I'd like to give a big welcome to AUTUMN MACARTHUR to my blog.
rem: Thank you for joining us today, AUTUMN. Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
AUTUMN: Hi, I'm Autumn! I was born and grew up in Sydney, Australia, in a semi-rural suburb not far from the beach. Once I completed my nursing and midwifery training, I moved around a bit, wanting to experience more of what Australia had to offer. I spent some time in a country town, then moved to the outback. I came to England for a one year working holiday nineteen years ago, and stayed! I now live in a small market town just north of London, not far from Cambridge.
rem: Love how "one year" turned into nineteen…. How does life differ from Australia and other locales? How is it the same?
AUTUMN: Good question. It's more different than you'd expect, but hard to say how. The obvious and expected things were – less sunshine and far more crowded; but to make up for that, so much greener, with lovely parks and gardens, and a lot more historical buildings (more so outside London, which unfortunately lost a lot of the older buildings in the Blitz). The things I didn't expect are the constant queuing, and how distances seem much further here than in Australia. Back home, I'd think nothing of getting in the car and driving 80 miles to see a friend or go to a concert. Here, that's a major expedition!
rem: As if my appetite to see for myself wasn't already whetted! Tell us three things about yourself.
I grew up in a family of DIYers, in the house my grandfather built first, then we moved to an old house my father renovated. In his spare time, the family built a boat we spent most weekends on. So I'm a fairly decent handywoman and would love to build or renovate a tiny adobe house to be my writing studio if we do move. Like many homesteads in the US, New Zealand, and Australia, a lot of the village homes in Bulgaria still have the old one or two room earth house in the garden, built as temporary living quarters while the family constructed a larger home as time and finances allowed.
I grew up in a family who weren't believers, but still developed an interest in God and Jesus from an early age. My favourite book as a child was my big yellow book of children's Bible stories. I gave my life to Jesus aged sixteen, but spent many years away from God. Thankfully, in His grace and mercy, He didn't let me go!
rem: 1. I want to learn Russian, ergo the Cyrillic alphabet! What is your most treasured possession?
AUTUMN: I think the only way to answer this is – what item would I be most upset to lose? Either my wedding ring, or the old family photos. I need to get out that box of photos and scan them into my Dropbox. Once that's done, it would be my wedding ring for sure!
rem: Which reminds me, I need to be more diligent backing up… everything! What is your favourite quotation and why?
AUTUMN: I've always loved this Thoreau quote – "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." Especially as Christians, we need to follow God's calling and be willing to walk out of step with the world.
rem: Indeed we are set apart. What do you most value in a friend?
AUTUMN: Honesty. Even it's ouchy, like when I ask my husband, "Does my bum looks big in this?", or my CP what she really thinks of the chapters I sent her!
rem: I agree, without honesty, you have no foundation. What quality do you most admire in a man or woman?
AUTUMN: Faith. It's so inspiring to learn from people further along in their journey with Jesus than I am.
AUTUMN: LOL, write? Caring for my disabled husband has become my main job since his long term physical health problems have worsened, so writing has had to drop back a step. I also love to read, walk, garden, try to make funky jewellery, and refashion thrifted clothes. I need more hours, or way better time management!
rem: Sorry about your hubby. I, too, enjoy going for walks and gardening – being outdoors in general.
AUTUMN: I love both, but it would have to be cats. I love their independence, and the way they don't have to love us, they choose to. We share our home with four cats at present. A lovely gentle older tabby, a mean long-haired tortie, and a sweet little silver tabby who chose to move in but was so wild he wouldn't stay in the same room as either of us for the first six months. He's my favourite, now tame and affectionate, asleep beside me as I write this! There's also an older black and white boy whose people moved away, so he's trying to decide if he wants to live with us or the couple two doors down.
We'd love a small rescue dog, too, but as our yard isn't fenced, that's not an option.
rem: Me too! Hands down a cat person! What is your Writing Routine?
AUTUMN: Ha, I wish I had one! I truly admire authors I know who get up and write first thing. I am not one of them.
Every story seems to have a different process. This year has been a challenge, and I'm writing way less than I'd like.
rem: What are your Top Writing Tips?
Write every day, even for ten minutes. Whether that's planning, drafting, or editing, it keeps the story alive in your mind.
Allow yourself to write badly in first draft. If the story is a beautifully detailed sand castle, the first draft is shoveling wet sand. I wish I could remember who said that first!
This is hard, but if you're one of those people who is very tough and judgmental on your draft, try to keep writing right to The End without looking back at what you wrote. Finishing a draft will teach you way more than a dozen unfinished first chapters. Been there, done that!
Try using tools like Write or Die for fast drafting. I use the setting that gives kitten pictures and a purring sound as a reward so many words. Works better than the punishment settings that eat words! Any sort of timed "get as many words as you can in this many minutes" writing is a good way to push yourself to write more, and to write faster without that pesky internal editor stopping you every second work. I often use timed writing to get me over that blank screen terror at the start of a new scene. I set Write or Die to a target of 800 words in 20 minutes. I can't actually type that fast, so it really pushes me! Even if it's nonsense, I write what comes in my head. Once I have 800 or 900 words, I can go on to tidy it up and finish the rest of the scene.
Learn to touch type as young as possible. I really wish I had. I'm a fairly fast two finger typist but I can't get over 40 wpm, and I'm finding it frustrating how slow I am trying now to learn to touch type. I have writing friends who can touch type 80, 100, even 120 wpm. No surprise they can write more than me in the same time!
rem: Yeah, typing by touch rocks! [chagrinned face] Tell us a little about your writing journey.
I was one of those kids who made their own little story books as soon as they could write, and I wrote a lot in my teens and twenties. I loved reading romances, and I wanted to be a Harlequin author. I did get an article published in a Christian magazine aged sixteen, and got a cheque for $5, my first ever earnings from writing. It was a long wait for the next time!
I'd become discouraged by the number of discarded stories that never got past chapter 1, and stopped writing for many years. I hadn't learned then that most writers don't produce perfect first draft and what we read in the published novel might be twentieth draft, with input from several editors on top.
Eventually I decided to chase that old dream of learning to write well and have a book published. In January 2008 I signed up for JanNo, aiming to draft a 50,000 word novel in a month. That was the best thing I could have done. No working and reworking first chapters then giving up. I had to keep writing. The story is a mess, but it was a huge writing milestone. My first ever completed draft!
After that, I discovered Harlequin's online writing contests, and wrote a load of romances targeting their secular romance lines. I scored all rejections, though a couple were encouraging ones. I'm so thankful none of those stories were published, as they weren't what I would want to write now! God took charge, calling me back to Him, including writing for Him. I began aiming for Harlequin's Christian inspirational lines, and growing in faith in the process. With every story I write I learn the same spiritual lessons my characters need to learn. Sometimes painful, always valuable.
I found I had story ideas that I couldn't submit to Love Inspired, due to non-American settings, but I felt strongly called to get the stories published. Being a DIYer, I learned all I could about indie publishing, cover designing, and formatting, then workshopped stories with an editor. On August 31, 2014, my first indie published book released. I now have five books out, and God willing, many more to come!
rem: Um, five books in ONE YEAR! What part of that is slow going? What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it?
AUTUMN: I have terrible time management. I'm a procrastinator, I love spending time on the internet, and I still haven't quite gotten rid of the belief I need a couple of solid hours to sit and write, which makes me overlook all those shorter bits of time I could use productively.
Handling it? I pray about it a lot! Keeping off the internet, writing before I check emails and Facebook, and keeping my story files open on the laptop and loaded on the phone to use those ten minutes here and there would definitely help.
rem: Time management? What's that?
Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?
AUTUMN: Mostly, sitting on my bed! We live in a small one bedroom house, my husband tends to use the dining table as his desk, and there truly is no space to wedge another desk in anywhere. I lined and insulated our garden shed to use as a writing den and crafting room, but discovered with its big West facing window it's still way too hot in summer and too cold in winter. I do need a cave!
rem: Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? Why?
AUTUMN: Editing. For me, that's where the real magic happens. I do at least four editing passes now, and I love seeing the rough story take on its real shape in the process.
rem: I edit as I go, so no telling how many actual "passes" I end up with. LOL What are your top 3 recommendations for a new writer? What 3 things would recommend not doing?
AUTUMN: Do – 1. write something every day, 2. let your first draft be bad, 3. always pray before a writing session. It's amazing the difference that makes.
rem: What do you enjoy most about being a writer? What is the hardest aspect of being a writer?
AUTUMN: I love the sense of creating something out of nothing but my own ideas. And I love that readers and authors are so much closer now. Getting feedback from someone who enjoyed or felt moved closer to God by something I wrote is a huge blessing!
