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Is Sola Scriptura Scriptural? Part II: What Do The Apostles Say? Ken Hensley: re-blogged
Ken Hensley
Ken is a well-known Catholic speaker and author on staff with CHN. To subscribe to his personal email list and browse his many recorded talks on Catholic apologetics, visit his website at kennethhensley.com
Is Sola Scriptura Scriptural? Part II: What Do The Apostles Say?
This is part of an ongoing series by Ken Hensley. Read the previous installments: Introduction – Part I
We've seen that the rule of faith and practice for Christians living during the time of the Apostles was not sola Scriptura.
For them, authority resided in (a) the inspired Scriptures, (b) the oral teaching of the Apostles, and (c) the decisions of the Church's leadership as it met in council to settle disputed matters (Acts 15). If you will: Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium.
In other words, a believer living in Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, or Rome during the time of the Apostles would never have said what Protestant scholars Geisler and MacKenzie say in Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: "The Bible — nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else — is all that is necessary for faith and practice" (p. 178).
Objection, Your Honor
Now, to this the thoughtful non-Catholic should respond:
"Hold your horses! Of course Christians weren't 'Bible only' Christians during the time of the Apostles!
As Christ's authoritative spokesmen, of course the Apostle's oral teaching was authoritative as well as their writing. And, of course, decisions made in councils like in Acts 15 — which, by the way, you cleverly neglected to mention was led by Apostles — would be authoritative! We agree that the teaching and decisions of Apostles were authoritative.
The question that needs to be asked, then, in order to decide what the rule of faith and practice ought to be for Christians, is not 'What was the practice of believers living during the time of the Apostles?' but rather, 'What should the practice of believers be now that there are no longer Apostles walking the earth?' What should the Church's rule of faith and practice be now that there are no longer inspired Apostles who can write and teach and meet in council to issue authoritative decrees?
This is the question that needs to be asked!"
I think thoughtful Catholics would have to agree that the objection should be sustained. Yes, sola Scriptura isn't a rule that would apply while the Apostles were still alive, but only after.
The New Testament Teaching
The questions that came immediately to mind were these:
Do the Apostles say anything about this?
Are there any direct statements to the effect that once they have departed this world, authority for individual Christians and for the Church, will reside in Scripture alone?
Are there hints in the New Testament books that the Apostles understood this?
Do we see them preparing their churches for such a fundamental change in how Christian doctrine would be determined and disputes settled?
Because I had always assumed the truth of sola Scriptura (after all, what is left but to look to Scripture alone once the Apostles are gone and public revelation is no longer being given?) reading the New Testament through with these kinds of questions in mind was a new experience for me. I saw things I had not seen before, or maybe better, things I had seen but not thought about.
In short, what I saw were evidences of a mindset that did not fit the notion that the Apostles had it in their apostolic heads that when they had passed from this life, Scripture would become for Christ's followers the "sole and sufficient infallible rule of faith and practice."
For instance, it occurred to me that most of the Apostles didn't act like men who were preparing their disciples for sola Scriptura — by the very fact that most of them didn't bother to write at all.
Imagine you're an Apostle traveling through modern-day Turkey evangelizing, teaching, establishing communities of believers, and ordaining leadership in those communities. And imagine you believe that when you die what you have written will become the sole doctrinal and moral authority for the churches you've founded and the Christians you've instructed.
Don't you think you'd want to write down everything you wanted your spiritual children to know and believe, as opposed to relying on them to simply remember what you'd said?
Now, I didn't — and don't — put much weight on this observation. Even though we only have the writings of three of the original twelve Apostles, Peter, Matthew, and John, I suppose it's possible that the others wrote and their writings haven't been preserved. But it's hard to imagine the churches not treasuring and make sure to preserve the writings of inspired Apostles.
No, most of the Apostles seem to have been perfectly content to live out their days preaching the Gospel, establishing churches, and teaching them the doctrines of their most holy faith — without ever feeling the need to write down what they were teaching.
At the very least, this is strange, and it raises the question: what were they thinking in terms of the future preservation of their teaching?
Which leads to a second observation.
It seemed to me that even those Apostles who did write, didn't write in a mannerthat would make me think they had the eventual onset of sola Scriptura in their minds.
For instance, in 1 Corinthians 15:29, Paul refers to baptisms being performed for the dead without explaining what he means. Apparently his readers understood what he was talking about and so he didn't feel the need to explain himself.
It doesn't seem to have crossed Paul's mind that Christians in the future might also want to know what he was talking about!
Another example: in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Paul refers to the "man of sin" who is to be revealed and "who will take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." Important stuff! Multiple millions of dollars have been made by Christian authors speculating on the identity of this "man of sin" and the circumstances of his being revealed. What's Paul talking about?
Well, he begins to speak of this man of sin, but then, instead of explaining exactly who and what he's referring to, he says, "Do you not remember that when I was with you I told you this? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time?"
I remember thinking, "Well, gee, thanks a lot, Paul! It's great to know that the Christians in Thessalonica don't need an explanation because, after all, you told them when you were with them. But what about those of us born a hundred years later, or five hundred later, or in the middle of the 20th century in Southern California? How am I supposed to know what you told the Thessalonian believers?"
But, of course, what Paul is doing here is quite natural. When he wrote letters to the various churches he had founded or visited, for the most part he was writing to people he had already spent a good deal of time with (e.g. three years in Ephesus, a couple of years in Corinth). In other words, he knows his readers are familiar with his teaching and therefore, quite naturally, doesn't feel the need to spell everything out in this letters to them — or even to necessarily complete every thought he begins to express.
He can presuppose that his readers know what he's talking about and will be able to fill in the blanks on their own.
Now, this applies to nearly all of the New Testament epistles. They're what we call "occasional documents" — letters written to specific churches to address specific issues and problems. They weren't written to summarize Christian doctrine and, except here and there, they don't summarize Christian doctrine.
And yet, if the Apostles were thinking that sola Scriptura would very soon become the rule of faith and practice for the Christian communities, you'd think they would have been eager to do just that: write down clear summaries of Christian doctrine.
There's no hint that they sensed the need.
In fact, with the Apostle John, we find the reverse! In the three very short letters we have from John (one five pages in length and two more one page each in length) we find him twice expressing an actual preference for speaking in person over writing!
Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete (2 John 1:12).
I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face (3 John 1:13, emphases added).
In short, reading through the New Testament letters I did not see evidence of an apostolic mindset that said,
"Brothers, we need to be preparing our churches. So long as we are alive, they have us to teach them and answer their questions and authoritatively settle disputes. But as soon as we're out of the picture, everything's going to change. There's no longer going to be an authoritative living voice for the Church. When Christians disagree, they're going to have to fight it out among themselves, looking to the Bible alone. With this in mind, we need to make sure to spell out everything as clearly as possible and in writing!"
I didn't see a hint that the Apostles possessed any such mindset.
In fact, in the one case in which an Apostle actually talks about the preservation of his teaching beyond death, he talks about it in a way that led me to conclude that he was not at all thinking like someone who believed sola Scriptura would become the rule of faith and practice for the future Church.
The truth is, he seemed to be thinking more like a Catholic.
I'm speaking here of St. Paul. Second Timothy appears to have been Paul's farewell address to his spiritual son and successor in the ministry. In chapter 4, the Apostle speaks of his soon-to-come departure from this world: "For I am already on the point of being sacrificed, the time of my departure has come."
With this in mind, he gives Timothy these instructions:
Follow the pattern of sound words, which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells in you (2 Tim 1:13-14).
I noticed a couple of things right away.
First, what Paul is talking about here is precisely the preservation of his teaching after his death. It becomes even clearer a few verses later that this is what the great Apostle has on his mind.
The second thing I noticed was that Paul doesn't say a word here about his "writings."
Interesting. Paul's thinking about how his teaching is to be preserved once he has left this world and instead of talking about his inspired writings, he talks about a "pattern of sound words" Timothy has "heard" from Paul, that has been "entrusted" to him, and that he is to "guard" "by the Holy Spirit" who dwells in him.
And then, a few words later.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Tim 2:1-2, emphasis added).
Again, notice the focus on what Timothy has "heard."
He is to guard by the Holy Spirit the body of teaching he has received from Paul — everything he has heard Paul teach — and then "entrust" this body of teaching to faithful men who presumably will do the same thing Paul is instructing Timothy to do; that is, they will guard by the Holy Spirit who dwells in them the truth entrusted to them by Timothy and entrust that truth to other faithful men who in turn will entrust the truth to still others, and so forth.
