One thing that has really stood out for me this year is how much people are getting "lost in the unnecessary". Established companies try to cover as many bases as they can out of fear of getting overtaken by smaller businesses that claim to be more "agile". More data means thicker and more complex reports that are less inspiring to read. People are sharing more online but not in proportion to the amount of new ideas we should be creating.
Steve Jobs once said that "deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do". He would ask his top 100 people for 10 things they needed to do and then once the list was made tell them they could only do 3.
A.G. Lafley once told me "the important thing about a change programme is knowing what not to change". Deciding what to eliminate not only helps you focus on what's important, it also forces you to create a better product. Jeff Bezos has done it by working to "eliminate all the gatekeepers" that has been a barrier between consumers and suppliers.
Focusing on the important, not the urgent, will ensure that you do things right. And if you fail, you'll be able to fix it faster too.
Sustainability is important, but convincing people to behave in a manner that is more sustainable is a challenge. This is where design comes in. Designers are already skilled at creating products that influence how people think, feel and interact.
An example was illustrated recently in an article in the Guardian. The humble kitchen kettle accounts for 4% of the UK's household carbon emissions. 95% of its energy consumption comes from boiling water, something that is done an average of 2.4 times for every cup of tea or coffee made. Why so high? People over-fill the kettle, get distracted, don't hear it finish, and then assume the water's not hot enough so they turn it on again.
The solutions to a better kettle are simple. Bring back the whistle and people will know it's finished. Redesign the water indicators so people know how much water they need. Build in a temperature gauge so you know whether it really needs to be turned on again. Three simple design changes. Three simple solutions to solving unsustainable behaviour.
There are almost no limits to where sustainable design can be applied. Take any item within arm's reach and there'll be a way to make it not only greener, but simply more beautiful and more efficient.
Positive visualization helps us "see" ourselves in winning situations. It can motivate the actions and feelings we need to get to where we want to be, and psych us up for what's ahead. Visualizing can help us run further, push harder and perform better. This is especially helpful if you're feeling tired or deflated.
Athletes often envision themselves winning Gold, having medals put around their neck, holding up trophies, and crossing the finish line. It gives them the extra edge that drives their competitive spirit. But it's not just the good times that get visualized. Many athletes have learned to develop mental toughness by "seeing" themselves face-to-face with potential challenges. By picturing potential adversities, and envisioning yourself successfully overcoming those obstacles, you can become more confident in your abilities.
Visualization is also not just about imagery; it's a multi-sensory experience. Consider the senses of sound, smell, touch and taste. Dr. Krista Chandler from the University of Windsor, Canada, surveyed 150 athletes to learn about the effects of imagery on mental toughness, and found that more vivid visualizations help athletes reach their best.
A few years back I posted on the standup desk at work. For the many of us who work sitting for prolonged periods, the health impacts of workplace inactivity are looking none too good. We gotta stand and move more.
It's estimated that on average people who sit too much live a few years less. Watching an hour of TV can, it seems, take 22 minutes off your innings. And the rub is that being quite active when you're not sitting for long stretches, research reveals, won't protect you from significant health hazards.
As legs are for walking not parking, the inactivity research findings seem surprisingly obvious. The whole office work set up is ripe for a reframe, and the upright work movement is just one more reason to mix things up.
Luckily, stirring the blood isn't hard. Techniques, of varying cost, include doing squats and steps, having walking meetings, adjustable workstations and treadmills desks. For health and happiness, get more vertical. Just by standing we burn 50 more calories per hour than sitting.
In an effort to understand what drives today's food culture and get a glimpse of the future of food, gravity – a design and innovation company – conducted a study called 'Food Thinking'. The study found that all food decisions are made between two processes: cooking and shopping, which is where food marketers concentrate their efforts.
Food is bling. Cooks become celebrities. Food becomes cult.
People create 'food rules' for daily food which impact on shopping trends.
Food is modern-day DIY. Our kitchens represent craftsmanship.
Food needs simplicity. 1 out of six British women struggle to cook basic dishes.
Food transparency. We're seeking more information about our food, but do we really want to know where things come from?
Seems to me the only part their equation is lacking is the "moment of truth" i.e. the "eating" bit. Seems like an occasion to incant the Roberto Goizeta mantra "meet, beat, repeat". Yum.
A recent article in Adweek on the way we like to communicate gave both comfort and concern. It seems that while the majority of us prefer to talk to our family and friends face-to-face, we're happy to resort to emails and social media for co-workers and acquaintances. In the Age of Now where screens dominate and where we can always be in virtual contact, it is important to not take the easy route and simply send a message to people over having a conversation with them face-to-face.
At this level we're able to engage with people on an emotional and personal level, less is lost through interpretation, and understanding can be met faster and better. Never is the exchange better or more fluid than when I am having a conversation with someone face-to-face. Taking the time to meet with the people in our lives can create an enormous lift in our mood and relationships. It can create the right chemistry to make ideas come alive. So take an extra two minutes to walk over to your co-worker and discuss an idea and ask them about their day.
There's nothing like a good creative revolution to shake up the national economy and get struggling nations back on their feet. Iceland is the poster child of creative success, using their buoyant creative industries to bring their economy back from the brink of collapse.
A nation with strong entrepreneurial nous, immense design talent and a fondness for building start-ups based on great ideas, Iceland's creative industry was already contributing more to the economy in 2009 than agriculture. It's only grown since then.
Now Iceland is absolutely buzzing with creativity. With creative industries themselves growing by the day, people are now asking the question: How can creative thinkers use their talents to help other Icelandic industries experience the same success? The answer: Cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Iceland's creative minds are pooling their talents and working with struggling industries to help make them more profitable. Take the Icelandic Academy of the Arts innovation project, Designers and Farmers. As the name suggests, the project brings together product and graphic designers, food scientists and farmers to help maximise profit and minimise waste in the farming industry.
