Somnambulist Chronicles

months of wondering what the hell happened, and if it was a dream or not. finally arriving upon an affirming decision, only to second-guess myself again. all those things they say about emotional young women: rape accuser, attention whore. why am i the one at fault? you did this to me? all i did was type it out. but you are the one who wrote me this. and you know what? let the blood boil. it was never ego going to my head. it was blood rushing to my head. just like it happened then. and all the nerves permanently stained by emotional memory; the ones that are supposed to be sacred to a woman. the ones that were mine, but you made yours. a tragic haunting: they speak to me in the night. and after years of waiting, wondering what can i do? they whispered to me, closely in my ear: write the book.

Soon, Almost, I'm Not Ready Yet

Soon, Almost, I’m Not Ready Yet introduces the cuddliest of pandas, Maximilian McGillicuddy, who simply wishes to do things his own way, and in his own time. Never one to get ahead of himself, Max makes certain Mama and Papa give him the time he needs to complete his most important tasks. Whether at play or work, day or night, Mama and Papa Panda know Max will move on only when he is genuinely ready. And so, with his parents’ utmost patience, understanding, and occasional attempts at persuasion, Max moves through his day to the delight of those around him.

Sophie's Journey

Chloe, a smart and adventurous girl, is just back from an imaginary secret mission with her best four-legged friend, George. Chloe had known George all her life, and he was the world’s most amazing super pup. One day, the world’s most amazing super pup started to slow down and ultimately had to say goodbye to Chloe. The world would never be the same for Chloe, or so she thought.

Through a series of events, Chloe gets thrown into the paws of a small scraggly and incredibly loud ball of matted fur, named Sophie. Although apprehensive and reluctant to make a new friend, Chloe’s life was about to change forever, Sophie would make sure of it.

Soul-Making

Have you ever met someone and felt an instant sense of attraction or repulsion even though you do not know the person? In Depth Psychology this is an unconscious as well as alchemical reaction that is understood as part of psychic projective phenomena of affinity, where a constellated chemistry between two individuals is ignited. This phenomenon was understood by Jung mythically as the unio Mystica, or the union of opposites.

This presentation will share how Jung illustrated this psychological understanding of the transference phenomena in alchemical symbolism and illustrations taken from the 16th-century alchemical text, Rosarium Philosophorum. He utilized these illustrations to show the connections that exist between the transformative process shared by alchemy and an analogous transformative process that he discovered in the psychic growth of an individual.

Soulful Echoes: The Tale of Two Xiangyangs

When historian Manro Lu travels to China to uncover a mysterious family heirloom, she discovers much more than ancient secrets. There, she crosses paths with handsome professor Jafung Yu, sparking an unexpected yet undeniable attraction.

Linked by a broken 800-year-old jade pendant, Manro and Jafung find themselves inexplicably drawn together as they piece together clues about the artifact’s past owners - two forbidden lovers separated by war. Emotions intensify amid quiet moments on scenic bridges and candlelit ancient temples.

Yet with so much history and baggage in Manro’s delicate mission, what future can two young romantics share when the past pulls them apart?

From the picturesque rivers of Xiangyang Shire to the bustling streets of Xiangyang City, experience the blooming passion between a Korean expatriate and a local Chinese scholar. Two hearts brought together by a name and torn asunder by time find that love can bridge more than culture, generations, wars, and broken pendants.

Southern Steel

In the heart of a Southern state, Mary Beatrice was an anomaly: an abolitionist bound more by duty than desire to her family’s plantation. Her spirit of defiance was evident, but it was her love for a Yankee officer that truly set her free. This love was not her first act of rebellion, but it was the most transformative.

Bucking tradition and expectation, Mary Beatrice faced numerous challenges. Yet, with each setback, she rose, displaying resilience, grace, and, at times, fiery determination. She crafted an extraordinary life on her own terms, refusing to be confined by societal norms or gender.

Spa Day - Be Careful What You Ask For

Caroline Chandler and her best friend, Abby, spend a Sunday afternoon at their favorite Day Spa. They leave the spa relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated, but Carli soon discovers an unexpected result from that spa visit. A microchip capable of two-way communication has been implanted behind her right ear. When it is activated, it instructs Carli to perform private courier tasks. The tasks are simple pickup and delivery of anonymous items on behalf of anonymous clients.

Over the next several months, Carli searches for the source of the unintended technology that is now taking over her life. Her search quickly takes her into the world of high-value art and antiquities. The more information she uncovers, the more confused she becomes as to the source of “the system”. Are the tasks legal? Are the tasks safe? The rewards are great, but at what personal cost? How far will she go without compromising her own integrity? Who will she trust in her search for answers?

Caroline has worked in the Harvard hospitals of Boston for most of her career. She has had an interesting life of work-related travel and has met an array of scientists and researchers. But none of her experiences could have prepared her for what she is being asked to do.