Why, I wondered, isn't Paul acting like someone who believes that after his departure from this world Timothy and everyone else will be practicing sola Scriptura? Why isn't his focus on what he has written? Why isn't he instructing Timothy to collect his writings and begin the work of making copies of them? Why all this talk about what Timothy has heard, about a "pattern" of sound words and guarding things by the Holy Spirit? The process sounds so uncertain.
Paul didn't sound at all like a good Protestant apostle would sound in similar circumstances. He didn't seem to be thinking in the sorts of terms that I as a Protestant would have been thinking in.
Rather, in sharp contrast, Paul seems to have believed that the substance of his teaching would be preserved by the Holy Spirit through a process akin to apostolic succession, and this is what he's thinking about as the time of his death approaches.
Of course, Paul's way of thinking here is not without context. I could see, in fact, that it fits a pattern of thinking that is really at the heart of the New Covenant promise of the Spirit.
No doubt, Paul had noticed that when God the Father wanted to speak His most authoritative and eloquent Word, He spoke that Word by sending His Son, endowed with the Spirit, to teach by word and example. The Book of Hebrews begins,
In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son … who is the radiance of his glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:1-3).
Paul certainly had noticed as well that when the Son of God wanted to ensure that His teaching would continue in the world after He had ascended to the Father, He didn't sit down and write a book.
Instead, He did precisely what His Father had done. He chose men (this time twelve), taught them, endowed them with His Spirit and authority, and sent them out to do as He had done.
And this is exactly what they did. Yes, when there were particular needs to be addressed in particular churches, the Apostles wrote letters to address those needs. But in reading what they wrote, I didn't get the sense that they conceived of writing as their primary work. Rather, it was preaching, teaching, establishing churches, and training and ordaining leadership for those churches.
Finally, I could see that within this context, the things Paul said to Timothy all make sense. As the Father had sent the Son, endowed with the Spirit to teach and establish a Church; as the Son had sent His apostolic messengers into the world, endowed with the Spirit to teach and to establish the Church in Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the world; so as Paul prepares to leave this world and wants to ensure that his teaching will be preserved and faithfully passed on, he doesn't think first about writing. He doesn't think as one would naturally think who had sola Scriptura in mind.
Instead, what he thinks about is teaching Timothy everything he wants him to know and sending him forth, endowed with the Spirit to pass the truth on to others.
In short, as shocking as it was to what remained of my Protestant sensibilities, Paul seemed to believe that the Christian faith would be preserved in the Church.
Up next: Is Sola Scriptura Scriptural? Part III: Circular Reasoning
Posted on May 31, 2018 Author working4christtwoCategories Uncategorized
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We've been celebrating Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers since January of 2008. That's about three months after I began blogging – back when about four people read this regularly (and I was one them). I love how Gratituesday has grown since then. I love that now, many of you take special notice on Tuesdays and search your heart for something to be thankful for. Some days it's easy, some days it isn't – but when we truly look at all God has done for us, there is always something to be grateful for.
I was so tickled when I read my friend Jill's Gratituesday post last week. It seems that she's been taking the Gratituesday idea to the bank, to McDonalds – to wherever she happens to be going each Tuesday. She'll say, "Hey, did you know today is Gratituesday?" She may receive a questioning look initially, but after she's finished explaining that Gratituesday is a day we pause and reflect on what we're grateful for, she's likely to have changed that person's outlook on the day.
I felt challenged by this idea and wanted to share it with you. I'd love to see Gratituesday go beyond this blog (and yours when you link up!). Think of the grateful attitude that could spread through Facebook. And how about taking Gratituesday offline like my friend Jill has been doing? What if you took it to your workplace? Or to businesses as you run errands? How about sharing it with your family around the dinner table? Or talk about what you're grateful for on the car ride to gymnastics.
Being grateful is a huge part of stepping outside of ourselves and recognizing that God is truly at work among His people. Take time now to reflect, then share with us – either on your blog or by comment on this post. Then, take it one step further. Share with others beyond this blog. Ask your friends on Facebook to share what they are grateful for this Gratituesday. Talk it up amongst your "real life" friends. Focus on being grateful and encourage others to do the same. A little gratitude goes a long way.
Your Gratituesday post kind of goes along with mine. I like the idea and thank you for starting this so many years ago!!
Focusing on the good & praising God in all things have been common themes in several things I've read lately, but it's so true that gratitude can be so powerful and yet it's the easiest thing to forget to express! Thanks for hosting!
We are grateful for you Ms. Laura! You are faithful to host this link up every week as a platform for us all to share our gratitude.
I am grateful that this website has helped me remember no matter how tough life seems to be at times, that we are still truly blessed!
I am thankful that God gives us what we need, and not what we think we need or want. He knows what is best every time!
I think it is wonderful that the message of Gratituesday is being taken to the streets. How wonderful! My post today is a bit more somber today, but I'm grateful nonetheless.
Grateful for our three healthy and active grandchildren whom we were able to visit this last weekend. Wow! Nana came home tired!
Recently my husband was putting on a new roof. He tour off the old shingles and when it was vulnerable it down poured (there was no rain in the forecast). So we had water running in from the roof all over the house. As I wanted to start crying I remembered how much I had to be thankful for! That night I was thankful to be in a house, with plenty of food and clothes. That my family was all healthy and not laying in a hospital. We have so much to be thankful for and we forget sometimes.
My twin girls were born 6 weeks ago at 25 weeks gestation, weighing 1lb 9oz. They were not expected to survive, yet they are alive! They have both gone through so much (brain hemorrages, bowel perferations, extreme infections, heart surgeries, etc.) and, yet, they have come through each problem stronger. They are gaining weight! We can hold them, now! They are almost breathing on their own! I could go on and on! I have so much to be grateful for! We have thousands of people all over the world praying for our girls and it has made an impact on our lives and our little girls. There was a point where I couldn't pray anymore because I didn't know how to express what was in my heart. Knowing that all those people were praying reminded me of the men who carried their friend to Jesus. The girls have a long way to go, but I am truly grateful for how far they've come and for all those who have carried us to Jesus.
PTL! Our wonderful Father is holding them in His hands!
Today I am so very thankful that the kids that went missing have been found. God is wonderful and He answers prayers.
I had started the devotionals from Lysa Terkhurst called "made to crave" (not sure if you've heard of them or her!) and had been trying (and praying) to find a "health mentor" to help me make healthier food choices because God had been using her devotionals to speak to me about the food I had been eating and feeding my family. Anyway, not long after that is when I found your website. It has truly been an answer to prayer and I have thorougly enjoyed all your advice and trying out your recipes, as well as transitioning the food in our house, from less processed, to whole food products.
3. Answering 3 yr olds: "What does _____ start with?" a gazillion times!
Inspired by your post, I plan to talk with my kids about what we are grateful for over lunch. Thanks!
Just stumbled upon this post! I love this idea! I'm so grateful I have a brain…that I can think through my feelings, choosing which ones are true and which ones are garbage. I'm currently reading through Joyce Meyer's Living Beyond Your Feelings. I'm so thankful I can think and read and process. My brain is amazing! I'll be here again! Great post!
I really needed to remember to be thankful today. Thank you for the reminder! And now I'm going to my blog to post a Gratituesday! I love your blog and hearing all about your family.
Thanks for this awesome opprotunity and the Godly Influence to walk in His paths.
You are a great encourgment and I thank you!
I'm so grateful that God claims us. So many days of teaching I feel pretty inadequate and lost, but despite my foolishness God still says I'm His. I'm so grateful for His grace. Also we do gratituesday in my classroom–before leaving to go home each student shares one thing their grateful for. Pretty fun and humbling to hear what they say.
After having a D&C today at 15+ weeks, I am grateful for my four healthy children and husband that I have at home.
I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that. :( Praying for your healing and comfort.
Today was cold, and I finally started the dreaded task of changing out all our warm weather ones for the cold weather ones. And then it hit me. It's Gratituesday. I am so grateful that I had warm coats for each of my boys. I am grateful that they all have clothes that will keep them warm in the chilly weather. And as I sorted out things to donate that don't fit or we don't need, I am thankful that those clothes will go to kids that need them. And after a chilly evening of picking the last tomatoes before the freeze, I was also really grateful for hot chocolate!
Thanks for the reminder that we always need to share what we are thankful for. That spirit of thankfulness is contagious.
Each day before dinner or family prayer my husband and I, as well as our two year old, share a tender mercy of the lord that happened to us that day. That way we recognize his hand in our lives and our relationship with our family and each other grows as we share with each other. Showing gratitude to our heavenly father is so important. Thanks for this post!
We've had a beautiful fall, too!


