Written with humorous abandon by popular satirist, former stand-up comic, and media commentator Sabrina Lamb, A Kettle of Vultures is a fictional romp which exposes the acerbic thoughts of image consultant Iris Chapman, her dysfunctional family, socially maladjusted clients, magical friends, and her adventurous journey toward self-acceptance. Unbeknownst to Iris Chapman, the Atlanta-based image consultant, a kettle of low-flying vultures convenes overhead as she boards the flight home to Opa Locka on the day of her brother’s controversial wedding. Following their customary bear hugs, Iris’ eccentric family launches into the inquisition, the visual and vocal assessment of Iris’ physical appearance. Iris is already attacked daily by her own inquisition, questioning her very existence. Self-acceptance is a long journey and it’s unclear whether or not she’ll get there as she attempts to seduce an uninterested man, moves cities, loses clients, and meets a man she’s not sure she can trust. Will Iris survive the onslaught by the vulturous characters in her life? Will her octogenarian grandmother, her superstitious mother who denunciates anything nappy, her hermit-like father, and irritating clients, push Iris over the edge of her own sanity? Will she learn to accept herself?

From biblical times to today, humans have found meaning and significance in the actions and symbolism of birds. We admire their mystery and manners, their strength and fragility, their beauty and their ugliness—and perhaps compare these very characteristics to their own lives in the process. Though admired today, the birds of Scripture are largely unseen and underappreciated. From the well-known image of the dove to the birds that gorge on the flesh of the defeated “beast” in Revelation, birds play a dynamic part in Scripture. They bring bread to the prophets. They are food for the wanderers. As sacrifices, they are the currency of mercy. Highlighting 10 birds throughout Scripture, author Debbie Blue explores their significance in both familiar and unfamiliar biblical stories and illustrates how and why they have represented humanity across culture, Christian tradition, art, and contemporary psyche. With these (usually) minor characters at the forefront of human imaginations, poignant life lessons illuminate such qualities as desire and gratitude, power and vulnerability, insignificance and importance—even as readers gain a better understanding that God’s mysterious grace is sometimes most evident in His simplest of creatures.

A Vulture Landscape is more than just a book about vultures, in the same way that these majestic flyers are more than just birds. Vultures are a crucial part of many of the world's ecosystems, and without these specialist environmental cleansers the ecosystems wouldn't work properly. A calendar year in the lives of these gargantuan raptors is explored as they live, breed, feed and fly with effortless ease across the skies of the vulture landscape that is Extremadura in central Spain.There are four species of vulture in Europe, and a fifth that is becoming more of a regular visitor as its own global population plummets. The serious conservation issues faced on a day-to-day basis by these species, and their relatives spread across the globe, are explored, issues that in many cases threaten their very survival. However, this book is a celebration of the vulture and the landscape in which it reigns.Using the latest science, his keen eye and his passion for the birds themselves, the author takes the reader on a journey, introducing readers to the vultures, their lives and their landscape. Along the way, much of the other wonderful wildlife of the vulture landscape, from exotic Bee-eaters and bewitching Montagu's Harriers to rutting Red Stags as well as some very excitable cattle, are included. Ian explains how watching vultures is not only addictive, but that it can often lead to vulture gazing, surely the most relaxing form of bird watching there is!

Vultures are voracious! They eat a lot of yucky stuff--and that's good because it keeps things tidy. Here are 20 questions and answers about these clean-up birds so you'll know all about them. You'll learn why vultures' heads are bald, why vultures vomit, why vultures don't get sick when they eat rotten meat, why they circle in the sky, what baby vultures look like (cute fuzzballs), and whether turkey vultures gobble (no!). Make a turkey vulture mobile, a vulture collage, and connect the dots to reveal a Eurasian vulture. Next in series > > See all of the books in this series