The hardest aspects are the reverse sides of those two. Facing a blank screen or word count that's way less than it needs to be and knowing it's all down to me to produce the story. That's where the prayer comes in, because of course it's NOT all down to me. The other tough thing is dealing with negative reviews.
rem: So true. As Christian authors, all we have comes from Him. What would you do if you didn't write?
AUTUMN: Read more! I used to read so much more before I started writing again.
rem: Me too, sigh… At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
AUTUMN: I learned to read aged 3, and from then on read everything I could, including borrowing right up to the limit from three different libraries! I was slower learning to write, as I was a clumsy kid and couldn't manage the fine motor skills of using a pencil. I started writing poems and little stories at 5 or 6.
AUTUMN: I haven't thought of that one for a while! When I was maybe ten or eleven, there were two story characters I wanted to be.
Beauty, from the original fairy-tale Beauty and the Beast (not the Disney version!), because I cried every time I read the story in my old fairy tale book. Something about the way her gentleness and kindness tamed the Beast and saved him touched me deeply.
And a character you probably won't know! Thowra the silver brumby, from a series of books I loved, about a wild stallion living in Australia's Snowy Mountains. I wanted his freedom and his courage.
rem: Tell us a little about your book / series? What sparked the story for this novel / series?
AUTUMN: My current series is Love in Store, set mostly in London where I lived and worked for many years. All the stories loosely connect to an old family owned London department store. Think Selfridges' poor-relation maiden aunt, a little frumpy and past it, but still keeping up her genteel appearances!
Book 2 in the series was written first, back in 2010 for a secular romance publisher's call for submissions. The stories had to use a specific secular Christmas song as the theme. I'm not sure why I came up with the idea of a celebrity actor, brought in by the eccentric owner to play Santa in an attempt to save the store; and the Ms Scrooge store accountant, doing the real work to keep the store open and save everyone's jobs. I do know for sure that the story works far better as a Christian romance than it ever did as a secular one! It needed the real meaning of Christmas – God's love, forgiveness, and willingness to redeem us all if we turn to Him.
AUTUMN: God's love. He's there for us, always.
rem: Yes, He surely is, always. Thanks you, Autumn, for being with us today.
Autumn is offering any one of her Love in Store Series ebooks [shown above] to a random commenter on today's blog post.
I'd like to give a big welcome to ANDREA GRIGG to my blog.
rem: Thank you for joining us today, ANDREA.
ANDREA: First of all Robin, I'd like to say a big thank you for having me as a guest. I really appreciate your support.
rem: Happy to have you here! Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
ANDREA: I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, but moved to Australia when I was twenty-five. It was a good move, because I met my husband-to-be almost immediately; we married fifteen months later. We have three adult children (two daughters and a son) and one granddaughter.
rem: Yeah, I'd say that was a great move! wink wink How does life differ from Australia and other locales? How is it the same?
ANDREA: I suppose the only country I know well enough to do that with is New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand are beautiful countries and I'm very grateful to have lived in both.
I love NZ for its green-ness (it even smells different; sweet as opposed to Australia's herbal scent) but it rains an awful lot to keep it that way! I live on Queensland's Gold Coast and in our part of Australia we have lots of sunshine and white sandy beaches. Awesome!
There's a lot of friendly rivalry, particularly on the sporting field, between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand is such a small country, both in size and population (4 million people compared to 23 million Aussies) but it has an amazing sporting record. The All Blacks are the number one team in the world for rugby. There's a lot of NZ pride right there!
The Aussies do very well in the sporting arena too. As I write this, Jason Day, a Queenslander, has just won the U.S. PGA tournament, held in Wisconsin.
I think Australians in general are quite relaxed or 'laid back' as we like to put it. Perhaps it's to do with our outdoor lifestyle. We tend to shorten everyone's name and/or give them a nickname, as a sign of affection and acceptance. For example, with our kids, Melissa is known as Mel, Hayley gets called Hayls, and Jackson is Jacko. At high school, teachers would call them 'Griggsy'. Funny lot, aren't we?
I think I'll stop there – I'm rambling on a bit!
rem: Ramble on, good woman! Love it!! Tell us three things about yourself.
I'm adopted (which I've known all my life) and found 6 out of 7 of my full blood siblings nearly 21 years ago. It's an amazing but complicated story!
I am a voracious reader of romance and women's fiction.
rem: That's fantastic to be in touch with your siblings! What is your most treasured possession?
ANDREA: My USB. It has all my writing stuff on it. And yes, I back it up. Most days.
rem: Yeah, gotta say mine's up there in the ranking! ALLLLL my stuff is on it. Now I just need to back up regularly…..
What is your favourite quotation and why?
ANDREA: I love Psalm 139, especially verse 13: 'For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.' I know my birth wasn't a mistake.
rem: Can't go wrong with Scripture! And that's a great one! What do you most value in a friend?
ANDREA: Kindness. I think we underestimate the power of kindness these days.
rem: I think you're right. What do you do as a hobby?
ANDREA: Read, listen to music, read, have coffee with friends, read.
rem: I think we're twins! Dogs or Cats? Which do you prefer?
ANDREA: I like both but my husband doesn't so we have a dog. Micky is a border collie, with one blue eye and the other is half-brown half-blue. He's still very lively, even though he's eleven.
rem: Okay, maybe not twins – I am so not a morning person! What are your Top Writing Tips?
Just write. You can't edit a blank page.
ANDREA: I started writing in 2008. I finished my first draft 16 months later (I was teaching full time at that stage). I ended up joining a writing group in Brisbane where I was told I should apply to attend a sponsored mentorship week. I did, met a publisher there who liked my story and offered me a contract. A Simple Mistake was released in April 2012.
rem: Love when stories come together like that! What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it?
ANDREA: I struggle with writers' block from time to time. I handle it by having a few books on the go and switching to whichever one appeals to me at the time. Keeps the creative juices flowing.
rem: Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?
ANDREA: I write in my lounge room using my laptop while sitting in my recliner. Bliss!
rem: Lounge room! Love it! Not so dissimilar to mine! Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? Why?
ANDREA: I enjoy both aspects but I think editing might have the edge. I love making my story better and better. I would go over the whole manuscript around thirty times, maybe even more.
Get that first draft written no matter how inadequate you feel – you can tweak it later.
My only don't is: Don't submit or self-publish until you've had your manuscript professionally edited.
rem: Wish I had known that [editing] sooner… What do you enjoy most about being a writer? What is the hardest aspect of being a writer?
ANDREA: I love making up characters and watching them march in and take over the story. The hardest aspect is getting that first draft down.
rem: They do take over, don't they! My MC didn't want to talk to me there for a while! What would you do if you didn't write?
ANDREA: I'm not really sure, except my house would be a lot cleaner!
rem: I think that's true of most writers! LOL Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
ANDREA: I guess it can't be one of mine J so I'd have to say Caleb from Amy Matayo's 'Sway'. He's a compassionate, kind and honest man who has shown grit and determination to become the godly man Kate falls in love with.
rem: At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
ANDREA: I've loved books ever since I can remember. I wrote a little during my primary school years, but music was my real passion … for the next four decades! I guess the indicators were there though – after reading Little Women (when I was eleven), I rewrote the ending because I was so upset when Beth died.
rem: We really are twins! I was supposed to be a vocal music major in college! If you could choose to be a character in a book, who would it be and why?
ANDREA: I don't read a lot of historical fiction and I know it's clichéd but I really admire Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. She's honest and loyal and not strictly conventional yet still gets her man. I like her spirit.
ANDREA: My favourite genre is romance. My favourite authors are Amy Matayo, Carla Laureano, and Varina Denman. I love the realism in their writing.
rem: Tell us a little about your book? What sparked the story for this novel?
ANDREA: Too Pretty is about Ellie, a stunning beautiful Christian girl, who makes a promise to God to not date for six months, and get to know Him better instead. Of course, as soon as she makes the promise, she meets the darkly handsome Nathaniel, equally determined not to have a relationship, despite the instant chemistry between them.
The idea for Too Pretty came to me as I was cleaning the bathroom. No idea why! I just remember thinking, 'I wonder what how hard life would be for a stunningly beautiful Christian girl.' And off I went. The concept interested me as I hadn't read anything with that premise. I've used several real-life examples in the book, as told to my daughter by two Christian girls in the modelling industry.
ANDREA: That God loves us no matter what. Amazing.
rem: I think that Truth escapes so many people!
Thank you, Andrea for being on my blog this week. How can we connect with you online?
ANDREA: At the moment, my website is under construction but you find me in several places.
Please give a big welcome to TRILBY JOHNSON.
"Ponderings….. In my interactions I have made friends who then also became clients and clients that became friends. Along the way though many have only shown an interest in me when they had something they wanted me to support them in. This lack of connection showed me how important sincere interaction is. I love connecting with people where we bring out the best and more in each other." – quote from Ms Johnson's website.
rem: Welcome TRILBY! Happy to have you with us. Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
