Skipping Stones by Gloria Koll Kari takes three strides to the edge of the fjord. Like a slingshot, her arm whips forward, and she releases the flat stone. It skims the water's surface as she counts: en, to, tre, fire, fem, seks, sju. Seven, that lucky number in America. Vowing to make herself lucky, Kari travels alone by ship and train from the mountains of Norway to the flat plains of 1880s Dakota. With a man who intrigues her, Kari shapes a prairie life, encountering grasshoppers, blizzards, bankers who steal, and sons who love baseball. A different sort is neighbor Gustav. From his flinty Swedish homesteading mother and his fourth-grade education, he learns to figure profit and loss. He chooses his wife for her ability to milk a cow and trains his children to ceaseless farm work. Unavoidably in this tight community, the two mismatched families become entangled. Scandinavian mass migration, influenza, the Great Depression, dust bowl, and the home front of World Wars I and II create a wide-angle sweep across South Dakota and Montana. The camera lens tightens for tender moments: women helping women, older siblings caring for younger, and energetic families making it through happy and hard times.

On a forgotten island at the center of the earth, twelve-year-old Cal Cobble lives at an orphanage evading a bully, avoiding all thought of the nearby prison, and dreaming of finding his father, until he meets the mysterious Mr. E and everything changes.

More frisbees are sold each year than baseballs, basketballs and footballs combined. Yet these familiar flying objects have subtle and clever aerodynamic and gyrodynamic properties which are only recently being documented by wind tunnel and other studies. In common with other rotating bodies discussed in this readily accessible book, they are typically not treated in textbooks of aeronautics and the literature is scattered in a variety of places. This book develops the theme of disc-wings and spinning aerospace vehicles in parallel. Since many of the examples are recreational, anyone who enjoys these activities will likely find it profitable and enjoyable. In addition to spinning objects of various shapes, several exotic manned aircraft with disc planforms have been proposed and a prototypes built – these include a Nazi ‘secret weapon’ and the De Havilland Avrocar, also discussed in the book. Boomerangs represent another category of spinning aerodynamic body whose behavior can only be understood by coupling aerodynamics with gyrodynamics. The narrative, supported by equations and graphs, explains how the shape and throw of a boomerang relates to its trajectory. The natural world presents still other examples, namely the samaras or ‘seed-wings’ of many tree species, which autorotate during their descent, like a helicopter whose engine has failed. The flight performance of these spinning wings directly affects the dispersal and thus the evolutionary competitiveness of the trees concerned. Samara-type configurations are also considered for instrumentation and other payload dispersal applications. In short, the book discusses a range of familiar, connected, but largely undeveloped, topics in an accessible, but complete, manner. From the reviews of the first edition: "In his fascinating book Spinning Flight, Ralph Lorenz provides a rich feast of ... examples of spinning bodies ... . The book is well organized ... . The discussion in the book ... should be accessible to readers with some elementary understanding of aerodynamic principles. For the expert, the book is full of open problems ... . Its scope is extensive ... . In this respect, there may be something for everyone within its attractively designed cover ... ." (H. K. Moffatt, Nature, Vol. 444, December, 2006) "If you liked physics at school, then this book is for you. It concerns itself with flying objects that spin through the air, and even tells you how to impress your friends with the biomechanics of Frisbees. ... there is plenty of information at all levels, and the book has a wealth of detail that only an aerospace engineer like Lorenz could have come up with." (Len Fisher, BBC Focus, February, 2007)

Grace first met her lover, Nate, as a teenager, their bond forged in the corridors and waiting rooms where siblings of cancer patients sit on the sidelines. Now an adult, for Grace, nursing is a comforting world of science and certainty. But the paediatric ward is also a place of miracles and heartbreak and, when faced with a dramatic emergency, Grace is confronted with memories of her sister's illness. Heading south to the haunts of her childhood, Grace discovers that a stone cast across a lake sends out ripples long after the stone has gone.

They say there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.Not everyone will grieve in this order, nor will everyone go through every stage. It's during the stage of denial when Alex Hart meets Andrew Foster. He takes her one-step closer to acceptance: the stage when new, meaningful relationships are formed. The stage when the realization occurs that this is now the new state of normal.Just when Alex thinks she is on her way to healing, she enters the bargaining phase. That's the phase where you wonder what you could have done differently. You wonder “what if?” Specifically, what if the ones you loved hadn't left you?Leaving…this is what makes heading off to war so difficult and frightening for Alex. She knows all too well what it's like to be the one on the losing end of life, which is why she's made it her personal mission in life to save as many lives as possible. The extreme high she gets from treating trauma victims turns into Alex's own form of therapy, or so she thinks.When faced with her world being turned upside down, Alex may just find that her true therapy is in the one who has always saved her.Skipping Stones is a stand alone novel.