And it's working. Creative solutions to complex problems are emerging on a daily basis – it's enough to tickle your taste buds. Literally. One solution saw black pudding cake (yes, cake!) added to the menu of the farm and restaurant Fjallakaffi. Why? The farm was known for its meat, but had no use for its offal. By swapping the traditional ingredient fat for root vegetables, the farm succeeded in significantly reducing waste, increasing profits and added a whole new arm to its business. Good thinking.
The Swiss have their chocolate, the Russians, caviar, but in New Zealand, we have Marmite. Unfortunately, the much-loved spread is pretty hard to get now days as the factory where Marmite is produced was damaged by the Christchurch earthquake. So in what looks like "Marmageddon", New Zealanders have rationed their Marmite stocks and scraped their jars to the last. But there is a silver lining to this story.
Renowned Kiwi photographer Chris Sisarich, whose work has been exhibited at the MILK Gallery in New York, has collaborated with local celebrities and the Rebuild Christchurch Foundation to capture images of 19 empty Marmite jars for a charity auction. The jars represent the struggle, determination and patriotism of New Zealanders as they rebuild their lives in Christchurch.
"It's evident that everyone has been scraping at the bottom to get every last bit out – I know I have – and I hope that other Kiwis are taking a moment to reflect on the difficulties of the past two years for Christchurch as they reach the bottom of their jars," Chris says.
One original photograph of each celebrity's Marmite jar has been framed with a signed lid and bidding took place at www.abeautifulstruggle.co.nz. With contributors like ex-All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry and supermodel/actress Rachel Hunter, I am sure auction was fierce. All proceeds will go to the Rebuild Christchurch Foundation.
If I asked you what the most emotional country in the world was, what place would immediately come to mind? South Americans are pretty emotional, and so are the Italians, but according to a Gallup survey, people in the Philippines are laughing and crying more than anyone else. On the other end of the spectrum, Singaporeans need some help sharing their feelings. Singapore is ranked the world's most emotionless society. The report says "Singaporeans are unlikely to report feelings of anger, physical pain, or other negative emotions. They're not laughing a lot, either." They are followed by Georgia, Lithuania and Russia.
It's no secret that Singapore is one of the most productive and healthy economies in the world. Its economy has doubled in the past decade, and it's become the hub for doing business in the booming Asia-Pacific region. But when asked questions about quality of life, well-being, and simple things like "Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?", only 36% of Singaporeans responded affirmatively to the questions compared to 60% of Filipinos.
The findings of the survey have created some talk amongst Singaporean academics and government officials about how they can improve the emotional state of the country. So, why do the Philippines consistently score highly in satisfaction and happiness surveys? For Filipinos, happiness isn't material, it's about family, health and religion (they have the third highest weekly religious attendance in the world, 68%; Nigeria tops with 89 % followed by Ireland 84%). Filipinos are also generally self-sufficient, resilient people who get on with things.
Not too long ago, ad breaks meant time to make a cup of tea or hit fast forward on the TiVo. Now it seems audiences are not tuning out, but tuning in while switching screens. They may not be looking at their televisions, but many are using ads as a window of opportunity to send emails, browse the Web, or check feeds on Twitter or Facebook.
A study conducted for Bravo Media by Latitude Research surveyed more than 1,000 people and observed more than 100 people watching TV in a variety of situations. It found that 73% of those surveyed used a second screen while watching a program, increasing their likelihood of refraining from ad skipping. It also found that viewers using both a smartphone and a tablet or laptop were around 20% less likely to skip through ads than those only using a smartphone (40% versus 50%).
This presents a number of opportunities for advertisers and TV networks. Being smart about sound can help capture audiences and offer cues for interacting with consumers instantly through other devices. So, instead of ads now being a break, they give advertisers the opportunity to tune into audiences even more.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of football's iconic players (shame he is not with us at the Etihad). He's an idol to millions and a symbol of what happens when talent, commitment and dreams come together. However, besides the football and fame what really drives this sporting superstar is his life philosophy 'Love to Win, Hate to Lose'. Now Ronaldo is letting others adopt this mantra through a new line of shoes and clothing developed in partnership with Nike.
Each piece in the collection features a logo of a heart slashed by an X, representing Ronaldo's 'Love to Win, Hate to Lose' mentality. It's a brilliant visualization of an idea that can be worn over the heart like a badge of honor. This idea acknowledges that winning is all about frame of mind. Whether you're a professional athlete or the average guy, wanting to win is a great attitude to adopt in everyday life. It's uncompromising, results focused and driven by passion.
In youth sport in the US, one of the roles of a 'Responsible Sports' environment is the "Culture Keeper"; someone who makes sure that everyone (coaches, players, fans) adheres to team values. These people promote and protect the integrity of their sport and ensure that morale is maintained and undesirable situations averted. Team culture is important because it makes people give their 100% by inspiring them to believe in what they do.
Our Inspirational Dream: To be revered as the hot house for world changing creative ideas that transform our clients' businesses, brands and reputations.
Our Focus: To fill the world with Lovemarks.
Our Spirit: One Team, One Dream – Nothing Is Impossible.
Great results also come from shared purpose. In his book, Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World's Greatest Companies, former P&G GMO Jim Stengel chronicles a ten-year study of the world's fifty top businesses and discovers that those with strong positive corporate culture grew rate triple that of competitors in their categories. The All Blacks have also developed a strong culture to become the most successful international sports team, with an 84% win ratio against all opposition. Strong cultures make winners and leaders – it's the reason why every company should have its own "Culture Keeper".
In this digital age of iPads, iPhones, TVs, computer screens, etc., it is sometimes good to go back to the future. A couple of nights ago I went to an IMAX theater to watch Skyfall. The screen was amazing. It wasn't like being at the movies, it was like being in the movies. The sound was absolutely incredible. You could smell the Scottish heather at the end of the movie.
We are all Screenagers but that IMAX experience reminded me that mobility and personalization are one thing but you can't beat a big movie on a big screen with big sound.
And Javier Bardem stole the show. What an amazing performance. It looked like he was having loads of fun.


We offer a bespoke event floristry service specializing in wedding flowers including event venue decoration and sympathy flowers in the Bellingham and surrounding areas.
