Magic Moments as Paths Cross is a collection of true stories the author encountered that were too special to forget, teaching him about the importance of cultures around the world, introducing him to inspirational people, and exposing him to amazing situations. It was first written as a log for his children and grand children to inspire them to find their own magic moments in life, but he was encouraged to share it with others as a record of moments that should not be forgotten. History is full of them, everyone has them, but they often get lost. The real world with your magic moments is not on TV. They are out there waiting for you.

In Crossing Paths, John Daverio explores the connections between art and life in the works of three giants of musical romanticism. Drawing on contemporary critical theory and a wide variety of nineteenth-century sources, he considers topics including Schubert and Schumann's uncanny ability to evoke memory in music, the supposed cryptographic practices of Schumann and Brahms, and the allure of the Hungarian Gypsy style for Brahms and others in the Schumann circle. The book offers a fresh perspective on the music of these composers, including a comprehensive discussion of the 19th century practice of cryptography, a debunking of the myth that Schumann and Brahms planted codes for "Clara Schumann" throughout their works, and attention to the late works of Schumann not as evidence of the composer's descent into madness but as inspiration for his successors. Daverio portrays the book's three key players as musical storytellers, each in his own way simulating the structure of lived experience in works of art. As an intimate study of three composers that combines cultural history and literary criticism with deep musicological understanding, Crossing Paths is a rich exploration of memory, the re-creation of artistic tradition, and the value of artistic influence.

The discovery of a large collection of gold nuggets at the bottom of a waterfall in an enchanted valley triggers a group to circle the world to gather world wealth without disturbing the earth or causing pollution. Some of the wealth would be used to fund Green Earth projects, with some as basic as solar panels, in addition to worldwide awareness of the pending disaster of global warming and destructive wars. They develop a small SeaDrone able to jet to the bottom of the seas for vast collections of wealthsome spewed from under sea volcanoes, others from sunken shipsand gathering rare elements concentrated in the seas. Other wealth hid in open sight on the earths surface. The SeaDrone also flies into the skies to post antiwar holograms above war zones. As the group travels, they experience many old cultures and share philosophies. Material from my subconscious library stored over a lifetime adds nonfiction reflections and history from around the world, with the past, present, and our future to be in the making.

In this collection, readers are invited on a journey deep into the human soul, exploring the raw and transformative emotions of love, loss, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening. Each poem reflects life’s defining moments—from the joy of friendship and the passion of love to the anguish of heartbreak and the peace found in self-acceptance. With every verse, a tapestry of emotions unfolds, offering wisdom, solace, and inspiration. Whether you're seeking to connect with your inner self or navigate the complexities of human relationships, these poems invite you to pause, reflect, and find meaning in life’s shared experiences. Prepare to be moved, uplifted, and transformed by the power of words that speak directly to the heart—delving into the light and shadows of existence with poetic grace. This collection offers a profound exploration of the human condition, leaving a lasting impact on the soul.

Mark Twain wrote in 1869 in Innocents Abroad: Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.? The Strange Request introduces Alex with a need for nurture and a full life. His parents kept him sequestered for years for unusual reasons. An older sister moved away from home, taking Alex with her, but requests help. As Greg and Gwen listen, strangers they meet and show care for him, Alex begins to lead them to a number of mysterious places in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain near a retreat full of interesting international guests. Greg and Gwen have insight into the mysteries that unfold as they explore. One mystery opens another with ensuing solutions in France, Spain, Myanmar/Burma and Thailand. Old treasure returns to families generations later. Rare rubies emerge glowing from internal light. Caves appear with intact pictographs and ancient burial sites full of artifacts. Characters in the book have different skills, experiences in life, creativity for design and use of light for special decoration. Skills of observation reveal more mysteries. Each character shares philosophies and ideals learned from travel and living life with exuberance. Live life with zest, the mental spice.

