Hug the Moments

Hug the Moments invites readers to discover the extraordinary adventures, miracles, and revelations bubbling beneath the surface of our world.

Amidst the constant barrage of negative news, there exists a faith-based love force, alive and in motion moment-to-moment.

Featuring powerful, heart-stirring dramas filled with suspense, this book aims to instil in readers the most desirable goals in life – a sense of optimism, peace, and hope.

By revealing uplifting narratives hidden within everyday life, Hug the Moments calls us to pause and embrace the beauty around us.

Humanity in Trouble and Our Failure to Act

Mankind is on a crash course with destiny and doesn’t seem to have a clue! We are witnessing rapidly accelerating global warming of our own making that could potentially result in species extinctions, including our own. Witness widespread signs of the impending disaster including super storms, record drought, floods, forest fires and climate refugees. Dangerous nuclear saber rattling by Russia and North Korea is on the upswing and the Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens to expand to Western Europe. The increasing number of fascist, autocratic, dictator-run states such as China, North Korea, Turkey, and Brazil are snuffing individual freedoms, denying social justice and fanning the flames of global conflict.  The world’s population is rapidly approaching eight billion and is well past the point of Earth’s ability to sustain us. Crushing poverty, starvation, and dozens of militarized religious and ethnic conflicts. We have polluted our planet with toxic chemicals, oil spills, reckless dumping of trash on land and sea, contaminating the oceans with fish and fowl killing plastic waste.

This book is the result of overwhelming outrage and disappointment with our species, our failure to adequately address worldwide problems that threaten our very existence. We (if there is a ‘we’) should be embarrassed and ashamed. Nature has endowed us with near perfect bodies and amazing brains and for the most part we squander our evolutionary inheritance. And the greatest gift of all, consciousness, is under-developed in most of us. In this collection of essays, the author offers insights into the human condition, the reasons we have run afoul of the natural order, along solutions to alleviate human suffering on an individual and global scale plus some playful jabs at our human folly.

Humans as Third Dimensional Beings

Explore a fresh lens on human identity in 'Humans as Third Dimensional Beings', where the author introduces a unique dimension that sets Homo sapiens apart – the Third Human Dimension (THD). Traditionally viewed as bi-dimensional entities encompassing body and soul, this book ventures beyond, inspired by a rich blend of cultural insights, social science theories, and Islamic perspectives.

Contrary to prevalent social science paradigms that label humans as Homo Oeconomicus, Homo Politicus, or Homo Sociologus, Professor Dhaouadi underscores a vital yet overlooked facet: Homo Culturus or the Third Dimensional Being. The philosopher and social scientist Herbert Marcuse once analysed ‘one-dimensional man’. This work not only challenges social scientists for overlooking the Homo Culturus aspect but also critiques anthropologists, despite their focus on culture, for missing this crucial dimension.

Highlighting the THD or the Homo Culturus is imperative for lending credibility to social sciences, especially when asserting the three Homos as fundamental aspects of human behavior. Dive into an enlightening discourse that re-evaluates human essence through the prismatic lens of culture, offering a novel conceptualization that enriches the understanding of our complex nature.

Humphrey the Hippo and the Search for Milk

Deep in the mud pools and jungle forests of Hippoland lives Humphrey the Hippo. He is usually quite carefree compared to other hippos (who can be a bit grumpy at times). But one afternoon, he finds he is faced with a puzzle. Humphrey and his brother Harold are determined to make a cup of tea. But try as they might, they cannot find a key ingredient: milk.

So, they decide to consult their friend, Wilberforce the Wizard, for he knows everything. Wilberforce uses his magic to send the hippos to the land of Humans (even though Harold thinks humans are “mud sausages”). In the land of Humans, the hippos cause all kinds of chaos, involving grocery stores, credit cards and bananas - amongst other things.

But the two hippos persevere and return in triumph, with a carton of milk in hand, to Hippoland. However, their adventure is not over. They will still need the help of Wilbeforce the Wizard and his new mysterious friend, Clara.

Hunter in the Mountains

The fight rages on as the Minutemen search for a way to turn the tide of the war.

With a new threat looming in the skies, Johnny is given a mission that could alter the course of the conflict – or seal America’s fate under the shadow of the Imperial Forces.

Hurricane Rescue

After meeting in school and dating, Andy Thompson, and Milly Richards, grew apart and began their adult lives separately, though they still held strong feelings for each other. While Milly sought a career in Design, Andy joined the Navy and began training as a SEAL, but after an auto accident led to his leg being amputated, he was discharged and with his dreams all but destroyed, chose to live on the sea, piloting a boat and doing his best to make a living.

While working for a hotel chain, Milly was tasked with working on a new property in the Caribbean, but even though she was worried about a future hurricane, her boss ignored the threat until it was too late and the two were now trapped in the path of a Category Five Hurricane. Using her contacts, Milly managed to call home to warn her family about her predicament and her father contacted Andy’s family. When Andy learned that Milly was trapped, it brought back all those memories of her and realizing she meant more to him than anything else, he contacted his old Navy buddies and using a borrowed boat, they were able to barely reach the island alive just after the storm passed.

