Brancusi Biography

Constantin Brancusi, the renowned sculptor from Romania, found a special place in the hearts of many Americans. Among his admirers were prominent collectors such as John Quinn, the Arenbergs, the Meyers, the Speisers, Katherine Dreier, Mary Harriman Rumsey, Peggy Guggenheim, and others. These individuals not only collected his works but also developed personal relationships with the artist, drawn to his unique approach to art and life.

Brancusi’s interactions with American collectors were marked by mutual respect and admiration. His presentation of his sculptures, his adept negotiation skills, and his unwavering dedication to his craft earned him a reputation as a master artist among his American patrons. His innate tradesman’s spirit, shaped by his upbringing in the Oltenia region of Romania, added an authentic and grounded quality to his work that resonated deeply with his American audience.

What truly captivated Americans was Brancusi’s pragmatic philosophy, which was firmly rooted in his ancestral faith, traditions, customs, education, life experiences, and extensive readings. His aphorisms, reflecting his profound insights into art and existence, were widely circulated in publications and exhibition catalogues, further solidifying his status as a visionary artist and thinker.

Despite his humble origins, Brancusi developed a deep affection for America and its culture, and this sentiment was reciprocated by his American admirers. Throughout his lifetime, he held a special place in the American art scene, with eight personal exhibitions organized in his honor. The first seven took place in the United States, where his sculptures captivated audiences and critics alike. The eighth exhibition, held in Romania shortly before his death, marked a poignant homecoming for the artist and served as his first major showcase in Europe.

Brancusi’s enduring legacy in America is a testament to the lasting impact of his work and his personal connections with American collectors. His ability to bridge cultural divides through art and his profound understanding of the human experience continue to inspire generations of artists and art enthusiasts around the world.

The Wild Imaginings of Telma: Book 1

On the day the little elephant was born, the sun shone brightly, and birds sang in the trees. She was born on an elephant reserve, where many other elephants lived and were cared for by staff and volunteers from all over the world.

For a time, she stayed close to her mother, looking, listening, and taking in the world for the first time. Her mother, Uzuri, whose name means ‘beauty’ in Swahili, gently nudged her baby, encouraging her to stand. She tried but was unable.

She tipped over because she was born missing the lower half of her right leg and was small even for a newborn elephant. The staff at the reserve grew concerned and stepped in to help care for her. She did not have a name yet.

As the days passed, she was determined to survive. She ate as if she wanted to grow big and strong, always finishing her milk and searching for more. No matter how many times she fell, she never gave up trying to stand.

One day, a staff member at the reserve looked at her and said, ‘I will name you Telma.’ In Greek, Telma means ‘the will to overcome any obstacle,’ a name she would live up to. She was learning to walk, but she dreamed of running.

Everything Passing By

Sebastiane Bassett’s life in the French Foreign Legion is exactly what he needs to be in order to cope with what he is. Things change when a mission in Africa goes horribly wrong, and he loses his mentor and the anchor to his present reality. Unable to cope with another loss in his life, he seeks clarity from his grandfather, Maurice Renault. Understanding what he is and why, and how the Demon within, which overshadows the Renault family with its tyrannical quid pro quo, the answer Maurice has may not be the answer Sebastiane wants.

Sebastiane then makes his way to the jungles of South America. His new mission: training, illegal mining and drug interdiction patrols, and guarding one of France’s most prized possessions: the Guiana Space Centre. This task becomes more difficult when hubris, greed, and corporate infighting at The Slater Group, Inc., spills over into his world. While trying to save the Spaceport, Sebastiane learns of a secret so powerful it could reshape the world.

Blamed by his Commanders for his efforts and the outcome at the Spaceport, Sebastiane and his team are arrested and put on trial. As he awaits his fate, Sebastiane’s past and present collide. Now, with two futures laid out before him, he must choose: choose between the life he has, and the one he thought he should have. However, Sebastiane’s greatest fear is that the Demon within will come looking for its price no matter what path he chooses...

Taiki Bansei

What an incredible journey! But just how much more can it possibly entail?

I hope my autobiography will captivate you, offering both entertainment and insight. So, join me on this remarkable voyage – one that has been fun, peculiar, overwhelming at times, but always deeply educational. Life has taught me plenty, and along the way, I’ve encountered unforgettable characters – some amusing, some obscure, but all leaving their mark. Their names have been changed to protect both the innocent and those who will never be innocent.

To be brief: I was born in England, raised in northern Italy and Sicily, then found myself in the Bronx. My journey took me across vast oceans, through the war in Vietnam, into the depths of drug addiction, and finally, toward a steady path of rehabilitation. And there is still so much more to tell.

So, ride with me. And don’t let the Japanese title baffle you – believe me, it will all make sense in the end.

Johnny Yesno

There are certain people in life who cannot be denied success, regardless of the conditions of their birth or the circumstances of their upbringing. They just seem to rise to the top of whatever they are doing, somehow defying the odds and using their innate skills as a pathway to success. They also have the ability to utilize the fortuitous circumstances that they find themselves in to their advantage. All in all, such people just seem destined to rise to the top.

This book is about one of these people named Johnny Yesno. While the name Johnny Yesno may not be identifiable among movie buffs, his life is nonetheless worthy of wider recognition. Johnny Yesno went on to star in several movies, most notably the Walt Disney classic King of the Grizzlies; hosted a popular radio program on CBC Radio entitled Our Native Land; and, among other distinctions, was awarded the Order of Canada in 1976.