As experienced florists we combine traditional floristry skills with contemporary style trends to create exactly what you require.
As wedding specialists, The Flower Shed loves to work with brides and grooms to help you create the wedding of your dreams.
Below are the main services that we provide.
If you have a special event or request please contact us on the numbers below or email us and we will do our best to help.
Whatever your dream might be – a classical white wedding, a country garden wedding or a contemporary colourful celebration. Let The Flower Shed create unique wedding flowers for you from the simplest of buttonholes to stunning handtied bouquets.
This is a very sad time. Funeral flowers are the final mark or respect you can give to a loved one, once they have passed away. Designs are bespoke made in any colour and design.
Margaret at The Flower Shed did the flowers for our wedding at Le Petit Chateau in June. She created us bouquets, table centrepieces, button holes and filled a wooden crate with flowers for our top table. Absolutely stunning arrangements and could not have asked for more. Margaret is so helpful and creative and the service she provides is first class. Thank you again Margaret.
The Flower Shed arranged the flowers for our wedding in September at Matfen Hall. Margaret did a fantastic job, she seemed to instinctively know exactly what we wanted and what would work for our wedding – even if we didn't! Margaret has an amazing eye for detail, matching the colours of the flowers to the bridesmaid dresses perfectly and tying our whole theme together. We couldn't have been more happy with the flowers and would definitely recommend The Flower Shed.
Margaret at The Flower Shed was asked to create bouquets, arrangements and some 20 plus buttonholes for our New Year's Day Wedding.
She knew exactly what we were looking for from design to colour and provided some stunning touches to give us all we hoped for and more.
Margaret was lovely to deal with, very professional and her care and attention to detail was second to none. All our guests and the Wedding organisers commented how gorgeous the flowers were.
I would highly recommend The Flower Shed to anyone, don't go anywhere else-you will not be disappointed.
I love my beautiful birthday bouquet Margaret. You are one talented lady.
Wow! Wow! Wow! I can't begin to explain how beautiful the flowers were Margaret created for our wedding at Matfen Hall. I have never ever seen flowers so beautiful, all of our guests commented on how amazing all of the arrangements were!
From start to finish the whole process was so easy and I don't know much about flowers and literally told Margaret we wanted pinks and creams and what she created was STUNNING!! Margaret really made the planning of wedding exciting and thoroughly enjoyable, so professional and a calming figure on my wedding day which I think every bride needs. I don't think there will ever be enough words to thank you Margaret and would 100% recommends The Flower Shed to anyone looking for a florist with WOW factor!


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These Three Brothers Have Rescued Over 700 Birds in Mumbai – and Hope to Help Even More!
By Aisling Maria Cronin
Is there anything more than wonderful than reading about a concerned member of the public who, whatever their means, does their very best to help vulnerable animals ignored by authorities? We have been treated to many of these hope-restoring tales, reminding us that we can have faith in humanity after all.
And now, prepare to be moved by the story of three brothers in Mumbai, India, who have helped save over 700 wild birds! Vishal and Nikhil Kolekar are animal welfare officers and their brother Kunal is a snake catcher. Together, the three brothers have put their experience at caring for animals to good use by voluntarily treating, rehabilitating, and releasing injured birds.
They began in 2008 by rescuing snakes in the woods around their home, explaining that "when people see a snake their basic instinct is to kill it, though only 20 percent of snakes are poisonous. People aren't aware of this fact and thus we started off with this initiative." As local awareness of their work began to grow, the brothers received more requests for help, and they estimate that they have since saved over 700 birds and countless other animals from death.
Nikhil explained to MaStyleCare that their reason for doing this is simple: "I love animals, and having been in close contact with animals since childhood, it was all but obvious to follow the path of helping birds and animals."
Since 2008, they have carried out this work with no financial support from governmental authorities. Nikhil has also identified the lack of strong animal protection regulations as a major setback to their efforts, "The biggest grievance is the lack of strong laws, which helps the offenders to escape without even a scratch. The laws haven't been upgraded since 1956."
The brothers have rescued a large variety of bird species – including flamingos, kites, and eagles – but are haunted by the memory of the animals they could not save. "Some die before they are brought to us," Nikhil reflected sadly, "as they are reported to us late. People aren't aware that medicines are available for them at basic medical stores and they can be administered at home." For this reason, the Kolekars are now planning to run an awareness-raising program through local radio broadcasts, and school and college campus visits. They want to emphasize the importance of reporting an injured bird or animal as soon as possible so that they can be treated quickly.
Nikhil has vowed that "we love animals and we will continue our efforts for this cause irrespective of the hurdles on our path."
The Ministry of India recently provided a major boost to the almost-extinct white-backed vulture by restricting the use of diclofenac, a medication that causes liver failure in the animals. Special "restaurants" are also now being set up for the vultures, where they can consume food guaranteed to be diclofenac-free. And with people like the Kolekar brothers doing their best to fight on their behalf, it looks like there is hope for the country's bird population!
Image source: MaStyleCare
Mohammad Gous Peerzade says:
nitin i thank u for spreading these types of massage, rather than maharastra or belagavi.. hindu or muslim… shivaji or tipu sultan…
lets b litrate…
nitin i thank u for spreading these

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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US media trying to drum up a new 'Cold War': Beware the New Venezuelan 'Missile Crisis'
By Dave Lindorff (Page 1 of 2 pages) (# of views) 14 comments
By Dave Lindorff
A Russian version of this type of shoulder-fired rocket is laughably being called a Cuban Missile Crisis-type threat to the US
(Image by The U.S. Army) Details DMCA
It's not a new or revived Cold War yet between the US and Russia, but not for lack of trying by the corporate US media.