TRILBY: My name is Trilby D. Johnson. I was born in South Africa during the Apartheid regime and so grew up seeing racism and discrimination first hand, as well as living with a sense of constant danger. In 1988 I left to spend a year in Berlin, still then West Berlin and then moved onto Geneva in the French speaking part of Switzerland. I worked for 20 years in a multi-national company, whilst studying a BSc in Psychology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Reiki Healing. In 2008 I moved to New Zealand where I studied Meta-Coaching, Massage Therapy and several advanced bodywork techniques. I live in a lovely little cottage on a vineyard with my beautiful cat and am priviledged to have an organic garden to grow beautiful vegetables.
rem: Wow! I've moved a lot, but all within the U.S. I'm a little [ok, a lot] jealous!
TRILBY: I have never lived in Australia, so have no idea what life is like there. J I absolutely love living in New Zealand. My love affair began way back in the days of Xena Princess Warrior and was fueled further by Lord of The Rings. I find the Natural Beauty and energy of New Zealand very particular and my connection to the Elementals and Gaia have grown since I am here. Today I live in a little cottage with my beautiful cat and enjoy delicious organic vegetables grown in my own garden, which has been a life longer aspiration.
TRILBY: I am curious, I love to laugh and I love to travel.
rem: We have those in common! What is your most treasured possession?
TRILBY: My connection to Source.
TRILBY: Not living each day of my life to its full potential.
rem: What is your greatest regret?
TRILBY: I don't believe in regrets as I honour all the choices I have made in my life and take accountability for them.
rem: A mark of integrity, I believe. What is your favourite quotation and why?
TRILBY: 'Know thyself' because I believe my time here on Earth is about experiencing life to the fullest and being able to see the manifestation of ideas that I can bring through to express.
rem: Basically my author tagline, "To thine own self be true.!" We have to know ourself and stay true to who we are!
TRILBY: That they are trustworthy and that we bring out the best in each other.
rem: I agree. What quality do you most admire in a man or woman?
TRILBY: Read, write, garden, walking.
rem: Me too, love being outdoors; walking is my favorite exercise.
TRILBY: I love both but prefer a cat.
rem: I knew I liked you! wink wink Who are your favorite authors to read?
TRILBY: Brandon Sanderson, Trudi Canavan, Robin Hobbs, Jane Roberts, Debbie Ford, Louise Hay, Zane Grey, Hermann Hesse, Shakti Gawain, Neale Donald Walsch, Terry Brooks.
rem: What is your favorite genre to read?
rem: I like me some Sci-Fi sometimes. Tell us a little about your book, A-Ha!
TRILBY: I've always done spontaneous writing and always had the desire to write a book, although I was waiting for the perfect moment that I felt like a Writer. Then I noticed that on social media I was posting many insights and then they would just disappear into cyber space. So I decided instead of letting all these great and provocative ideas just disappear to put them in a book. I feel people know that something has to change, but they are not sure how. The work I do and the quotes in a-Ha are there to raise awareness and new possibilities. So I feel it is offering an opportunity to look and think about things differently. I mean the ideas in there are quite out there. So it ranges from quite familiar thoughts to quite out there ones. Some friends have said it is similar to quotes for the advanced soul, except these are my own quotes, not quotes of other people.
A THOUGHT PROVOKING COLLECTION OF INSPIRATIONAL QUOTATIONS ON THINKING AND BEING DESIGNED TO REPEATEDLY BRING YOU TO 'A-HA' MOMENTS. A-HA: INSIGHT, INSPIRATION, QUESTION is the voice of wisdom, light and love. Author Trilby Johnson has created a refreshing treatise on life and how to live it on your own terms. From loving your body to self-acceptance to embracing joy, this life collection of inspirational quotations is a soothing balm to the soul, a quiet peace to the spirit and a sweet gift to the body. A-HA: INSIGHT, INSPIRATION, QUESTION is a book no one should live without if they want to love from within! Described as "an 'eternal' book, not one you read once and stuff away on a shelf somewhere." Practical advice for body, mind and soul dynamics. Goes beyond the general New Age information, taking understanding and experiencing daily living to the next level of Being. Use whenever you have a question and require some guidance. Offers freedom, balance and stress-free solutions, making the spiritual practical!
What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
TRILBY: I hope that the quotes stimulate the process of food for thought and asking questions, even if it is simply 'how does this work for me?'. The quotes are designed to create a-Ha moments for the reader and a mini-training in exploring different possibilities.
rem: Perfect title for your book. What can you tell us about Vibrational Integration and Connective Embodiment?
TRILBY: Vibrational Integration – vibrational integration is one of the methods I use to bring about Body-Brain reform. It is a technique that has grown out of my working with Reiki, coaching, advance body processes. It is a combination of what I term cognitive processing where words and a breathing technique is used to transmute energy around a thought, thus opening up that neural pathway so that new information can be inserted in a way that is quick, easy and effective.
Connective Embodiment™ is a new consciousness channeled by Trilby D. Johnson and which is now transferable as an energy upload. This is an activation tool for quantum healing and thriving. What could take years for some people will take moments for you….. when you allow the Connective Embodiment field to expand in you and for you!
This new state of consciousness for personal growth and fulfillment is here to bypass the stuck energy patterns that are holding you back, despite all your efforts, especially with the issues of money, health, love and self-expression. Once activated, Connective Embodiment provides a bridge and platform for complete and harmonious integration of your luminous and physical aspects. True transformation can only be achieved via your physical body, which is your Soul's vehicle and conduit to the Divine, in your daily life.
rem: Thank you for joining us today, Trilby! It's been a pleasure!
Disclaimer: I do not endorse the methods or beliefs described above, but am happy to have Ms. Johnson as my guest.
Pretty and pink and polished. That was Chelsea Riehl. She's at Green Acres as event coordinator – definitely not to pit plums.
Hippie Keanan Welsh has surprised himself by putting down roots, such as they are, at Green Acres. With the proviso that he will leave for the mission field as he feels led.
They are about as mismatched as plums and parakeets.
And yet, Keanan feels drawn to her. Chelsea, however, is not drawn to him at all. Then again, he is charming. And they do end up side by side a lot.
But her shallow faith and his depth of faith clash more than their lifestyles. When she volunteers to coordinate meals for the Alpha Class he teaches at the church, though, he rethinks his original assessment: shallow and self-absorbed. And as she observes him teaching with such passion for the Gospel, not only does she rethink her original assessment of him – undependable and unreliable hippie – she comes face to face with her own faith.
Can she overcome her anxieties to embrace the possibility of love? Can rambling Keanan really put down roots and settle in one place? Can love grow between them when their worlds are upside down from each other?
Ms. Comer has written a delightful series with very real characters and situations that echo life all too well. Her style is witty and enchanting, enticing me back for more. I did not read these stories in order, but was not lost without that established sequence; each story stands well on its own, and yet, weaves beautifully with each of the others. Each subsequent book adds layers to the story Ms. Comer has established, and I look forward to reading many more from this author.
Allison Hart flies solo. And she likes it that way. No one to answer to, just herself for accountability. She'll make it or break it on her own, thank you very much.
Growing up with the poorest of examples – her parents' marriage was a farce and a façade, and now, her sister who changes men as often as some people change their socks – Allison has vowed never to marry; she doesn't need a man – she doesn't need anyone.
She certainly does not need a smug and handsome foreman building her house.
Brent Callahan is that foreman. And he is no more impressed with her than she is with him. Cocky, overconfident – so she believes. And her, somber and aloof, standoffish even – or so he believes. Pretty, though.
But he's there to do a job and nothing more. Now if she'd just let him.
Then their separate pasts collide. Custody of Allison's nephew is suddenly thrust upon her – and the boy bonds with Brent, of all people.
Not the most pleasant of reunions.
Gabe Rubachuk has been in Romania for a few years, running away from a painful past. And he's only back in town to tie up loose ends before he runs away again.
Sierra Riehl's contribution to Green Acres Farm was honey. All natural honey. Extracted directly from hives of honey bees. Like her friends, she is solidly planted at the farm and plans to stay there.
Sparks fly between Sierra and Gabe, and not the romantic kind. As iron against iron, they are obviously mismatched, even as she falls for him. Still intent on leaving, Gabe denies his feelings for her. Until his heart overtakes his reason.
But what of the secrets from her past? As Gabe faces his own past, can Sierra face hers too? And can they overcome the hurdles to build a future together?
Traveling dude meets I'm-not-going-anywhere chick It's a recipe for disaster.
Chef Claire Halford needs the job Noel Kenzie has to offer. As chef to his tree planting crew. It's a temporary gig, but no one said flirting had to mean anything permanent. And Noel was a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy.
Claire wasn't looking for love, either. She was content to be part of the dream she and her friends, Jo and Sierra, had created: a self-sustaining farm.
When Claire doesn't get the job, she focuses instead on creating the image she, Jo and Sierra, want for their farm. Adding the element of an event destination brought on new challenges. And when their first bride turns out to be Noel Kenzie's sister, Claire and Noel are forced to interact, forcing both of them to examine their own absolutes: he's not interested in settling down, and she has no interest in travelling. How can they overcome the hurdles and answer the feelings they have for one another? Or do they dismiss the feelings and part ways?


