- Instruction and background information on how to teach
- Commentary and prompts for interactive learning
- Annotated suggestions for each topic
ChristWise: Discipleship Guide for Youth. By Troy Fitzgerald. How to be sure about your faith and shamelessly share it.The youth version of ChristWise is a versatile resource that filters our fundamental beliefs through engaging stories in everyday life and makes Christ central to every doctrine. Since youth need more variety, this resource comes equipped with 21 small group studies on the life of Christ.
Forty Days Wild. By Troy Fitzgerald. Now in it’s third printing, this is a proven spiritual growth resource. Using ten activities found in the words and works of Christ, this devotional launches you from your spiritual couch to the trail of grace-based change. Each day includes an inspirational discussion of Christ’s teaching about the topic and a challenge to put into practice. Small group prompts for reflection and sharing are found at the end of each section.
iBelieve Bible Studies – Endeavors to create an online experience free of judgment about personal religious beliefs and life journeys, and nurtures an environment that lends itself to exploring important spiritual issues without overtly imposing all the answers.
inVerse – Thirteen-lesson Bible study guides for weekly prayer meeting, Sabbath School, personal devotionals, or small groups.
Junior Power Points – Sabbath School Bible Study Guide designed for Juniors and Early Teens
Seeing Red: Exploring the Words of Christ. By Troy Fitzgerald. This is a creative reflection on the words Jesus spoke while He was among us. Survey what Jesus said about Himself and what He said at the end. This resource can be used by individuals and small groups, or in larger classroom settings.
180 Symposium Articles – Research on topics relating to youth and young adults.
Adventist Youth Ministries – Youth and Pathfinder information in the SDA Church.
Angel House Media – Videoclips, DVDs, and media resource for illustrations
Church of Refuge – Resource website aimed at ministering to young adults
Cruise with a Mission – A three-part vacation: cruise, mission trip, and spiritual retreat
Discovery Courses – “Ten Questions for God” – An excellent resource for 15 to 35 year-olds by the Discovery Centre located in the Adventist Media Network building in the South Pacific Division. Study topics include “Why don’t You stop Pain & Evil?”, “Does Love really work?”, “Sex – Do You Approve?” and more.
Easter Passion Play – Annual Easter Passion Play on the campus of Andrews University
Group Publishing – Resources ranging from manuals, books, program ideas, and more
Insight Magazine – Resource magazine for youth
International Sabbath School Teacher’s Association – A Resource by Gary B. Swanson, GC Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Director, for Youth and Young Adult and Adult Sabbath School Teachers all around the world.
Lake Union Club Ministries Academy – Online Pathfinder Honors and Adventurer Rewards.
Mental Health Series – Providing information and resources on seven timely mental health topics.
Money for Campus Ministries – Apply now to fund programs, special projects, and emergency needs within the United States.
Pastor 2 Youth – Free youth ministry resources
Sermon Spice – Videoclips, DVD and media resources for illustrations
Simply Youth Ministry – Free resources and ideas for your youth group
The Bible Project: Free Bible story videos.
www.youthministry.com – Library of youth resources from Group Publishing
Youth Baptismal Sabbath – Leader’s manual for leading youth towards baptism
Youth Specialties – Youth resources, seminars and products
Youth Week of Prayer – Includes manuscript, images and graphics.