Having a bright vibrant green weed free and insect free lawn at your house is just as important to us at Suburban Lawn & Landscape Service as it is to you at your home or business. We have spent the better part of our 60 years in business taking the time to care for our customers lawns.
With a customizable lawn application schedule we should have the right program to fit your needs.


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Sahir Dewji (@S_Dewji): Shi'a Isma'ilis, Aga Khan III, and the Broader Discourse for Islamic Reform
Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III was known and revered as the 48th hereditary Imam of the Isma'ili Muslims. He was also an important Muslim reformer who championed the cause of socioeconomic progress and the status of women. His politico-religious career was marked by a prominent position in international affairs and dedication toward the advancement of education among Muslims. As a prominent Muslim leader, Aga Khan III favored a "this-worldly" interpretation of Islam, inspired by ethico-religious principles. His interpretive tendency was also influenced by the Sufi concept of wahdat al-wujud. A closer examination of Aga Khan III's legacy and efforts further contribute to understanding the broader Muslim reformist debates of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Read more at the source: Shi'a Isma'ilis, Aga Khan III, and the Broader Discourse for Islamic Reform
Sahir Dewji received his Ph.D. from Wilfrid Laurier University in Religious Studies, specializing in Islam in North America. His dissertation entitled Beyond Muslim Xenophobia and Contemporary Parochialism: Aga Khan IV, the Ismailis, and the making of a Cosmopolitan Ethic situates the Aga Khan's cosmopolitan ethic within a broader theme of human connectivity and understanding 'the Other.'
His research demonstrates how key initiatives of Aga Khan IV promote a cosmopolitan ethic, helping to foster a moral sensibility among the Ismailis and communities at large and how this concept is manifested within three institutions of the Imamate in Canada.
He received the SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarship for his research. Sahir also holds an M.A. from Harvard University specializing in the History and Culture of the Islamic world, with a focus on the study of Indo-Muslim Culture. Sahir has also completed the Graduate Program in Islamic Studies and Humanities from the Institute of Ismaili Studies and holds a B.Sc. from the University of Waterloo.
Sahir's publications include an article in the Studies in Religion Journal, entitled The Aga Khan's Discourse of Applied Pluralism: Converging the "Religious" and the "Secular" and a book chapter entitled Being Ismaili in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Identity Maintenance among Gujarati Ismailis in Kinshasa. Sahir's broader interests lie in the study of Ismaili ethics and history as well as Muslim identity and expressions in the North American context.
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Sahir Dewji: Shattering Stereotypes With Aga Khan IV and the Ismaili Community
Posted in Aga Khan III, Ismaili Muslim AuthorsTagged ismailis, Latest News
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NFL Betting – Who Will Be This Year's Super Bowl MVP?
The online football betting world loves to try and guess which players will shine above all the rest in a game that has not been played yet. Some people question whether or not the Super Bowl MVP is decided after the game has been played or before the game even starts. It is an award that is supposed to recognize the contribution that one player made to the game that allowed that player to stand above the others. The betting sites are ready to see which player will wind up being the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII.
The pending retirement of Ray Lewis has created much of the emotion that surrounds this game for the Baltimore Ravens. Many of the football betting sites feel that all Lewis has to do is have a decent game and he is a shoe-in for MVP. History has shown that retirement does not guarantee a player the Super Bowl MVP. In Super Bowl XL, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis played the last game of his career. He played a good game, but he was not MVP. Lewis will have to earn the honor if he wants it, and he definitely has the skills to win MVP.
If you bet on sports, then you know that quarterbacks win the Super Bowl MVP honors more often than any other position. The MVP of Super Bowl XLVI was New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning. Joe Flacco has definitely stepped up his game in the second-half of the season and he very well could be crowned the Super Bowl MVP if Baltimore can pull off the win.
All season long, Aldon Smith and the Houston Texans' J.J. Watt were battling it out to see who would win the regular season sack title. Smith finished one behind Watt with 19.5 sacks, but Aldon Smith still has the potential to change the momentum of a game by himself. He has become an expert at shutting down the opposing team's passing game and he is also becoming an effective run stopper as well.
Many fans and players feel that young quarterback Colin Kaepernick is the main reason why the 49ers was finally able to get over that hump and make it into the Super Bowl. The "read option" offense that Kaepernick has been so effective in this season has done nothing but completely frustrate defenses. Kaepernick has already broken single-game rushing records for quarterbacks in these playoffs and has shown that his versatility is the key to San Francisco's success. If he can guide his team to a Super Bowl victory, then there is every reason to expect that Kaepernick would be named MVP of the game.
Read more about past Super Bowl MVPs and other projections for this year's Super Bowl MVP selection.


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The five factors to consider when selecting test procedures
This is an excerpt from Rowing Faster-2nd Edition by Volker Nolte.
When I rowed from 1965 to 1976, we used many methods of testing, including weightlifting tests, running tests, anatomical measures (e.g., height), rowing technique, and bicycle ergometer tests. In addition, coaches often used their intuition to set teams. For example, some coaches simply put the tallest or the most experienced athletes in the boat. One could accept such decisions out of respect for the coach, but it seems that there must be a better way.
When I began coaching in 1976, new rowing evaluation methods were developed, such as the rowing ergometer, physiological tests, and the Harry Parker seat-race model. This model is a system of races that uses two coxed fours. The crews face off against each other for 3-minute intervals at set stroke rates, and after each interval, the coach names two rowers to change opposite seats in the two fours and the race interval is repeated to evaluate which rower contributes most in moving the boat faster.
This method attracted my attention since it seemed to measure performance more objectively. As a young, motivated coach, I decided to develop my first model of seat racing, which is chronicled in the original Rowing Canada National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) level 3 rowing manual. I first used it coaching at the University of British Columbia. To this day, I apologize to those young men for having to race as many as 36 750 m intervals in coxed fours over 2 days to select the varsity eight! This model was set up so that each rower raced in every possible boat and with every possible combination. It is an ambitious example of how the desire to gain information and keep the process fair can lead to an extreme method that goes beyond the initial goal. However, one by-product of this procedure was that the rowers exposed to this selection method became very race ready. One could have called this a survival of the fittest selection model.
The best selection models are legitimate and based on solid criteria. In addition, they all start by letting rowers know the plan early and allowing them to practice the necessary test procedure as often as possible.
Factors to Consider for Selection
Selection has important implications for an athlete and the success of a rowing program. Therefore, coaches should consider the following criteria when planning and implementing selection models: objectivity, validity, reliability, and economy. Any good test procedure must be conducted with these in mind.
An objective test measures a variable independent of the people conducting the test and the circumstances of the test. In other words, the test has to be fair.
Objective selection methods guarantee unbiased measures of the rower's ability. They all start with giving each rower the same information and encouragement. A good example of an objective test for selecting a single is all competitors racing off over 2,000 m in singles.
A test is valid if it measures a specified ability. It is a challenge to find valid test methods to select a crew from a group of athletes. Rowing requires a complex set of qualities that qualify someone as a valuable crew member.
For instance, an ergometer test measures power per stroke, ability to focus, certain aspects of good rowing (such as stroke length and proper sequencing), length, leg drive, and relaxation. Therefore, an ergometer test is a valid procedure to evaluate specific rowing skills, which is why it presents important information for crew selection. However, an ergometer test cannot answer all selection questions in rowing. For example, when it comes to assessing a rower's boat-moving qualities, the most valid test would be an evaluation in the targeted boat because it accurately measures all of the variables in rowing. Though a race-off in a single is a valid method to select the single and to identify general boat-moving abilities, many would debate that selection races in singles are a valid method to select a double or quad as well. Therefore, no one method is completely valid for crew selection.
A test is reliable if it accurately measures a quality and is repeatable. In past years, USRowing introduced open trials in which crew selection is decided by whoever wins two out of three events. This is done to increase the reliability of the selection process, since crews have to demonstrate that they can repeat their performance. In this way, their win isn't just a random occurrence.
Therefore, if one chooses to use seat races as a selection model, the results should be the same if repeated. Though the times of seat races can be measured accurately, the time over a certain distance may vary for a crew, especially if rowers are not experienced or row in combinations that they have not practiced before. Also, wind conditions could have an influence on seat-racing results. Consequently, one has to set up a seat race carefully to make it reliable for crew selection.
It is possible to ensure the reliability of a test by carrying out more than one assessment. If all goes according to plan, the results of the second test should support those of the first test.
A test is economical if its overall costs are manageable for the program. Those costs could be money but also include time involved, necessary equipment, and personnel.
This criterion is easy to understand, and in a practical rowing setting, this may be an influential consideration. To conduct seat races, for instance, one needs fair water conditions, equal equipment, correct preparation of the rowers, and a manageable number of rowers. Therefore, such a selection method becomes too costly if the program has, for example, 40 rowers with not enough fours or pairs of equal quality. One would need to buy or bring in boats and would likely need 2 weeks of racing. This method may cost too much money and take too much time, in which case it would not work in this situation. In other words, testing and selection has to be achievable.
Every test needs to satisfy all four criteria (objectivity, validity, reliability, and economy) in order to select the best rowers. To apply these guidelines, the following are required:
The testing process must be known to all rowers and coaches well in advance.All rowers must have sufficient preparation time and equal time to row in each combination that will be tested.All rowers must be equally encouraged and motivated during the whole process.Equipment must be the same for all rowers.Water conditions need to be the same for all crews.
Read more about Rowing Faster 2nd Edition by Volker Nolte.
Tags: More Excerpts From Rowing Faster 2nd Edition


