New Novel LEO AND FANG !!
When his young neighbor loses her cat to a mysterious new virus, Ty Hopefin suspects that the virus is being propagated by animal-control vigilantes determined to kill outdoor cats. His investigation of project FANG leads him to a group of eco-activists called LEO trying to save “ferals and natives” from the virus. And after FANG deals LEO a devastating blow, Ty becomes its last best hope.
The River Trilogy
In 1831, young Grace Alstyne is assaulted and killed in the woods beside the Potomac River by two workers helping to build the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
As descendants of her brutish killers learn for generations, Grace will not go unavenged.
The story begins with SWAINS LOCK, drifts to the Yukon with BURYING ZIMMERMAN, and returns to the C&O Canal with IF IT IS APRIL.
SWAINS LOCK (River Trilogy, book 1)
Vin Illick finds a note from 1924 in an old shed next to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The note alludes to killings at Swains Lock and a gravesite with buried money. Though his fiancee wants him to get a job, Vin becomes obsessed with finding the gravesite. In the process he learns that the past won’t stay buried, and that a confrontation with destiny and vengeance awaits him at Swains Lock.
BURYING ZIMMERMAN (River Trilogy, book 2)
Two decades after his brother and the outlaw Gig Garrett shot each other in a burning cabin beside the Potomac river, Owen Thompson comes home to resolve his own guilt. He had planned to accompany Drew to Garrett's cabin. So had Henry Zimmerman, who vanished after the killings. Now Zimmerman has resurfaced, and Owen is determined to make him explain what happened the night Drew died.
IF IT IS APRIL (River Trilogy, book 3)
Young Jake Reed is jobless and just out of prison. When his father sends him downriver to repair a flood-damaged lock, Jake discovers a girl is hiding out in his father’s lockhouse. She says she has no memory of life before the flood. Jake learns that the girl is wanted by the sheriff and a vengeful moonshiner. If he can keep April safe until her memory returns, she’ll have an alibi. Or will she?
Edward A. Stabler has spent hundreds of days exploring the C&O Canal and kayaking on the Potomac River near Great Falls.
He and his wife Martha live in Arlington, Virginia with three dogs, three cats, and an unending stream of orphaned kittens they foster for a local animal-rescue organization.
Photo: beside the Rio Arazas,
in the Spanish Pyrenees in 2011.
What Readers Say ... SWAINS LOCK:
"Very well researched and an interesting read... memorable characters and suspenseful scenes. It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck at many points and kept me interested to the end."
"I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your book and I hope to read anything more that you write."
"...there are vivid descriptions of the canal, the surrounding area, the people, and a pervading mystery that keeps you guessing until the end of the book."
"I got caught up in the story and liked it a lot... The book reads to me like the real thing."
"The whole history of locks and the floods and the people whose lives revolved around them... fascinating. It reminded me a little bit of the John McPhee books, of which I am a great fan.
...the pace is good. Good tension, good revelations. Good surprise ending... had me ripping through it to reach the conclusion."
"I just finished your book. Awesome. Loved it. Great ending."
"The pace of the book is perfect, the writing is excellent and when I woke up at 2:30am a few nights ago I picked up the book to read a few more pages and couldn't put it down until I was finished an hour or so later."
"Really good and enjoyable book that I could not put down."
"Interesting characters, good dialog, and a mystery plot that holds your attention. Enjoy it."
"I got really hooked in various places and pages flew by, particularly the last 70 or so... One can learn a lot reading the book. It is more than just a mystery... I think it would make a great movie too!"
What Readers Say ... BURYING ZIMMERMAN:
"This is the second page turner by Mr. Stabler, and although the main characters are different, Burying Zimmerman is best read after finishing Swains Lock.
Essentially, this is the framed narrative of a murderer whose story is part fact and part fiction. He is haunted... by a ghost from his past that is part of an older curse that may or may not end seventy-plus years later with the events of the author's first novel Swains Lock. It sounds confusing, but it all makes sense in the end.
Historically, the author returns to the C&O Canal as a source of action, but the biggest part of Burying Zimmerman takes the reader to the Yukon goldfields of Canada and Alaska. The historical aspects of the novel are well-researched, and this book, along with Swains Lock, eventually resolves a long tale with numerous twists... you can't go wrong with either Burying Zimmerman or Swains Lock."
"I really enjoyed the fact that it's based locally to DC, and also has a large part about the Klondike gold rush. We were just on a cruise to Alaska last summer, and took a bus to the area described in this book. Made it all the more interesting to me."
What Readers Say ... IF IT IS APRIL:
"This book is part three of a trilogy, and I would highly recommend reading Swains Lock and Burying Zimmerman (in that order) before purchasing If It Is April. In fact, I would say that reading the first few pages of Swains Lock carefully is an absolute must. With that in mind, If It Is April gives readers an idea about what happens to Katie at the end of Swains Lock and clears up any of the loose ends found in the previous two novels.