Like Water Between Our Fingers (Phillips; Adventist Review, Feb 19, 2009)
Reaching Out: Making a Difference with Young Adults (Allan Martin; Ministry, July 2008)
What Jesus Said about Young Adult Ministry (Hopkins, McBride, Tyner, Drumm, & Kannenberg; Adventist Review, May 21, 2009)
Youth Retention: Factors that Influence Intent to Remain (Sauceda, Cincala; October 11, 2021)


Despite the predictability of characters, setting and plot of apostasy lit, and despite the grating self-assured stance of its author protagonists, apostasy lit is one of the most valuable genres for those who, despite all the potential pitfalls, actually take their Christianity seriously. What's more, apostasy lit is valuable for those Christian parents who care for their children and hope that their children embrace and not run away from the faith. Among the many potential teaching moments apostasy lit provides, two stand out: the warning against sternness or harshness and the warning against creating a stifling environment. And herein lies the lesson that should not be ignored by readers of apostasy lit. If harshness and sternness coupled with a stifling environment are what make a piece of literature apostasy lit, then those two may be guilty of causing the apostasy in the first place.Read the whole thing.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Steve Nichols on What We Can Learn from Apostasy Lit
Steve Nichols has a helpful piece today on the proliferation of "apostasy lit"--"a genre, usually taking the form of a memoir, in which the protagonist reflects on and recants her Christian, usually of the fundamentalist variety, upbringing; may also include film." An excerpt:


It was in year 2003 when someone gifted me sets of classic books, with his impression that I love to read. (He was right about it, but he was wrong to think that I have loved classic books. At that time, I thought of them boring.)I might have shown keen interest listening to his discussions of his reading and constantly debating and arguing with his reasonings, so he brought me more books to read. (I really did not get the chance to read all those thick books, but they still lie in one of those boxes at home that I have not opened for years.)
Now, year 2012, 9 years later, while looking for a book to gift to someone at Barnes and Noble, there lies in the “Summer Must Read” section a book that is so much familiar: Farewell to Arms. No doubt, I had to have it.
They say that reading a book for the second time will allow you to appreciate it more, to understand it deeper, and to value it more. Indeed, for as I have opened to first page, I have understood why “Farewell to Arms” remains to be a must read. It gives that kind of simplicity, yet with depth.
In this story, a North American, Frederick Henry, is enlisted as an ambulance driver for the Italian army during World War I. He learned to love, and to lose his love during the war.
With the war going on, with ‘much traffic’ where there are ‘mules’ ‘with boxes of ammunition’, ‘long barrels of the guns’, Henry describes how to live through it:
I had gone to no such place but to the smoke of cafes and nights when the room whirled and you needed to look at the wall to stop, nights in bed, drunk, when you knew that that was all there was, and the strange excitement of waking and not knowing who it was with you, and the world all unreal in the dark and so exciting that you must resume again unknowing and not caring in the night, sure that this was all and all and all and not caring. Suddenly to care very much and to sleep to wake with it sometimes and all that had been there gone and everything sharp and hard and clear and sometimes a dispute about the cost.
Then he meets Catherine Barkley, an English nurse, whose fiance never returns back from war. Henry, who says, “I don’t love” (page 72), falls in love with Catherine. When Catherine comes to see him in the hospital where he is treated for being shot, “everything turned over inside” him (page 91) and he ‘felt her heart beating’, too. Catherine says:
“…there’s only us two in the world there’s all the rest of them. If anything comes between us we’re gone and they have us.” (page 139).
Henry wishes for them to get married, but Catherine thinks they would separate them. Driven by their love for each other, they pretend to be married, to be a husband and a wife.
“What good would it do to marry now? We’re really married. I couldn’t be any more married.”(Catherine, page 115)
“There isn’t any me. I’m you. Don’t make up a separate me.” (Catherine, page 115)
“…You see I’m happy, darling, and we have a lovely time. I haven’t been happy for a long time and when I met you perhaps I was nearly crazy. Perhaps I was crazy. But now we’re happy and we love each other. Do let’s please just be happy….” (Catherine, page 116)
Before reporting back to the front (after staying in the hospital for the treatment of his wounded knew), Catherine tells Henry that she is pregnant. He leaves for the front, leaving Catherine with the promise that he will write letters, and that he will return safe to her.
During a mission to bring an ambulance into the retreat, he ends up being caught by the battle police. Knowing that the police will kill him, he escapes by running into the river. In his escape, he reflects:
“Anger was washed away in the river along with any obligation…I would like to have had the uniform off although I did not care much about the outward forms. I had taken off the stars, but that was for convenience. It was no point of honor. I was not against them. I was through. I wished them all the luck. There were good ones, and the brave ones, and the calm ones, and the sensible ones, and they deserved it. But it was not my show anymore….” (Henry, page 232)
Henry and Catherine then reunite, and they escape to Switzerland, where they live a peaceful life in the mountains. Henry’s reflection on page 249 speaks strongly of his love for Catherine:
“…Often a man wishes to be alone and a girl wishes to be alone too and they love each other they are jealous of that in each other, but i can truly say we never felt that. We could feel alone when we are together, alone against the others. It has only happened to me like that once. I have been alone while I was with many girls and that is the way that you can be most lonely. But we were never lonely and never afraid when we were together. I know that the night is not the same as the day: that ll things are different, that the things of the night cannot be explained in the day, because they do not then exist, and the night can be a dreadful time for lonely people once their loneliness has started. But with Catherine there was almost no difference in the night except that it was an even better time. If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them….”