The latest example of absurd fear-mongering was brought to us courtesy of Fox Business News, with anchor Trish Regan darkly warned that "not since 1962 have we had such enemy missiles near our shores." She explained that "for several years" Venezuela has been "amassing" up to 5000 "long-range Russian-made surface to air missiless." Of course, in 1962, the missiles in question were intermediate range nuclear-tipped missiles that the then Soviet Union was installing in Cuba, aimed to counter similar missiles that the US had already based in western Europe and Turkey near Russia's borders. But what was she actually talking about in Venezuela? Shoulder-fired anti-aircraft rockets with a maximum range of four miles. Hmmm. And Venezuela is 1700 miles from the Florida Keys, considerably beyond the range of these little shoulder-fired rockets.
No wonder there hasn't been a mad rush to buy and install bomb shelters in the US, as there was during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The story about these Russian Man Portable Air Defense Systems or MANPADS being supplied to Venezuela first broke in Reuters nearly two years ago, long before Fox decided to repackage it as a new Cuban-style Missile Crisis. In the original story, Reuters was clear that the rockets were simply short-range anti-aircraft weapons. But even the Reuters story was slanted in an anti-Russian manner. It notes that both the US and USSR began deploying such portable front-line weapons in the 1960s, but then states, without a hint of irony, that "The U.S. for years has funded efforts to destroy MANPADS stockpiles in unstable regions as worries have grown about the weapons getting into the hands of militant groups." The article went on to report that "Some missiles unaccounted for in Libya following the 2011 death of strongman Muammar Gaddafi, for example, are believed to have made their way to other parts of the Middle East."
Indeed they did. After the Obama administration launched its air assault on the Gaddafi regime leading to its overthrow, the CIA helped transfer much of the regime's advanced weaponry to Syria, including Russian MANPADs, which were provided to Al Qaeda-linked rebel groups in that country that were seeking to topple the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad. So much for US "concern" about such dangerous weapons "getting into the hands of militant groups."
Of course there was no such concern about the proliferation of weapons capable of downing airliners either during the Reagan administration, when hundreds of US MANPADS, known as Stinger missiles, were provided to Iran in a complicated "arms for hostages" deal arranged by Reagan National Security Advisor Col. Oliver North.
But this latest cooked-up Venezuelan "Missile Crisis" of Fox's and Reuters' is just the latest in a string of war-mongering stories to appear in the US mainstream media.
Dave Lindorff Social Media Pages:
Dave Lindorff is a founding member of the collectively-owned, journalist-run online newspaper www.thiscantbehappening.net. He is a columnist for Counterpunch, is author of several recent books ("This Can't Be Happening! Resisting the (more...)
Related Topic(s): Cold War; Corporate Media; Media Collusion; Media Complicity; Media Lies; Media Mainstream MSM; Media Shills; Russia And Us Conflict; Venezuelan Coup, Add Tags
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Looming climate catastrophe?: A Rapidly Warming Arctic Could Loose a Methane Climate Bomb Causing Extinction in 9 Years
Something's happening here: Clinton's Crumbling, Bernie's Surging and a 'Political Revolution' May Be in the Offing
The Case for Impeachment of President Barack Obama
Barack Obama: Manchurian Candidate Version 2.0
"Rob Kall's book, Bottom-Up: Tapping the Power of the Connection Revolution has really caused me to relook and reframe many of my thoughts on where our connectedness using social media tools like LinkedIn is headed, and not just for career trajectory but for life. If you are looking for a new perspective on our sometimes zany digital world we live in, this book will keep you reading and may ultimately revise but for sure challenge your current paradigm."
Wayne Breitbarth, author of The Power Formula for Linkedin Success: Kick-Start Your Business, Brand, and Job Search


A methodology is developed to generate spatially varying ground motion time histories along the length of a long, multi-span bridge at its supports. Spatial variability of seismic ground motion can be mainly attributed to the differences in arrival times of seismic waves at different locations (the wave passage effect); loss of coherence of seismic waves due to multiple reflections refraction as they propagate through the highly inhomogeneous soil medium (incoherence effect); and change in the amplitude and frequency content of seismic ground motion due to different local soil conditions, (local soil effect). Our methodology reflects all three effects. Representative bridges were analyzed using two cases of ground motions at bridge supports: 1 ) input motions identical at all supports; 2) different input motions at each pier along the length of the bridge reflecting wave passage, incoherence and local soils effects. A sensitivity analysis was carried out as a function of various parameters controlling spatial variability. Based on study results, two guidelines were proposed: one for highway bridges less 1,500 feet with all supports on the same local soil conditions, and another for bridges more than 1, 500 feet long or of any length with supports on different local soil conditions.


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Global Leadership Series: Poverty and inequality in an age of prosperity (in person)
25 November 2021 6:00pm–8:00pm
According to Credit Suisse, Australia is the world's most prosperous country. Why then, are some communities mired in poverty?
"Those who have a go, will get a go," says Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Australia has always presented itself as a place that rewards hard work, but critics have derided the Prime Minister's statement as implying that if you are poor, you haven't worked hard enough; and as perpetuating the notion that if you are living off social security, you are bludging on the sweat of others. To what extent is this true? Is Australia a land of equal opportunity, or is your individual prosperity largely predetermined by your place of birth and your parents' income? In a world of increasing austerity where social services are under growing pressure, it is urgent that we re-examine the responsibility of the state towards its most disadvantaged citizens.
Join UNESCO Chair in Journalism and Communication, Professor Peter Greste, and a panel of leading experts for a thought-provoking discussion on 'Poverty and inequality in an age of prosperity.'
Panellists:
Joshua Creamer, nationally practicing lawyer specialising in class actions and native title; Waanyi and Kalkadoon man; appeared in the class-action Pearson v State of Queensland (stolen wages QLD), Australia's largest human rights case.
Tim Nicholls MP, LNP State MP for Clayfield since 2006; Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for Justice and Shadow Minister for CBD Activation; former Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade (2012-15); former leader of the LNP Opposition (2016-17).
Gene Tunny, Director of Adept Economics; former Australian Treasury official who managed teams in Treasury's Industry and Budget Policy divisions; regular economics commentator in national media; UQ alum (BEcon(Hons)).
Karyn Walsh AM, CEO of Micah Projects, a Brisbane not-for-profit organisation committed to social justice through service provision and advocacy to improve the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised people; UQ alum (Honorary Doctorate of Social Work and Nursing).
