The 77 essays in this book have been written by a man who has lived 84 years and an old cat that has shared his painting studio for a long time. There are no earth shaking events in them. Also, there are no murders, abusive husbands or wives, drunken drivers, blood spatters, cutup body parts, galloping horses, town tamers, or crooked sheriffs. Rather, they are descriptions of small segments of daily happenings. They are about living and loving and good relationships with all kinds of people. And about buying groceries, riding buses, walking in deep snow, military service, teaching students, sports, walking the road, making paintings, and the joy of putting words together to form thoughts. Above all, it is a book for a quiet evening of thoughtful reading.

A richly imagined story of unexpected love, independence, and belonging – The Morning Gift is a classic WWII romance from Eva Ibbotson. With an introduction from Sarra Manning, author of Diary of a Crush. Eighteen-year-old Ruth lives in the sparkling city of Vienna with her family, where she delights in its music, energy and natural beauty. She is wildly in love with the brilliant young pianist Heini Radik and can't wait until they are married. But Ruth's world is turned upside down when the Nazis invade Austria and her family are forced to flee to England, and through a devastating misunderstanding she is left behind. Her only hope to escape Vienna comes from Quin, a young English professor, who unexpectedly offers her a marriage of convenience to bring her back to London. Ruth throws herself into her new life – but a secret marriage is more difficult than she expected, especially as she and Quin find themselves drawn together. 'I have binged on Eva Ibbotson . . . her elegantly written, witty and well-observed fables' – Nigella Lawson, The Times Rediscover Eva Ibbotson, award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, in her sweeping historical romances, including The Morning Gift, A Song For Summer and The Secret Countess.

Published by the Boy Scouts of America for all BSA registered adult volunteers and professionals, Scouting magazine offers editorial content that is a mixture of information, instruction, and inspiration, designed to strengthen readers' abilities to better perform their leadership roles in Scouting and also to assist them as parents in strengthening families.

You were born in a hospital? Hilde says as she lays down her black bread and cheese sandwich. She sits opposite me at my kitchen table. Looking up from my salad, I nod. Yes, I thought everyone by the 1940s was born in a hospital. Hell no. Hilde stares at me. In Germany I was born at home, on the couch, delivered by a midwife. Thus began the noontime conversations of an American housewife and a German cleaning lady about their contrasting lives during and after WWII. My mother taught me that an important word in any language is while. While one thing is happening, so is another. While I wash dishes, Peggy, you dry. While we are in nighttime, someone is in daylight. While one person dies, another is born. While WWII began, two little girls were born and grew up in opposing countries and living in its aftermath. With this word while, we started this book of extreme contrasts, startling discoveries and sometimes striking similarities.