If you’ve ever been fascinated by the magic of a perfectly skipped stone, then HowExpert Guide to Stone Skipping is your ultimate resource. This comprehensive guide is your companion to mastering the timeless art of stone skipping, packed with insights, techniques, and tips for skippers of all levels. What This Guide Offers: Introduction - Welcome to the World of Stone Skipping: Discover the joy and art of stone skipping, its benefits, and how to make the most of this guide. Chapter 1: History and Culture of Stone Skipping - The Origins of Stone Skipping: Explore the ancient beginnings and evolution of stone skipping over the centuries. - Stone Skipping Around the World: Learn about cultural variations and notable stone skipping locations worldwide. - Famous Stone Skippers and Records: Discover legendary skippers, world records, and major competitions. Chapter 2: Understanding the Science of Stone Skipping - The Physics of Stone Skipping: Understand the basic principles of physics and the forces involved in stone skipping. - The Ideal Angle and Speed: Learn about optimal angles for skipping, and the dynamics of speed and spin. - Hydrodynamics: Discover the interaction between the stone and water, and the impact of water surface tension. Chapter 3: Selecting the Perfect Stone - Types of Stones: Differentiate between flat and rounded stones, and identify the best stones for skipping. - Finding Stones in Nature: Find out where to hunt for ideal skipping stones and how to spot them in natural settings. - Preparing Your Stones: Learn how to clean, shape, and store your stones for optimal performance. Chapter 4: Techniques for Skipping Stones - Basic Stone Skipping Technique: Master the proper grip, stance, wind-up, and release for successful skips. - Advanced Skipping Techniques: Improve your skills with techniques to increase spin, speed, and skip count. - Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them: Identify common errors and get tips for consistent skipping. Chapter 5: Practicing and Perfecting Your Skills - Setting Up Practice Sessions: Learn how to find the right practice spots and optimal conditions for practice. - Drills and Exercises: Engage in drills to improve your technique and build strength and precision. - Tracking Your Progress: Keep a skipping log and analyze your performance for continual improvement. Chapter 6: Competing in Stone Skipping - Local and National Competitions: Discover how to find competitions, prepare for your first event, and understand the rules. - Strategies for Winning: Learn mental preparation and competitive techniques to excel in stone skipping contests. Chapter 7: The Community of Stone Skipping - Connecting with Fellow Enthusiasts: Join clubs, online communities, and participate in events and gatherings. - Promoting the Sport: Teach others, advocate for the sport, and engage in conservation efforts. Chapter 8: Stone Skipping for All Ages - Teaching Kids to Skip Stones: Learn simplified techniques and safety tips for young skippers. - Stone Skipping as a Family Activity: Enjoy fun games and challenges, and build family traditions. - Stone Skipping for Seniors: Adjust techniques for older adults and discover the benefits of stone skipping for seniors. Chapter 9: Conclusion - Reflecting on Your Stone Skipping Journey: Celebrate your progress, set future goals, and stay engaged with the sport. - The Legacy of Stone Skipping: Pass down the tradition and inspire future generations. Chapter 10: Appendix - Resources and References: Access a wealth of books, articles, and online resources. - Glossary of Stone Skipping Terms: Understand key terminology. - Frequently Asked Questions: Find answers to common queries. If you want to master the art of stone skipping and join a community of passionate skippers, then HowExpert Guide to Stone Skipping is your ultimate resource. This comprehensive guide provides you with the knowledge, techniques, and inspiration to become a stone skipping master. Read your copy today and start your journey to stone skipping excellence! HowExpert publishes how to guides on all topics from A to Z.

In Skipping Stones, Ryan writes about many things, long-dead saints, personal tragedy, everyday observations, and the nature of prayer. But what connects this collection is Ryan's desire for a transcendent experience. His vivid and story-driven poems create a secondary world for the reader to explore, worlds in which belief is possible and the divine looms large. For Ryan, "the Christian poet, and storyteller as well, is like the blind man whom Christ touched," and poetry "an invitation to deeper and stranger visions."