Professor Peter Greste, UNESCO Chair of Journalism and Communication at UQ; award-winning foreign correspondent who spent 25 years working for the BBC, Reuters and Al Jazeera in some of the world's most volatile places; may be best known for becoming a headline himself, when he and two of his colleagues were arrested in Cairo while working for Al Jazeera and charged with terrorism offences; a vocal campaigner and advocate for media freedom.
About Alumni events
Our events will take place online or in person. Keep an eye out below for our evolving list of virtual events that you can attend wherever you are in the world.
The Alumni Relations & Engagement team coordinates a range of events locally and internationally. You can keep up to date with UQ alumni events in your area by updating your details.
GOMA, Cinema A, Stanley Place, South Brisbane
Other upcoming sessions
UQ ChangeMakers: profit, planet and people – navigating corporate social responsibility (online)
Friends of Antiquity: Adrian Heyworth-Smith Memorial Lecture (in person and online)
Blue Assembly: Oceanic Thinking (in person)
19 Feb 2022–25 Jun 2022
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Smart Mamas Read 2020 Summer Booklist
Written by Beth in Book lists,Reading Life
Why do you need a list? Because your time is valuable. Because when you leave for vacation, you need to know that you have a stack of winners, even if they're stacked on your Ereader, and not weighing down your suitcase. You need all the information to pick your own list of winners.
Here's a quick peek at the winners for your Summer Booklist: Peace Like a River, Hannah Coulter, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Wonder, Unbroken, Educated, The Chosen.
What makes this list different from other lists online? There are no new releases. It includes missionary stories. There's titles for all ages. Content and language alerts are included without spoilers.
Is summer reading different than any other time of the year? Sure it is. Summer is just different. More sun. More daylight. Different rhythms of life. Hopefully, some vacation time.
There's a lot of talk about beach reads, and I agree with Anne Bogel that anything you take to the beach is a beach read. But some books fit more naturally with the mood you're trying to create on vacation. Easy, breezy can fit well here. Happy, uplifting stories. Or, anything compelling that keeps you turning pages without the worry of a late night and slogging through the workday tired the day after.
Sometimes vacation is the best time to take on a longer, more complex books that requires a little more focus. When life is stressful, I have trouble sticking with those weightier tomes.
A note about sex.
If we read fiction to understand human nature, sexuality is an integral part of who we are as humans. But the way it's depicted in literature matters. The belief system and world view of the author matters.
What we choose to dwell on matters.
There are different issues at stake. There are young people who are developing their belief system and world view. There are mature people who know what they believe and can critically appreciate literature that depicts varying world views.
There are books in this list that contain language plus belief systems that I don't personally hold. I think it's helpful to know the content and perspective of a book going in, to not be surprised by an agenda that you weren't expecting.
On the other hand, most people don't want spoilers ruining the reading experience.
I tried to balance both of those objectives with these reviews.
Happy summer reading to you!
Compelling Literary Fiction
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Maise Dobbs is a detective in Victorian London. Coming from modest means, she is indebted to her benefactors for her education and mentoring.
These is My Words (?) 1998
Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
"Ignorant boys, killing each other," is just about all Nathan Coulter would tell his wife, friends, and family about the Battle of Okinawa in the spring of 1945. Life carried on for the community of Port William, Kentucky, as some boys returned from the war and the lives of others were mourned. In her seventies, Nathan's wife, Hannah, has time now to tell of the years since the war. In Wendell Berry's unforgettable prose, we learn of the Coulter's children, of the Feltners and Branches, and how survivors "live right on."—from GoodReads
Enthusiastic five stars from me.
Brilliantly written, wholesome story.
The story spans the decades of Hannah's life, giving a panoramic look at her life.
Human drama at it's literary best.
Humanity's Greatest Rescue
The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun and Paul Hattaway
Brother Yun's story highlights the incredible religious persecution of Christians in China.
The verses of scripture they cling to are not the same ones that are familiar to us because they live a different reality.
It's good to have that world opened up to us and to spend some time thinking about it.
Something Needs to Change by David Platt
After listening to Annie F Down's interview with David Platt on her podcast about his book I knew I needed to read it.
Platt traced his one week trek through the Himalayas and the impact it had on him to see such a dark place first hand.
He recorded in his journal the people he met, the scripture he read on the trip and his thoughts and emotions in response.
He witnessed human trafficking, extreme persecution of believers, children in isolated mountain villages without the most basic education and scores of people who had no knowledge of Jesus.
Platt was overwhelmed by a first hand experience with a dark corner of the world in desperate need, spiritually as well as physically. He eloquently invites believers into his pain as the first step to impacting the world.
The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken with Gregg Lewis
Nik and Ruth Ripken (not their real names) left Kentucky and moved with their family to Somalia to serve God. They encountered a shocking world of spiritual warfare and the persecution of Christians.
Nik Ripken pulls back the curtain to this world.
Believers who are imprisoned and tortured and martyred for their faith. Those who sing to Jesus and can't resist sharing him with others, no matter the price.
Human life is not valued. Women and children are not valued. Freedoms and dignity are not valued. All stemming from a world view so foreign it is difficult even to conceive.
They have since interviewed 600 believers in 60 countries to give voice to their stories.
These are their stories and Nik Ripken and Gregg Lewis share them so well.
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
A Christian family in Holland hides Jews from the Germans during World War II. Corrie Ten Boom's incredible story of espionage, imprisonment and forgiveness.
The Ten Boom family takes their faith seriously. They believe the Jews are God's Chosen People and risk their lives to protect them.
They continue to trust God in spite of horrific circumstances and they see His hand at work.
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi
This is the raw, treacherous journey that Nabeel Qureshi took to find faith in Jesus including the sacrifices he made, the intellectual, emotional and relational barriers that kept him from finding faith in Jesus and the story of overcoming those barriers.
Why do we need to know Nabeel's story?
There are millions of devout Muslims on the planet. If we understand his story, we come closer to understanding them.