'April' is a novel that will definitely appeal to anybody who has an interest in the history and geography of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. As a regular hiker and volunteer on the C&O, I feel pretty confident in saying that Mr. Stabler did his homework before he commenced writing the River Trilogy. I learned several facts that have added to my knowledge base of the canal and adjacent Potomac River.
However, that's not to say that the author's work will only appeal to people from Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, DC. In fact, the trilogy has a lot to offer: Swains Lock is a mystery; Burying Zimmerman is a tense action narrative; and If It Is April has all of the elements of a love story. Tie in a paranormal twist, and I think Stabler's work will give interested readers many hours of entertainment at a very reasonable price."
"Lost a day of work 'cause I couldn't put it down! Reading the last story ties all 3 together. Well done. Will there be another?"
"Best characters of the three books. Looking for a sequel with April and Jake. Each book gets better. Looking forward to the next one."


Since release 1.7-beta a public subversion repository is available. There cou can obtain a copy of the current development state. Please be aware, that the code in the trunk area of the repository is to be considered unstable!.
Under http://sourceforge.net/p/adventurephpfra/code you can browse the subversion repository via HTTPS, with the command
svn export http://svn.code.sf.net/p/adventurephpfra/code adventurephpfra-code
Please note the structure of the APF repository described in the Wiki under http://wiki.adventure-php-fram...Repository.


( A moment in time and tracing tracks )
The violin and bow collection of Bruce Babbitt. 50 violins and 43 bows. Hardbound 256 pages. Limited Edition of 300 copies. Reference quality photos by Nathan Tolzmann.
plus Priority Shipping $15.00
Bruce Babbitt has been involved with violins for over 40 years. He is a graduate of the Royal College of Art, London. In this book, he takes the poetic license of combining the two.
These violins and bows are things the author has set aside in most cases. They were never meant to be a collection, only in the respect that they each were seen as beautiful examples of the maker's work. The book is a glance at this group of things mid stride. In the ..Proem..., the author tries to describe how the book came about, and the proposition that this journey, part wandering, part wondering, is in itself a work of art.
Therefore this book, these 300 copies, makes up a Violin Piece.
Mr. Babbitt is also the publisher of Markneukirchen Violins and Bows and the author of NOWTHEN. He resides in Delaware, Ohio.
"Markneukirchen Violins and Bows" from Saxon and Bohemian Musikwinkel Late 19th and early 20th Century.
This much needed reference book illustrates the work of 29 violin makers and 37 bow makers with 52 violins and 62 bows. 320 pages with in depth introductions by Enrico Weller and Klaus Grünke text is in English and German.
(plus $15 flat rate shipping/handling for orders in the USA)
Please click the link above to purchse the book "Markneukirchen Violins and Bows" & to learn more about it.


THE DOWNSHIRE LODGE No. 594.
On the 1st day of July, in the year 1851, the fifteenth year of the reign of her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria, a Warrant was issued by the United Grand Lodge of England according sanction to the formation of a new Lodge, to be named ” THE DOWNSHIRE LODGE ” and to bear the number 864 in the register.
On the 17th day of August. in the same year, the ceremony of consecration was performed by W. Bro. H. Hartley, Lodge No. 245, in the Masonic Arms, 158 Great Howard Street, Liverpool, and on that day W. Bro. Wm. Berry was installed as the first Master of the Lodge.
In the minutes of that first meeting and upon the Warrant of the Lodge appear the name of the founder members:—
COLLINS LLOYD RAYNER
ROBERT G. GREGSON
ARTHUR BROWN STEELE
SAMUEL P. BRABNER
Such, my brothers, is the documented history of the formation or our Lodge, these are the bare facts recorded of its inaugural meeting. We have no Register available for the period prior to 1869.


There are so many amazing stories about today. The first day.
I could tell you about seeing Andrea for the first time in over 20 years and how her laugh sounded exactly the same as when we were twelve. I could tell you about the c-clamps and the wood glue and Mr. Moore patiently building the Little Free Library. I could tell you about how bright red the ribbon was on the new library and how hot the sun was and how blue the sky looked behind the Flatirons. I could tell you about Maya and Eric and dragons with marshmallow hearts. I could tell you about Jeff who is afraid of dying first and Valerie who wants to commit to writing her novel and Amy who gifted us space. I could tell you about the tiny books that people made and the dogs that lolled at our feet and the way it felt to be writing poetry next to a row of bicycles waiting to be ridden.
Or I could tell you about the woman who appeared out of nowhere and the words she urgently threw at me. Words about abuse and blood money and the loss of her children and her new life in a shelter. Her anger was a confusing boil under her tongue and she spit it at me and then walked away. I was stunned, until I understood the weight of her trust. I understood that her words were a gift, too.
