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Riding the Elephant: An Alzheimer's Journey takes the reader deep into a landscape where no one goes by choice, yet a place where 5 million Americans reside. A memoir that traces the steps of two sisters and their families as they accompany their mother into uncharted territory, it is a story filled with pathos, humor, unforgettable characters and a glimpse into the transformational power of the human heart. It provides guidance, compassion and company to those who are walking similar paths.

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A collection of new and previously published poetry and prose of the well-known southwest Virginia author and photographer, Diane Porter Goff. She holds a Master degree from Hollins University, and her writing has appeared in literary Journals such as The Sun, Artemis, Tourane, and Southern Distinctions. Her memoir, Riding the Elephant: an Alzheimer Journey, was published in 2009 by Dreamsplice. The poetry included within the present volume is divided into: Kin, This Natural World, The Big C, Two by Two, Spirit, and Poems for Children. This is followed by the prose works: Senator, John Epps and Miss Bessie, Caboose, Trip to Seychelles, Blue, and Meeting Kan.

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For more than eighty generations, two obscure societies have been at war with one another. One has worked to hide all knowledge of magic. The other has sought to exploit magical power that would enable it to unleash long-sequestered magical beings that once destroyed ancient kingdoms. A young bladesmith, Ereben Leaf, is swept into this hidden conflict when his family is inexplicably murdered—a crime for which he is blamed. With his only clue being the advice of a hated adversary to “seek out a Stump named Whittig Trench,” he flees the one home he has ever known, into lands peopled by races named only in tales told to children. This journey will place at center stage his ignorance of the secrets contained within the dagger forged by his own hands and coveted by his relentless pursuers. The fate of civilization hangs in the balance.

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If a thing is created, something must be consumed. Every change brings about another change. For every Magic spell that is cast, a counterspell is also cast. Nature will always maintain its balance.

If we attend to the counterspell, then the result of a spell may be the outcome we expect. Otherwise, each act of magic, no matter how small or trivial, increases the chaos of both man and beast, of forest and glade—of all that we cherish, and deem to be stable and immovable.

Past ages have left remnants of their carelessness within their ruins. Ereben Leaf, last Guardian of the Ruins, has taken upon his shoulders the task of preventing the careless use of magic from once again emerging as a plague upon mankind.

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Ternaria should not exist—not in the natural order of things. Humans cannot enter its boundaries. The Nettle River flows through the heart of the land, giving life to the inhabitants of Ternaria. Rugged mountains and undulating plains, as well as the forests and streams are the way they have always been. They are bountiful and dangerous. A playful child can be snatched away in the flick of a dragonfly's wings. And there is incessant warfare among its three races. That is also the way it has always been.

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A quick, easy to read, easy to understand tutorial on how to read a U.S roadmap--an actual, printed roadmap. Every driver should know the basics of how to interpret the common types of printed maps. -Highway and Interstate maps -City street maps -Rural county maps -Topographical roadmaps -Forest Service maps -Legends and keys Despite the seeming ease of using GPS devices, on-line mapping applications, and other gadgets that provide turn-by-turn instructions, if those digital resources are not functioning, or if you wish to obtain an overview of where you are or what might not be popular enough to appear in the digital mapping, then a paper map or road atlas might save the day. Having a real map in the glove box is wise.

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A collection of eight science-fiction short stories, from philosophical to whimsical.

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In the Ozone consists of essays, poetry and other non-fiction writings, collected from the author's journals, previously unpublished manuscripts and letters--from over the past half-century. In the Ozone, the title piece, and opening segment of the book, consists of a series of divergent philosophical discussions. The poetry includes over two dozen sonnets, as well as other forms. Overall, it is a candid, personal, quasi-biographical excursion through the author's life and loves.

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At the age of 74, I look back on the numerous events that could have ended up differently—times when I could well have died. The more I pondered these moments, the more of them seemed to sprout from my memory. This is a series of quick vignettes, rather than a biography. It is suitable for consigning to the top of your toilet tank, for those contemplative moments.

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Trek logs and color photos of section hikes and short hikes along the Appalachian Trail and its surrounding trails, with a number of short hikes in southwest Virginia.
1996 Virginia AT night hike in a snow storm
1997 Flat-Peter Trail: Giles County VA
Salt-Sulfur Turnpike: Giles County into Monroe County WV
1998 AT from Erwin TN to Damascus VA
2000 AT Mt. Rogers VA with dogs
2001 AT Duncan Ridge GA with dog
2003 AT Chestnut Knob VA Winter with dog
2004 AT Iron Mountain TN with dogs
2010 AT Dragon’s Tooth VA
2012 AT Angel’s Rest VA
2013 AT Peters Mountain VA
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Trek narratives and photos of hikes within the Grand Canyon.
Maps and over 250 full-color photos
South Bass - Hermit Loop: November 1997 (8 days)
Tanner - Indian Garden Loop: December 1998 (10 days)
South Kaibab to Clear Creek: January 2001 (5 days)
South Kaibab to Phantom Ranch: December 2006 (4 day "codger hike")
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A complete guide to growing tobacco at a scale suitable for home-growers. It's first chapter is a Quick Start summary of the basics of tobacco growing. The remainder of the book fleshes out all the details of growing, harvesting, and curing. Various finishing methods are explored, including Cavendish, Latakia, plugs, twists, pressing methods, and perique. Blend instructions and recipes are provided for cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. There are also a chapters on tobacco varieties and the whole leaf trade.

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Tobaccos and Terminology
52 Unique Blend Recipes
How to Make Cavendish
How to Make Perique
Shredding, Blending, Storage
52 Color Pipe Blend Labels
Whether you grow your own tobacco, purchase whole leaf, or purchase commercial blending ingredients, you can make truly great tobacco blends.

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A sequel to Blend Your Own Pipe Tobacco. It discusses the creation of pure tobacco pipe blends, without added flavorants or humectants. Chapters include firing Latakia at home, pressing quick plugs for flakes, making pipe shank tools and the use of specialty yeasts for pressure-curing perique. Each of the new pipe blend recipes is accompanied by a high-resolution, full-color 3-1/2 inch blend label.

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275 named varieties of tobacco, along with photos and descriptions. Included are available representatives of each of the USDA market classes of Nicotiana tabacum: flue-cured, burley, Maryland, cigar wrapper, cigar binder, cigar filler, dark air-cured, dark fire-cured, Hungarian, Oriental and primitives. It also includes examples of Nicotiana rustica and ornamental varieties.

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This is a collection of smokeless recipes from the Fair Trade Tobacco Forum. You will find recipes for nasal snuff, oral snus and loose chew, as well as general guidelines for selecting tobacco varieties and preparation methods. Some recipes utilize purchased, whole leaf tobacco, while others select from home-grown varieties.

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A picture book.

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