Anything but Ordinary

Two members from a small circle of friends set off for a fun trip, split into half business and half pleasure. The whole town of Calhoun is excited for them, especially the art group. On their way to the airport, the pair of friends vanish.

The police are baffled and the case is moving too slow to satisfy the art ladies. Just a few months later, while one member of the group is participating in an art show at a shopping mall, a college student goes on a shooting rampage. The art ladies think this will happen again and again until the root of the problem is addressed, and they decide to take matters into their own hands. Tragic and complicated situations do not discourage this little band of feisty middle-aged artists. They are church-going, family-oriented, and strong-willed. Plus, they have a talent and passion for art. The same critical and analytical eye they use for detail in their paintings is applied to the cases they are determined to solve. The art ladies bring a wide spectrum of life experiences to the group, and their personalities are as different as light and dark. But the things they all have in common are a zest for life and loyalty to one another. Love, humor, suspense, integrity, and snappy dialogue play a large part in this story. Despite what they think, their little painting group and daily activities are not commonplace. In fact, everything about them is quite the opposite. Their lives, all the way around, are anything but ordinary.

Apollo the Angora Goat

Apollo the Angora Goat is a heartwarming children’s book that tells the story of Apollo, an Angora goat born and raised on a lively farm in California.

Through Apollo’s eyes, young readers will discover the joys of farm life, the beauty of friendships, and the adventures that come with growing up alongside a diverse group of animal friends.

As Apollo and his companions play and explore their world, they learn valuable lessons about friendship and life.

This charming first book in a series invites children to join Apollo on his delightful adventures, promising a journey filled with fun and learning.

Are We Worthy?

Are We Worthy?

It is a question that haunted Jake and Joey for over a month as they struggled to accomplish what so many people had told them was impossible.

For a whole year leading up to the trip, people had gone out their way to tell Jake and Joey, “People don’t hitchhike anymore, morons! You’re gonna die out there if you really go through with this.”

The boys just gritted their teeth and held their tongue, for it wouldn’t be long until they flew across the country with a one-way plane ticket and a goal to hitchhike almost 3,000 miles back to their hometown.

It turned out to be harder than they ever expected...

From swerving cars to paranormal experiences in the night, Jake and Joey had their eyes opened to a world of suffering they never knew existed.

But every time they starved in the woods, every time they experienced hate, every mile their legs felt like giving out, the same mantra would ring through their minds.

“Are… We… Worthy…?”

“Are we worthy of success?”

“Are we worthy to make it home?”

And on the darkest days, “Are we worthy to make it out alive?”

This book is a story of vulnerability, heartbreak, and struggle, but through it all, there is a consistent pattern of hope and persistence, even in the darkest of times. We can all relate to the feeling of worthlessness or wonder whether or not we should give up. But if there is anything you can take from this book, it is that you are worthy to rise up and accomplish the impossible, just like Joey Oler and Jake Blue did in the summer of 2018.

Aristotle: Form and Matter Edification

Aristotle: Form and Matter Edification offers an in-depth exploration of Aristotle’s central metaphysical concepts. This scholarly work meticulously reconstructs Aristotle’s theories, presenting them through the rigorous lens of analytic geometry and metaphysics. Fortin successfully bridges ancient philosophical thought with modern scientific inquiry, making complex ideas accessible and relevant for contemporary scholars.

In this treatise, Fortin delves into the intricate relationship between form and matter, which lies at the heart of Aristotelian ontology. He thoroughly examines Aristotle’s notions of substance, expanse, and quantity, elucidating how these foundational principles underpin existence and change. The text traverses various dimensions of being, from the indivisible unity of numbers to the tangible perceptions of visual and auditory experiences, offering a comprehensive understanding of Aristotle’s enduring impact on both ancient and modern science and philosophy.

Fortin’s focus on the dynamic nature of human intellect underscores the timeless relevance of Aristotelian thought. Aristotle: Form and Matter Edification is an essential read for serious students of philosophy and science, providing a rigorous and thoughtful analysis of Aristotle’s work. This volume not only pays homage to Aristotle’s intellectual legacy but also invites readers to engage with the perennial questions of existence, substance, and the nature of reality.

Aristotle: Physical Force of Time

This book presents an inquiry into the physical dimensions of time as well as its effects on human interiority. It proposes a philosophical model which makes use of Aristotle’s own philosophy of time. This compelling work traverses a rich tapestry of concepts including the power of Being, the acts of individual subjective drives, distinctions between mobility and rest, the general structure of the forms, change, the existential determination, final causes, and the destiny of time.

By meticulously reconstructing the treatise on time, this analytical work opens its doors to citizens of all ages who yearn to acquaint themselves with ancient wisdom. Unbound by boundaries, its accessible nature welcomes a diverse range of readers. On one hand, it provides a methodical approach for those seeking to cultivate their capacity for critical thinking, directly aligned with the principles of this physical inquiry. On the other hand, for those stepping into or returning to the era of Aristotle, it serves as an inventory of perennially relevant categories. Moreover, it offers profound insights for those intrigued by the origins of our geometry and the genesis of the universal ‘geo physic,’ as illuminated through the prism of Aristotelian intellectual thought.