If there is one country that represents all the cultures in South Asia, it has to be Malaysia. Eid is observed with the same reverence as the Chinese New year and Diwali is celebrated with the same gusto as Christmas. The large Tamil population with the festival of Taipusam, adds a piece of its culture to the region's festive calendar, as well. The abundance and wide variety of flora and fauna to be found in the country are only comparable to the wide range of delectable Malaysian delicacies one gets to taste here.
But there is one catch. Just a few days back, I managed to land a dream internship which starts within a week from the day I return home from my hostel. But my Mom (a big Jules Verne fan) has come with an idea. She told us, "Why don't we go Around Malaysia in 80 hours?" An awesome plan isn't it?
So here's how we are going to go about completing Mission Malaysia in 80 hours.
Use their amazing mobile app!
The Trip Planner is truly a useful feature and I am tempted to add as many places as possible. But keeping my mission in mind, 'Mission Malaysia in 80 hours' I have come up with 5 places that I will be visiting.
At 451.9 m, the Petronas Towers are the tallest Twin towers in the world. The 88 storey building has a stunning view of the city. A blend of modernity and tradition is an apt way to describe these towers. Made of steel and glass from outside, but featuring traditional interiors, these towers are symbolic of what Malaysia as a country is.
Stand in awe as I see the city's skyline from the Viewing Deck located on the 86th Floor.
My flight will directly land in Kuala Lumpur, so after a refreshing shower, filling my tummy with yummy food and resting for a while (3 hours in all) I will visit the Twin Towers. After that, I intend to visit the Aquaria KLCC which is at walking distance from the towers. And since I am in Kuala Lumpur, I plan to catch up on some shopping, too. I am planning to visit the Central Market to buy some souvenirs and BBKLCC to indulge in some luxury.
So total time spent in Kuala Lumpur is 3 + 7 hours. I also plan to catch up on some sleep as I tend to have terrible jet lags. So that is another 8 hours.
Located about 1500 m above sea level, the Cameron Highlands (Titiwangsa Range) are Malaysia's largest hill resort. Here I am going to enjoy organically produced tea and strawberries and enjoy the beauty of the different types of flowers grown here. The tea plantations overlook scenic hills, which are best enjoyed while eating sweet strawberries.
The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron High is 250 kms. or about 4 hours by road. I plan to leave early in the morning and enjoy breakfast on the way. Also, it would be a waste, if I do not spend some time on this beautiful resort.
So one can safely cut at least 20 hours from the schedule.
A UNESCO world heritage city, Melaka encompasses 600 year old history of Malaysia. With beautiful buildings depicting Dutch, British and Portugues influence, this city is a must visit for history buffs.
Melaka is about 230 kms. away from Pahang and will take about 3 and half hours to reach. I plan to spend 5 hours in this beautiful city before heading off to my next destination.
It is about 215 kms. from Melaka and one can reach in about 2 hours. Though I love amusement parks, I don't plan to spend more than 3 hours here. I am running short of time you see! Not to forget, 8 hours of my beauty sleep.
The largest underground chamber, the Sarawak Chamber, that can accommodate 40 Boeing airplanes, the biggest cave passage that can fit 5 cathedrals, the Deer Cave, and the longest cave of South Asia, Clear Water Cave, which is home to millions of bats, the Gunung Mulu National Park is definitely going to be an exciting finish to my Malaysia Marathon.
This is going to be difficult to pull off. It is 1075 kms. from Johor. That is why; I am going to ditch my road trip and go by air which will take about 2 hours.
Leaving me about 17 hours to enjoy this park, get some rest, pack and leave for Mumbai…phew!
With everything goes according to plan, I am going to be left with 0 hours and can proudly say, "Mission Malaysia in 80 hours" Accomplished!
From Mumbai, it takes 5 hours to reach Kuala Lumpur. Flights are easily available and you have a wide range of options to choose from. Getting a Malaysian tourist visa is not difficult and takes 15 days at the most.
The Malaysian currency is called Ringgit (RM), which is divided into 100 sens. You can use MasterCard and Visa credit cards here along with traveller's cheques.
Malaysia is a tropical country with a warm and humid climate throughout the year. It's hill resorts do tend to be cooler.
When should you visit: The winter tourist season is from December to January and it is a good time to visit the country since a lot of festivals happen around this time.
The summer tourist season is from June to August and you should book tickets and hotels in advance because they are hard to come by during this time.
What to Wear. Wear light and comfortable clothing throughout your trip. You don't have to carry a lot of woolens unless you are visiting hill resorts that tend to be colder.
What to do: Thoroughly enjoy yourself!
I would like to end this post with a prayer for the Malaysian Airliner.
What an awesome plan! Also you have given a free virtual trip with to-do-list for your viewers to Malaysia! All the best for the contest!
Perfect plan 🙂 Lets visit together.
Goodness me, Khushboo, impressed with that meticulous planning .. time management wow! Lovely post, all the very best for the contest.
Wow! Sounds like a great plan!
One thing I love about multi-cultural countries like Malaysia is that the different communities tend to be more open about their celebrations. Indians celebrating Diwali for example will have no issue including foreigners into their celebrations and even explaining the origins.
I've been looking for new places to travel, and while Malaysia is still not at the top of my list, it's definitely looking nicer and nicer as I read on!
What I love about Malasysia is how well it works. Trains run on time and the traffic is bearable. 80 hours can be very productive in this country!
Btw I just followed you on Facebook as well! Looking forward to connect!


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Entry from November 25, 2009
Crown Jewel of Socialism (government-run healthcare)
The Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009 was criticized by many as "government-run healthcare" or "socialized medicine." Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (a Republican from Minnesota) went on the Fox News television show Hannity (hosted by Sean Hannity) on October 20, 2009 and said:
"The final bill won't come out until Monday night. Which is a tremendous insult to the American people. We should have months to actually review this document. The Speaker's giving us about 72 hours… This is socialized medicine and like I said Sean this is the crown jewel of socialism… It's unconstitutional."
"Crown jewel of socialism" became a new nickname for the healthcare bill. The bill passed the United States Hoiuse of Representatives on November 7, 2009. "Crown jewel of socialism" had been cited in 2005 (describing Social Security) and 2007 (describing eugenics).
A similar term is "holy grail of liberalism" (tax increases).
Wikipedia: Affordable Health Care for America Act
The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962, introduced October 29, 2009, passed on November 7, 2009) is a legislative bill of the United States House of Representatives during the 1st Session of the 111th Congress. Its primary sponsor is the Dean of the House, John Dingell of Michigan.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a revision of an earlier proposal, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200) both of which set minimum health insurance standards, defining a Qualified Health Benefit Plan. H.R. 3962 includes additional refinements geared toward meeting the goals outlined in President Obama's address before a joint session of Congress on September 9, 2009 concerning health care reform.
Talking Justice
jimbabb
Saving America's Savings: Rethinking Social Security
It a shame both "experts" in this "debate" had so little to disagree about. Both statists had elaborate plans for other people's money and agreed that Americans are too stupid to plan for their own retirement and too selfish to take care of their own parents. Neither expert would even consider a solution consistent with the US Constitution (ironically, stored in the very building of the discussion). I'd like to see a debate about the best exit strategy from the crown jewel of socialism.
Rapmusic.com
Ghet for Prez
Eugenics was the crown jewel of Socialism. Why do you not accept this as fact?
Michele Bachmann on Pelosi Health Care Bill: "This Is the Crown Jewel of Socialism" (Video)
Friday, October 30, 2009, 7:33 PM
Jim Hoft
PELOSICARE– "THE CROWN JEWEL OF SOCIALISM"
** Rep. Michele Bachmann is calling all Americans to join her on the steps of the Capital Building in Washington DC on Thursday November 5th to stop "the Crown Jewel of Socialism" – the democrat's bill to take over the US health care industry.
Bachmann joined Hannity tonight to discuss this massive power grab by the democratic party.
Bachmann also announced that if this bill passes the Obama Administration will have taken over 48% of the private economy this year.
Here's the partial transcript from this segment tonight on Hannity:
Michele Bachmann: Because this is their intention from the start, Sean. This is cradle to grave government takeover of the Pelosi health care nightmare known as this bill. I've got it in front of me it's heavy. It's about 20 pounds. And, remember this bill was about 1,000 pages. Now its morphed into 2,000 pages and that's just the beginning of this horror picture show. I think people have no idea what's coming down the pike. This is the crown jewel of socialism. And we only have next week to stop it. And as a matter of fact, Sean, this isn't the final bill. The final bill won't come out until Monday night. Which is a tremendous insult to the American people. We should have months to actually review this document. The Speaker's giving us about 72 hours… This is socialized medicine and like I said Sean this is the crown jewel of socialism… It's unconstitutional.
New York City • Government/Law/Politics/Military • Wednesday, November 25, 2009 • Permalink


Cara is an Italian travel expert who brings her extensive knowledge of the Italian culture, geography, history, nature, art, gastronomy, and more to help customize your Italian experience. Cara has lived in Italy for over four years, she has traveled to every region on the boot, and she has an abundance of knowledge to share with you. Whether you're a first timer or a seasoned Italian traveler, Cara can deliver the authentic Italian experience in the must see cities or off the beaten path.
You have so many options, you don't know where to start. Where will you go? What will you see? Where will you stay? What are your goals for your Italian vacation? Based on your interests and previous travel experience, Cara can offer her expertise to guide you towards identifying exactly which cities and activities to target for your itinerary. Your journey will make logistical sense, and it will provide you with your heart's desire.
Have you created an itinerary but want Cara to overview it and give you suggestions? Maybe you're spending too much time in a given city, maybe you shouldn't take a ferry because you'll want to jump off a bridge, maybe you are skipping something you shouldn't, or maybe you're missing the best steak that you've ever eaten in your life! There are so many little things that will improve your overall experience. You've already done the heavy lifting so let's just tie up the loose ends.
The best restaurants, typical foods you should try, special activities, festivals, the most beautiful beaches, jazz clubs, farms and vineyards, the coolest discotecas, tour guides, must sees and more – Cara has the inside scoop! Based on your itinerary and dates in Italy, she can give you a list of outstanding places and activities that you must check out.
Cara has a bank of pre-made Italian itineraries that she personally researched and created from scratch to offer you insights on her favorite journeys through each region in Italy for certain must-see cities with accompanying suggestions.
The works. Cara is not booking the trip, but she will create a customized itinerary with special focus on your interests from the time you touch down until the time you leave. She will iron out the details from espresso to gelato so you can relax and enjoy the vacation of your dreams.