Wow. She got it all. She really did. And maybe, if I had anything to add, it would be the feeling of stepping onto the pedals those first few seconds on Iris Court, making the turns and weathering the small bumps on the road to Community Cycles. Or no, before that even, getting ready earlier that morning, organizing our various and sundry things (signs, books, business cards, 3 tiny traveling libraries), the busyness in this house, the sense of purpose and potential, how all of us - me and Amy, Stef, Grace, and Jerry, and Catherine - found the task that suited us best and did it, wordlessly, until everything that needed to be in the car was in the car, and the water bottles were filled and the chalkboard was chalked up and the typewriters were strapped into the Burley. But before all that, the cup of coffee on the living room couch, how it was like taking a deep breath before taking the big dive, and how I want to have that kind of moment every day, how necessary that space is, how nutritive, this intimacy and quiet and fullness before the day disassembles and inevitably empties it. There is such peace in that, and it doesn't have to be coffee and it doesn't have to be a living room and it doesn't even have to be morning. But it has to be something that's yours and no one else's, a pocket of time, a few square inches of room that you can claim and feel absolutely certain that claiming it is exactly what you are supposed to do. I will tell you that everything else blooms out of that space, and what makes it possible for the biking to happen and the library-building to happen and the poems and everything else that lives between here and there. For me, this morning, it was that coffee, that couch cushion, that deep breath like a hand on my shoulder telling me it would all be okay.
Today was a very good day. It really was. And I am so thankful for everyone who came and helped to make it as magical - and real - as I'd imagined.


Reading books and taking notes in class is the way almost all students learn and while you may be happy with your study method, being aware of ways that can help you fully engage with the subject you are learning and understand more in less time is beneficial. With the advancement of technology in all areas of life and the widespread use of portable devices and the internet, the pen and paper style feels a little “old-school” so why not mix the two methods and use “new-school” techniques, like your smartphone and online tools to help you study more efficiently.
We are using technology more and more, so it’s only logical to take your studying to the web – using mobile and online tools. As a student we understand that you’re strapped for cash, already paying for tuition, books and study material, so having the latest technology tools at your disposal without paying anything extra is definitely beneficial.
Research the easy way
Zotero is a free, easy to use tool for all your study and research needs right in your browser with no download needed. With Zotero you can save anything you need for your research and organize them effortlessly. It will collect full websites, images, PDFs, videos and sound clips you have found or recorder all in one place so you can easily find them anytime you need to cite your paper.
Citation is a big and important part to writing the perfect paper, so instead of wasting time looking for all the websites and articles or library books one by one, let this tool do all the work for you and focus on your writing. Zotero also supports thousand of citation styles and publication formats, so whether you are writing a paper in psychology this tool will help you cite in the APA style, or if you are writing a term on biology or nature it will prepare you document in a format and citation style for the appropriate publication.
Zotero can be used from any computer or laptop, you only have to install the extension for Firefox or the standalone client for the browser of your choice and after you finish writing you paper all the citations will inserted into the document you are working in with a click of a button. The best part is that all your documents will be available online and you will be able to access them on any computer.
Learn German (or other languages)
You want to learn German, but either time spent studying doesn’t permit you or you find it hard to find a language partner in your area. Now this where Livemocha comes in handy. It is a website that let’s you learn a new language (not just German), from anywhere you are. You just need access to a computer with internet connection and you are ready to learn or get better at speaking German. You can go to courses, learn the grammar rules or read books in German, but nothing beats real life practice, and that’s why to truly master a new language you must practice it daily and speak with a partner. But a partner is not easy to find while you are all busy studying or have other obligations.
Livemocha has established itself as an excellent alternative to face-to-face tutoring, where you can watch videos and listen to natives speak German, so you can master the language easier and gain confidence. After you are done with watching a real life scenario – such as ordering a coffee or asking for directions – the next tutorial will be a breakup of the grammar and sentence construction, and finally you will practice all the components and get feedback from your tutor that is a native speaker.
Study for exams the smart way
Exam time’s free mind map software is perfect for connecting the dots. If you have trouble understanding the course material, just re-reading may not help you, so look for other solutions to problems. Mind mapping gives you the freedom and options to express ideas and information in a very beautiful and easy way. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas with friends or mind mapping the life and work of Beethoven, having the information displayed in such a unique way allows you to make connections you never thought were possible.
The benefits of using mind maps are well documented. They especially appeal to those of us who learn visually but studies have shown that we all benefit from approaching information from different viewpoints. Mind maps are also perfect for planning. You can use them to plan any essay, presentations or assignments. The great thing about using mind maps is that you delve deep into an area of study as much as you need and make connections in new things that will give you a new point of view.
Alongside having a unique way of presenting online mind maps, Exam time also allows you to attach flash cards and notes to any part of your mind map. You can also add snippets which you can fill with notes, pictures or links to any other resource which you feel helps your studying. You can also share your online mind map with your peers and print it when needed.
