Beyond the Window is a remarkable novel, about the reclamation of a piece of wasted desert land by planting the shifting sands with growths that will fix them and induce the formation of fertile top soil. Cory Aguilar, an orphan who has inherited nothing but her mother's beauty, aesthetic nature, and visionary love of romantic adventure, her father's businesslike head and firmness of purpose, and twelve hundred acres of undeveloped desert land in Eastern Washington. Chafing under the benevolent despotism of an acquisitive, Philistine aunt, who has reared her in luxurious idleness in Seattle and on an Edenlike estate in the vicinity. Cory seeks an independent existence in the land of sagebrush, and sandstorms. She finds that her "princely heritage" is lorded over by a mysterious wind, keeping her estate a terrible sand waste, a strange sort of evil that is beginning to overwhelm the adjoining ranches. Stranded and ill equipped as she is, Cory is left alone and destitute to face the dangers and general cursedness of conditions in a small agrarian town, with its envious malice, its backbiting gossip, its traducing intrigues. Success will finally come for Cory when she comes to learn that having a barren ranch is far better than possessing a barren soul. That the failure to be true to oneself has long tentacles that reach far and grip back many things that else had come in blessing to her who lies to her own soul. It is in this revelation that Cory is finally able to look beyond the window.

Step-by-step instructions give you a number of ways to vary this beautiful, textured pattern -- from classic Cathedral Windows to rectangles, triangles, and Twisted Windows.

On a winter’s evening in 2041, 14-year-old Tom arrives at Albans School, tucked away in an isolated Blue Mountains location west of Sydney – a special school for children with disabilities. Tom doesn’t speak, can’t hear and has no word recognition. Watching Tom’s arrival from the school library is Abbey, a book that no one has ever read. Abbey’s desperate need to be read drives her to find a way to communicate with Tom and unleashes a terrifying and thrilling adventure. They encounter a global conspiracy using artificial intelligence to control the minds of the younger generation – the inheritors. Together, they forge an exceptional team to fight back, from the very place the global conspirators plan to destroy – imagination. As they confront increasingly perilous challenges, they come to understand why they are like they are and the meaning of partnership. Books become the guiding influence as Tom and Abbey light the flame of self-belief to rise above their limitations. To fight for a new generation’s right to freely choose the society in which they want to live and who they want to be.

Where Is God In the Midst Of It All? Whether your focus is Beyond the Window or Inside Your Heart, God’s Holy Presence is right there with you as your constant companion. Rachel Jolly West has been gifted to know and show this within her latest book, Beyond the Window: Inside Your Heart. Seek out a cozy corner and relax as you read and digest any one of the 53 enclosed entries, each allowing you to reflect upon how God uses your senses to show you just how He is there with you. See God through “Are You Focused” Hear God through “The Roar of the Spittin’ Rain” Feel God by touch through “That Simple Touch” Experience God through the gift of smell through “The Beauty of His Holiness” Taste God through “Jesus the Bread of Life” Feel God in your heart through “Joy of a Babe”. Take your time with this book. Read and meditate. Think about your own life and where you think God is a part of it, if at all. Open this book, and let God meet you right where you are, in the midst of it all. Blessings!