To understand the Muslim mindset opens the door to greater compassion, to a better chance of building bridges to individuals who are seeking.
Statistics are one thing.
One person's story is something else altogether. What difference can one person's story make?
We are faced with the same choices as Nabeel Qureshi. Are we going to accept what we were taught growing up? Or are we going to search for something else?
These are the questions that individuals from every devout family faces. These are the issues that we wrestle with. These are the answers that we must find. This is the peace that we must come to.
Irregardless of the belief system we choose, the struggle is universal. It's the dragon we all must fight.
Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
Five Missionaries were martyred in Ecuador in 1956. Their stories are told by one of the widows, Elisabeth Elliot. Each one knew the dangers of the mission field. Each one willingly gave their lives before it was taken. This book is a clear reminder of counting the cost and complete surrender.
Memoir and True Stories
Endurance by Alfred Lansing
Earnest Shackleton was the captain of a ship headed for an exploratory trip to the South Pole. The mission didn't go as planned and the ship was trapped in ice.
Shackleton had some tough decisions to make as a leader of his crew. Lives were at stake. Survival became the new mission.
I loved this real life study of leadership and teamwork as was fascinated to watch it play out.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Unbroken tells the story of Louis Zamperini, Olympic runner and World War II soldier.
The perseverance and resilience Zamperini displayed in the face the multiple titanic challenges is an inspiration.
Knowing his background and family intensifies the story.
The final resolution is satisfying and heart warming.
Aside from the story, the writing is a work of art.
Educated by Tara Westover
I found myself thinking about this book long after I finished it.
"Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her "head-for-the-hills bag". In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged in her father's junkyard."– from Amazon
How do you earn a doctorate without attending school till age 17?
This question drives the book, but there's so much more: mental illness, brainwashing, belief systems accepted and rejected, family dynamics, isolationism and, mostly, confronting your history honestly without bitterness.
There's a few heroes I love in this narrative, in addition to Tara herself who confronts her own story with transparency and courage. She dares to travel the road not taken.
Since I've read it, it continues to haunt me (in a good way) and intrigue me and fascinate me.
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
The only thing I didn't like about this book was gratuitous language. Sometimes language in a dialogue can prove a point, but there's no good reason for it to be in the narrative.
That being said, I love the social analysis wrapped around a boot-strapping overcomer's story. J.D. Vance emerged from an impoverished childhood to graduated from Harvard and become a successful lawyer.
It has some similarities to Ben Carson's story in Gifted Hands.
I love the positive impact and stability the author's grandparents brought to his life.
My heart breaks for the young people in this country, especially for the homes that so many grow up in–for the poverty–not of money so much as love, stability, education and faith.
One thing that struck me is that the author wasn't able to find much help in counseling, but research, learning and understanding about himself and his formative years brought a measure of peace.
Frindle by Andrew Clements
I love Frindle for the same reason I love Harold and the Purple Crayon. Because it teaches us to believe in possibility.
Nicolas Allen was a fifth grader who believe he could make an impact. First on his classroom, then on his school, on his community and beyond. It took an idea, a belief and someone who believed in him. Heart warming story for all the dreamers of the world.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
What a great book! Highly recommended for all ages.
I love the way it tackles head on mega topics: embarrassment, shame, discouragement, rising above difficult circumstances, the elements of a true friendship.
August Pullman is a likable fellow. If he were a jerk, this story wouldn't have worked.
It strikes at the very heart of what it means to be a person. Where do you fit into society. How does society react to you?
It's not just an overcomer story. It's a family systems story. Our family of origin matters so much when it comes to what we believe about ourselves.
I love the middle school principal in this story. I love the way he has such a deep understanding of kids. I love how he can see past the surface level to what is happening beneath the surface. This is so good for teachers, administrators, youth pastors, everyone who deals with kids. And for kids, themselves.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
I consider C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia to be the pinnacle of children's literature. These stories can be appreciated at all ages (beginning around age 5), maturity levels and intellects. They contain parables illustrating tenets of the Christian faith. They can be classified as fantasy, yet the truths they portray are real. In the midst of stories of talking animals, Lewis manages to paint realistic pictures of human nature and personality. They can be reread multiple times.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first in the series that Lewis wrote, though some people like to start with The Magician's Nephew which tells the story of the creation of Narnia. I recommend starting with Wardrobe and view The Magician's Nephew as a prequel.
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
"Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada's twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn't waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.
So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?" — from GoodReads
Great story.
Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt
"In this companion novel to The Wednesday Wars, Doug struggles to be more than the "skinny thug" that some people think him to be. He finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer, who gives him the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival."– from Amazon
Excellent book. LOVED it.
Deals with so many important themes.
Abusive parent. War veterans. Learning disabilities. Young love. Poverty. Predjudice.
There's just so much there. And the story is so satisfying.
You know how it is? When a story is satisfying? When all the right people win in the end and the rest get what they deserve?
Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahme
Kenneth Grahme's classic has delighted readers for more than a century. Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger are friends who adventure together, explore true friendship and stage interventions. It is a universal commentary on human nature, because we all know someone like Toad. The original edition can be appreciated by older kids and teens. Adults will likely engage at a whole new level. This is the longest and most complex story in this category.
Inspired by True Stories
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
"Inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive—and to reunite—We Were the Lucky Ones is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds." —Amazon
The Kurcs were from Radom, Poland, but in the course of the war, three generations are spread throughout Europe and beyond, fleeing the Germans regime.
I am in awe of this story. It is a light in a dark time and highlights the triumph of love, family and the will to survive.
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
The narrative moves back and forth between present day South Carolina and the 30's and 40's Tennessee. The setting is an orphan asylum where children are cared for until families are found for them. Unfortunately, the people in charge are not as altruistic as they appear. Inspired by true facts, this book tackles difficult themes with a surprising amount of optimism and hope. Trigger warnings.
Classics to Read and Reread
Anne is a herione universally loved by girls and remembered fondly by women.
Of course, so much of the charm is Anne herself, spunky, competitive, fiercely loyal, throughly human.