Published 04/21/2019 10:03:16 am at 04/21/2019 10:03:16 am in Mosaic On Wood.
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Poor care of your brushes can cost you dearly! These cleaners are designed to clean and condition the hairs of your brushes, prolonging their life span. Some of these cleaners will even resurrect old brushes caked in paint that you once thought were destined for the bin.


Along with classical music I listen to podcasts and interviews with artists on you tube. I am trying to learn about my industry and there really isn't a set programme of how to do things it is more about listening to other peoples journeys. I found this Tracey Emin talk at MCA. I must of listened to it about 3 or more times now. It is so honest, like her work I guess. But she is so open about her inspirations where she gets her ideas from, absolutely everything she talks about it is so refreshing to hear this. I sometimes feel that artists and the art world is one big secret and no one wants to tell the other person what they are doing. I hate secrets, I think they are shady behaviour and only leads to problems. I don't know one secret that has ever been kept that has been about something good.
My favourite part of the interview where she shows us what she bought for herself with her money to treat herself. I really enjoyed seeing the art that inspires her. She said it is all old art.


What's On Sale During Black Friday And Cyber Monday 2018 In Canada. All the promo codes and shipping info you need to make the most of the deep discounts.
If additional items become available, you'll receive a notification on your mobile device.
... from the company all year — and this year is likely to be the same. Look for 30% off deals, as well as a 20% off coupon code and free 3-day shipping.


Ecommerce is about selling. The more you sell, the better.
Content marketing is about building authority and engagement. Higher sales are the end goal, but they don't happen overnight.
Does that mean content marketing has no place on an ecommerce site?
Not at all — in fact, a good content marketing strategy will boost sales and customer loyalty for any ecommerce site.
People are already on your site, so they're already considering buying your products. High-quality content in a variety of formats, like the ones listed below, could turn a typical browser into a paying customer.
Some products are easy to use, but others require instruction. If a product is complicated, it may scare off some customers from buying it.
By posting how-to videos with clear tutorials on how to set up, install, or use certain products, you make those products less intimidating and make customers more likely to buy them.
Other products don't need instruction, but they can still break. Include videos showing how to troubleshoot common problems. This extends the life of your product and trust in your business.
The popularity of quizzes is apparent if you spend any time on social media.
At this moment, millions of people are taking quizzes to determine which state they should live in or what type of spirit animal they have. You can use this format to guide people to the right product for their specific needs — and keep them on your site longer.
Clothing retailers can post quizzes with titles like "Which Dress Fits the Occasion?" or "What's Your Fashion Style?" Hardware sites can create quizzes that help customers find the best tools for their particular home repair projects. Quizzes on furniture sites could help people find the right piece for a living room or bedroom.
As long as you have lots of merchandise to offer, there's no shortage of quiz topics.
How have reading habits changed over the past 20 years? To what degree is technology going to evolve over the next decade? Are hemlines going up or down this summer?
Create blogs and infographics showing your customers what to expect, and they'll see your site as a place to buy what they need — not to mention as a trusted authority.
You can look at content from industry insiders for tips on what's hot, or you can look at your own sales reports to see what people are buying.
Write about all of it, using a mix of blogs and infographics to convey the message to potential customers.
Your customers will always be your best advocates.
If people are happy with your products and services, other people will take notice and eventually consider trying them as well. What better way to show visitors how happy your customers are than by posting videos and blogs created by the customers themselves?
Customers may post reviews of your products on their blogs or social media profiles. These posts can bring traffic, but you want visitors to see this content on your site.
Create a page where customers can post their photos and videos, and give them an incentive to post. Give coupons to everyone who contributes or hold a contest where everyone who posts is entered into a drawing for a big prize.
Your retail site needs a competitive edge to stand out from the competition. With the right content marketing strategy, you'll not only increase sales and revenues — you'll also develop a trustworthy voice that makes customers want to buy from you again and again.


SOUTH BEND — New legislation in the U.S. Senate could help combat opioid abuse and addiction.
Senator Joe Donnelly introduced a bill to encourage people to work in addiction treatment centers.
Lawmakers say there's a shortage of providers. Everyone from counselors to doctors and even nurses' assistants.
Under this new bill, employees at certain treatment facilities would be eligible for a student loan repayment and forgiveness program through the National Health Services Corps.
More than 20,000 people receive services from Oaklawn every year across St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties.
But officials say there's a shortage of people providing mental health and addiction services.
"It can take up to 30 days or two months to see a prescriber that's specifically trained in giving these types of medication. We've worked very hard to try and streamline some of those ways, but according to the CDC, many people are dying within 18 months of their first use of an opioid," said John Horsley, Director of Addiction Services at Oaklawn.
Leaders believe incentives like student loan forgiveness and repayment programs could encourage people to get into the field.
"The funds being used here is to help our friends and neighbors get healthy and to help get our friends and neighbors off of addiction," said Sen. Donnelly.
Donnelly says providers would be eligible for loan assistance through the National Health Service Corps if they agree to serve at a treatment facility for a certain number of years.
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Space Between Objects
It is a matter of stylistics, and music can always be mutated, it is like water in that sense, one of the liberations of the medium.
One of our most exciting musicians, whose guises include Circle Pit, Southern Comfort, Ruined Fortune and Straight Arrows and with 2 solo LP's already under her belt, Angie is back with yet another brilliant record titled Shyness
Hi and thanks for taking the time out to speak with us at Musicology.
Thank you for having me!
Firstly, congratulations on the new LP, it is an amazing record.
Wow, thank you!
With such a broad musical palette that finds you performing in various outfits of varying styles, your new album Shyness is one of subdued piano pieces and quiet accompaniments. Do the bases of these tracks come from a wide time frame that eventually coalesced into a collection of works that become enough for a standalone LP?
I think that the time frame enacted from these tracks would be similar to gleaning material for any grouped recording. Some instances took utterances that initially were using guitars, but reframed within piano and without voice! It is a matter of stylistics, and music can always be mutated, it is like water in that sense, one of the liberations of the medium. I've slowly been gravitating towards more instrumental sounds - my last LP had 2 instrumental tracks and this one has 3, so it is something I'm exploring more and more as language starts to elude me.
Does your work in other outfits (as different as the genre maybe) actually help shape the work in this album albeit as an indirect influencer?
I'm definitely very interested in creating rock and roll music, well 'interesting' rock and roll music, as I find that it is a hard thing to do. It's a lifelong project really, trying to do that. With that being said, the role is to try and extend those boundaries in any way you can, and I suppose with this recording I'm tying strings between that and the piano - in the way that electric guitar is still used, and there is still 'rock' utterances, but they are much quieter here.
Can you elaborate a little on the subject matter you address on this record?
This record definitely looks at the spaces between objects, places and people and inability to vocalise or attempt to change things that you know that you need to. It attempts to navigate this poetic space through the lack of words in the instrumental interlude in the middle. I feel that the instrumental songs 'vocalise' these feelings for me more than words could. The vocal bookends however, do examine these thematics with words, and attempt to create a narrative that explores and elaborates on and around these themes.
You're second single This House, which has a great little clip to match, talks about spaces inhabited. Is it the permanence of a dwelling that speaks to you or alternatively the transience of its occupiers?
This House definitely looks at how spaces are often loaded. A particular structure can speak to you in emotive forms, whether it is somewhere you frequent regularly or upon your first visit. Sometimes places of note or repetition start to become heavier than the ceiling and walls they contain. I guess with this song I was trying to comment on this very human condition that I believe perhaps isn't so much looked at or elaborated. I read a lot of poetry, and I find comments on physical spaces and emotional conditions reflected within these formats, but not so much within music.
Do you find that with piano based pieces there is a certain sentiment that can only be expressed through the actual instrument itself?
Listening to someone who combines 'rock' aesthetics and piano together, Brian Eno comes to mind here, a lot of the time it could be seen as rather theatrical or verbose. I guess with Shyness I was trying to combine electric guitar (solos) and piano and make it intimate, restrained, and I guess complementary to the melodies initiated and the mode of song writing.
The album was recorded by Jonathan Hochman of Holy Balm. What did Jonathan bring to the table that really shines through on this record?
Working with Jonathan was a really rewarding and unique experience. His approach is very unique in the sense that he indicates what he thinks, but also has moments where he will keep silent and let you figure out things for yourself. He really pushed me to make the best performance possible, when I often found attempting to record the piano and acoustic guitar parts very difficult. I would describe his style as very relaxed but very focused, if that could at all make sense! I really love the way he mixed the record, as he kept things very sparse, but left just the right amount of content floating around in there. The result is meaty, but open...
What does the rest of 2017 have install for you?
I'm currently working on trying to perform the record live with a backing band which will comprise of percussion, electric guitar, acoustic guitar and piano, which I will do in May when I launch the album. I've also got two art exhibitions, but apart from that, just trying to hustle for work, money and trying to pay off debts like everyone else :)
ANGIE 'SHYNESS' ALBUM LAUNCHES
FRI MAY 26 - 107 PROJECTS, SYDNEY
w/ KNITTED ABYSS, SPIKE VINCENT & TABLE
SAT MAY 27 - AINSLIE ARTS CENTRE, CANBERRA
w/ THUNDERBOLT CITY + MORE TBA
SAT JUNE 3 - SOME VELVET MORNING, MELBOURNE
w/ SUPPORTS TBA
Listen to Angie - A Ring