Spa Day is set in the present day, amid the historical sites of Boston and the Massachusetts shore, just coming out of a pandemic. The main characters are based on actual people, their experiences, and their expertise. The people that Carli meets along this journey change her life forever. Her story begs the question: What would you do?

Space: A Primer for Curious Minds

Asteroids Explained

As man begins to explore our solar space, some asteroids, which are like small moons made up of rocks and dust, are easier and cheaper to explore than the planets, including Earth.

Asteroids are usually rich in minerals and many of them have water and carbon which are associated with the creation of life. Simply put, exploring them is a good first step as we expand efforts to visit celestial bodies.

Scientists also plan to revisit earth’s moon, nearby Mars and possibly Saturn’s moon Titan. While we don’t expect to find actual life in the asteroid exploration, we do look forward to better understand how the solar system developed and, of course, how earth was created,

Asteroids are usually irregularly shaped by many collisions with each other. So, we are able to get a relatively easy look at their interior characteristics.

It would be interesting to look deep inside earth but at this point it is impossible.

Do you suppose the Earth’s interior is somewhat like an exposed asteroid interior?

Spices of Life and Herbs, Too!

Spices & Herbs: what’s the difference?

Spices are hot and spicy, and herbs are, well, ‘herby,’ right? Not exactly. Spices come from the seeds of a plant, but herbs come from the leaves or roots. So, juniper, vanilla, coffee, and chocolate, are spices, but not spicy, whereas curry leaves and ginger, though quite spicy, are herbs. A good reason for abandoning the distinction, as I have done in this cookbook.

Spices of Life and Herbs, Too! contains 87 recipes, each featuring a different herb or spice (or several), and each with ‘locked-in tastes.’ The book also contains my ‘alphabet’ of spices and herbs, from A to Z, which answers questions such as:

Which is the most expensive spice on the planet?

Answer: Saffron, which comes from crocuses. And how many crocuses do you need to make a kilo of saffron? Answer: 77,000!

Which is the real Spice of Life?

Answer: ‘Spice of Life’ is the nickname of Sumac, ground from the fruits of the Rhus tree, sometimes known as the Tree of Heaven.

Which is the most popular spice in the world?

Answer: Pepper, which comes in many varieties: black, white, pink, red and green.

Which spice was considered as valuable as Manhattan?

Answer: Nutmeg. The only source of Nutmeg used to be the Banda Islands, now part of Indonesia, Once controlled by the British but coveted by the Dutch, these islands were swapped for Manhattan, which Henry Hudson had already claimed for the Dutch Trading Company. The 1647 treaty gave the British control of the whole Hudson River area, whilst the Dutch gained a monopoly supply of their beloved nutmeg.

Spiritual R-Evolution

Would you be willing to sacrifice everything for a promise?

After the disappearance of her cousins, the only clue that Mia has of their whereabouts is a vagabond that lives between madness and cynicism, who claims to be able to take her to where her cousins are: The Sacred Island.

Mia and Leo, her skeptical friend, embark on a trip to an island that defies the boundaries between the real and the imaginary, where Mia is forced to face the secrets of her past.

Nothing could have prepared them for what they find on the island: the chaos of mankind has endangered the Kingdom of the Elementals, so Mia has to make decisions that will take her to people, beings, and places never seen before, in an attempt to save the planet from its own destruction.

Splinter: My Personal Journey through My Sister's Mental Illness

We have all encountered people with mental illness in school, the workplace, among our friends, and in our families. If the emotional or mental distress is mild or non-threatening, empathy and compassion go a long way. Dealing with someone who has a personality disorder is another matter.

When Charlotte Yardley’s sister moved to her town after they had communicated mostly by phone for 40 years, she found herself ill-equipped to interact with someone whose behavior alternated between tears, depression, anger, blow-ups, and outright cruelty. She had thought they were close, but now she was being blamed for everything her sister believed was going wrong in her life. As Yardley dipped into co-dependence and depression of her own, she sought therapy.

Through journal excerpts, summaries of concepts from books she read, excerpts of her sister’s emails and therapy sessions, even a teacher-like handout, she invites the reader to join her in her journey toward acceptance of the kind of relationship she can and cannot have with her sister. Though the subject is dark, there is some humor, and there’s a section of quick tips at the end for those facing similar relationship struggles.

Spoiled Rotten Reggie

Born into a life of luxury, Reggie is a child who wants for nothing. His parents shower him with the latest toys, the trendiest clothes, and a spacious room filled with endless furniture. No material desire is left unfulfilled. Reggie’s every whim is indulged, from staying up late to dressing as he pleases—or not dressing at all! His parents and their attentive staff cater to his every need and tolerate his every behavior. In short, Reggie gets what Reggie wants.

But when Reggie starts school, problems arise as the permissive environment at home clashes with the expectations of the classroom. Despite his teacher’s attempts to address the situation, Reggie’s family denies any issue—until a peculiar odor begins to emanate from the boy. Classmates and teachers alike start to notice that Reggie has a real problem, one that persists no matter what his parents do.

Will Reggie ever be the same again, or will this mysterious odor linger forever?