Their love, which some people consider to be doomed, has to end when Catherine gives birth to a baby boy who has been dead even before being born, and suffers with hemorrhage. Henry, who, at the beginning of the novel, claims not to love God, prays hard. But Catherine dies.
Despite being written on the first point of view, the readers can understand more of what is going on through dialogues and conversations. There is not so much of a revelation of what is going on in the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
Thoughts and ideas about war are evident from these quotes:
“…There is noting as bad as war. …When people realize how bad it is they cannot do anything to stop it because they go crazy. There are some people who never realize. There are people who are afraid of their officers. It is them the war is made.” (Passini, page 50)
“We think. We read. We are not peasants. We are mechanics. But even the peasants know better than to believe in war. Everybody hates this war.” (Passini, page 51)
“…There are people who would make war. In this country there are many like that….” (the priest, page 71)
“..life isn’t hard to manage when you’ve nothing to lose.” (Catherine, page 137)
“…The brave dies perhaps a thousand deaths if he’s intelligent. He simply doesn’t mention it.” (Henry, page 139)
“…I tell you this war is a bad thing. Why did we make it anyway?” (Rinaldi, page 168)
Rereading this classic is an affirmation to how simple language is being used to craft a moving story. How can war change one’s life? Read the novel, and you would understand more how both cynicism, brotherhood, love and faith are built from war.


Freedom Lies in Being Bold
-- Robert Frost
is a chronicle of one woman's quest to rediscover the passion that was missing in her life.
Nancy Slomowitz's journey starts with a jolting wake-up call that exposes her safe but numb existence and forces her to ask herself-is this all there is?
You will have a front row seat as she navigates through uncharted territory on a winding path to transform her life.
You will see her struggle to overcome her fears as she breaks out of her comfort zone to face the many challenges and critical decision points along the way.
Nancy learns that keeping an open mind is the key to meaningful change and finding fulfillment. She learns to trust her intuition-and to stay open to important
messages from hidden masters, including:
- Revelations from a psychic
- A surprising offer from a rock star
- A random encounter at the mall
- Life lessons from a network marketing guru
A terrific read for restless baby boomers, or lost millennials, EXPOSED lights the way for People seeking to connect
with their inner selves, reinvent their lives and careers, and find true meaning in an often barren and alienating world.


At AssignBuster, we understand that students often need a little help with their schoolwork. That's why we offer a wide range of resources to assist them in meeting their academic goals. Our database of research papers and term papers is a great place to start, as it provides students with a wealth of information on a variety of topics. In addition, our topic generators and writing tips can be extremely helpful in guiding students through the writing process. We also offer a number of free resources, such as our monthly newsletter and blog, which provide valuable information on a variety of topics related to student education. Our mission is to help students achieve their academic goals, and our vision is to be the #1 resource for student education. We invite you to browse our website and take advantage of all the great resources we have to offer. Thanks for visiting AssignBuster!


OLED-Info and MicroLED-Info are proud to present The MicroLED Handbook. This book is a comprehensive guide to MicroLED display technology, industry and market. MicroLED displays are thin, efficient, bright and flexible and are on track to revolutionize the display industry.
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Many (most?) public libraries have digital media collections that cardholders can use for free. This includes ebooks in kindle or epub formats, audiobooks, etc.
The big win for RV dwellers is that checkout, delivery, and return are all handled online; your physical location and time of day/night doesn’t matter. In addition, eBooks are generally very lightweight and therefore cheap for nomads to download over that mobile data bucket. Audiobooks are substantially larger files.