Artist, columnist, and poet Gertrude McCarty Smith (1923–2007) of Collins, Mississippi, carried herself as a demure and proper southern lady, yet this was deceiving as she was a prolific, creative trailblazer who had collectors and dedicated readers from coast to coast, and even in Europe. She grew up during the Great Depression with only some vivid storytelling and pictures from the family Bible to inspire and kindle her artistic spirit. However, at the age of ten, her career launched when her grandmother coaxed her with a box of crayons to milk the family cow—her seventy-year love affair with the arts was born. Over the years, she would express her creativity in many forms, resulting in thousands of paintings, sculptures, songs, poems, and newspaper columns and along the way a variety of artful cakes, as she ran a celebrated twenty-five-year cake business. Her art appeared in all shapes, sizes, materials, and “eatability.” For most of her early career, Gertrude dabbled with a variety of styles—with subjects mostly centered around life in rural Mississippi and her spiritual life. But in 1980 at the age of fifty-seven, she attended her first Mississippi Art Colony at Camp Jacob in Utica, Mississippi. Over the next fifteen years, she would make her pilgrimage twice a year to be inspired by celebrated guest instructors from around the nation and connect with fellow artists. The Colony was a major catalyst, exposing her to new styles, giving her encouragement and freedom to experiment. Gertrude said of the Colony, “I never knew anything about abstract art, but it fascinated me to no end. Abstract art to me is like a beautiful melody without words. In mixed media, I am in another world and often am surprised at the piece that evolves from the torn watercolor papers. The effect is a kaleidoscope of colors that makes the retinas dance.” This book features more than 150 images; a dozen poems; insightful essays from New York art dealer Stephen Rosenberg, acclaimed southern cultural scholar and curator Pat Pinson, and artist, curator, and instructor Rick Wilemon; along with a foreword by Tommy King, president of William Carey University; and a chronicle of her life’s journey by her son-in-law, Thomas R. Brooks. As Rosenberg has said, “Gertrude Smith is a remarkable and authentic American woman who teaches us that talent and creativity combined with a humanistic spirit is both a state of mind and a state of grace—at any age.” Book proceeds will benefit the Gertrude McCarty Smith Foundation for the Arts to bring access and passion for literature, performance, and visual arts to children in underserved communities throughout Mississippi.

Janet Crawford a recently widowed women, has moved to a small town in Missouri, where she observed a brutal murder. The police investigate but cant find a body. She isnt believed. So she decides to look around. After searching three or four likely spots, she comes upon a body. She is chased by the killer but is saved by workmen. Both she and the body are taken to the hospital, where she meets a young man that later is reveled to be the son of the deceased. The suspected murderer is found in the next county, in his submerged van, murdered. The real murderer is still alive and looking for Janet.

Charlie O'Shields is the creator of Doodlewash®, founder of World Watercolor Month in July, and host of the Sketching Stuff podcast. Every single day, for over three years, he created a watercolor illustration and wrote a short essay about whatever came to mind that day and posted it on his blog. These are some of the collected favorites along with some brand new musings. With over 180 illustrations, this book is part personal memoir and sometimes just a randomly fun romp through the sillier bits of this crazy world we all inhabit. Written to take on the impossible task of inspiring creativity, unleashing your inner child, and instilling hope, it will, at the very least, make you smile and touch your heart.

A profound and in-depth dialog of Spirit-guided insights describing the nature of the soul essence and presenting imaginative, practical tools to transform human dramas.Addressing commonly asked questions, Opening a Window to the Soul presents a unique way to understand how the world operates, heal painful emotions, get along with difficult people, and clear unhealthy patterns. With potent examples from the authorâs personal journey as well as client sessions, the messages are compassionate, enlightening and universally applicable.Topics include: the nature of the soul essence; whatâs between lives; soul memories, emotions, ego, and creative thought as aspects of the âEarth Suit;â how past life experiences impact present time; the soul family as relating to childhood and karmic agreements; love relationships and soul mates; working with the Spirit team (soul family guides) and soul purpose.

Written by a highly accredited scientist, this book offers a compelling and original alternative to outdated approaches to the life sciences. It presents a metaphysical basis for living systems that significantly mitigates several purported conflicts between science and religion.

Shy bookstore clerk Kosuke Mikado has the ability to see ghosts and spirits, an ability he wishes he didn’t have, since what he sees usually terrifies him. Rihito Hiyakawa, an exorcist whose supernatural powers are as strong as his social graces are weak, doesn’t seem to fear anything, mortal or otherwise. When this odd couple gets together to solve the bizarre cases that come their way, their work methods may not be entirely safe for work! -- VIZ Media