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Q: setState not re-rendering react component inside array I'm trying to create a react app that adds a react component when pressing a button a then re-renders it. I'm using an array of p elements inside state as a test. The event handler function uses setState to modify the array but for some reason it does not re-renders de component so the change (the new element) is not showed in the screen. What I'm doing wrong?
import React, {Component} from "react";

export default class Agenda extends React.Component{

  constructor(props){

    super(props);

    this.list = [];

    this.state = {

      list:[]

    };

    this.addItem = this.addItem.bind(this);

    const items = ["Hola Mundo 1","Hola Mundo 2","Hola Mundo 3"];

    const itemComponent = items.map((item) =>

{item}

    );

    this.list = itemComponent;
    this.state.list = itemComponent;

  }

  addItem(){

    //Adds a new paragraph element at the end of the array
    this.list[3]=
Hola Mundo 4
;

    this.setState(

      {
        list: this.list
      }
    );

  }

  render(){

    return(

        {this.state.list}

        <button onClick={this.addItem}>

          Add item

        </button>

    );

  }
}

A: There are several things you are doing which are bad practice in react. One or more of them are likely causing your problem. The issues are:
1) Don't save components in state. Your state should be just the minimum data that determines the components, and the components themselves show up in render. By storing components in state you make it easy to forget to update the state, and thus cause the rendering to not change.
2) Don't duplicate state as instance variables. By doing this, you're only forcing yourself to manually keep two pieces of data in sync with eachother. Instead, have a single source of truth, and have everything else derive from that.
3) Don't mutate state. If you want to add items to an array, create a new array which is a shallow copy of the old one, then append to that new array. React relies on state being immutable to tell whether state has changed, so mutations are an easy way to accidentally make rerendering not happen.
export default class Agenda extends React.Component {
  constructor(props) {
    super(props);
    this.state = {
      list: ['Hola Mundo 1', 'Hola Mundo 2', 'Hola Mundo 3'],
    };

    this.addItem = this.addItem.bind(this);
  }

  addItem() {
    this.setState((oldState) => {
      const newList = [...oldState.list];
      newList.push('Hola Mundo 4');
      return { list: newList };
    });
  }

  render() {
    return (

        {this.state.list.map(item =>

{item}

        )}
        <button onClick={this.addItem}>
            Add item
        </button>

    );
  }
}

A: this.list[3]=
Hola Mundo 4
;

The above statement does not change the reference of the list variable. So set state doesn't see a difference while rendering. Instead do something like this -
this.setState({
   list: this.list.concat(
Hola Mundo 4
)
});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Hubert "Charles" Ahovissi is a professional artist, dancer, drummer, choreographer, educator, stage costume designer and tailor. He is an approved teaching and performing artist through the Nebraska and Iowa Arts Councils. Ahovissi began his dancing career in 1984 when he joined the National Ballet Company of Benin, West Africa. He left the National Ballet in 1987 and joined the Super Angels Dance Troop that toured extensively throughout the world performing and teaching traditional African dance and music. Ahovissi moved to Omaha in 2000 and since has shared his knowledge and love of Africa through traditional dancing and drumming to foster better understanding of Africa's diverse and beautiful cultures. In 2006, he founded the African Culture Connection as a non-profit organization to teach African culture. Under his leadership, ACC and Ahovissi have received the following awards: 2010 Girls Inc. Angel Award; 2012 Nebraska Governor's Art Award for Heritage Arts; 2012 National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award; 2015-18 Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards nominated (2015) and selected (2016 & 2018) Best Local Dance Production; 2017 U.S. Air Force Excellence Through Diversity Award.
In spring 2001, Ahovissi turned to Metropolitan Community College to further his skills. He started taking ESL classes and in 2012 earned his Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts/Academic Transfer. His education has helped him amplify the African Culture Connection. "After my graduation at MCC, I became more precise and passionate in my teaching…" says Ahovissi, "My communication and leadership skills have increased." Ahovissi credits MCC with providing him the education necessary to become an American citizen.
Throughout the Omaha community, Ahovissi shares his passion through dancing and drumming during public performances, school assemblies, residencies, and workshops. Ahovissi provides multicultural lessons by giving students authentic, hands-on experiences with African culture. He creates an authentic African village ambiance and uses ceremonial African clothes as well as traditional instruments to teach about African culture. Ahovissi promotes unity and multiculturalism while offering students a fun, social and physical activity.


text:
The Renaissance was a transitional period between the Middle Ages and the modern era, beginning with the Italian Wars towards the end of the 15th century and expanding through Europe into the 16th and 17th centuries. Timescales differ but for these figures we're viewing it as 1485 to 1651. Conflicts in this period include everything from the Battle of Flodden, through to the Thirty Years War, and wrapping up at the end of the English Civil War. Further east, the Polish were fighting the Ottoman Turk empire.
The Thirty Years' War was a series of wars in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648. It was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history, resulting in eight million casualties. Initially a war between various Protestant and Catholic states in the fragmented Holy Roman Empire, it gradually developed into a more general conflict involving most of the great powers becoming less about religion and more of a continuation of the France–Habsburg rivalry for European political dominance. While the figure range for this conflict is quite small, there are a lot of useful figures in the English Civil War range that are also suitable.
From 1642-1651 the three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland were embroiled in a series of wars, resulting in the death of King Charles I and the formation of a commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. One of the most popular wargaming periods, this figure range covers all of the main troop types, plus personalities and civilians.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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57% of participants said they wouldn't be able to afford one or more basic essential needs like housing, food, or medicine.
The poll was open to current Social Security recipients and anyone with an interest in Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits. The scenario is not as hypothetical as some may think. The Social Security Trustees project that by the end of 2016 the Social Security Disability Insurance trust fund, which operates separately from the retirement and survivors trust fund, will be insolvent, and unable to pay disability benefits in full.[i] When that happens disability benefit payments would have to be reduced by about 20% to match tax revenues coming in. "So far Congress has not made public any plan to prevent this from occurring," observes TSCL Chairman, Ed Cates.
Social Security disability benefits are paid for through payroll taxes. Benefits are calculated based on the disabled worker's earnings history and the length of time worked. A total of 10.9 million disabled beneficiaries receive a monthly benefit averaging about $1,017.
According to TSCL's annual "Senior Survey" conducted earlier this year, nearly one in three survey participants, 31%, said they had no other retirement income, like pensions or savings, in addition to Social Security. The survey found no support for fixing the Social Security disability or retirement programs by cutting benefits, other than measures to reduce fraud and abuse. The survey found instead that 70% of respondents support raising the taxable maximum wage cap to apply the Social Security tax to all earnings. Currently the highest income workers, earning more than $118,500 per year, pay nothing on earnings over that amount. In addition, the survey found that 45% favored very gradually increasing the payroll tax rate by 1% each for all workers and employers versus 30% who opposed the proposal.
"TSCL believes that the Social Security Disability program's solvency can be addressed without benefits cuts, without running down the clock and without turning Social Security into political football," says Cates. To learn more and to participate in TSCL surveys and polls, visit www.SeniorsLeague.org.
If you would like to continue receiving these press releases via email, please send your email address to sbenton@tsclhq.org.
[i] The 2014 Social Security Trustees Report, July 28, 2014, http://www.ssa.gov/oact/tr/index.html .