Arriving safely was one thing, finding the love of his life was something even more difficult in the destruction and chaos now engulfing the island. Reaching her last known location, Andy was upset to find she was gone and frantically searched the surrounding area until he was able to decide where she had gone and had a difficult time reaching her before they were able to plan how to safely leave the island.

I Am a Catholic in Case of an Accident

In I Am a Catholic in Case of an Accident, Catholic priest Andy Costello reflects on over 50 years in ministry, candidly exploring what it truly means to be Catholic in today’s world. With wisdom, humor and humility, Fr. Costello ponders questions of faith, doubt, and remaining devout amidst the challenges facing the modern Church.

Drawing on a lifetime of experiences as a priest serving diverse parishes across America, he offers relatable insights on Catholic identity, sharing personal stories and perspectives that will resonate with Catholics and spiritual seekers alike. Through short vignette-style chapters, Costello examines Catholic traditions, the humanity of Jesus, models of the Church, and staying connected to one’s faith.

I Am a Catholic in Case of an Accident is an inviting, introspective read that will inspire readers to contemplate their own religious journeys and what being Catholic means to them. Fr. Costello’s conversational musings provide a compassionate guide for anyone navigating the joys and struggles of a life of faith.

I am a Princess

Every child is perfect just the way they are, despite how different they may appear.

Follow Harper Rose as she reminds us that all children have unique qualities that allow them to contribute and experience the world in extraordinary ways.

A lesson reserved not only for children!

I Create As I Speak

There are other paths and destinations within you to be explored and you have the power to change your path at any time.

Your unexplored paths require a transcendent mind that goes beyond the limits of your current self-awareness.

This book is a tool to help you find your individual path in the universe and the powers that reside within you.

If the universe is infinite, then your soul is infinite.

I Have a Beautiful Brain, Compared to the Brains of Alcoholics and Drug Addicts

In this insightful and deeply personal exploration, Stewart Odendhal DVM PhD offers a unique perspective on the devastating effects of alcohol and drug addiction. Drawing from his professional background and personal encounters with addiction, Odendhal embarks on a mission to educate and deter young individuals from the lures of alcohol. This book is not only a narrative but a crusade against the widespread ignorance about the debilitating effects of alcohol on the brain.

Beginning with a startling revelation from a CT scan, Odendhal’s curiosity is piqued by the physical differences in the brains of alcoholics and drug addicts compared to those who abstain. This discovery propels him into an exhaustive research journey, delving into the science behind addiction, the societal implications, and personal anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of the struggles with alcoholism.

With chapters detailing his own experiences with alcoholic family members, the scientific intricacies of alcohol’s impact on the brain, and a poignant account of his battle with smoking addiction, Odendhal’s narrative is both educational and deeply human. He reflects on his interactions with Alcoholics Anonymous members, exploring the gap between scientific knowledge and the personal experiences of those battling addiction.

I Have a Beautiful Brain, Compared to the Brains of Alcoholics and Drug Addicts is a clarion call for a more informed approach to alcohol education, emphasizing the need for early intervention and awareness. Odendhal’s dedication to this cause shines through each page, making this book an essential read for anyone touched by the effects of alcoholism or seeking to understand the complex interplay between addiction and the human brain.

I Heard the Angels Sing

Have you ever felt that God was not there for you? Have you ever questioned, “Why, God, why?” One man did constantly. After an experience he cannot explain, he begins to reflect on his life, and he finds answers to those questions.

An inspirational reveal of how one man begins his journey back to God. He revisits occurrences from his life, exploring his own relationship with God. In sharing his experiences, he encourages others to discover and embrace their own relationship with God. Each chapter explores his personal memories from childhood into his adult life as he struggles with good and bad things in his life. Some experiences are small, some major and some occurrences affect him forever. He encounters great highs and deep lows in his life. And some incidents come full circle. He finally comes to the conclusion that God was always there for him.

It all began when he heard the Angels sing…

I Only Remember Grievances And Desserts

“Revenge is a dish best served cold” – Khan Noonien Singh

My more than 20 years of professional experience in the male-dominated career of emergency management has not exactly been a walk in the park. As less worn as the “path less traveled” may be, it is neither laced with ease nor filled with treasure. I have found it to be paved with judgment and spite. This was my experience as a pregnant teenager who insisted she would not be defined by the state of her body but forge ahead in life anyway. Although this was perhaps the lowest point of my life, I was able to find solace in cooking (particularly baking) and still decided to continue the path. And today, I can say that has made all the difference—which is the name of the chocolate truffles recipe I open with, along with the genesis of my difference-making choices.

On my career journey, I have encountered all dimensions of characters—the Cretin, the Quintessential Douche Bag, and the “Special Place in Hell” Vipers (made up of the Queen Bee and the BFF)—who have all attempted to rock the boat of my career advancement with their various strategies.

However, I have also encountered mentors who not only let me know I am not alone and provided astounding support but also stood by me and for me before others in the face of adversity. A combination of all these factors and the decisions I make along the way (some good, others, admittedly hasty and improperly reasoned) have culminated in the person I have become, both personally and professionally, and of course, a lot of recipes specially tailored to the various seasons I have had to go through.