Libraries usually outsource there digital loans to a service. Here are the main ones and some libraries near popular domicile / mail forwarders:
- Overdrive - the 800lb gorilla. Generally has both kindle and ePub formats
1. [Rapid City SD library](http://www.rcgov.org/departments/library/elibrary/elibrary-370.html) [digital media](http://www.rcgov.org/departments/library/elibrary/elibrary-370.html) 2. [Livingston Tx library](http://www.livingstonlibrary.net/) [digital media](http://www.livingstonlibrary.net/services/overdrive-ebooks) 3. [Crestview, FL library](http://www.cityofcrestview.org/178/Library) [digital media](http://okaloosa.lib.overdrive.com/A9259756-DC65-4869-A9EA-EEE6C0864B40/10/50/en/Default.htm) 4. [Las Vegas - Clark Co, NV library](http://www.lvccld.org/) [digital media](http://ebooks.lvccld.org/204E9E3A-48F5-4274-8008-C60AB50CAD48/10/50/en/Default.htm) 5. [Reno - Washoe Co, NV library](https://washoecountylibrary.us/) [digital media](http://washoecounty.lib.overdrive.com/)
Freading - a smaller, simpler system that sometimes has stuff missing from Overdrive. Generally ePub format.
CLOUDLIBRARY - have to read using an app?
1. [Siouxland (Sioux Falls) library](http://siouxlandlib.org/) [digital media](https://ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/library/siouxland)
- One Click Digital - smaller system also uses an app to read?
1. [Crestview, FL library](http://www.cityofcrestview.org/178/Library) digital media
That should get you started!


Manga, the unique and diverse world of picture books, has captivated readers across generations, transcending cultural boundaries and leaving an indelible mark on the global comic industry. With its engaging storytelling, iconic characters, and visually stunning artwork, manga has become a beloved medium that continues to enchant readers of all ages. In this article, we will explore how Japanese comics have captivated readers across generations and examine the factors behind their enduring popularity.
Rich History and Cultural Significance
Manga has a rich history deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Its origins can be traced back to the 12th century when picture scrolls, known as “emaki,” were used to depict narratives. Over the centuries, manga evolved, taking various forms and styles, eventually becoming the distinctive art form we know today.
One of the reasons for manga’s enduring popularity is its ability to reflect and resonate with Japanese society. Manga often addresses social issues, cultural nuances, and historical events, providing a window into Japanese life and values. It serves as a medium for expressing collective experiences, hopes, and dreams, creating a sense of cultural connection and identity for readers.
Diverse Genres and Storytelling
Manga encompasses a wide range of genres, catering to different interests and age groups. From action-packed adventures and heartfelt romance to thought-provoking dramas and fantastical worlds, manga offers something for everyone. This diversity in genres and storytelling styles has contributed to its widespread appeal and ability to captivate readers across generations.
For younger readers, manga like “Doraemon” and “Pokémon” provide imaginative and entertaining stories filled with vibrant characters and exciting quests. As readers grow older, they can explore more complex narratives in genres such as shonen (targeted at young boys) and shojo (targeted at young girls). Manga series like “One Piece,” “Naruto,” “Sailor Moon,” and “Fruits Basket” have become timeless classics that have captured the hearts of multiple generations, showcasing the enduring appeal of these beloved characters and their journeys.
Character Development and Relatability
One of the strengths of manga lies in its ability to create deeply relatable characters. Manga characters often undergo personal growth, face challenges, and navigate complex emotions. Readers can see themselves reflected in these characters, their struggles, and their triumphs. This relatability fosters a strong emotional connection, making readers deeply invested in the characters’ journeys.
Furthermore, manga has a knack for portraying a wide spectrum of characters, each with their unique personalities, backgrounds, and motivations. Whether it’s the charismatic and determined protagonist, the quirky sidekick, or the enigmatic antagonist, manga characters are often multifaceted and complex. They evolve and develop throughout the story, mirroring the growth and changes that readers experience in their own lives.