text:
Methow Valley News
Locally grown, internationally known
No Bad Days
Harts Pass
VALLEY LIFE
Mazama
Twisp
July 17, 2015 by Methow Valley News
CCLTRG has raised enough money to build housing for 11 of the 40 families and individuals that have been identified as unable to get back into a safe, stable housing situation on their own.
Materials for the houses are bought by CCLTRG. The recovery group also pays for some services, such as licensed electricians and plumbers and site preparation, and buys supplies at local lumberyards, said Anders. Many businesses and contractors have agreed to provide a discount, she said.
While CCLTRG budgeted $90,000 for each house, as it negotiates discounts for materials, it appears that the final cost could even be $20,000 or $30,000 less, said Anders.
CCLTRG has already raised $1.3 million, and a campaign tied to the first anniversary of the fire is intended to help raise the remaining funds for phase 1 of the rebuilding. An anonymous donor has pledged to match up to $250,000 in contributions. As of Tuesday (July 14), the campaign had raised $152,059, meaning twice that much will go to the rebuilding campaign.
The group is trying to raise an additional $4.3 million to cover the remaining homes to be built over the next several years.
To donate, contact the Community Foundation of North Central Washington at www.cfncw.org/fire. They have two funds. The North Central Washington Fire Relief fund supports survivors of the Carlton Complex Fire through the unmet needs roundtable. The CCLTRG fund goes toward rebuilding houses. The Community Foundation has waived its administrative fee for contributions to both funds.
You can also follow a link at www.carltoncomplexrecovery.com. Contributions are always welcome, but the $250,000 matching-fund campaign expires at midnight Saturday (July 18).
Click to see more articles from our Carlton Complex Fire 1-year anniversary section
Filed Under: Fire Tagged With: Carlton Complex Fire, Long Term Recovery
Today is November 26, 2022
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© 2022 · Methow Valley News


text:
New housing registration underway
addisstandard / June 5, 2013 / 0 / 10.5k
addisstandard 2013-06-05
Ministry of Urban Development and Construction announced today the beginning of a registration for different housing schemes intended for residents of Addis Ababa City.
The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branch offices throughout the city are hosting long queues of city dwellers to register for the low cost housing schemes announced by the city government by opening closed accounts for their savings as part of the price for the houses of their choices.
According to Amare Asgedom, Head of the Housing Development and Government Building Construction Bureau of the Ministry of Urban Development and Construction, the housing strategy introduced in 2005 with nine payment schemes aims to improve shortage of housing in 56 towns throughout the country, but the low interest in other towns has limited the project to remain in the capital for the time being.
Depending on the schemes the bank will lend from 60 to 90 per cent of the money for the houses while the rest is to be deposited by the residents as a down payment. The ministry also said that preparations for the registrations of another scheme called 20/80 and 10/90 were concluded and will start next week. "The banks are working to avoid long queues" said Amare, adding that a number of discussions have been held among the concerned offices to commence the registration process in an efficient manner.
The Ministry introduced the 10/90, 20/80 and 40/60 housing schemes, where in the first case residents will deposit only the 10 per cent of the total cost and get loans from the Commercial Bank for the 90 per cent, targeting very low income section of the society. "Residents with very low income will benefit from this scheme by saving only 187 Birr [a month] for three years" said Amare. The construction of 24,000 unites of these houses are underway.
In the 20/80 scheme for Condominium houses 85,000 housing units are under construction by the city administration, according to Mesfin Mengestu, General Manager of Housing Administration Agency at Addis Ababa City Administration. This scheme targets the middle income section of the society.
The Ethiopian Diaspora can also be a part of the housing program, according to the officials. "40/60 scheme and forming individual housing construction associations are an option for Ethiopians abroad who want to own houses in their home country and this will be handled by the Ethiopian Embassies abroad" said Mesfin.
Registrations for 20/80 and 10/90 schemes will take place from June 10 to June 28, 2013 followed by the 40/60 and individual housing construction associations.
A new regulation governing the process is under way, according to the officials, and is expected to regulate the disparity in Ethiopia's real estate sector.
Currently 1.2 million people in Addis Ababa live in rented houses while 2.5 million people share rooms with other people, and 375 thousand residents live in government owned houses. 70 per cent of the houses in Addis Ababa are made of mud.
Caption: A condominium site in Lideta, Addis Ababa
Photo Credit: Addis Fortune
Thousands participate in a rare public demonstration against the government in Ethiopia
Addis hosting high- level symposium on Post 2015 economic partnership
Freedom of the press/The Interview/Entrepreneurship/Media/Profile/Africa/Europe
Exclusive: 'Africa's voice was struggling to be heard": Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard
A condominium site in Lideta, Addis Ababa


text:
Article from BTNews 19 MAY 2014
ON TOUR: Heathrow's 'Davies' submission May 2014
Heathrow Airport Ltd has submitted to the Airports Commission its improved plan to expand the UK's hub airport, and with it an impressive public document detailing its ideas. The Commission is expected to make its recommendations in July 2015, the final decision (or non-decision) in the hands of the then current Prime Minister.
The key elements of the Heathrow (LHR) scheme is to bring forward by a year (to 2025) a suggested opening date for the new runway and a movement of this runway to a slightly more southerly location, reducing by 200 the number of houses needed to be demolished. The Grade 1 listed Harmondsworth Great Barn is saved, and the nearby St Mary's Church. This latest proposal eliminates a plan to reconstruct the M4/M25 junction and takes the runway over the motorway which at that point will have 16 lanes. A 600m tunnel is envisaged.
A total compensation fund of over £550m allocated for noise insulation and property compensation is proposed. This is more generous than previously suggested for a third runway. Proposed residential property compensation includes: 25% above market value for properties subject to compulsory purchase; stamp-duty costs on a new home; legal fees paid. A "Congestion Charge" would, it is suggested, reduce traffic.
The Heathrow plan calls effectively for two entrance points to the airport, Heathrow East (in effect the old Central Area, now being rebuilt around the new T2), and Heathrow West, Terminal 5 with its northerly satellite named T6. T4 remains 'as is' and any decision regarding its future is a long way off.
From a pure airline point of view the Heathrow and Gatwick ideas differ on why each airport exists. Heathrow is a hub and is focussing on long haul routes whilst also connecting passengers (in the main) to and from Europe.
Gatwick admits to being, in the main, point-to-point, focussed largely on Europe, but happy to take the Heathrow overspill by opening up new long haul routes, mainly to South East Asia. Emirates to Dubai (three times daily) has been a success but Qatar Airways pulled its single service to Doha some time back.
The essence of the Heathrow argument is that London was the centre of world trade for 350 years (the Port of London) but is now losing out as the "air port" of the globe. Unless something radical is attempted Heathrow (and the UK) will fall behind its rivals.
Dubai has overtaken LHR as the world's busiest international airport (although in truth over 80% of the traffic is connecting) and the major continental gateways are gradually catching up. The document shows that Heathrow is running at 98% capacity, Paris at 73%, Frankfurt at 70% and Amsterdam at 67%. With a third runway Heathrow's figure would be 64%.
Heathrow points out that it is the best connected transport hub in the UK. Already under construction is Crossrail and the plans call for a Western Rail Access, and also a Southern Rail Access including Waterloo as a gateway (perhaps the redundant Eurostar platforms).
The proposal says that when complete 12m people will be within 60 minutes of the airport and by 2032 (ie with HS2 in place) Sheffield for instance will be just 1hr 25mins away with no changes (as against 3hrs 32mins presently with two ). Birmingham will be 53mins (one change) and is currently 2hrs 31mins with two.
On a global map the presentation Heathrow focused on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and its long range version. With this aircraft Brisbane, Hawaii and Santiago are capable non-stop. The Heathrow plans call for the redevelopment of the airport's cargo facilities and will allows them to be doubled in size. This will allow for modern climate controlled warehousing, improved transit facilities and dedicated freight access points including the potential for a cargo railhead.
John Holland-Kaye, Development Director and Chief Executive Designate of Heathrow said: "Expansion at Heathrow matters to the whole country. Only Heathrow will connect all of the UK to fast growing international markets. The plans we are submitting to the Airports Commission demonstrate major economic benefits from a third runway for the whole of the UK.
"Expansion at Heathrow has national and local support. We have worked closely with local residents, listened to their concerns and improved our plans. Our submission reduces the number of properties that would need to be purchased and the number of people affected by significant noise. We would establish a fund to enhance local amenities and compensate residents more generously than previous UK infrastructure projects.
"Our plans are deliverable. Heathrow offers the fastest, most cost effective and practical route to connect the whole of the UK to growth and we have proven our ability to deliver a world-class hub that will make Britain proud. Building on Heathrow's existing strength will connect the whole of the UK to growth, keep Britain as an ambitious global nation and help the UK win the global race."
British Airways was not represented at the briefing, nor any other airline for that matter. A pity perhaps. The new site for the third runway includes Waterside, BA's headquarters.
Next week we look at the Gatwick case.
http://your.heathrow.com/BritainsHeathrow