Arlington

In Lisbon, 1941, an all-American boy, Manny, falls for a captivating French girl, Mari. Their whirlwind romance leads them to the heart of France, where they join the resistance against Nazi occupation. Together, they foil a German general’s plot to loot precious art and treasure, but their fight is far from over.

Mari, now pregnant, returns to her hometown to aid her father, a newspaper editor secretly forging documents to save Jewish lives. Meanwhile, Manny continues the struggle, first with the resistance and then as a soldier in the U.S. Army.

Arlington is a heart-wrenching and emotional tale, yet moments of humor, hope, and resilience offer respite, further immersing readers in the lives of both soldiers and civilians caught in the crossfire. The novel paints a compellingly honest portrait of war, expertly balancing thrilling twists and turns with profound emotional depth, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the final, hopeful moments.

At its core, Arlington is a poignant love story set against the backdrop of war. Given the current state of global politics, it also serves as a timely and cautionary tale about the enduring fight for freedom and justice.

Around the World with AA, BB, and CC

Embark on an extraordinary adventure with AA, BB, and CC, three curious aliens from a distant planet, sent to explore the wonders of Earth. As shapeshifting beings of pure energy, they traverse all seven continents, visiting captivating places and encountering fascinating creatures along the way.

CC, a mischievous free spirit, leads the trio into a series of thrilling and educational misadventures. From narrowly escaping a leopard seal in Antarctica to riding a geyser in Yellowstone, conversing with polar bears, and becoming heroes in Amsterdam, their journey is filled with excitement and surprises. CC’s antics even lead to reports of a woolly mammoth roaming the countryside and someone being ejected from a volcanic eruption!

Throughout their escapades, young readers will discover various branches of science, including geography, climate, zoology, archaeology, paleontology, and volcanology. The aliens’ ability to change form allows them to interact with the colorful and quirky animals they meet, leading to delightful and informative conversations.

Art and Poetry by Pollock

Life was smooth sailing and quite normal up until my mom Janis was killed in a car accident heading from Santa Cruz California to Carmel when I was 11 years old. After her death, life changed drastically from a nice gentle breeze to a category five tornado; an inferno of drugs, lies and alibis. Let’s just say… No more smooth sailing. When the dust began to settle at the age of 24, I enlisted in the United States Navy and set sail for a better life and once again it was smooth sailing.

Here are some of my experiences, thoughts, and photographs of my artwork which I use as a way to process my childhood traumas.

Processing as I stack stones and transfer the negative energy into a beautiful piece of work giving it life; it lives then eventually dies, taking the negative energy with it.

I hope you feel something from these pages within.

As a Woman Thinketh

Mike Pauro, aka ‘Ajax Moon’ and his daughter, Morgan Deeble, aka ‘Bridey Moon’ remake the aphorism examined by James Allen for women. In this transposition of Allen’s classic, the authors revisit the impact of thought on health, purpose, achievement, ideas, and serenity from the female perspective. The work is accompanied by imagery from early 20th century postcards passed down for generations in their family. The images were selected to be contemporaneous of the era of James Allen (1864-1912).

As Though Nothing Could Fall

Four friends knew the streets better than most. One night, three of them made it back home. One did not.

Michael Bowen, a young detective destined to prove himself, is visiting his father with Alzheimer’s when he gets a phone call that the body of a young boy has been found in a baseball field. His investigation leads him into conflict with Francis Zaccardi; a ruthless criminal who has tortured the community of Boston for decades. The trail that Michael begins to follow becomes brutal around every turn. Along the way, he reluctantly must turn to Francis’s son, Thomas, who is struggling to deal with the death of his friend. A mysterious and daunting thriller, As Though Nothing Could Fall is a novel about familial struggle and the loyalty that comes from every edge of the human consciousness.

At Home Abroad: Friendship First

The authors of this book – judges, lawyers, educators, researchers, and administrators – provide personal insights into international cooperative efforts to promote the rule of law in emerging democracies throughout the world. The progress made and the challenges ahead are described with equal doses of idealism and reality. It has been said of many reform efforts that they are not for the faint of heart. Readers will soon discover that the authors of this book are of stout heart. With more than one hundred and fifty years of combined experience, the writers’ accounts serve as a roadmap for those who wish to follow in their footsteps and will truly help them to feel at home abroad.

Attachment Patterns

Is the artist, Robert Boone, crazy? As his daughter, aspiring novelist, Isolde tells us, he sure doesn’t think so. Okay, yes, he recently found himself in the hospital loudly declaring he wanted to die, but that was a moment of unexplained weakness, of post-pandemic exhaustion. He’s fine now, calm, and self-possessed as always. Only the doctors don’t believe him. They’ve insisted he enroll in a three week, out-patient, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program. Which is? “Psychotherapy in which patterns of thought are challenged in order to address unwanted behaviour patterns.” With no choice now, Robert Boone will reluctantly look at his life. In lectures and group sessions, he will examine his past, his unspoken fears and grief and his relationships both old and new. As his daughter, Holdie says: “Anything I tell you from this moment on was disclosed to me, remembered by me, surmised by me and in some cases (okay, more than some) was totally and completely made up. (By me.) Still, all of it is the God’s honest truth.” Is Robert Boone crazy? Isn’t everybody? We’ll find out.