Expand your bird knowledge with this gorgeous encyclopedia of nearly 400 bird species around the world, unique for its inclusion of both their physical and mythological characteristics. If you’re a nature lover who thrives on bird videos and photography, go beyond the scope of standard field guides with this comprehensive reference. Each entry of The Complete Language of Birds provides not only the bird’s name and physical qualities, but also its history, symbolic meanings, and hidden properties from mythology, legends, and folklore. Within the pages of this colorful volume, you’ll find: Beautiful illustrations and descriptions of common and unusual birds Notes on the surprising properties and powers of birds Discussions of the symbolism and mythological significance of each bird species Dive into an unusual dimension of historical and arcane knowledge with the study of birds. A collection of fun and interesting facts about birds gathered from science and culture, the stunning illustrations and lively descriptions make this an engaging guide you’ll return to again and again. Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including dream interpretation, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, flower meanings, and the stories behind signs and symbols. Also available in the series: Complete Book of Dreams, Complete Language of Flowers, Complete Language of Herbs, Signs & Symbols of the World, Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care, and Complete Language of Food.

Media persons, once referred to as the torch bearers of the fourth pillar of the democracy, are being trolled and tagged as ‘presstitutes’ these days. “Do journalists really need serious introspection?” So, what happens when Alisha- a commercial sex worker tells a reporter Shailesh, “You are a bigger dhandhebaaj than us.” When a reporter decides to expose his universe, the result comes out as a compilation of stories. They bring out the murkiness not only of the media world but also of the universe around it. This book is a compilation of stories of the storytellers. The stories of the reporters who dig, hunt, innovate, create and spin stories for you.

Discover the secrets of your favorite animal’s odd behaviors, such as why woodpeckers don’t get headaches, how octopuses change colors, and what helps insects walk sideways and even upside down! From shrews to skunks, elephants to Emperor penguins, learn about 60 animals in all Filled with full-color images of each creature, as well as their behavior and habitats Engaging and humorous text that inspires praise to God for the work of His hands

Young Bessie and Bryant enjoy everything an old New England family has to offer: hereditary wealth, an historical home on Long Island Sound, generations of connections, an all-but-assured successful future. They have the world in the their hands as they enjoy the warm, calm summer water of the Sound on a Connecticut beach, preparing to go off to college in Montreal. Their idyllic life suddenly begins to unravel with the arrival of a new girl in town, a discovery in their parents' attic, and the unveiling of a familial curse that has pursued their forebears for centuries.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Age of Speed and The Ant and the Elephant comes an all-new parable to help you break free from feeling stuck and bounce back after a crisis. "Life has its ups and downs; however, we should never give up hope . . . The Earthquake will inspire many to meet the difficult challenges of life." —Dalai Lama The Earthquake is a must read for anyone looking to find their way to sustained hope. Use this book to find specific solutions to the setback you’re currently facing or to help others bounce back from their personal earthquake. This parable will help readers to: Reframe dark times as illuminating experiences Resist the impulse to go it alone Find fresh perspectives Seek a path where you can enjoy the journey In this entertaining modern-day fable, Vince Poscente introduces us to the well-intentioned, conscious ant and the habitually fearful, subconscious elephant as seismic destruction changes their world and ultimately forces them to leave their oasis. What Adir the ant and Elgo the elephant learn—and what you’ll learn by journeying with them—is the linear path they used to reach the oasis in The Ant and the Elephant does not work in the chaos after an earthquake. How can they breakthrough and thrive after a life-altering setback? This book offers prescriptive advice, and is based on Poscente’s study of practices including: decoding human behavior the neuroscience of performance interpersonal dysfunction around fear

A wild and wily ride. Antonía Barclay and Her Scottish Claymore is an unconventional historical romance that hums with energy, wordplay, swordplay, and a touch of melodrama. In 1586, Antonía Barclay embarks on a quest to find her real mother, Mary Queen of Scots, as well as the long-lost Scottish Royal Sceptre. Along the way, Sir Basil Throckmorton, a well-known villain and alchemist, kidnaps the beautiful Antonía and schemes to use her to pave his way to the English throne. If Breck Claymore, Antonía’s partner in love, does not find her soon, she will be forced to wed Sir Basil, and both Scotland and England will fall under his control. Readers of historical romance will enjoy the feisty heroine, her outrageous adventures, and the humorous take on a well-loved genre.