text:
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What is L-Theanine?
By: Halley Furlong-Mitchell
If you've ever felt overwhelming, exhausting stress, chances are you've already started to look into your options. There's regular exercise, changes in diet, and daily meditation, but if you've started to look into supplements, chances are you've already come across L-Theanine. This amino acid seems to be everywhere these days, but not a lot of information is out there about what it actually is. Here's a guide to help you understand what it is, where it comes from, and how it impacts your brain –– specifically, how it can work to help improve memory and focus.
L-Theanine is technically an amino acid, although not a protein, (which are made up of amino acids), and is not naturally produced by the body. It bears a close resemblance to glutamate, another amino acid, although has the complete opposite effect. Glutamate is the most abundant amino acid in our diet and functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter, but specifically, it is directly responsible for many of our body's internal stress responses. L-Theanine is able to bind to the same receptors as glutamate, only because it functions as an inhibitor, L-Theanine is able to suppress those same stress responses –– leading to decreased feelings of stress.
L-Theanine is found naturally in green tea leaves, specifically Camellia sinensis. Though this plant has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, it was identified by scientists in 1949. However, drinking a cup of tea will not provide you with the same amount of L-Theanine as you would get in a standalone supplement (approximately 20mg), and therefore would not provide you with the same benefits.
It also has been known to trigger taste buds that are associated with umami, or the "5th taste" and has the ability to "improve the taste of processed foods and beverages" by acting as a signal for proteins to then communicate directly to the brain of the available of important nutrients. In matcha tea specifically, L-Theanine is thought to the compound that provides the tea with its slightly sweet notes.
While it does help to reduce stress due to its ability to inhibit glutamate, the full extent of L-Theanine's benefits are just beginning to be discovered. Here are some of the other ways in which it works:
Improves mental clarity and relaxation, and boosts focus
When we're unable to focus, chances are there are external factors (noisy neighbors, distracting environment), but the reality is that many of the reasons why we have trouble focusing actually live inside of our own head; specifically, in our brain. There are five different types of brain waves –– Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Theta, Delta, and Infra-Low –– that are directly responsible for how our neurons communicate with each other, creating the basis for our emotions and thoughts.
Brain waves change depending on how we are feeling and what we are doing, and each have their own speeds and frequencies. We feel tired, slow, and dreamy when the slower brain waves are dominant, whereas when the higher frequencies are dominant, we feel alert and wired. In order of slowest to fastest, the brain waves can be organized as such: Infra-Low, Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Infra-low brain waves are the slowest, with Gamma being the fastest. In terms of L-Theanine, however, the two important ones to focus on here are Alpha and Beta.
Beta waves are the most common ones during a conscious, awake state, and in general are the ones that help us focus on the task at hand. However when our beta levels are too high, we can swing into anxiety, feeling stressed out and unable to feel relaxed. This is where Alpha brain waves come in. Alpha brain waves are associated with feelings of creativity, relaxation, and rest, and aid overall mental coordination, alertness, mind/body integration and learning.
Studies have found that L-Theanine helps to stimulate Alpha Waves in the brain while also decreasing the Beta waves –– creating an ideal focused mindset. In an additional study, those who paired L-Theanine with caffeine found was able to improve cognition and overall alertness –– making it a great option for those looking for focus tips.
Increases production of GABA and serotonin levels
GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is an important amino acid that functions as a neurotransmitter, helping to provide a calming effect. Recent L-Theanine studies have shown a direct correlation between L-Theanine and increased GABA levels, meaning that continued supplementation could further help feelings of anxiety and stress.
Serotonin is an important hormone that acts as both a neurotransmitter, and a vasoconstrictor, or a substance that causes blood vessels to narrow. It stabilizes our mood and feelings of happiness, and an imbalance of it can lead to depression and excessive nerve cell activity. L-Theanine has been studied for its ability to elevate serotonin levels as well, which can further help to regulate emotions, concentration, alertness, and sleep.
Heart helper: boosts nitric oxide production
Nitric oxide is essential for our bodies to function. It functions as a transmitter, and plays a particularly important role in our cardiovascular health. Nitric oxide relaxes narrowed blood vessels, which then increases blood flow and oxygen in the heart. The endothelium, or the interior surface of your arteries, are able to produce nitric oxide, which is reduced when plaque builds up in them. Since nitric oxide helps blood through through our arteries properly, it helps to reduce the risk of a stroke, and has even been suggested by scholars that supplementing with L-Theanine directly after a stroke can help to reduce the damage and severity.
Improves sleep quality
A racing mind can often be a barrier between you and a restorative night's sleep. Because of L-Theanine's ability to boost GABA, serotonin, and dopamine levels, this helps your mind settle down, so you can relax and gently drift off. Due to its ability to enhance Alpha waves as well, which are directly associated with a calm and relaxed mind. So when anxiety and stress levels are managed by L-Theanine, you're able to get a restful night's sleep.
L-Theanine vs. Suntheanine
While L-Theanine is the name of the amino acid, Suntheanine is a patented version of the ingredient that was engineered to provide maximum efficacy. It's clinically studied and is generally considered to be the superior option due to the fact that it is more concentrated and therefore able to be taken in smaller doses, and is overall purer in terms of quality. It is important to note, however, that Suntheanine is not a green tea extract, but rather, is produced via a process that mimics the natural process in green tea leaves.
Instead of creating a single L-Theanine supplement, we wanted to design a cognitive supplement that took care of focus and mental clarity immediately, but also provided users with long-term cognitive support. This led to NOOTRO-FOCUS, our first cognitive supplement that, in addition to L-Theanine, incorporates other nootropics and adaptogens such as Rhodiola, Bacopa, Citicoline, and Lion's Mane Mushroom. It provides you with the same benefits from a standalone L-Theanine pill, but with additional support, ensuring that your brain and mental health are covered from all angles. Suntheanine, the version of L-Theanine that we use in Nootro-Focus is isometrically pure, made from amino acids ethylamine and L-glutamine and created by using a proprietary enzymatic process that directly imitates the natural green tea leaf process.
But wait –– what are nootropics and adaptogens?
Nootropics (pronounced new-troh-picks) are supplements that are designed to function as brain boosters, commonly referred to as "smart drugs" because of this. The term comes from Greek, meaning "to bend or shape the mind," and was originally coined by Dr. Corneliu Giurgea, a Romanian chemist and psychologist, when he was attempting to invent a sleeping pill but instead created piracetam, which he then called a nootropic.
According to Dr. Giurgea, there are a few requirements for what constitutes a nootropic. The proposed substance needs to:
Enhance memory
Improve behavior under adverse conditions
Shield the brain from injury through either chemical or physical means
Improve tonic cortical/subcortical control mechanisms
Demonstrate a low toxicity and side-effect profile
Though this is a relatively new term, certain plants have been used traditionally in medicine for thousands of years to improve mood and cognition, causing them to be defined as nootropics only recently in history. You may be already with some of these natural, plant-sourced ones such as Ginkgo and Bacopa, as well as recent pharmaceuticals Ritalin and Adderall, which are also considered to be nootropics due to their ability to strengthen concentration.
L-Theanine is classified as a nootropic as well, due to its ability to impact neurotransmitters, cognition, and brain waves, among other benefits.
Where nootropics are specifically designed to target performance and overall cognition, adaptogens work to help balance your hormone levels, in an attempt to help your body adapt to stress. They are plants and herbs that work to stabilize the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems.
Many adaptogens could technically be classified as nootropics due to their makeup and benefits, which often leads to a confusion between the two, or for the two terms being used interchangeably. However, it's important that the two terms remain distinguished, as at the end of the day, they have separate goals: adaptogens work primarily on stress, whereas stress reduction is just one of many goals for a nootropic.
If they have overlapping goals, can I take them together?
Since there are so many different types of nootropics and adaptogens, it's not as easy as saying "yes, you can take any of them together," but rather it is important to note that there are certain combinations of adaptogens and nootropics that work symbiotically. The blend of adaptogens and nootropics in our Nootro-Focus were individually selected due to their ability to work together in taking on a plethora of goals, but specifically, with the intention of creating a supplement that offered both instant results as well as long-term ones. In general, if you're on the fence about which nootropics and adaptogens you should take, starting with a supplement like Nootro-Focus that has a pre-selected combination of the two is a smart way to go, as its ingredients have been clinically proven to support mental energy, focus, and attention. You can also speak with your doctor or pharmacist for any additional recommendations, especially if you are currently taking additional medication, to avoid any negative effects from the nootropic.
What people had to say about our nootropic, Nootro-Focus
"A month ago, I got invited to an onsite interview at one of the largest tech companies. I knew I had to try Nootro-Focus before my interview. Right before getting into the building, I realized I had no water with me. I took two pills from my bag and just swallowed without any water. The interviews were a blast, first I did an amazing presentation to the whole team and then killed every single interview after it. And I received the job offer at my dream company last week!" -YG
"On the 3rd day of taking this alone, it was like my speech patterns were switched on auto pilot. I find it to work best (for me) when taken on an empty stomach, plus I take a natural peach tea energy shot which I find it to be the best combination I have ever come across. My focus has gotten better and honestly I don't want to overhype it for anyone but this stuff is really good." -Alan
"I started using this product during a super hectic time at work. It has kept me from reaching for that second (or third) cup of coffee throughout my work day. I am able to focus on my big tasks, and when I get torn away and need to help a colleague, I am still able to offer my assistance and get back on track. I've also been feeling like I still have some brain power left after work to dedicate to my personal projects. Highly recommend!" - Taylor R.
SHOP NOOTRO-FOCUS NOW
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Brainworksneurotherapy.com. (2019). What are Brainwaves ? Types of Brain waves | EEG sensor and brain wave – UK. [online] Available at: https://brainworksneurotherapy.com/what-are-brainwaves.
Breus, M.J. (2017). What You Need to Know About L-theanine. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201708/what-you-need-know-about-l-theanine [Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
Clark, J. (2019). What is nitric oxide and how does it work? [online] Nutrition Express. Available at: https://www.nutritionexpress.com/showarticle.aspx?articleid=286 [Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
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Head, K. (2019). What Is A Nootropic and Where Do Nootropics Come From? [online] Thorne.com. Available at: https://www.thorne.com/take-5-daily/article/what-is-a-nootropic-and-where-do-nootropics-come-from [Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
Heid, M. (2019). Nootropics, or 'Smart Drugs,' Are Gaining Popularity. But Should You Take Them? [online] Time. Available at: https://time.com/5509993/nootropics-smart-drugs-brain/.
Hormone.org. (2018). Serotonin | Hormone Health Network. [online] Available at: https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/serotonin.
Mason, R. (2001). 200 mg of Zen: L-Theanine Boosts Alpha Waves, Promotes Alert Relaxation. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 7(2), pp.91–95.
Mason, R. (2014). Nootriment - Health Supplement Reviews and Research. [online] Nootriment - Health Supplement Reviews and Research. Available at: https://nootriment.com/l-theanine-vs-suntheanine/ [Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
Meldrum, B.S. (2000). Glutamate as a Neurotransmitter in the Brain: Review of Physiology and Pathology. The Journal of Nutrition, 130(4), pp.1007S-1015S.
Mindlab Pro (2018). Nootropics vs. Adaptogens - Which is Better for Achieving Peak Mind-Body Performance? [online] Mind Lab Pro®. Available at: https://www.mindlabpro.com/blogs/nootropics/nootropics-vs-adaptogens [Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
Niederer, J. (2019). L-Theanine Dosage: a guide for adults, children, and pets | Nootropics.com. [online] Nootropics.com. Available at: https://nootropics.com/l-theanine-dosage/ [Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
Nobre, A.C., Rao, A. and Owen, G.N. (2008). L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, [online] 17 Suppl 1, pp.167–8. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296328.
Prentice, H., Modi, J.P. and Wu, J.-Y. (2015). Mechanisms of Neuronal Protection against Excitotoxicity, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Stroke and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2015, pp.1–7.
Yang, C.S., Chen, G. and Wu, Q. (2014). Recent Scientific Studies of a Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tea, on Prevention of Chronic Diseases. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, [online] 4(1), pp.17–23. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4032838/ [Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
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How to write what you want to say ... in the primary years: a guide for primary students who know what they want to say but can't find the words provides parents, teachers and young writers with a tool for improving writing. It is suitable for Years 2 to 6.
Catherine Black wrote the examples for this book getting some of her ideas from her son William's day to day schooling. How to write what you want to say ... in the primary years is slightly different from the previous two books in that this one contains graphic organisers and prompt questions to help students organise their thoughts for their writing.