This book of songs and poetry, is a look at the world we live in. Love, Religion, Politics, Mental Awareness and Controversy of day to day life. As human beings embark on the 21st century, there will be some challenging times ahead. But we are in control of our planet, and each one of us is responsible for the impact that will change our world. Whether good, bad, happy or sad, your state of being will be very important to the contributions you will make. Diamonds wars and diamond deaths, when will they stop. Oil wars or keeping terrorist under control in the middle east must stop. We still have no cures for Aids and Cancer. Oil producer and production are on a greedy path of taking money out of our pockets. Alternative fuels and their production are a immediate need in our world. Let us hope the next generations of our political leaders, will hear the peoples voice and not the lobbyist fueling millions of dollars in their campaign funds. Love is the key to our world survival, everyone should take a trip On The Mountain Of Light. Al Hajji Robert J Rowland

The beautiful Lencia is the image of her dear departed Mama and so is still the apple of the eye of her widowed father, the Earl of Armeron. Knowing how deeply Lencia and her younger sister, Alice, are missing their mother, their father promises to take them to see the fabulous historic Châteaux of the Loire Valley in France of which the most exciting and impressive of all is Château Chaumont. But to their chagrin, their hopes are totally dashed when the Earl returns from a trip to the South of France with a new wife on his arm, a stepmother who sees Lencia’s beauty as distinct competition for her husband’s attention and so she becomes increasingly hostile to the two sisters. Nevertheless the sisters have their hearts set on their French adventure and set off in secret, Lencia disguised in her late mother’s clothes and her make-up to look like an older Society lady who is chaperoning the young Alice. By sheer chance they happen to meet on their journey the dashingly handsome Duc de Montrichard, the Guardian of Château Chaumont, who on an impulse invites them to stay with him in his own sublime Château! And soon, while Alice’s heart is fit to burst with excitement as they start to explore his Fairytale world, Lencia’s is becoming filled with love for the dashing Duc. But, tragically, it seems that her love is doomed since it is based on deceit!

"Carol Ann will open your heart to all that is possible within yourself." --Linda Ann Hirsch, Stott Pilates Certified Instructor Join Carol Ann as she meets her true love while working as a cook on an oil rig in northern Alberta, Canada. Pregnancy results and the turning in of their son for adoption. Many years later she and Robert are blessed in marriage and reunite with their son while living in Arizona. Prior to their fourth wedding anniversary, her love succumbs to lung cancer. Serendipity guides her to raising five service dog puppies. Along with her own two labs, Saber and Spook, each dog in turn and together heal her heart as she navigates the maze of grief. Her husband's devotion from the other side comforts and restores her back to her truest self. Thanks to a dog, she is gifted a relationship with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, author of On Death and Dying. She gives voice to her dogs, working through the aid of animal communicators to ensure mutual understanding. Each dog, as well as herself, are always treated as spiritual beings, rather than as a dog or human having a spiritual experience. Savor the humor of her departed husband's mischievous spirit moving things about and whispering in her ear through an owl or through entering the body of her guide pup in training. Learn why her dog Treasure is afraid of balloons but loves to pop them. Follow her as she returns to her home of Canada to Vancouver Island. She is guided to cross the Canadian rainbow with her three labs to the shores of Prince Edward Island on the east coast. She emerges triumphant from her gift of trusting in her heart and the guidance of her dogs and divine spirit. Inspire yourself as you walk in her shoes and the paws of her beloved four-footed angels.

"Celtic & Me - Confessions from the Jungle" is the funny, original story of Dominik Diamond's very public life as a Celtic supporter. Shockingly, he started out as a Rangers fan but later realised the error of his ways and controversially changed allegiance. His outspoken views on Rangers have made him more than a little unpopular on one side of Glasgow. In "Celtic & Me", find out what part he played in Martin O'Neill becoming Celtic manager. Why Seville was so awful. Why he was banned from Celtic TV. Which old firm manager is best at pub trivia machines. Which Rangers legend made Dominik weep with his kindness and which one threatened to out him on live TV for being a teenage Rangers fan. And what happened the night he was threatened outside a Glasgow kebab shop. From sickening bigotry to the joy he felt at being part of the Celtic family, "Celtic & Me" is the story of a man who refused to shut up and the price you pay when you do that as an Old Firm fan with a well-known face.