Let me preface this entire blog with, "yes again."
For those of you who have seen the multiple iterations of my blogs in the last decade, I apologize. However, like a moth to a flame, I can't help myself. I love writing, and I can't help but find myself stuck in hotel rooms and airports with very little to do.
For those of you who are meandering through this page for the first time, I say, hello and welcome! My name is Vivian, and the first and only thing you could possibly need to know about me is that I travel... a lot. I eat... a lot. I shop... a lot. And, I write about all of that and more... way less than I should. Thus, the purpose of the blog is just to serve as a continuous documentation of the crazy adventures I (and the many others I meet) have here, there, and everywhere.
Clearly, the website is still very much a work in progress. I'm not going to promise that it's going to be one "bucket." Let's face it... It's going to be many things.
If you do have an excellent tip, story, or are willing to let me follow you around with a notebook or a camera for an afternoon, feel free to send me a message or tweet me off to the side. In any case, it'll be a fun ride.


text:
Q: How to check if record exists in ruby I'm using Ruby 1.9.3, MS Sql Server and Windows 7 Ultimate
I'd like to know how to check if a certain record is already existing in the database so that I would avoid duplicate records. In rails it would have been easy to just invoke Object.exists? but I'm using Ruby only.
Thanks

A: Check the source code for exists? in activerecord
It basically checks if there primary key with the id exists already using sql query.
you can use these to write your own helper method.
or else u can also use activerecord gem in ruby too.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Staying mum on strike, union keeps VTA riders…
Staying mum on strike, union keeps VTA riders in limbo
The union has stayed silent on their plans since rejecting a contract last week
A passenger waits to board a VTA bus at the Eastridge Transit Center in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, April 14, 2016. (File photo by Gary Reyes/Bay Area News Group)
By Erin Woo | ewoo@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: June 27, 2019 at 10:59 a.m. | UPDATED: June 27, 2019 at 7:41 p.m.
After hinting earlier this month that it might strike, a union representing bus and train operators in Silicon Valley is now saying, "There's nothing to report," while continuing to stay mum about whether workers will return to the bargaining table or hit the picket lines, as it has for the last week.
Asked about leaving commuters in limbo over the fate of their bus and light rail rides, Terry Russell, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, which represents workers at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, said, "There's also a possibility that the world will end. There's always a possibility. Until it happens, there's no issue."
He declined to comment further on the status of a potential strike.
In the days leading up to the union's vote on the VTA's "last, best, and final" offer, union representatives warned "all bets would be off" if members voted the offer down. But after emphatically rejecting the VTA's proposal in a 912 to 92 vote last week, the union appears to be keeping its options open — leaving the VTA's approximately 118,000 daily users wondering as they wait to hear whether they will be able to continue using buses and light rail to get to work and medical appointments.
Even the VTA is in the dark about the union's plans, said authority spokeswoman Brandi Childress. If the union decides to strike, it will need to provide the VTA with 72 hours advance notice, she said. The VTA will then notify the governor's office, which has 72 hours to pass a ruling preventing the strike, if it deems the work stoppage a threat to public safety.
"We have not heard from the union since we learned about the result of the vote," Childress said via email, "nor have they given us their official 72-hour notice to strike."
It's an unprecedented situation for the VTA, Childress said.
"Not in our 25-year history has VTA and any union come as far as a sanctioned strike," she said.
But it's not all too unusual for unions to delay a strike, said Ken Jacobs, chair of UC Berkeley's Center for Labor Research and Education. When it chooses to strike, he said, a union often take time to form a strategy for the best way to articulate workers' demands, including why a strike is necessary at this time.
"A strike action isn't taken lightly," Jacobs said.
What is unusual, though, he said, is that those discussions typically happen before workers vote on a contract. The VTA and the union have been negotiating a new contract since August. The two sides reached an impasse on May 10, according to the VTA.
According to Kent Wong, director of UCLA's labor center, the ATU, made up of "highly skilled workers who perform critical functions," will be hard to replace during a strike, giving it greater leverage during a negotiation. The VTA has already said it would cease all light rail service because those operators are too highly skilled to be easily replaced.
"There is no normal contract negotiation," said Wong. "The key part is to secure the best agreement for members."
In case of a strike, the VTA would bring in workers from other transit agencies and private operators to provide limited bus service along some of the county's busiest routes, Childress said. The VTA's paratransit service, called Access, is operated by a private company and would continue as normal during the strike.
For now, though, the VTA is continuing operations as usual as it works to prepare for a potential work stoppage and riders are making plans for alternate arrangements.
Christina Wilson, a retired neonatal nurse practitioner who relies on the VTA for almost all transportation, has already started contacting her friends to arrange rides. For the medical appointments to manage her multiple sclerosis, she plans to use Uber or Lyft.
"I'm worried about the financial impact," Wilson said.
The union is asking for a higher pay increase than the VTA's proposal of 8 percent over three years, which it argues doesn't cover the cost of inflation. In addition, it has said the VTA's offer of a one-time 3.1 percent bonus payment isn't adequate compensation for ongoing increases workers will have to make to their pensions. And the union is pushing back against the VTA's increase in "split shifts," which requires workers to take time off after a morning shift before returning to finish the shift in the evening.
The VTA argues that its offer is "equitable and fair," especially in regards to the pension contributions. The ATU is the only union at the VTA whose members don't contribute to their pensions, according to the VTA.
Several passengers expressed overall support for a potential strike, although they worried about how it would affect their commute. Jim Lunee, a 46-year-old San Jose native, says he wants to support the union but isn't sure how he'll manage the realities of his daily routine, which relies on light rail to buy medications and get to doctors' appointments. He'd likely have to take advantage of VTA's reduced bus service during the strike, he said.
"You have to have buses," Lunee said.
Brandon Facundo, who studies 3D animation at Cogswell College in San Jose, said he is grateful to live and attend school right on a light rail line, and he says he'll miss the convenience of that commute during a strike. Though he's hoping the union won't end up striking, he says he'll support them if they do.
Wilson said her bus route, Line 26, passes within a few hundred yards of the union's headquarters in Campbell. She said she watches the same people, many of them from immigrant communities, ride the bus every day, and she doesn't know what will happen to them during a strike.
"As bad as the VTA is, it's functional," she said. "And whatever drivers need, just give it to them."
PM Report
Erin Woo
Erin Woo is a breaking news intern at the Mercury News. She has previously reported for WNYC radio in New York City. Originally from Atlanta, she is a rising senior at Stanford University.
ewoo@bayareanewsgroup.com
Follow Erin Woo	@erinkwoo