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IN ACCORDANCE WITH NCAA RULES, MICHIGAN STATE SPORT CAMPS ARE OPEN TO ANY AND ALL THAT WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, LIMITED ONLY BY ATTENDANCE, AGE, NUMBER AND GRADE LEVEL. HOWEVER, CAMP ATTENDANCE AT MICHIGAN STATE SPORT CAMPS (INCLUDING ATTENDANCE AT ELITE OR ADVANCED CAMPS) IS NEVER RESTRICTED BY A CAMPER'S SKILL LEVEL OR COMPETITIVE EXPERIENCE.
REMINDER: All campers MUST send in the Concussion Awareness Form with the camp applications.
- Hoverboards are not permitted on Michigan State University campus!
Camp Notes: Check-in on the first day is at 8:45am and 9:00am every other day.
Camp Notes: Check-in is at 8:45am on the first day and 9:00am every other day.
Camp Notes: Participants will stay in the dorm for 2 nights.
Camp Notes: Campers will be dropped off daily by 8:45am and picked up daily at 4:30pm.
Camp Notes: Please make sure to indicate what High School you are with on your application.
Camp Notes: This is a 1 day camp option for the Field Hockey Champions Camp. This is for July 20th only. Lunch and Dinner are provided.
Camp Notes: CAMP CHECK IN IS AT BRODY EMMONS HALL.
Camp Notes: This is a 1 day camp option for the Field Hockey Champions Camp. This is for July 28th only. Lunch is provided.
Camp Notes: Teams will depart campus from the location of their last round game. The price is $330.00 per TEAM. Bring Athletic clothing, Tennis Shoes, Football Helmet, Mouth Piece and Football Cleats.
Camp Notes: Bring Athletic Clothing, Tennis Shoes, Football Helmet, Mouthpiece & Football Cleats.
Camp Notes: Bring Athletic Clothing, Tennis Shoes, Kicking Cleats, Kicking Football and Tee/Kicking Stands for those who have them.
Camp Notes: No helmets required and Football Cleats are Optional.
Camp Notes: This is a 1 Day Option for 6/19/2019 Youth Football camp. Lunch is included for 1 Day option.
Camp Notes: Any campers attending only the second day of camp (6/20) will NOT have the opportunity to take a photo with Coach Dantonio as this is done on the first day of camp.
Camp Notes: We are excited to announce that camps will be held at the Lasch Family Golf Center this year!
Camp Notes: PLEASE MAKE SURE TO NOTE YOUR LEVEL AND COMPETITIVE OR RECREATIONAL ON YOUR CAMP APPLICATION. DUE TO NO OVERNIGHT CAMPS THIS YEAR WE ARE PROVIDING A HOTEL LINK: http://www.lansingsports.org/msugymnasticscamp PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH.
Camp Notes: This is a 1 Day only option for the first day of gymnastics camp.
Camp Notes: This is a 1 Day option for Gymnastics Camp on 6/18/19.
Camp Notes: This is a 1 Day option for gymnastics camp. 6/19/19 Only.
Camp Notes: This is a 1 Day option for gymnastics camp on 6/21 only.
Camp Notes: This is a 1 Day option for gymnastics camp.
Camp Notes: Commuter daily drop off and pick up times vary depending on the group assigned. Please look over your camp schedule given at camp check in for exact daily Commuter drop off and pick up times.
Camp Notes: Commuter Daily drop off and pick up times will vary depending on the group assigned. Please refer to your camp schedule given at check in for exact Commuter daily drop off and pick up times.
Camp Notes: The final day World Cup Game Times will vary depending on your childs team name. Please refer to your childs team schedule given at camp check in. CAMPERS ENROLLING BEFORE MAY 1ST WILL RECEIVE A $25.00 DISCOUNT.
Camp Notes: Commuter Daily Schedule Day 1=1-2pm to 8:30pm. Day 2 = 8:30am-4:00pm. Commuters check in at Munn Ice Arena with Resident Campers. Commuter drop off and pickup after Day 1 is Jenison Fieldhouse-3rd floor gym.
Camp Notes: Camp Check in Day 1 is at 4pm and then Day 2 and 3 Camp starts at 1pm.
Camp Notes: This camp is for entering Grades 1st thru 5th.