Visual Splendor and Artistic Brilliance
Manga is renowned for its visually stunning artwork, which plays a significant role in its appeal and captivation. From the delicate linework and intricate details to the expressive character designs and dynamic action sequences, manga artists showcase their incredible talent and creativity through their artwork.
The use of panel layouts, composition, and visual storytelling techniques further elevate the reading experience. Manga panels guide the reader’s eye, creating a sense of rhythm, movement, and pacing. This visual language adds depth and impact to the storytelling, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the narrative.
Innovation and Technological Advancements
The evolution of manga has been greatly influenced by technological advancements. The transition from traditional pen-and-ink illustrations to digital manga has revolutionized the industry, allowing for greater efficiency and creative possibilities. Manga artists now have access to a wide array of digital tools and software that enhance their artistic process, resulting in even more visually striking and immersive storytelling.
Furthermore, the digital age has made manga more accessible than ever before. Online platforms and digital publications have made it easier for readers across the globe to discover and enjoy manga. The convenience of reading manga on smartphones, tablets, or e-readers has expanded the reach of Japanese comics, transcending geographical boundaries and connecting readers from different cultures.
Manga’s ability to captivate readers across generations stems from its rich history, diverse genres, relatable characters, stunning artwork, and continuous innovation. The power of manga lies in its ability to transport readers to different worlds, evoke a wide range of emotions, and create lasting connections. As Japanese comics continue to evolve and resonate with new audiences, their timeless appeal and ability to captivate readers will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.


I enjoy reading the Caine Prize nominated short stories each year because they are well written, innovative and thrilling. This year I was once again enraptured by the amazing writing and attention to detail. It was difficult for me to pick a winner, but I came to my selection after much consideration.
Acclaimed writer, professor, and Chair of Judges for the 2015 Caine Prize for African Writing, Zoe Wicomb, announced the five writers shortlisted for the 2015 prize on May 5. Wicomb described the shortlisted prose as, “an exciting crop of well-crafted stories,” adding that, “the shortlist has in common a rootedness in socio-economic worlds that are pervaded with affect, as well as keen awareness of the ways in which the ethical is bound up with aesthetics.”
The nominees are:
Namwali Serpell (Zambia) with “The Sack”
Elnathan John (Nigeria) “Flying”
Masande Ntshanga (South African) “Space”
F. T. Kola (South African) “A Party for the Colonel”
Segun Afolabi (Nigeria) “The Folded Leaf”
Afolabi was awarded the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2005 and Serpell and John were shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2010 and 2013, respectively.
Although F. T. Kola’s, “A Party for the Colonel” is the most traditionally written story it is my pick for this year’s Caine Prize for African Writing. Kola takes the reader on a long emotional journey and during the trip, the reader is forced to reconcile issues of physical and emotional isolation, rebellion, bondage, and racism. The dramatic ending, in particular, makes the story a refreshing and inspiring narrative worthy of the Caine Prize.
I must admit Kola clenched the victory for me because of the swift and impactful conclusion of her story. Right up until those final few scenes I had Elnathan John’s short story, “Flying” as the winner. The misery and mystery of “Flying” reads like poetry more than prose. Clever yet approachable, John is able to spin a masterful tale through the eyes of a child.
“The Sack,” “Space” and “The Folded Leaf” are all fantastic stories. Within them I witnessed the beauty and tragedy of friendship and love; I lived, once again as a wayward child; and I found my sight through blindness.
Good luck to all the nominees.
An in-depth review of “A Party for the Colonel,” by F. T. Kola will be posted soon.


Antoine Catala: Distant Feel
Exhibition in Carnegie Museum of Art’s Forum Gallery
February 14–May 18, 2015
Shannon Ebner: Auto Body Collision
Artist book published by Carnegie Museum of Art
Available May 2015
Both commissioned projects are part of Orphaned Images, an investigation within the Hillman Photography Initiative that addresses questions raised within art practice by the increasingly widespread digital dissemination of photographs. As images are shared, manipulated, recirculated, and reused, they lose authorship, and become itinerant. Attentive to the shifting role of the photographic image in society, Orphaned Images explores the intersections and collisions of humans and technology in the contemporary world.
