Gossamer Wings


Book Description

This is the story of a man who has a spontaneous out of body experience, which he finds he is able to repeat. After several exhilarating astral episodes, he discovers on his next projection that the daughter of a friend has been possessed by evil spirits. He discovers further that he can actually see the evil spirit forms, and during his attempt to help, the evil spirits discover him, and his odyssey begins.




Gossamer


Book Description

A novel “as haunting as a dream” from the New York Times-bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Giver (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). Where do dreams come from? What stealthy nighttime messengers are the guardians of our most deeply hidden hopes and our half-forgotten fears? This imaginative novel confronts these questions and explores the conflicts between the gentle bits and pieces of the past that come to life in dream, and the darker horrors that find their form in nightmare. In a haunting story that tiptoes between reality and fantasy, two people—a lonely, sensitive woman and a damaged, angry boy—face their own histories and discover what they can be to one another, renewed by the strength that comes from a tiny, caring creature they will never see. “Lyrical, richly descriptive prose ushers readers into a fascinating parallel world inhabited by appealingly quirky characters.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A beautiful novel with an intriguing premise.”—School Library Journal (starred review)




Knowledge Assets


Book Description

It is now widely recognized that the effective management of knowledge assets is a key requirement for securing competitive advantage in the emerging information economy. Yet the physical and institutional differences between tangible assets and knowledge assets remain poorly understood. In the case of knowledge, the ownership and control of assets are becoming ever more separate, a phenomenon that is actually exacerbated by the phenomenon of learning. If we are to meet the challenges of the information economy, then we need a new approach to property rights based on a deeper theoretical understanding of knowledge assets. Max Boisot writes clearly and in accessible language providing some of the key building blocks which are needed for a theory of knowledge assets. He develops a powerful conceptual framework, the Information-Space or I-Space, for exploring the way knowledge flows within and between organizations. This framework will enable managers and students to explore and understand how knowledge and information assets differ from physical assets, and how to deal with them at a strategic level within their organizations.




Beasts of Burdin


Book Description

Demon hunter Ty Burdin hung up his guns, knife, trench coat and fedora a year ago. Bags packed, hands washed of all demon politics, he's done. Forever. In fact, to get far far away, he dragged Nora, his rockabilly secretary, from Miami to the Tennessee mountains where he's lived a life of peace-if peace can be defined as drowning in scotch and taking private eye jobs to keep the lights on. Jobs for real people. Not demons. No demons. He's retired from that. Remember? Demon hunters aren't a dime a dozen, though, and when Ty's brother asks him for a favor-just one-what's a brother to do? Agreeing to take down one hillbilly demon shouldn't take that long. In. Decapitate. Out. Favor complete. Back to the office where Nora and his bottle of whiskey are waiting. Unfortunately for Ty, staying retired doesn't seem to be in the cards, and an avalanche of bad luck draws him right back to an agency he despises and the career that nearly cost him his sanity. This time, Ty has no way out and will have to face his own demons just to survive.




Insects of Texas: a Practical Guide


Book Description

This practical, non-technical introduction to insect classification offers a well-illustrated, straight-forward primer in entomology. Whether you are part of a master naturalist program, are interested in environmentally friendly pest management, or simply enjoy knowing what to call that strange-looking bug on your back porch, "Insects of Texas" will be your first resource for insect classification and identification. This book will help you sort out many of the millions of insect species by learning the readily distinguishable field characteristics needed to identify groups most commonly seen in Texas. David H. Kattes provides short tutorials on morphology and metamorphosis and uses a simple color-coding scheme to present the five classes of arthropods and the orders, suborders, and families of insects most relevant to Texas observers. Photo keys, pronunciation guides, illustrated tables, abundant photographs, and highlighted accounts of physical and biological characteristics help introduce readers to the various tiny creatures that inhabit our world, steering them through arachnids, crustaceans, millipedes, centipedes, and hexapods. Within each account, Kattes comments on habits and other interesting information, reflecting his long experience in teaching and speaking to a variety of receptive audiences.




Butterflies of British Columbia


Book Description

Butterflies are found everywhere in British Columbia, from balcony planter boxes in the city to the vast, unexplored expanses of boreal forest and mountains across the north, and from coastal bogs and wild ocean shorelines to the deserts of the southern interior. The total known fauna of 187 species of butterflies in B.C. is by far the largest and most diverse in Canada. Butterflies of British Columbia summarizes all available information on the butterflies of B.C. The 187 species and 264 subspecies of butterflies known from B.C., as well as 9 additional hypothetical species, are discussed with descriptions of identifying features, immature stages, larval foodplants, biology and life history, range and habitat, and conservation status. In addition, descriptions are provided for 11 new subspecies. Each species treatment also contains maps of the northwestern North American distribution, colour photographs of adults of all species and subspecies, and flight season graphs. The book includes an extensive general introduction to the study of butterflies, containing chapters on the history of butterfly study in B.C., the post-glacial colonization of B.C. by butterflies, the effects of European colonization on the fauna, butterfly conservation, butterfly gardening, ecology, morphology, and biology. Butterflies of British Columbia provides butterfly watchers, naturalists, and biologists with an overview of the fascinating butterfly fauna of B.C. and adjacent areas. It can be used by naturalists to identify all the butterfly species and subspecies in B.C. and adjacent areas and includes a wide range of information about both butterflies in general and individual species. There is also much original information in the book that scientists will find invaluable, especially the description of 11 new subspecies and a complete reassessment of the taxonomy of the species.