The Hobbit by J.R.R.Tolkien
One of literature's ultimate hero's journey, the story of Bilbo Baggins resonates deeply, even if you're not a homebody. Bilbo certainly wasn't out looking for adventure, because hobbits are fond of regular meals and the comforts of home. But, if there's a wizard and a dragon, a quest, danger, travel companions to help and hinder, a magic ring and some treasure, it all adds up to a satisfying tale with uncanny parallels to life as we know it.
The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Chaim Potok brilliantly captures the internal struggles of two boys growing up in Jewish homes in New York City beginning in the 40s. There's the clashes with their fathers, wrestling with what they believe about faith, community, family and their own future. Potak so vividly paints the world he grew up in, it feels like you were dropped onto the sizzling New York City asphalt yourself.
Photo by Luan Oosthuizen on Pexels.com CS Lewis drew inspiration for The Chronicles of Narnia from influences in his life: an image he had in his head since age 16, an imaginary land he created...
link to More Books Like The Hiding Place
More Books Like The Hiding Place
Corrie ten Boom lived with her father and sister in Holland during the German occupation of World War II. The ten Boom family took their Christian faith seriously. They believed the Jews were...


Authors: Mendez MF, Owens EM, Reza Berenji G, Peppers DC, Liang LJ, Licht EA.
INTRODUCTION: Primary blast forces may cause dysfunction from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of primary blast forces, independent of associated blunt trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, on sensitive post-concussive measures.
METHODS: This study investigated post-concussive symptoms, functional health and well-being, cognition, and positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging among 12 Iraq or Afghanistan war veterans who sustained pure blast-force mTBI, compared to 12 who sustained pure blunt-force mTBI.
RESULTS: Both groups had significantly lower scores than published norms on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire (RPQ) and the SF36-V Health Survey. Compared to the Blunt Group, the Blast Group had poorer scores on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and greater PET hypometabolism in the right superior parietal region. Only the Blast Group had significant correlations of their RPQ, SF36-V Mental Composite Score, and PASAT scores with specific regional metabolic changes.
CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that pure blast force mTBI may have greater post-concussive sequelae including deficits in attentional control and regional brain metabolism, compared to blunt mTBI. A disturbance of a right parietal-frontal attentional network is one potential explanation for these findings.
Authors: Rockswold SB, Rockswold GL, Zaun DA, Liu J.
Object: Preclinical and clinical investigations indicate that the positive effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs after rather than during treatment. The brain appears better able to use baseline O2 levels following HBO2 treatments. In this study, the authors evaluate the combination of HBO2 and normobaric hyperoxia (NBH) as a single treatment.
Methods: Forty-two patients who sustained severe TBI (mean Glasgow Coma Scale score 5.7) were prospectively randomized within 24 hours of injury to either: 1) combined HBO2/NBH (60 minutes of HBO2 at 1.5 atmospheres absolute followed by NBH, 3 hours of 100% fraction of inspired oxygen at 1.0 ATA) or 2) control, standard care. Treatments occurred once every 24 hours for 3 consecutive days. Intracranial pressure, surrogate markers for cerebral metabolism, and O2 toxicity were monitored. Clinical outcome was assessed at 6 months using the sliding dichotomized Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score. Mixed-effects linear modeling was used to statistically test differences between the treatment and control groups. Functional outcome and mortality rates were compared using chi-square tests.
Authors: von Holst H, Li X.
There is a lack of knowledge about the direct neuromechanical consequences in traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the scene of accident. In this study we use a finite element model of the human head to study the dynamic response of the brain during the first milliseconds after the impact with velocities of 10, 6, and 2 meters/second (m/s), respectively. The numerical simulation was focused on the external kinetic energy transfer, intracranial pressure (ICP), strain energy density and first principal strain level, and their respective impacts to the brain tissue. We show that the oblique impacts of 10 and 6 m/s resulted in substantial high peaks for the ICP, strain energy density, and first principal strain levels, however, with different patterns and time frames. Also, the 2 m/s impact showed almost no increase in the above mentioned investigated parameters. More importantly, we show that there clearly exists a dynamic triple peak impact factor to the brain tissue immediately after the impact regardless of injury severity associated with different impact velocities. The dynamic triple peak impacts occurred in a sequential manner first showing strain energy density and ICP and then followed by first principal strain. This should open up a new dimension to better understand the complex mechanisms underlying TBI. Thus, it is suggested that the combination of the dynamic triple peak impacts to the brain tissue may interfere with the cerebral metabolism relative to the impact severity thereby having the potential to differentiate between severe and moderate TBI from mild TBI.
Authors: Stein DM, Brenner M, Hu PF, Yang S, Hall EC, Stansbury LG, Menaker J, Scalea TM.
BACKGROUND: We asked whether continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring data could provide objective measures of the degree and timing of intracranial hypertension (ICH) in the first week of neurotrauma critical care and whether such data could be linked to outcome.
METHODS: We enrolled adult (>17 years old) patients admitted to our Level I trauma center within 6 h of severe TBI. ICP data were automatically captured and ICP 5-minute means were grouped into 12-hour time periods from admission (hour 0) to >7 days (hour 180). Means, maximum, percent time (% time), and pressure-times-time dose (PTD, mmHg h) of ICP >20 mmHg and >30 mmHg were calculated for each time period.
RESULTS: From 2008 to 2010, we enrolled 191 patients. Only 2.1 % had no episodes of ICH. The timing of maximum PTD20 was relatively equally distributed across the 15 time periods. Median ICP, PTD20, %time20, and %time30 were all significantly higher in the 84-180 h time period than the 0-84 h time period. Stratified by functional outcome, those with poor functional outcome had significantly more ICH in hours 84-180. Multivariate analysis revealed that, after 84 h of monitoring, every 5 % increase in PTD20 was independently associated with 21 % higher odds of having a poor functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio = 1.21, 95 % CI 1.02-1.42, p = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: Although early elevations in ICP occur, ICPs are the highest later in the hospital course than previously understood, and temporal patterns of ICP elevation are associated with functional outcome. Understanding this temporal nature of secondary insults has significant implications for management.