Antoine Catala: Distant Feel is the first solo US museum exhibition of the New York–based French artist. It presents a new body of work in sculpture, photography, and video that addresses the way that images provoke emotion, especially as they travel virtual and physical distances via the internet. Catala’s work takes an interest in the myriad ways we express feelings, through the very technology that increasingly mediates our daily lives. Catala is developing a new approach to the sentiment of empathy, conceived in collaboration with the New York advertising agency Droga5. This new form of empathy is embodied in both a symbol and the catch phrase “distant feel,” both of which will be employed in the exhibition and online. Catala shares the campaign, with more information, at http://distantfeel.com. This project is a co-commission with the New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, and will be presented on the occasion of their 2015 Triennial (February 25–May 24, 2015).
Shannon Ebner’s publication Auto Body Collision continues the artist’s ongoing investigation into the dialogue between word and image in a new series of over 200 photographs that comprise a long-form poem. In this new series Ebner employs the automobile and automation as metaphor, meditating on the “collision” between bodies and machines. The book serves as a natural medium for Ebner’s preoccupation with language, wordplay, and the contemporary economy of images. Auto Body Collision includes essays by curators Alex Klein, Tina Kukielski, and designer Mark Owens.
Orphaned Images is organized by Tina Kukielski, curator of the Hillman Photography Initiative and co-curator of the 2013 Carnegie International at Carnegie Museum of Art, and Alex Klein, the Dorothy and Stephen R. Weber (CHE’60) Program Curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania.
The Hillman Photography Initiative at Carnegie Museum of Art is an incubator for innovative thinking on the photographic image. The Initiative’s inaugural cycle of projects investigates the lifecycle of images: their creation, transmission, consumption, storage, potential loss, and reemergence. Technology accelerates the pace of this cycle, and often alters or redirects the trajectory of an image in unexpected, powerful ways.
Other recent projects of the Initiative include The Invisible Photograph, This Picture, The Sandbox: At Play with the Photobook, and A People’s History of Pittsburgh.
The Invisible Photograph, a five-part documentary series, investigates hidden sites of photography, whether guarded, stashed away, barely recognizable, or simply forgotten. It has, among other things, visited a massive photo archive, preserved 200 feet underground in a former limestone mine; witnessed the recovery of obsolete images created by Andy Warhol on an Amiga computer; and interviewed an artist whose primary medium is photographic garbage.
This Picture explores the breadth of what photographic images can say and do by tracking the responses and feedback a single image triggers and generates. Each month, the museum invites the public to submit responses to a carefully selected photograph, including works by Arne Svensen, Ken Josephson, and Charles Dharapak, with additional commentary by Pete Brook, Nancy West, Marco Bohr, and Marcel LaFollette.
The Sandbox: At Play with the Photobook invited artists-in-residence Melissa Catanese and Ed Panar to transform the museum’s Coatroom Gallery into a playful hybrid space dedicated to the photobook: part reading room, part bookshop, part library, part event space. Visitors encountered a rotating selection of photobooks and intimate events emphasizing contemporary trends that give the medium its character.
Catanese and Panar also lead the yearlong A People’s History of Pittsburgh project, compiling hundreds of family-owned, found, and anonymous photographs and stories from the city’s residents to create an online archive that unearths and reconstructs narratives through the lives of Pittsburghers. Catanese and Panar will conclude the project by editing and co-publishing a print photobook with CMOA.
Encounter these projects at http://nowseethis.org/
Distant Feel is co-commissioned by the Hillman Photography Initiative, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, and the New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York. Support for the Hillman Photography Initiative is provided by the William T. Hillman Foundation and the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. Major support is provided by Lisa Schiff. Production support is provided by Droga5.
General operating support for Carnegie Museum of Art is provided by The Heinz Endowments and Allegheny Regional Asset District. Carnegie Museum of Art receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Carnegie Museum of Art
Located at 4400 Forbes Avenue in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art was founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1895. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, it is nationally and internationally recognized for its distinguished collection of American and European painting, sculpture, and decorative arts from the 19th century to the present. Founded in 1896, the Carnegie International is one of the oldest surveys of contemporary art worldwide. The Heinz Architectural Center, part of Carnegie Museum of Art, is dedicated to enhancing understand of the built environment through its exhibitions, collections, and public programs. The Hillman Photography Initiative serves as an incubator for innovative thinking about the photographic image. For more information about Carnegie Museum of Art, call 412.622.3131 or visit our website at www.cmoa.org.