Butterfly Gardening


Book Description

An indispensable and lavishly illustrated guide to creating a garden that attracts and sustains butterflies Butterfly gardening creates habitats that support butterflies, connecting us with some of the most beautiful creatures in the natural world and bringing new levels of excitement and joy to gardening. In this engaging and accessible guide, lavishly illustrated with more than two hundred color photographs and maps, accomplished butterfly gardener Jane Hurwitz presents essential information on how to choose and cultivate plants that will attract a range of butterflies to your garden and help sustain all the stages of their life cycles. An indispensable resource for aspiring and experienced butterfly gardeners alike, Butterfly Gardening is the most gardener-friendly source on the subject, covering all the practical details needed to create a vibrant garden habitat that fosters butterflies. It tells you which plants support which butterflies, depending on where you live; it describes what different butterflies require in the garden over the course of their lives; and it shows you how to become a butterfly watcher as well as a butterfly gardener. While predominantly recommending regionally native plants, the book includes information on non-native plants. It also features informative interviews with experienced butterfly gardeners from across the United States. These gardeners share a wealth of information on plants and practices to draw butterflies to all kinds of gardens--from small suburban gardens to community plots and larger expanses. Whether you are a gardener who wants to see more butterflies in your garden, a butterfly enthusiast who wants to bring that passion to the garden, or someone who simply wants to make their garden or yard friendlier to Monarchs or other butterflies, this is a must-have guide. An essential guide for aspiring and experienced butterfly gardeners Encourages readers to rethink gardening choices to support butterflies and other pollinators in their gardens and communities Introduces gardeners to butterfly watching Includes regional lists of plant species that are time-proven to help sustain butterflies and their caterpillars Features informative interviews with expert butterfly gardeners from across the United States




The Secret Snowflake


Book Description

The Secret Snowflake possesses magical powers. Every Christmas at 4:31 a.m. after Santa Claus has returned to the North Pole and children still are sound asleep, the Secret Snowflake emits golden rays of Christmas Spirit into every believer's heart. However, the Secret Snowflake's life source gradually has weakened and must be renewed each year. Only a child pure in heart can make a wish and restore the Secret Snowflake. Hidden in Snowflake Mountain, the Secret Snowflake has three mythical snow creatures-the Keepers of Light, the Guardians of Snowflake Mountain, and the Spirit Seekers-that protect it from the Joy Robbers who seek to destroy it. One Christmas Eve, Arya, the Bestower of Wishes, determines that the Secret Snowflake's power is diminishing, and the Secret Snowflake desperately needs the wish of a child pure in heart to help. The Spirit Seekers immediately leave in search of such a child. Gossamer, a special Spirit Seeker, ventures into the human world and soon finds Eddie, an eight-year-old boy, playing in the snow with his dog Strider. Eddie demonstrates kindness and compassion, even though the Joy Robbers try to dampen everyone's spirits. Gossamer knows that he is the child to help the Secret Snowflake. Is Eddie's heart pure enough? If so, what wish can he make to save the Secret Snowflake? In the Secret Snowflake: A Christmas Story, Teresa Easley's enchanting fable captivates readers and shows how friendship, courage, and the belief in oneself can preserve Christmas for everyone....




Birds, Bees and Butterfiles


Book Description

"This ... reference covers the wide world of birds, butterflies, and pollinating insects--including honeybees--and how to bring them into a yard and garden"--




TV Creators


Book Description

This sequel provides yet another dozen of today's most acclaimed writers and producers an open, uncensored forum in which they discuss everything from their work ethic to the political, social, and economic issues affecting the television industry. The West Wing, C.S.I., and Judging Amy are just a few of the dramas that launched a new era of television at the turn of the millennium. TV Creators gives scholars and fans alike an exclusive, firsthand account of the lives, philosophies, and contributions of some of the best television scribes of the past two decades. TV Creators: Volume Two includes revelations such as Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing) admitting that he is not a natural storyteller, and Martha Williamson (Touched by an Angel) announcing that "There is nothing more gender blind than an executive producer who desperately needs a good writer." Glenn Gordon Caron (Moonlighting, Now & Again) confesses, "I always think that disaster is an inch away," while Paul Haggis (Family Law) reveals, "I always like to do something that I think I can fail at." Also interviewed are: Aaron Spelling (Charmed, Beverly Hills 90210); Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer); Roy Huggins (The Fugitive); Clifton Campbell (Profiler); Barbara Hall (Judging Amy); Anthony Zuiker (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation); John McNamara (The Fugitive); and Don Bellisario (JAG, Magnum P.I.).