Take courses online for free
A great thing about online courses is that no matter at what stage of your student life you are you can deepen your knowledge on the courses you study or use the online study material for free as an addition to get better at your most important courses. It’s understandable that you already have enough to study and might be a little overwhelmed, but getting to a course or chapter of the course from a different angle, explained by somebody else in a different way and setting will give you new insights and new ideas to approach studying for the exam.
Some of the best online courses are offered for free, be it independent organization (like khanacademy) or a repository of courses offered by the best Universities in the world (such as coursera) including German ones. Learning is a life-long process, it doesn’t end when we finish a mid-semester quiz or write that final paper, and as soon you realize this you will have an easier time to study for new stuff, be it things for your curse or what you really like that isn’t offered by the university where you study.
A search for you favorite course will yield enough result to sites such as MIT or BBC learning page enough to keep you busy and satisfy all of your curiosity and quest for knowledge.


Read in July 2013
The Man from Beijing, by Henning Mankell
As a crime novel, this book is a real stinker. Mankell apparently intends it as a fictional polemic and employs a Scandinavian variation on the Hollywood stereotype of the “wily Chinese.” As fiction and as politics, the book fails to persuade. The story opens with a terrible crime — the slaughter and dismemberment of 19 people in a tiny and remote village in northern Sweden. The central character is Judge Birgitta Roslin, who realizes that her mother grew up in the village as the foster daughter of two of the victims. Ordered by her doctor to take time off from work and unhappy with the estrangement in her longtime marriage, Roslin heads north and tries to insinuate herself into the investigation, embarking on an investigation of her own that seems to show connections to a recent visitor from Chinese and a recent slasher murder of a family in Nevada. Roslin goes so far as to break into the crime scene and steal some letters and diaries from a desk drawer. SPOILER ALERT. The next part of the novel is a diary written by a Chinese man about his experiences as a peasant in the 1850s who was tricked into indentured servitude in Canton, transported to work on the railroad in the U. S., endured torture at the hands of a brutal Swedish overseer, and eventually made his way back to China with the help of two Swedish missionaries who ultimately betrayed him as well. The diary is now in the hands of his modern-day descendant, one of the new Chinese billionaires who is bent on revenge. Back in Sweden, Judge Roslin is still on the case, despite the fact that the police have arrested a man who confessed to the murders before killing himself in jail. Among her clues is a photograph of a Chinese guest taken from a hotel surveillance camera and a Chinese magazine bearing the handwritten address of a Beijing hotel, both of which she carries with her to Beijing when she fortuitously joins an old school chum on a trip to China. While the judge’s pal is occupied with a conference on Chinese history, Roslin goes off in search of the man in her photograph and winds up mugged, with her purse stolen and hotel room searched. Who should ride to the rescue but the sister of the Chinese billionaire, a party functionary who is greatly disturbed by rebirth of a new mandarin class of capitalists. After sending Judge Roslin back to Sweden, sister and brother both travel to Africa as part of an official delegation, and sister is disturbed to learn that her brother and Chinese authorities have hatched a plan to relocate millions of Chinese peasants to Africa, billing what she sees as simple colonialism as redevelopment aid. In Africa, the brother arranges an accident that kills his sister and the bodyguard responsible for the killings in Nevada and Sweden. But before her death, his sister entrusted a letter to a friend which detailed her worries, and so when the action moves back to Sweden, Judge Roslin finds herself approached by a mysterious Chinese woman from London who warns that her life might be in danger. When Roslin learns that the Chinese man has returned to the remote village, she heads for London, where the evil billionaire from Beijing is killed with a rifle shot to the head through the window of a London hotel just as he’s about the lace her breakfast coffee with ground glass. The shooter is the son of the dead sister who has obtained revenge for the murder of his mother. The biggest problem with this story is the wooden characters who mouth all the correct attitudes of liberal Western concern for the poor and dispossessed of the world but lack flesh, blood, and beating hearts. Judge Roslin and her friend were pro-Mao radicals in the 1960s but have nothing interesting to say about who they were then or how they found China now. The Chinese billionaire risks everything to avenge long-dead ancestors by slaughtering people several generations removed from the brutal overseer but Mankell fails to show the visceral emotions which would animate such a reprisal. The book fails as a whodunit, simply telling us the culprit. And the book fails as a polemic, tossing off a bunch of ominous predictions about China’s plans for Africa without providing any concrete evidence. It takes a talented writer to pull off a genre-bender, and Mankell clearly is not up to the task.
The Writer Who Stayed, by William Zinsser
I received this book as a gift from a writing student and enjoyed many of these short essays, which first appeared as a column in The American Scholar. The collection is organized here in topical chapters: writing craft, technology, faraway places, etc. Zinsser is a polished writer with some interesting insights, but his perspective is that of a 90-year-old mostly looking back, and as another Amazon review noted, many of his subjects are from the mid-20th century: “Daniel Fuchs… Pauline Kael, Chick Young and “Blondie”, Mitch Miller…Hall of Fame centerfielder Edd Roush, the Great American Songbook, and the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company.” The book may feel too dated to readers who prefer contemporary non-fiction.