# # #


The Power of Asgard is both recently come to the stage in Creation and one of the oldest Powers known. Originally created by Oberon in his guise as the One-Eyed Odin, the Power was created as an alternative to the more staid and static Amber. Within Asgard, Oberon was able to experiment wildly and grow his practices and policies, setting the stage for his later life. Due to interferences from external forces, the lands were maimed and abandoned, fulfilling much of the fabled legends of Ragnarok. With its Pattern broken, the inhabitants battered and flung off into isolated fortresses, and massive destruction throughout the Nine Worlds, Asgard lay forgotten by all but its King and those handful of creatures that managed to tap into the erratic powers.
Finally, the Power was rediscovered by Oberon’s son, Magnus, who took up residence and began the process of rebuilding the storied Homeland of the Gods from his youth. Years of effort eventually resulted in a massive ritual that proved able to repair the Pattern, breathing immediate life into the ruined lands and sending shockwaves through the other Powers as the poles of Creation shifted. The days of change were not done, however, and within a dozen years, the land found itself under attack by forces from within and from the Rest of Creation.
Recently freed from decades of fighting and seclusion from one such struggle, Asgard has returned as a conflicted society, with one foot firmly residing in its historic past and the other stepping out into the modern worlds of its peers. The very nature of the Nine Worlds of the core power ensures that the lands constantly struggle toward Balance, splitting power among the various reflections of the Great Rune and the peoples and creatures that abide within its reach. That said, Holy Asgard has always shone the brightest, and this has never been more true than in the modern days. Moving past the War of Reaving, Jarngrimr, the Twiceborn King who Reigns, has broadened the diplomatic ties both within and outside of the Power, building bridges of diplomacy and presenting a united face against those foes who would harm Odin’s Lands.
- Asgard in the Mirror – How Asgard is seen and sees itself.
- The Lay of the Land – The Nine Worlds, the Iron Ring, and Asgardian territories throughout Creation
- The Society of Asgard – Societal norms and the rank structure of the lands
- The Asgardian Religion – The holy powers of the Asgardian realm.
- The Peoples of Asgard – The Races, Clans, and famous individuals of Asgard
- The Asgardian Government – Government order, departmental breakdown, and diplomatic corps
- The Asgardian Economy – Asgardian exports and imports
- The Magic of Asgard – The source and types of Asgardian magics
- The Asgardian Military – Military forces of the Nine Worlds and Beyond
- Asgardian Arts and Learning – Summary of the schools and art centers
- Rumors – “
- Supporting Files – Maps, spreadsheets, character sheets, etc.
- Details of the experimental Asgard subgame can be found here, but these details are not linked to the Rest of Creation as yet.


The school board of a Virginia school has decided to take Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn out of its curriculum because someone complained about the use of the term “nigger.” This district isn’t alone. Since its publication in 1888, the book has garnered a lot of criticism, not just for that term but for the cruel and racist life it shows in the Antebellum south. It is probably the most banned book in America.
Banning this book is the equivalent of banning the Declaration of Independence, as I will explain.
But first, a precise and accurate quote by Ernest Hemingway: “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since.”
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a hilariously satiric tale of a vagabond boy (Huck Finn) who travels America with Jim, an escaped slave who is looking for freedom and to then buy his family from their slave owners. The book is told by Huck in his common dialect. It is like stepping back in time to hear Huck and Jim and others of that epoch speak.
At its core, what is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn about? Oh, certainly it is a sendup of hypocritical values and the folks who have them. It is also the gradual opening of Huckleberry’s mind to the reality of what his society is – a society where he is one of the lowest of the low, being a poor, abused white kid whose father is a truly evil man, and it also tells the story of an individual, Jim, who is even lower on the social scale, if he is even on the social scale – because Jim is a slave, a piece of property, in a world that has little compassion for his station.