Andrews University offers unparalleled and truly distinctive ethnically and culturally diverse opportunities that help equip our students to better understand, serve and change the world around them in God-centered, thoughtful and meaningful ways.
The University's continued "U.S. News & World Report" Top Ten rankings in both ethnic and international diversity for our Berrien Springs campus are one way that ensures a daily and truly unmatched exposure to cultural diversity for each one of our students studying on our Michigan campus.
These global opportunities are accompanied by a focus on and experience within the overall cultural environment for each of our University programs.
Additionally, global educational opportunities take Andrews University students around the world for short- and long-term tour and study opportunities. Also, our Andrews University education is offered at international partner campuses and locations, as well as through distance education opportunities, to thousands of additional students around the world.
This includes an ongoing attention to continued and intentional internationalization of curricular and co-curricular offerings both on our Berrien Springs campus and for our students and partner campuses and programs wherever they are located throughout the world.


Technics RS M 280 for sale.
Top of the line deck in mint condition. 110-240 volt selectable. The deck features 3 head dual capstan drive. 3 Direct Drive motors, automatic tape selector, dolby, mpx. timer..... and finally full manual bias and level calibration. Perfect sound in playback and recordings.
The physical condition is simply mint. You won´t find a better one. Matches well with SE-A 5 /SU-A 6 and SE-A 3 /SU-A 4 amps.


text:
Scoular Acquires Grain-Handling Facilities from Evans Grain
OMAHA, NE (December 16, 2014) – The Scoular Company is pleased to announce that it has acquired Evans Grain and Elevator Co.'s grain-handling assets in Ontario, Ore., and Caldwell, Nampa, and Notus, Idaho. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"We've had a long-standing relationship with John Evans, and we are looking forward to having him and other Evans employees join our team and work with us to expand marketing options for local producers as well as grain and feed ingredient customers," said Kevin Thompson, Scoular's director who oversees the company's trading activities in the U.S. intermountain region.
Thompson said the newly acquired facilities fit well into Scoular's trading and grain-handling activities in the region, noting that two opportunities resulting from the acquisition are particularly exciting. One of these stems from the proximity of the former Evans facilities to Scoular's barge-loading location in Burbank, Wash., and the other supports Scoular's growing commodity and feed ingredients business in the western U.S.
"We took control of the Burbank facility earlier this year, and following substantial investment in renovations and repairs, we are shipping wheat via barge to export facilities. Going forward, we see an opportunity to truck wheat from these newly acquired facilities to Burbank to support this program," said Thompson.
He added, "We also are excited about using the commodity transloading facility located at Nampa, Idaho, to provide grain and feed ingredients to dairies and feedlots in the Treasure Valley region." Thompson said Nampa complements Scoular's existing operation in Jerome, Idaho. Scoular constructed the Jerome transload facility in 2006, and in the fall of 2014, the company began operating a newly constructed commodity blending facility located adjacent to its existing transload operation.
The Evans Grain transaction is Scoular's second acquisition of Treasure Valley grain-handling facilities in recent years. In July 2012, Scoular purchased two grain operations in Weiser, Idaho, from Weiser Feed and Storage, Inc.
A 122-year-old company with more than $6 billion in sales, The Scoular Company operates 90 independent business units that provide diverse supply chain solutions for end-users and suppliers of grain, feed ingredients, and food ingredients around the globe. From nearly 90 offices and facilities in North and South America, our 750+ employees are engaged in the business of buying, selling, storing, and handling grain and ingredients as well as managing transportation and logistics worldwide.
About Evans Grain & Elevator Co.
Evans Grain began business operations 50 year ago in 1964 when Bob Evans, founder, left the Pillsbury Company and started a grain trading office in Ogden, Utah. Evans operated over 20 separate grain elevators throughout the Intermountain West at one time. Evans Grain still operates a mineral and feed merchandising division in Idaho and Utah as well as a seed division named Western Seeds. In Montana, Evans Grain owns Montana Specialty Mills, a specialty oilseed and grain handling, processing and merchandising business.
Colby Eymann
I was attracted to Scoular because of its innovative Business Manager Trainee program that allowed me to develop my interests and strengths. Scoular has given me the opportunity to work in numerous areas, from milling wheat to trading freight.


NEW PITTSBURG NH CAMP LISTING! Nestled in the woods surrounded by wildlife, this camp sits on 5 acres with deeded access to beautiful Back Lake. The main level features an open concept kitchen/dining/living room area with cathedral ceilings, master bedroom, 3-piece bath, laundry area, and propane fireplace with beautiful stone chimney spanning both levels. Upstairs is the second bedroom and large sleeping loft area. The exterior offers a screened-in porch, carport area for parking your toys under, nice fire pit, and large parking area for the toy haulers. Snowmobile and ATV right from your front door here, and very close to the deeded boat launch...this is an outdoor enthusiasts delight! Don't hesitate on this one, it surely will not last long. Seller provided pictures.
Fully city code compliant and occupied with good rental history three unit apartment building located in nice central location. Within the past 10 years this building has had many upgrades and improvements to include, roof, rewired, replaced much of the outdated plumbing, new front porches, modern bathrooms and fixtures. All the apartments come with newer stoves, refrigerators, washer and dryers. Nice investment opportunity with very little left to be done at this time.
Looking for privacy and a neighborhood? Located towards the end of the cul-de-sac, which backs to conservation, and plenty of space to play! Spacious kitchen, granite counters and 5 burner gas cook top. Separate work space sinks, perfect for kids or entertaining. Newly refinished Hardwood floors. The dining area has access to the Mahogany deck with the grill piped for gas. 4 bedrooms with a media room upstairs, extra closets and Master with a private bath. Optional bedroom on the main floor with access to bath too! Screen porch is perfect to relax in after a busy day. Energy efficient with a geothermal system keeps you warm without the fuel costs! Freshly painted and sparkly! Ready for you to move in!