Roger Scruton is Britain's best known intellectual dissident, who has defended English traditions and English identity against an official culture of denigration. Although his writings on philosophical aesthetics have shown him to be a leading authority in the field, his defence of political conservatism has marked him out in academic circles as public enemy number one. Whether it is Scruton's opinions that get up the nose of his critics, or the wit and erudition with which he expresses them, there is no doubt that their noses are vastly distended by his presence, and constantly on the verge of a collective sneeze. Contrary to orthodox opinion, however, Roger Scruton is a human being, and Gentle Regrets contains the proof of it - a quiet, witty but also serious and moving account of the ways in which life brought him to think what he thinks, and to be what he is. His moving vignettes of his childhood and later influences illuminate this book. Love him or hate him, he will engage you in an argument that is both intellectually stimulating and informed by humour.

"What's Cooking?' features 50s-inspired photos by Kelly Povo and humorous musings on cooking.

Many years ago suffering a series of deep personal losses, Gene wanted to die and planned to. Yet he knew that was wrong. Writing about these feelings eased the pain. Desperate to be able to hold some gentle thoughts, he began writing in earnest, reinterpreting these happenings for himself. Soon he could see other points of view which enabled him to cope. Focusing on setting these experiences to rhythm and rhyme took his attention from the pain. As his interest and capabilities grew so did his collection of writings. Sharing these words seemed to help others too. People had constantly encouraged him to publish. He began giving book signings, readings and public speaking. They would also return bringing others to hear these words. He wondered if he could put into prose, poetry and/or short stories the issues that he found difficult to deal with. If an incident was too sensitive, painful or joyous to think about, could he make it easier to cope with? Through the exercise of putting these experiences into one or more of these three choices of expression he became able to deal with his most extraordinary difficulties. Whether positive or negative, he could cope! Some readers say that their applying these principles gets good results. Now he just wants to put these words into the ears, hands and hearts of those who also seek to be able to . . . . . . hold a gentle thought.

*FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BESTSELLER MY BEAUTIFUL BROKEN SHELL* These short reflections and Scripture verses, coupled with beautiful artwork throughout, give grieving readers the peace and hope they need, whenever they need it most. Whatever your loss may be—a loved one, your health, your job, your security, your freedom, or your spirit—you need to know that Jesus is right there with you. Experience His presence as you meditate on select Scripture verses and encouraging affirmations, such as: I will get through this with God’s help. I am stronger than I think. I will only do what I am comfortable doing and what I have the energy for. Gentle Thoughts After Loss also makes a loving and thoughtful gift for someone you know who’s grieving. May this book bring you comfort in simple, small ways and remind you that are not alone.

Quarrymen dig, so I opened my bloodline and did just that. And I exhumed all the words I could not say. Or face. The epiphany to excavate myself came one morning around 4 a.m., when I typically have my most honest moments. It was not a bolt of lightning but rather a spark. In the receding silky darkness, I laid in dynamite, struck a match, and blasted my comfortable and confining crypt to hell, a trail of teeth, shards, and shrapnel, my result. And I kept digging, frantically. I was living a subterranean life—the faces, the voices, the eyes, and their heavy breathing jangled angry, a mountain of pennies in my lungs. Breathing was labor.The practice of burying me was methodical, mechanical. The only exchanges I was having were with myself. I was a cluttered labyrinth with no distinguishable door nor window, a seamless box, nested in countless boxes, fashioned by my careful hands, padlocked, and plunged into a hole, paved shut. Like a hoarders’ heaven (haven), I collected and stacked and cataloged exchanges, unwritten letters, tender tidings, retorts, tirades, confessions, and gory screeds. A lifetime’s worth, or so it seemed. And now I rise, each page of this book a slug of new air. Fresh, above ground.

Christians know that God loves them, but can easily feel that he is perpetually disappointed and frustrated, maybe even close to giving up on them. As a result, they focus a lot—and rightly so—on what Jesus has done to appease God’s wrath for sin. But how does Jesus Christ actually feel about his people amid all their sins and failures? This book draws us to Matthew 11, where Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for his people to find rest in him. The gospel flows from God’s deepest heart for his people, a heart of tender love for the sinful and suffering. These chapters take readers into the depths of Christ’s very heart for sinners, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is and encouraging readers with the affections of Christ for his people. His longing heart for sinners comforts and sustains readers in their up-and-down lives.

A thorough chapter-by-chapter overview of the inspiring teaching principles of Christian educator Charlotte Mason, this book reveals the practical day by day method of how to teach "the Charlotte Mason way". The author offers friendly advice, and humor, along with the joys and struggles of real homeschool life. The book covers education, parenting, homeschooling and lots of encouraging advice for mothers.