No building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing or sewer system shall be constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, demolished, or changed unless a permit has been obtained. Building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, street, sewer, and grading permits may be required.
Always consult with the building department regarding local building setback requirements, and any items not addressed on this sheet.
Alterations where structural elements are affected, i.e.; new openings in foundations, walls, ceilings, roofs, enlarged door and window openings.
Concrete work over 100 sq. ft.
Roof overlay – limited to a total of 2 layers of roofing material.
Windows & doors – replacing with same size.
Superficial remodeling which does not affect structural elements, such as drywall and plaster work.
Exterior concrete flatwork under 100 sq feet, such as stoops and service walks.
Simple landscaping that does NOT change the grading of the property.
All other multifamily construction may require permits. Please check with the building department AND your homeowners association BEFORE beginning any construction.


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text:
import React from 'react';
import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
import { FormattedMessage } from 'react-intl';
import { Field } from 'react-final-form';

import stripesFinalForm from '@folio/stripes/final-form';
import {
  Row,
  Col,
  Button,
  TextArea,
  Modal,
} from '@folio/stripes/components';

import css from './modal.css';

class CommentModal extends React.Component {
  static propTypes = {
    open: PropTypes.bool,
    pristine: PropTypes.bool,
    submitting: PropTypes.bool,
    invalid: PropTypes.bool,
    onClose: PropTypes.func,
    handleSubmit: PropTypes.func,
  };

  onSubmit = () => {
    const {
      handleSubmit,
    } = this.props;

    handleSubmit();
  }

  handleClose = () => {
    const {
      onClose,
    } = this.props;

    onClose();
  }

  render() {
    const {
      pristine,
      submitting,
      invalid,
      open,
      onClose,
    } = this.props;

    const submitButtonDisabled = pristine || submitting || invalid;

    return (
      <Modal
        open={open}
        label={<FormattedMessage id="ui-users.accounts.comment.field.feeFineComment" />}
        onClose={onClose}
        size="small"
        dismissible
      >
        <form onSubmit={this.onSubmit}>
          <Row>
            <Col xs>
              <FormattedMessage id="ui-users.accounts.comment.field.comment" />
            </Col>
          </Row>
          <br />
          <Row>
            <Col xs>
              <Field
                name="comment"
                component={TextArea}
              />
            </Col>
          </Row>
          <Row>
            <Col xs>
              <Button
                buttonStyle="primary"
                onClick={this.onSubmit}
                disabled={submitButtonDisabled}
                buttonClass={css.rightAlignedButton}
              >
                <FormattedMessage id="ui-users.accounts.comment.field.save" />
              </Button>
              <Button
                onClick={this.handleClose}
                buttonClass={css.rightAlignedButton}
              >
                <FormattedMessage id="ui-users.accounts.comment.field.cancel" />
              </Button>
            </Col>
          </Row>
        </form>
      </Modal>
    );
  }
}

export default stripesFinalForm({
  destroyOnUnregister: true,
  navigationCheck: true,
  subscription: { values: true },
})(CommentModal);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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text:
Explore SMU
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News November 2018 Perspective Online
Dialogue Examines Theology, Criminal Justice Reform on School Children of Color
Post author By Bridget Anderson
Left to right: Isabel Docampo and panel members Nicole Melki, Harold Recinos, Cynthia Wallace and Edwin Robinson. Photos: Guy Rogers III, SMU Photography
In theory, schools should put children on a path toward college or a good job. In reality, for far too many children school leads to incarceration.
Experts call the trend the "school-to-prison pipeline" — the disproportionate tendency of young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds to end up incarcerated – and they blame the trend on increasingly harsh school and municipal policies.
That was a key focus of an interdisciplinary dialogue, "The ABC's of Theology and Criminal Justice Reform on the Lives of School Children of Color," at Perkins School of Theology on October 15. Despite a downpour in Dallas that evening, more than 40 students, alumni and other concerned citizens turned up for the program.
The event was jointly sponsored by Perkins, the school's Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religions, and the United Methodist Church's General Commission on Religion and Race.
Harold Recinos
"The school-to-prison pipeline is a metaphor for: failing public schools, zero tolerance discipline with policing presence in schools, disciplinary alternative education programs, court involvement and juvenile detention centers, and priority influence given to incarceration over education for a subdivision of American school children and youth," said Dr. Harold Recinos, Perkins professor of church and society and the president of the Oscar Romero Center for Community Health & Education in Dallas.
Zero tolerance policies, he added, tend to punish children of color excessively for "culturally normative" behavior and put children on a path to more trouble, rather than better behavior. For Recinos, that problem is personal.
"I was one of those 'bad kids' in school," he told the group. "I was very disruptive. We didn't have zero tolerance policies then, luckily, or I wouldn't be here today."
Cynthia Wallace
Cynthia Wallace, a recent Perkins graduate and a program coordinator at the Juvenile Detention Center in Dallas County, noted that ten ZIP codes in the Dallas area have been relabeled as "the cradle-to-prison pipeline ZIP codes."
"Kids who are born and live in one of those ZIP codes are at very high risk of becoming involved with the juvenile system, and/or graduating to adult prison," she said. Wallace cited a 2008 study of one of those areas, the 75216 ZIP code, which showed that only two students attending the local high school were prepared for college, yet 681 individuals were sent to prison. That study also reported that, in the combined high schools in the ten ZIP codes, a total of 26 students were prepared for college while 3,100 individuals were sent to prison.
Wallace added that Dallas County's jail, the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, has one floor just for 17-year-olds who have been arrested.
"Texas is one of only two states where 17-year-olds are treated as adults in criminal cases," said Cynthia Alkon, a visiting professor from Texas A&M at SMU's Dedman School of Law. "Texas is out of step. There are legal structures that need to change. Without talking about the legal structures, we're missing a key piece. That's one key change that churches and other faith groups could advocate for."
Edwin Robinson
Edwin Robinson, executive director of Faith in Texas, told the audience that reform to eliminate the pipeline can't be piecemeal.
"The school-to-prison pipeline is not some sort of thing that is separate from what it means to be educated in the United States of America," he said. "It IS the education system."
Robinson added, "When people ask, 'What do we replace it with?' I give the same answer God gave the children of Israel: go. There were no GPS coordinates to the promised land. One of the things that stops us from dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline is that we want to have all the answers before we start. We don't have all the answers. But we do know that what we have is making us sick."
Recinos cited examples where students' minor misbehavior was unjustly criminalized, such as 12-year-old Alexa Gonzalez in New York, who wrote "I love my friends Abby and Faith" on her desk with an erasable marker. Considering this an act of vandalism, she was handcuffed, arrested and detained at a New York City precinct.
"What I hope attendees took away was the importance of paying attention to your local school boards and what is happening inside our schools," said Isabel N. Docampo, director of the Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religions at Perkins School. "It's relevant not only if you have children in school but for the whole of society. How we treat students has a direct impact on our county's health, culturally, morally and economically."
The evening program opened with a mini-concert by Ubuntu Music Project, an after-school music program for underserved students in Dallas. Their faces focused in deep concentration, the young violinists presented an instrumental rendition of "We Shall Overcome."
Nicole Melki
Ubuntu's founder and executive director is Perkins graduate Nicole Melki, with Grace United Methodist Church in east Dallas providing support. Most of the participants in the program are Latino children. (Ubuntu is an African principle of the interconnectedness of all people, often expressed as "I am because we are.")
"These are kids who lack food resources, who suffer from intergenerational trauma from poverty," she told the audience. "Music is a way of awakening hope and teaching tenacity to strive for success. Otherwise, these children can end up believing that success is only for the privileged. Hopelessness becomes internalized."
Melki was inspired by her own experience to start Ubuntu. The child of refugees, she said she felt "I was too far behind and could never make something of myself. But everything changed at age 11, when I started playing the violin."
Melki shared stories of students who were able to surmount obstacles and earn coveted spots in desirable magnet schools through their violin skills – and called on others to find their ways to serve.
"We were able to transform music into empowerment," she said. "We bring liberation to the oppressed through music. Where is your call to bring liberation to the oppressed? Everybody in this room is called to be an agent of hope."
By Bridget Anderson
AA-EnrollServ(Recruitment)
← Alumni/ae Update → Faculty Profile: Evelyn L. Parker


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