THE NATURE OF PARABLES
WHAT reference is made in the Psalms to Christ's use of parables?
"I will open My mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old." Psalms 78:2.
NOTE.—A parable primarily means a comparison or similitude; specifically it is a short story or narrative drawn from life or nature, by means of which some important lesson is taught, or some moral drawn. From what sources did Christ usually draw His parables? From nature and from everyday experiences.
For what are His parables noted?
"Our Saviour's parables are distinguished above all others for clearness, purity, chasteness, intelligibility, importance of instruction, and simplicity. They are taken mostly from the affairs of common life, and are intelligible, therefore, to all men."—DR. ALBERT BARNES, on Matthew 13:3.
Following one of His parables, what did Christ say?
"Who hath ears to hear let him hear." Matthew 13:9.
THE WHY AND WHEREFORE OF PARABLES
What question did the disciples then ask?
"And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?" Verse 10.
What reply did Christ make?
"He answered and said unto them, Because it is-given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in par- ables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." Verses 11-13.
NOTE.—Christ's object, therefore, in using parables was to teach the mysteries, or truths, of the kingdom of heaven—truths not necessarily difficult
to understand, but which had long been hidden or obscured by sin, apostasy, and tradition—in such a way that the spiritual-minded and those desirous of learning the truth, might understand them, and the worldly-minded and unwilling would not. When asked the meaning of any parable, Christ readily explained it to His disciples. (See Luke 8:9-15; Matthew 13:36-43; Mark 4:33, 34.)
After giving instruction by the use of parables, what question did Christ ask His disciples?
"Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto Him, Yea, Lord." Verse 51.
How extensively did Christ make use of parables?
"All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them." Verse 34.
NOTE.—Parables are simply stories. All, young and old, like to hear a story. Storytelling is one of the most successful means of awakening an interest, securing attention, and teaching, illustrating, and enforcing important truths. Christ, the greatest of all teachers, recognized this, and therefore made constant use of this method of instruction. (See reading on "Preaching the Gospel," page 623.)
SUGGESTIVE USE OF PARABLES
How did Christ suggest that His disciples follow His example in teaching gospel truth?
"Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is in- structed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old." Verse 52.
Which are some of the most touching and soul winning of Christ's parables?
The parable of the lost sheep, and that of the prodigal son. (Luke 15:3-7, 11-32.)
LIGHT ON PARABLES
Each parable is designed to teach some one great and important truth. The first twelve in the list given on page 158 are intended to teach the following lessons, respectively: (1) Good and evil in life and judg- ment. (2) Value of the gospel. (3) Seeking salvation. (4) The visible church of Christ. (5) Truths new and old. (6) Duty of forgiving others. (7) Call at various epochs. (8) Insincerity and repentance. (9) Need of righteousness. (10) Watchful and careful profession. (11) Use of abilities. (12) Final separation of good and bad.
Contact | SiteMap
- Alpha and Omega © Jesus Christ


This story is a fantastical adventure, titled, The Minor Gentleman and His Upside Down Heart. Perfect for bedtime reading with Child aged 7-11 years old, it follows a small town girl called Lucy as she unravels the story behind a mysterious piece of music and goes on an adventure with Duchess Thorn’s renowned Flying Musical Troupe and the Minor Gentleman. Along the way, Lucy goes through a journey of self-exploration whilst makes friends with a talking owl called Hoot and Wolfgang the piano and helps Minor discover what was missing.
Coming soon in Paperback and ePub on Amazon and Waterstones.
Imprint: Twilight Cat
Length: 150 Pages
Dimensions: 129 mm × 198 mm × 22mm
What does the author say about it?
A tale of curiosity and bravery, this story is one of my favourites as it expresses the magic of music and its ability to reach the unsaid and vulnerable parts of ourselves.
Lucy is an inspiration and Wolfgang is my hero!
Read a sneaky peek...
Lucy took a deep breath and splashed her face with water in the early morning dark. The cold immediately cut through the sleepy fog. Another day, she sighed, holding her head over the sink and letting droplets slide off her nose. Her to-do list started running itself through her mind, breakfast for Mother and I, finish repairing that scarf for Mrs Birkbeck, open the shop. Snatches of soft piano music disturbed the silence. Lucy patted her face dry and listened more closely but there was nothing, I must have imagined it, she reassured herself. Then carried on with her routine by getting dressed. Lucy caught sight of herself in the small mirror hanging on the wall. Lamplight cast shadows across her muted brown clothes making them look darker, like her hair and eyes. She smoothed her top down, simple and neat, she repeated the words she told her customers who came to get their clothes repaired.
