Consider this book. Beyond these pages is my collection of stories centered on mental health and multigenerational relationships. This is my first book since the one I finished in high school, Mr. Rot’s Garden (2018). It may seem curious there’s just nine short stories I’ve tucked in here, but I am quite proud of all of them and feel they well represent my strengths as a writer. The first I’d like to mention is “An Assessment In Frailty” which picks up right at the end of a home tour. Eighty-four year-old Franklin Sprawl is put down by homeowner Robert Lash who claims the senior hasn’t made any meaningful contribution to society during his lifetime of work. This spark’s Sprawl’s relentless need to prove lash wrong by making an art piece that says more about Lash’s flaws than anything else. The second, “Surface Street Shades,” follows Elderly widow, Geraldine Fade, who drives in a weathered truck with a distinctive gash on its tailgate. The old woman is aghast when a white SUV is stalking her, though she manages to lose them momentarily and sets upon inviting her handyman over to do work and quell her stress, she learns the hard way about the many faces of appreciation. Thirdly, my title story, "Threat Along The Homestretch" concerns an anxious young adult, with unbidden urges, who just wants to get home. But when road work redirects him away from the shorter path to his house, he must enter a senior center where he thinks he is increasingly susceptible to striking out. “The Welcoming Bench,” shows a young teen boy’s perspective change thanks to a story an old Quaker gives him about her dear deceased friend Nanette Looking. It’s a cozy premise with memorable characters which tackles greater themes of religion and universal needs for companionship.

Ralph Delahaye Paine's 'The Praying Skipper, and Other Stories' is a collection of riveting tales set against the backdrop of the sea. Paine's prose is characterized by vivid descriptions of maritime life, offering readers a glimpse into the danger and beauty of the open ocean. Each story within the book is meticulously crafted, immersing the reader in a world of both adventure and reflection. Paine's literary style is both engaging and informative, making this collection a must-read for lovers of nautical fiction. Paine's work is deeply influenced by the tradition of seafaring literature, with echoes of Herman Melville and Jack London present throughout the stories. Through his exploration of courage, sacrifice, and the power of the sea, Paine creates a compelling narrative that is sure to captivate readers. 'The Praying Skipper, and Other Stories' is a testament to Paine's skill as a storyteller and his dedication to capturing the essence of life at sea. Readers who enjoy tales of high seas adventure and human resilience will find this collection to be a rewarding and immersive read.

Media, Learning, and Sites of Possibility provides new insights into the relationships between youth, pedagogy, and media, and points to unexamined possibilities for teaching, learning, and ethnographic research that emerge when media - including computer technologies, photography, popular music, and film - become central features of learning spaces that youth occupy. Through six empirically driven essays, all written by new scholars in the fields of literacy, media, technology, and youth culture, this book surveys a variety of learning environments, methodological approaches, and forms of media engagement.

Renowned for their amazing athleticism and unparalleled work ethic, and famed for their "great heart" and willingness to go the extra mile, off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) have proven to be the ultimate equine partner in a host of disciplines: dressage, eventing, hunter/jumpers, trail riding—even barrel racing! Now discover all you need to know to find the right OTTB and give him the solid educational foundation he needs to excel in a new career, whether as a highly trained competitor, pleasure mount, or companion animal. * A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book goes to support the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program

Roz the robot discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island with no memory of where she is from or why she is there, and her only hope of survival is to try to learn about her new environment from the island's hostile inhabitants.