How were blacks viewed in those days?
When Huck is making up a story for Aunt Sally, he weaves a tale of a shipwreck he experienced.
Aunt Sally asks “‘Good gracious, anybody hurt?’”
Huck’s response: “‘No’m, killed a nigger.’”
Aunt Sally sums it up: “‘Well, it’s lucky; because sometimes people do get hurt.’”
There you have the southern society’s attitude perfectly stated. No people were killed because a “nigger” isn’t actually a part of the “people” world. Huck doesn’t think twice about his statement nor does Aunt Sally. But the reader certainly does!
In the pivotal scene of the book, where perhaps the greatest American literary line was ever penned, Huck struggles with his conscience over helping Jim to escape. He has been taught that slaves are not actually people and that Jim is the property of someone else. Huck knows, because he’s been well-taught, that helping a slave escape is terribly, terribly wrong:
“So I was full of trouble, full as I could be; and didn’t know what to do. At last I had an idea; and I says, I’ll go and write the letter – and then see if I can pray. Why, it was astonishing, the way I felt as light as a feather, right straight off, and my troubles all gone. So I got a piece of paper and a pencil, all glad and excited, and set down and wrote:
“Miss Watson your runaway nigger Jim is down here two mile below Pikesville and Mr. Phelps has got him and he will give him up for the reward if you send.
“ HUCK FINN
“I felt good and all washed clean of sin for the first time I had ever felt so in my life, and I knowed I could pray now. But I didn’t do it straight off, but laid the paper down and set there thinking – thinking how good it was all this happened so, and how near I come to being lost and going to hell. And went on thinking.
“And got to thinking over our trip down the river; and I see Jim before me, all the time; in the day, and in the night-time, sometimes moonlight, sometimes storms, and we a floating along, talking, and singing, and laughing. But somehow I couldn’t seem to strike no places to harden me against him, but only the other kind.
“I’d see him standing my watch on top of his’n, stead of calling me, so I could go on sleeping; and see him how glad he was when I come back out of the fog; and when I come to him agin in the swamp, up there where the feud was; and such-like times; and would always call me honey, and pet me, and do everything he could think of for me, and how good he always was; and at last I struck the time I saved him by telling the men we had smallpox aboard, and he was so grateful, and said I was the best friend old Jim ever had in the world, and the only one he’s got now; and then I happened to look around, and see that paper.
“It was a close place. I took it up, and held it in my hand. I was a trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself:
“‘All right, then, I’ll go to hell’” – and tore it up.”
This is the moment – “All right, then, I’ll go to hell” – when Huckleberry Finn, a prisoner of society’s false notions of racial inequality epitomized by the institution of slavery, makes his personal declaration of independence and frees himself. This young man is willing to go to Hell, to eternally burn for his sin of seeing Jim as a real person, a friend, a mentor. Huckleberry Finn was compelled to make the morally correct decision. Yes, he has broken with the past. He will go to Hell but in reality he saves his soul.
In this scene, Huck Finn represents America at its best.
Now to the schools and libraries that have banned the book; to the individuals who only read the word “nigger” in the book without any idea of why it is used and of how the reader should actually feel as the book progresses, I can only say I wish there were a Huck Finn in your conscience; a person who could tear up the letter of your mistaken notions and your sad desire to squash one of the greatest books of all time.
[Read my new book Confessions of a Wayward Catholic!]


One tear falls.
Trembling, it rolled across his cheek then
down the bare downy shoulders of the babe
Clutched close in his arms.
As he passed the child back to the mother
The tear slid onto her hands and she flung it away
And hit upon the shaggy coat of a passing dog
Who shook his pelt of gold and the tear
Sailed into the air, caught by the wing of a passing sparrow,
Who swooped and dived and ruffled his grey feathers and
The tear fell into the gutter travelling through the city sewers
And finally out to sea.
For ten years it bobbed within the salty ocean until it was sucked up
By the clouds
And carried to a small town where it fell down upon the golden head
of a boy.
It rolled onto his face and the boy wiped it away and stared
For a moment
At the trembling drop between his fingers,
Why his father went away.