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You Are Here: Home » Green » What Are The Top 7 Solar Power Topics That The General Public Should Understand?
What Are The Top 7 Solar Power Topics That The General Public Should Understand?
Phrases like "green energy," "photovoltaic," and "renewable energy" are thrown around a lot among individuals supporting solar energy and other forms of sustainable energy. These terms have significance, but to the general public, they are simply buzzwords without real meaning behind them. You don't have to understand every team associated with solar energy to understand the basics of solar electricity. With basic knowledge about key energy topics, you can quickly learn all you need to know about solar energy.
The benefits of solar-powered electricity
What is the true benefit of solar energy? Solar energy is a renewable resource, meaning that as long as solar panels are operational, they will continue to produce energy. Unlike fossil fuels, that burn resources to produce energy, solar power harvests the energy from the sun. This prevents the need for expensive processing plants, the purchasing of fossil fuels from other countries, and the pollution of the earth through the use of traditional fossil fuels.
The drawbacks of solar panels
Solar-powered energy is not a quick fix to all our energy problems. In its current state, solar power is expensive to install, and takes up a lot of space. By 2050, the International Energy Agency (IEA) only expects solar energy to provide 25 percent of the world's energy. In certain climates and conditions, solar panels are also inefficient at harvesting energy from the sun.
Types of solar energy
Right now, there are four main types of home solar panels: photovoltaic, thin-film, solar thermal, and concentrated solar panels. Photovoltaic solar panels use materials including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and silicone to soak up the energy from the sun and convert it into usable electricity. Thin-film panels use liquid silicone poured onto panels to collect solar power and store it for future use. Solar thermal systems collect the heat energy from the sun and use it as-is to provide heating for water, building heat, and even pool heating. Concentrated solar panels have a unique curved shape that uses heat energy and electric conversion to provide electric energy and heat.
The cost of solar energy
Currently, solar panels are expensive to install. According to the United States Department of Energy, solar systems can cost anywhere from 4,000 USD to 20,000 USD for residential use, depending on the size and number of panels, the intended use, and whether the system provides supplemental energy or the main source of energy for a home. For commercial use, solar panels cost about $10 USD per watt of power produced.
Home and business use
The uses for solar power are virtually endless. In addition to providing basic heating and energy production for a building, solar power can also provide additional services, such as charging batteries, machines, and generators, powering electronic devices, and even powering vehicles. Businesses and homeowners alike can reduce the cost of day-to-day electrical use by implementing solar technology.
Current solar energy trends
Solar-powered electricity is just beginning to take off. Over the past 20 years, solar energy has changed from a far-off dream to a reality. Businesses all over the world are taking advantage of solar energy by adding panels to rooftops to reduce energy bills and prevent pollution. Many governments offer credits and bonuses to homeowners who install solar panels and other green energy products in their homes. Governments are also implementing long-term solar energy solutions to help combat global warming and environmental damage.
The future of solar energy
The future of solar energy remains bright. By 2020, the European Union hopes to power 12 percent of energy in Europe with solar panels. Companies all over the world are continuing to make innovative solar energy products, such as sustainable batteries and electronics powered by the sun. Future developers will find new ways to make solar panels more efficient, smaller, and better at harnessing the nearly limitless power of the sun. Solar energy is one of the best methods we have for improving the quality of our world and saving on the cost of expensive fossil fuels. If the technology of solar panels continues to advance and grow at its current rate, fossil fuels may soon become a thing of the past.
Used in the body part for resources
This is a guest post by Andras Deak, an occasional guest-blogger and a full-time green living enthusiast. He currently represents http://www.eco-kinetics.co.uk/, one of the best home solar panel provider in the United Kingdom. Andras tries to live in the self-sustainable way with building an own aquaponics at his garden.
Posted by: News Editor On: July 06, 2012 In: Green | comments : 0
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Children's Welfare & Safety
Children's Welfare & Safety - Search Results
familychannelnewChildren's Welfare & SafetyRemove
SW1V (1)
Child Safety Online
Handle with Care - A Guide to Keeping your Baby Safe
NSPCC Talk Pants
Preventing Childhood Injuries
Safer Sleeping
Action for Children
All families need support at some point. Our children's centres help families turn things around in difficult times with practical and emotional support.
Anti-Bullying Network (Parents)
Many family members who contact the Anti-Bullying Network are worried about a young person who is being bullied or who has been accused of bullying others. Our advice has been written to help them.
Anti-Bullying Network (Youth)
Anti bullying young peoples section
Barnardo's believes in children regardless of their circumstances, gender, race, disability or behaviour. Our purpose as a charity today is to transform the lives of the UK's most vulnerable children
Barnardo's Bridgeway
BridgewayAllendale RoadMiddlesbroughTS7 9LF
Sexual abuse, sexual and domestic Violence service for families Barnardo's Bridgeway delivers individual and group services for children, young people and families affected by sexual abuse. This includes court witness preparation…
Barnardo's Missing from Home Service
East West CentreAyresome Green LaneMiddlesbroughTS1 5BA
All young people aged 18 years and under who go missing from home or care in Middlesbrough are referred to the service by the police and Wellbeing, Care & Learning. Barnardo's Missing from home service aims to undertake an initial…
Barnardos' SECOS
SECOS engages and works directly with young people who are vulnerable, at risk of or involved in sexual exploitation, to develop exit and recovery strategies in order to protect and promote physical, emotional, and sexual health…
Beep Beep! Days for early years road safety basics
Beep Beep! Days are a great opportunity for early year's educators to introduce 2-7 year olds to road safety basics, with fun activities and resources provided by Brake. You can register for your free e-pack or purchase a bumper pack…
BIG Award Training & Resources - Anti Bullying Training
Across North East
BIG Award Training & Resources provide anti bullying training and support to schools and other organisations where children and young people attend. BIG is owned by Val McFarlane and Vicki Lydon who are highly experienced education…
Brake is a road safety charity working with communities and organisations across the UK to stop the tragedy of road deaths and injuries, make streets and communities safer for everyone, and support people bereaved and seriously…


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UN: Water, Forests and Jobs All Interdependent
Nearly half of the world's workers are employed in water-related sectors, while at the same time, the water security of eight out of 10 people is under threat, the United Nations said today, highlighting the links between water, forests and jobs.
Today is World Water Day, marked with events across the world, while yesterday was the International Day of Forests. It is no accident that the two days are marked together as water and forests are interdependent and billions of people depend of both resources for employment.
Internally Displaced Persons at the Nifasha Camp in North Darfur have access to water for only two hours. This woman leaves a water access point with empty jerry cans just after closing time. Jan. 2014. (Photo by Albert González Farran / UN)
Forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75 percent of the world's accessible fresh water for domestic, agricultural, industrial and ecological needs, while over one-third of the world's largest urban centers depend on protected forests for their water.
In addition to the billions of workers in water sectors, 1.3 billion people, one-fifth of the global population, depend on forests for employment, forest products, and contributions to livelihoods and incomes.
Forests provide and regulate water at the local and regional levels, from groundwater recharge and erosion control to promoting precipitation through evapotranspiration.
In addition to boosting supplies, forests also maintain water quality. Every $1 spent on sustainable forest watershed management can save $7.5 to $200 in water treatment costs, estimates the FAO.
On Monday, at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization's headquarters in Rome, a event took place to recognize the International Day of Forests on the theme of Forests and Water.
There the FAO opened a new effort to enhance the function of forests in improving water quality and water supplies.
The program will begin by boosting water security in eight West African countries: Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Sierra-Leone.
Participants at the FAO Forests and Water event in Rome admire the new poster, Mar. 21, 2016 (Photo courtesy FAO)
The agency will work with local communities to raise their awareness of the interactions between forests and water and help them to integrate forest management in their agricultural practices to improve water supplies.
First a forest-water monitoring framework will be established to help countries assess potential forest benefits in terms of water resources. The monitoring will be piloted in West Africa's Fouta Djallon Highlands starting this month. Funded by the Global Environmental Facility, the program is being jointly implemented by FAO, the UN Environment Programme and the African Union.
"The role of forests for water is becoming even more important in the face of climate change, with increased incidences of extreme climate events such as flooding and drought, and increased water insecurity," said FAO Assistant Director General of Forestry René Castro.
"The new program that we've launched today aims to showcase that forestry is not always in competition with agriculture and urban development for water, but on the contrary can address water and food security issues and produce more resilient landscapes," said Castro.
"The challenges are many, but the goal is very clear: to ensure the sustainable management of forest and water resources on the planet," said FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva in Rome.
"FAO is committed to providing a neutral platform for negotiations and dialogue, to encourage greater interaction among all the parties working to achieve sustainably managed forests," he said, offering help to the stressed region.
"Promoting forest restoration and avoiding forest loss will require a significantly increased level of funding and innovative financing, including from private funds and traditional investors, in the coming years," said da Silva.
Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales, Australia Nov. 2013 (Photo by Vern)
Irina Bokova, who heads the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, also sees the need for increased funding to ensure a forested, water-secure world.
"Creating and preserving decent jobs in the face of climate change and water scarcity will require far greater investments in science, technology and innovation," she said today.
Bokova called for governments, civil society and the private sector to work together to promote "high-quality jobs, while preserving the environment and ensuring sustainable water management will help to eradicate poverty, promote growth and craft a future of decent work for all."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that despite its crucial importance, water as a sector does not receive the attention it deserves.
"Water is central to human survival, the environment and the economy," the secretary-general said. He wants everyone to use this day as an opportunity to learn more about water issues, tell others and take action to make a difference.
People with the least access to water and sanitation often also lack access to health care and stable jobs, perpetuating the cycle of poverty, said Ban.
"The basic provision of adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services at home, at school and in the workplace enables a robust economy by contributing to a healthy and productive population and workforce," he said.
He called for action to address water inequality, as parts of effort to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 6 aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
An official World Water Day event at the UN International Labour Organization, ILO, in Geneva, took place today on behalf of UN-Water, the UN inter-agency mechanism on all freshwater issues.
In a video message, ILO Director-General and Chair of UN-Water Guy Ryder called for "better water and better jobs." He said about 1.5 billion people work in water-related sectors, but many are not recognized for the work they do, nor protected by basic labor rights.
For instance, he said, a woman from The Gambia spends much of her day fetching water, when she could have been working in the formal sector, if water delivery were provided.
"Water is work," Ryder said. "It requires workers for its safe and clean delivery, and at the same time, it can create and improve conditions of work."
As part of World Water Day, the UN today is launching the UN World Water Development Report, focused on the advancement of the prospect of decent work for all.
Among its findings, the report estimated that some two billion people require access to improved sanitation, particularly women and girls.
To mark the World Water Day, UNICEF kicked off its #ClimateChain Instagram campaign, highlighting the link between water, climate change and the environment. The campaign will run until April 22, when the Paris Climate Agreement reached last December will open for signature.
Environmental News Service ENS
More in this category: « Fishermen "Slaves" in Indonesia Get Justice: Asian Fisheries Not at Western Standards – Buy Local Poaching of Elephant Matriarchs Destroys Rainforests »