52 Seconds

For a kid who’s afraid of heights, the idea of going up Niagara Falls’ tallest tower feels impossible. But with his dad’s guidance and a few brave steps, Champion learns that sometimes, courage starts with a single goal.

When his family plans dinner at the top of the Skylon Tower, Champion feels the familiar knot of fear. With knees wobbling and heart racing, he’s ready to give up. Then Dad suggests a simple plan: make a list of tiny goals to tackle one by one. Champion eventually confronts his biggest fear, a 52-second ride up the 800-foot elevator to reach the top of the tower.

52 Seconds is a tale about overcoming the fear of heights, showing young readers that courage isn’t about never being scared—it’s about taking each step one brave second at a time and finding joy in what’s waiting at the top.

From Lady Ralston's Kitchen

Lady Carolyne Lederer-Ralston is a creative cook by nature. She rarely uses cookbooks, preferring to develop her own original, no-waste recipes inspired by diverse sources and cultures, particularly European foodstuffs. Documenting her process with meticulous handwritten notes, some dating back decades, she recreates dishes later in her ‘spirit-filled kitchen’. She keeps copious handwritten notes while she cooks so she can return to the notes promptly to recreate the recipe in proper printed form. Some of her original recipes go back to the 1970s, long before “Gourmet” became the buzzword it is today.

A natural multi-tasker, she balanced a demanding full-time career with preparing full homemade meals daily. Planning and organization (mise en place) are vital to her approach, as is a well-stocked pantry. She includes practical hints within her recipes, and readers often say they feel she’s right there with them in the kitchen – a compliment Lady Ralston cherishes.

Challenge Alzheimer

Therese Truninger (1948) worked as an Activating Therapist in an old people’s home when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in December 2004, at the age of 56. Her husband Kaspar (1945) worked as a sales director for an international company. They got married in 1970 and have two adult daughters and six grandchildren.

In August 2005 Kaspar had to quit his job and started to take care of his love as a caring-husband at their long-time home apartment in Augst, Switzerland. He became a house man and took this new challenge as his own responsibility. In December 2010, the Memory Clinic in Basel, Switzerland concluded that home care for Mrs. Truninger was ‘just about tolerable/possible’.

In view of possible alternatives, the couple had already travelled several times to Thailand for longer periods of time and they had consistently had good experiences with the friendly people (the Land of Smiles) and the moderate cost of living. In January 2011, they emigrated from their home country Switzerland to Thailand.

With the help of a competent housekeeper and a most caring caregiver for Therese, they can still live on their own in their private environment.

Mama—My Favorite Person in the Whole World—Has Something Called Dementia

Sometimes the people we love most in life, change in ways we don’t understand.

Are they feeling anxious or worried? Or really sleepy? Maybe they are forgetting things that they used to remember. Are they feeling confused? Are they unable to do the things that they used to do? This can be very upsetting. You may be feeling sad and don’t know how to help. But you can. Your loved one needs and loves you. Spend time with them. No one likes to be alone. Eat snacks with them. Be kind and loving. Sing their favorite songs with them. Hold their hand. Listen and be patient. Tell them you love them. Learn to comfort them. Tell them a funny story, and make them laugh! That really helps. Laughter makes everyone feel better. Don’t forget to give them a big hug! Give yourself a hug too. Ask for help and support when you need it. Be kind to yourself. Be grateful for the magic moments with your loved one. They do happen.

Meet Leon and Maggie Cobb

Most of us, as children, perceive our parents as perfect. Ah, the confusing age of innocence! Do you remember, as a child, thinking of your parents as though they were born as adults – parents, fully formed – and never considering that they, too, were once children? Now, as the shoe is on the other foot, how often do we reflect on our lives from childhood to adulthood? Can you recall the mistakes you made as you grew up, collecting them as “life’s lessons,” shaped by experiences that molded and defined who you are today? Some of those experiences may have been painful, even traumatic.

But such is life’s grand design. In hindsight, our parents – just as we – never were, aren’t, and never will be perfect, nor should we set such unrealistic expectations for ourselves. It is more than enough to be kind and loving. After all, no one escapes life’s moral challenges, whether they lead to good or bad outcomes. ‘Perfect’ – a word so overrated!

Now, as you reflect on your own life, you may find yourself wondering what unspeakable deeds your parents may have hidden, and who they truly are. For many, it may be too late to ask; for others, it may be fear or respect that keeps those questions unasked.

Meet Leon and Maggie Cobb in this tell-all story!

More than All the Magic in Manhattan

Continuing the imaginative series with More Than All the Magic in Manhattan, Stacey Dixon Phelan wants to again provide families an opportunity to create their own expressions of love to cherish and share for years to come. With the same playful and colorful illustrations, this book will capture any child’s curiosity.

‘I love you more than all the seagulls in Santa Monica’ and ‘I love you more than all the colors in Key West’ will provide families with a chance to explore the United States and teach children about the characteristics of American geography and culture.

Keep playing the game!

Do You Know, I Love You So?

Do You Know, I Love You So? is a quick book about all the little things we do as a parent that let our children know that we love them. It’s in the small seemingly unimportant tasks we accomplish that show this love: doing the laundry, brushing the teeth and just being silly that let our children know we love them every day. Enjoy this simple story and share the love you have for your child with them each and every day.