Another note called attention to itself – deep and deliberate. Others followed, rolling into one another and creating the small melody with three beats. A Waltz, Lucy remembered from her Mother’s piano lessons. She felt something stir inside for a moment. Curious, she moved about the room trying to identify the source. The floorboards creaked. It was too quiet to be coming from her house.
The final note seemed to linger as she stepped toward the window. Lucy lifted the latch and opened it. Fading in and out, the melody started again. It carried on the light breeze from the woods just across the way. Lucy narrowed her eyes trying to make anything out in the distance, but it was no good. There was no light and the sky was still the deep blue before dawn – even the birds were chirping yet. Something about the rolling melody tugged at her sleeve – inviting her.
Lucy creep down the wooden stairs and shut the backdoor as quietly as possible. She didn’t want to wake her sick mother too early. The tune didn’t falter as she crossed her garden. Her heart began to race as she sped up across the common field and then into the woods. Blood pumping in her ear, she listened again. The trees rustled like a gentle percussion in the background. Her feet led the way under gnarled branches and thick bushes. The music seems to quieten as it drew her onwards.
She entered a small clearing, no bigger than her bedroom. It the middle, a sapling reached upwards. At its base, something glowed in the dark. The music stopped, replaced by a low hum. Lucy looked around nervously, I should go back, she told her, but her curiosity still wasn’t satisfied. What was that thing glowing? She took a tentative step forward. All of a sudden, something burst out of the tree above and swooped down.
The light went out. Lucy crouched and covered her head. Something made her look at up at her attacker. Did I say that or did they? She questioned. Its round head and long feathered wing span stood out against the midnight blue sky. An owl. Its wings beat rhythmically in the quiet as it disappeared over the treetops. Lucy took a deep breath. This was not a typical morning.


Introducing the Pop It Book
a unique and interactive book that will keep children entertained for hours on end! This innovative book is filled with pop-up illustrations and interactive elements that will keep children engaged and excited about reading.
The Pop It Book is designed with bright and colorful illustrations that will capture the attention of children. The pop-up elements and interactive features are cleverly integrated into the story, making it an immersive reading experience. The book is made with high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting, ensuring that children will be able to enjoy it for years to come.
- Pop-up illustrations and interactive elements that bring the story to life
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- Suitable for children aged 3-8
- Measures 8.5 x 11 inches
The Pop It Book is not just a fun and engaging reading experience, but it also offers educational benefits. The interactive elements and pop-up illustrations help to improve children’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The story itself also helps to develop children’s imagination and creativity, while also teaching them important values and lessons.
The Pop It Book is the perfect gift for children aged 3-8. It is an ideal choice for birthdays, Christmas, or any other special occasion. The interactive elements and pop-up illustrations make it a unique and exciting gift that children will love. It is also a great way to encourage children to read and develop a love for books.
In conclusion, the Pop It Book is a must-have for any child who loves interactive and engaging reading experiences. With its pop-up illustrations and interactive elements, children will be entertained for hours on end. It’s educational benefits and high-quality materials make it a gift that both parents and children will love. Order yours today and experience the magic of the Pop It Book!


Home > ABOUT US > Our Campus
An Architectural Landmark
The KTA campus’s main building, built in 1897, was designed by native Philadelphian, Horace Trumbauer (1868-1938). Trumbauer, a prominent architect of the late nineteenth-century “Gilded Age,” was well known for the sprawling residential manors he designed for exclusive, private clients. His trademark architecture also graces landmark buildings throughout the Northeastern United States, including The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Philadelphia Free Library, The Irvine Auditorium at the University of Pennsylvania, and Widener Library at Harvard University.


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Reading the books on keeping mason bees is a reliable way to get knowledge about mason beekeeping. It is useful for both when you are preparing to start mason beekeeping as well as improving your knowledge and skills for experienced beekeepers. Books about mason bees cover a wide range of topics that are all relevant to keeping mason bees. You can buy these books from various sellers or borrow from friends who have the books in their libraries. If you have a mason beekeeping book, you should be willing to share it will fellow mason beekeepers as long as they keep it in pristine condition. This article reviews the best books on keeping mason bees that are most relevant and which you should read.
Overview of the Best Books on Keeping Mason Bees
8. The Mason Bee Revolution
The Mason Bee Revolution is an informative and entertaining book on mason beekeeping. It teaches you about both mason and leafcutter bees. Dave Hunter and Jill Lightner have collaborated in authoring this book. They share information on how to raise solitary bees in a fruitful beekeeping operation. In the book, they detail various activities you should carry out in the year for success in your mason beekeeping operation. They also explain in very clear ways how solitary bees such as mason bees will help in increasing the world’s food supply.
Dave Hunter is the founder of Crown Bees, a reliable and resourceful company dedicated to the keeping of solitary bees. This makes Dave’s involvement in writing this book trustworthy because he brings years of experience onto the authorship team. His experiences and insights add value to the book and have propelled it to be one of the most popular copies about mason beekeeping. In the book are both critical topics and useful general information content such as bee-related facts and projects.