•	Associate's degree in Fire Science or a closely related field.
•	Minimum of two (2) years experience as a fire safety specialist or a closely related occupation.
•	Ability to read and understand construction blueprints, diagrams and specifications.
•	Experience interpreting and applying EPA, DEC, NFPA, NYS Fire and Building Codes and OSHA regulations.
•	Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
•	Capable of performing physical labor to include carrying and moving items up to 50 pounds.
•	Certified NYS Building Safety Inspector (BSI) or Code Enforcement Official (CEO).
•	NICET (National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technology – Fire Protection) Level II Certification.
•	Demonstrated ability to determine training needs, organize and conduct training.
Duties Description SUNY Old Westbury seeks a dynamic, forward thinking and engaging Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist, with a specialization in fire safety, to the join the Facilities Department.
The EHS Specialist will be responsible for coordinating fire and life safety systems, fire safety and building code compliance and environmental programs including testing, inspecting, record keeping, and training. Reporting to the Facilities Director, the incumbent will develop and implement health and safety programs for all campus staff and students to ensure compliance with all state and federal code requirements. This position will work with other facilities staff, faculty, and technicians when required for complex work. Must be able to prioritize multiple projects, and work in a demanding fast-paced environment. This is a full-time, twelve (12) month position, with weekend and after-hours work, as required.
•	Perform duties related to EHS activities pertaining to fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems and all life safety equipment operations and maintenance throughout the campus.
•	Plan and conduct employee and student fire safety training, provide hot work training and issue and monitor hot work permits.
•	Coordinate all safety training – Lock Out/Tag, Right to Know, and Electrical NFPA 70E.
•	Function as the Campus NYS Building Safety Inspector.
•	Coordinate NYS Fire Marshal campus inspections.
•	Perform monthly inspections of the University's Fire extinguisher program and fire suppression systems, scheduling required inspections, coordinating repairs, and maintaining mandated record keeping.
•	Perform required drills and maintain evacuation plans.
•	Perform fire safety inspections and communicate deficiencies to Facilities Department.
•	Produce and maintain records and documents associated with required laws.
•	Provide environmental support for campus.
•	Perform Monthly AED inspections and coordinate repairs.
•	Understand and interpret NY State Building Code, NY State Fire Code, NFPA and PESH Regulations.
•	Respond to emergency conditions, provide EH&S support at campus events as directed, work flexible hours, including weekend and evening work if necessary.
•	This position will be expected to possess written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills essential to work with a diverse population of students and colleagues.
3.	contact information (name, email address and telephone number) for three (3) professional references.
Notes on ApplyingMust apply on College website.


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Q: Python: Setting attribute that is a lambda that just returns a dictionary While learning about decorator and decorator factories, I checked the source code of the @functools.lru_cache since it allows both usages using one single implementation. And I spotted something that is intriguing me. In the following statement wrapper.cache_parameters = lambda : {'maxsize': maxsize, 'typed': typed} extracted from this piece of code from the CPython implementation:
def lru_cache(maxsize=128, typed=False):
    """<docstring ommited for brevity>"""
    if isinstance(maxsize, int):
        # Negative maxsize is treated as 0
        if maxsize < 0:
            maxsize = 0
    elif callable(maxsize) and isinstance(typed, bool):
        # The user_function was passed in directly via the maxsize argument
        user_function, maxsize = maxsize, 128
        wrapper = _lru_cache_wrapper(user_function, maxsize, typed, _CacheInfo)
        wrapper.cache_parameters = lambda : {'maxsize': maxsize, 'typed': typed}
        return update_wrapper(wrapper, user_function)
    elif maxsize is not None:
        raise TypeError(
            'Expected first argument to be an integer, a callable, or None')

    def decorating_function(user_function):
        wrapper = _lru_cache_wrapper(user_function, maxsize, typed, _CacheInfo)
        wrapper.cache_parameters = lambda : {'maxsize': maxsize, 'typed': typed}
        return update_wrapper(wrapper, user_function)

    return decorating_function

What's the purpose of creating a lambda that only returns a dictionary instead of setting the dictionary directly to the attribute?

A:
After thinking a bit on the subject I came to this conclusion. But if there's another reason or you have a more complete explanation, please post an answer so I can accept it :)

Dictionaries are mutable objects in Python. This means that anyone that has a reference to a dictionary can change it. So I think that the usage of the lambda here is a trick to make this a read-only attribute. Take a look at the following example:
def f():
    pass

f.a = lambda: {"a": 1}

ref = f.a()
ref

Outputs:
{'a': 1}

And if you change the returned dictionary, it will have no impact on the following calls to the lambda because a new dictionary is created in every call:
ref["b"] = 2
f.a()

Outputs:
{'a': 1}

As you can see in the example, the returned dictionary is obviously still mutable, but changing it has no effect in the returned value by the lambda itself.
In the commit that added this line, I also found the following note that supports my theory:

The wrapped function is instrumented with a :func:cache_parameters
function that returns a new :class:dict showing the values for maxsize
and typed.  This is for information purposes only.  Mutating the values
has no effect.


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using System;
using System.Data.Entity;
using System.Web.Mvc;
using Hopnscotch.Portal.Contracts;
using Hopnscotch.Portal.Data;
using Microsoft.AspNet.Identity;
using Microsoft.AspNet.Identity.EntityFramework;
using Microsoft.Owin;
using Microsoft.Owin.Security.Cookies;
using Microsoft.Owin.Security.OAuth;
using Owin;
using Hopnscotch.Portal.Web.Providers;

namespace Hopnscotch.Portal.Web
{
    public partial class Startup
    {
        static Startup()
        {
            PublicClientId = "self";

            UserManagerFactory = () =>
            {
                var config = DependencyResolver.Current.GetService<IConfig>();

                var context = new IdentityDbContext(config.DbConnectionString);
                Database.SetInitializer(new IdentityDbInitializer());

                var userStore = new UserStore<IdentityUser>(context);
                userStore.DisposeContext = true;

                var userManager = new UserManager<IdentityUser>(userStore);
                userManager.UserValidator = new UserValidator<IdentityUser>(userManager)
                {
                    AllowOnlyAlphanumericUserNames = false
                };

                return userManager;
            };

            RoleManagerFactory = () =>
            {
                var config = DependencyResolver.Current.GetService<IConfig>();

                var context = new IdentityDbContext(config.DbConnectionString);
                Database.SetInitializer(new IdentityDbInitializer());

                var roleStore = new RoleStore<IdentityRole>(context);

                return new RoleManager<IdentityRole>(roleStore);
            };

            OAuthOptions = new OAuthAuthorizationServerOptions
            {
                TokenEndpointPath = new PathString("/Token"),
                Provider = new ApplicationOAuthProvider(PublicClientId, UserManagerFactory),
                AuthorizeEndpointPath = new PathString("/api/Account/ExternalLogin"),
                AccessTokenExpireTimeSpan = TimeSpan.FromDays(14),
                AllowInsecureHttp = true
            };
        }

        public static OAuthAuthorizationServerOptions OAuthOptions { get; private set; }

        public static Func<UserManager<IdentityUser>> UserManagerFactory { get; set; }

        public static Func<RoleManager<IdentityRole>> RoleManagerFactory { get; set; }

        public static string PublicClientId { get; private set; }

        // For more information on configuring authentication, please visit http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=301864
        public void ConfigureAuth(IAppBuilder app)
        {
            // Enable the application to use a cookie to store information for the signed in user
            // and to use a cookie to temporarily store information about a user logging in with a third party login provider
            app.UseCookieAuthentication(new CookieAuthenticationOptions());
            app.UseExternalSignInCookie(DefaultAuthenticationTypes.ExternalCookie);

            // Enable the application to use bearer tokens to authenticate users
            app.UseOAuthBearerTokens(OAuthOptions);

            // Uncomment the following lines to enable logging in with third party login providers
            //app.UseMicrosoftAccountAuthentication(
            //    clientId: "",
            //    clientSecret: "");

            //app.UseTwitterAuthentication(
            //    consumerKey: "",
            //    consumerSecret: "");

            //app.UseFacebookAuthentication(
            //    appId: "",
            //    appSecret: "");

            app.UseGoogleAuthentication();
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Kate Granger's marriage has fallen apart.
In desperate need to get away and piece herself back together, she fleas to her parents home on Lake Superior.
Only things don't get easier for Kate while she's back home.
Shortly after she gets settled in, a body of a murdered women washes up into the shallows and she's not alone. Wrapped up in her vintage gown is a baby, just as calm and at peace as her mother.
Wow! What a way to end my 2018!
Honestly that's all I feel I need to say! I think saying that speaks for itself. But the passion I now have for this book…. I won't be able to stop talking about it for years to come.
Daughters Of The Lake was incredible and impossible to put down. Truly one of a kind.
I feel embarrassed to admit I have never read anything by Wendy Webb before, but she has now gained a new dedicated fan. Her writing is absolutely brilliant and needs to be on everyone's shelves.
Throughout reading Daughters Of The Lake I felt as if it was based on a true story. It is just way to descriptive not to feel real. This all made sense while reading the acknowledgements. Wendy mentions how often people ask if her books are based on real life people. She goes on to say that the answer is no, not entirely. She uses snippets of conversations or a description here and there. But that at times she can identify one of her characters as being exactly like someone she knows.
I can sense Wendy's warmth and passion for writing, truly stunning.
Highly recommend. If you are a book lover this is definitely one to add to your list to pick up this year.
Thank you so incredibly much to Thomas Allen Ltd. for sending this fascinating read my way.
And of course thank you all for reading!
I love this picture! Ill have to look into this author as well!
Thanks hun! It was really good. I will be checking out her other stuff and keeping my eyes out for anything new she comes out with. Thoroughly enjoyed!