PINS, TICKLES AND THORNS is a real story written by a troubled man in great mental pain. The mental pain becomes physical pain when he tries to put on paper what that pain is...what caused that pain and, most of all, why. The book reveals stories about cheating wives and stupid husbands and what they have to do with the writer's pain. The locations are worldwide showing that these problems are not assigned to any one location but are universal. The writing style changes, sometimes abrubtly, depending on the mental anguish of the writer at the time. Telling a nice love story of his first real love is written tenderly and softly. As he begins to recognize possible causes of this pain the writing may be bitter, angry, sad and sometimes apologetic. This book was not intended to be a "book", it was intended to solve the writer's problem. Make that, "problems". How many affairs does it take to turn a seemingly sexually satisfied man into a "porcupine turned inside out"? Occasionally some comments are in italics. The writer recognizes that some of his comments are not going to be believed by some readers, especially older women. The comments in italics are an attempt to let readers know that his comments are not intended to make the reader think what he does and says is "normal", they were normal for this writer. The writer's pain is revealed in the changes in writing style. A lot of dots, double spacing on some pages, and abrupt endings of some chapters are only expressions of his pain, his words show him trying to find the answers to his painful questions. Of course all names and places have been changed to protect the guilty.

In this perfect companion to London: The Biography, Peter Ackroyd once again delves into the hidden byways of history, describing the river's endless allure in a journey overflowing with characters, incidents, and wry observations. Thames: The Biography meanders gloriously, rather like the river itself. In short, lively chapters Ackroyd writes about connections between the Thames and such historical figures as Julius Caesar and Henry VIII, and offers memorable portraits of the ordinary men and women who depend upon the river for their livelihoods. The Thames as a source of artistic inspiration comes brilliantly to life as Ackroyd invokes Chaucer, Shakespeare, Turner, Shelley, and other writers, poets, and painters who have been enchanted by its many moods and colors.

This book, an authoritative text on musculoskeletal and physical medicine that integrates Eastern and Western approaches, covers every aspect of musculoskeletal medicine, starting with an in depth introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles as they relate to the subject. Author Alon Marcus surveys the science of pain from both modern biomedical and TCM perspectives, examines the foundations of integrative musculoskeletal medicine, explores biomedical and osteopathic clinical assessment, and outlines treatment options such as acupuncture, blood-letting, and meridian therapy. Other chapters analyze herbal medicine, integrative electrotherapeutics, manual therapy, and much more.

Become more than so-so at sewing! Whether you want to make a quilt, re-upholster a chair seat, or fix a hem, sewing is one of the most essential and useful skills you can master. But if you've never even turned on a sewing machine before, learning to sew can seem like a daunting task. Not anymore! Geared toward the absolute beginner, Idiot's Guides: Sewing teaches the basics of sewing in a series of lessons using full-color, step-by-step illustrated instructions that enable you to clearly see how every technique is executed, from threading a sewing machine to reading a pattern. The lessons are accompanied by practice projects, allowing you to try out their newly learned skill. As the lessons become more advanced, so do the projects, giving you instant gratification as you become more proficient. This completely illustrated guide is an essential tool for any person who wants to learn to sew. Features include: • Tailored to the beginner who has never used a sewing machine before, with clear, easy-to-understand instructions. • Comprehensive, step-by-step, color instructions teach all the basic techniques of sewing, from threading a machine to various stitches and construction. • Practice projects throughout help the reader learn and practice techniques. • Handy guides teach how to read a pattern, choose and prepare fabrics, create seams and finishes, and more.