This book has an author who is a trusted mason beekeeping figure. It lends credibility to the content of the book. Through the book, authors share with readers of the book their many years of experience in their respective fields, as well as skills they have learned in mason beekeeping.
Detailed topics about setting up a mason beekeeping operation, caring for mason bees, and harvesting mason bee cocoons among others are practical for mason beekeepers reading this book. The Mason Bee Revolution also delves into some general information topics that help you understand mason beekeeping better.Check Price
7. Native Bee Guide, Third Edition
Native Bee Guide, Third Edition is a step-by-step guide for mason beekeepers. The booklet has enjoyed great sales due to its relevant content. It has undergone revisions to make it better and is now in its third edition. This booklet on keeping mason bees comes in 26 pages of priceless information on how to optimize your garden using native bees. Native Bee Guide comes in full color so you enjoy reading the contents of the booklet. Reading this booklet and putting its lessons into practice helps you grow more food and flowers as a result of improved pollination of plants.
This booklet is a product of Crown Bees. It is the result of many years of research and experience in keeping solitary bees and providing beekeepers with solutions geared towards best rearing of native bees. Crown Bees is a trusted provider of mason beekeeping equipment, tools and cocoons. In the third edition of the Native Bee Guide, the company shares with its readers powerful tips on how to contribute to saving bees. You also get pointers on what you can do to improve global food production.
In this third edition of the popular booklet, Native Bee Guide addresses the keeping of two species of solitary bees that are popular among beekeepers. It saves you money and time you would spend searching for and acquiring material related to keeping leafcutter bees.
Readers of this booklet get information and tips about raising mason bees, leafcutter bees and other wild bees. It details the behavior and other characteristics of these bees that are relevant to keeping them.Check Price
6. The Bees in Your Backyard
North America has many native bees that are solitary by nature. The Bees in Your Backyard is a comprehensive guide to these native and wild bee species. It includes mason bees and leafcutter bees that are popular for use in plant pollination. This guide is a great book for both beginner and experienced beekeepers. It is written in language that you understand easily. You will enjoy reading this book and using it to identify various types of native bees you see.
More than 900 color photographs break up the text in this book. They are a great help in identifying solitary bees and understanding the contents of the book. Myths about mason and other native bees are addressed and dispelled in this book. There are also many time-saving tips you get from reading the book. It improves your mason beekeeping practice and you enjoy being a keeper of mason bees. The Bees in Your Backyard dedicates a chapter to showing you how to attract mason bees and other solitary bees to visit or make their home in your backyard.
Joseph S. Wilson and Olivia Messinger Carril partner in authoring this book on keeping mason bees. The two are professionals in biology who have studies bees and plants for many years. Combining their experiences, skills and observations in this book makes it a reliable companion for your mason beekeeping operation.
The color illustrations used in this book improve its readability and appeal. In the book, the authors provide you with many useful pointers and tips for studying mason bees and other native bees.Check Price
5. Sunshine and Pollen – The Life of Mason Bees
Sunshine and Pollen – The Life of Mason Bees is an informative, engaging and fun book about keeping mason bees, it is a children’s book that inspires them to become mason beekeepers. The book tells the story of a year in a mason bee’s life. It is written from the perspective of a mason bee. Children will enjoy reading the book in their classrooms, with friends and at home. If you have children who are interested in your mason beekeeping, this is the book you should buy them. Sunshine and Pollen book is very much fact-based and inspires children to be more sensitive to science, nature and insects.
Monika Grunberg and Alexandra Troop partner in writing and illustrating this book. It tells of the steps in raising mason bees as well as interesting facts about both honeybees and wild pollinators. This book is great for children’s bedtime reading, read-aloud and story-times. It comes in 55 full-color pages. Get it in soft-cover and use it to spark conversations about mason bees. Crown Bees approve the book for reading and praise its accurate depiction of the life cycle of mason bees.
With this book, children get to learn very accurately the life of mason bees and their importance in plant pollination. The book also encourages children reading it to start caring for mason bees.
The author of this book, Monika, is very knowledgeable and uses a unique perspective in writing the book. It captivates readers and engages them to take action. Illustrations by Alexandra make the book visually appealing.Check Price
4. Our Native Bees
Our Native Bees is a mason beekeeping book that tells the story of North America’s pollinators, how they are endangered and what we can do to save them. It comes in a black cover with colored lettering. On its page, it features an image of a bee. The author of this book is Paige Embry. She writes the book in a leisurely tone that makes the book a wonderful and enjoyable read. The book has glossy pages and many beautiful photos. They make reading the book easy, engaging and help you understand the content of the book better.
This book on keeping mason bees is good for your library and also as a gift to a beekeeper you know. It brings to the limelight the existence and usefulness of mason bees. These pollinators are cast in the book in their true status as one of the most important pollinators of plants in North America. Paige conducted many interviews with farmers, bee experts and scientists. Information she got from the interviews enabled her to write Our Native Bees in a compelling way that enlightens and entertains readers.
Paige Embry, the author, uses information from reliable sources and her own experience in mason beekeeping to write this book. Therefore, the book is very factual and engaging through shared story of bee experts, mason beekeepers, gardeners and scientists.
There is a whole chapter in this book that is dedicated to mason bees. It provides mason beekeepers with useful information that is geared towards helping them in their mason beekeeping ventures.Check Price
3. Common Bees of Western North America – Identification Guide
Common Bees of Western North America – Identification Guide is a waterproof field guide for better understanding and identifying bees. It is a great companion for mason beekeepers, hikers and other persons interested in bees. This field guide is made using high quality materials. It is waterproof and lasts for long. This guide has in it very useful information and pictures of mason bees and other bees. It helps you easily identify bees you come across. The guide focuses on bees that inhabit the Western North America region.
Get this guide for easy identification of mason bees you are keeping. The guide comes in form of a foldable leaflet-style brochure. It is written by popular mason bee authors: Olivia Messinger Carril and Joseph S. Wilson. In this book, the authors include many useful illustrations and facts about both native bees and honeybees. They also have some content about wasps that predate on bees. It makes the guide a comprehensive read that imparts a complete set of information and tips to mason beekeepers. The guide is visually striking and fun to read due to its writing style, full color pages and large detailed illustrations.
The photography, text and all the content in this bee identification guide are by professionals in their fields. One of the authors is a veteran bee researcher with a Ph.D. in Plant Biology. Joseph S. Wilson is an assistant professor of biology.
All the major 19 bee groups of bees in Western North America are in the contents of this guide. They have illustrations and descriptions that help you to easily identify bees.Check Price
2. Common Bees of Eastern North America – Identification Guide
Common Bees of Eastern North America – Identification Guide is a bee identification guide authored by Joseph S. Wilson and Olivia Messinger Carril. They are experienced professionals and their team has produced many outstanding mason beekeeping books. In this guide, the two impart knowledge to readers about identifying bees they come across. The guide is tailored to identifying bees in the eastern regions of the North American continent. It has a partner guide that is tailored for bees in the western regions of the same continent.
In this guide, the authors have used a powerful and informative writing style. They give you useful information and tips on how to identify different bees you come across. They cover both native bees and honeybees that were introduced into America. In the guide, the two authors cover 25 genera of bees. They also include 65 color images to help you visually identify bees. Common Bees of Eastern North America – Identification Guide is a comprehensive read with interesting details and tips on how to take care of bees, including mason bees.
The authors of this guide are experienced and share useful information in the guide. They make it easy for you to identify different bees, wasps and distinguish them from other insects. The book covers honey bees, bumble bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees and sweat bees among others.
The final presentation of this guide is in a waterproof foldable leaflet. It gives you excellent value for your money and lass for long even with some rough handling. The leaflet brochure does not tear easily.Check Price
1. Field Guide: Bees of the Puget Sound Lowlands
Field Guide: Bees of the Puget Sound Lowlands, is a weatherproof publication of The Common Acre organization. The guide comes in form of a foldable leaflet brochure. It is useful for identifying and understanding bees in the North American area of Puget Sound that extends from Bellingham to Olympia in the northwestern coast of the USA. Common Acre is a non-profit organization based in Seattle, WA. It uses the proceeds from sales of this guide to fund conservation work that protects endangered pollinators. This guide is handy for all mason beekeepers. Get it with free shipping even when you purchase it alone.
Citizen scientists are welcome to engage in conserving pollinators through various common Acre programs. The organization has developed this guide to help its citizen scientists carry out conservation work more effectively. It benefits these citizens, the organization and even beekeepers that are not in the Common Acre programs. Writing the guide is in a simple and friendly language that engages readers. The guide is color-coded according to where described bees carry their pollen; on the abdomen’s underside on hairs, on hairs on their hind legs, or on packets on their hind legs.
Identifying bees of various types and species is easy using this guide. The guide has detailed descriptions and pictures of bees to help you quickly and accurately identify bees you come across. Authors of the guide write factual information in the guide.
Purchasing and using this guide contributes to conserving pollinators. Even if you do not use it to impact your mason beekeeping, buying it still helps. It is good reading material for beginner beekeepers starting mason beekeeping.Check Price
Practical skills and experience in keeping mason bees is best when complemented by knowledge about mason bees. Books are the best avenue through which you acquire relevant knowledge. They address a range of topics and issues in mason beekeeping. Different authors also share useful tips in their books and you deserve to have all this knowledge for your mason beekeeping operation. It is easy to acquire and read a book. Both beginner and experienced beekeepers can do it as long as they can know how to read. There is therefore no reason why you should not get your hands on some or all of these books on keeping mason bees.
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