What The Next Moment Might Bring

From the limited perspective of the present, the path we've chosen in life may often seem random or of little consequence. But when we examine our journey from the vantage of hindsight, we find that we have participated in life-changing moments and have been witness to singularly remarkable things. This is a collection of moments and stories from the life of one man. Some are humorous, some are poignant, and some are terrifying. Some moments are as brief as the wink of a firefly or the exact instant of death. Others last the time it takes for a rumor to spread or for a penny to fall from a tall building. Still others take millions of years and are still happening. Enjoy a climb to the top of a peak in central Idaho, a baby's first bowel movement, or a silent drive through the redwoods. Look deeply into the eyes of a diving hawk, a profoundly retarded fifteen-year-old girl, or an aging stripper in Montana. Listen to the sounds of cold Canadian wind slipping under a warm Pennsylvania door. Smell the burning embers of a city on fire. Taste the exhaust of a jet. Take a moment.

GOOD OMENS SEASON 2 COMING 28TH JULY ON AMAZON PRIME. The book behind the Amazon Prime / BBC Series starring David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Jon Hamm and Benedict Cumberbatch. 'Ridiculously inventive and gloriously funny' Guardian What if, for once, the predictions are right, and the Apocalypse really is due to arrive next Saturday, just after tea? It's a predicament that Aziraphale, a somewhat fussy angel, and Crowley, a fast-living demon, now find themselves in. They've been living amongst Earth's mortals since The Beginning and, truth be told, have grown rather fond of the lifestyle and, in all honesty, are not actually looking forward to the coming Apocalypse. And then there's the small matter that someone appears to have misplaced the Antichrist . . . _____________________ What readers are saying about Good Omens: ***** 'A superb recipe for disaster. I didn't stop grinning from beginning to end.' ***** 'Both Gaiman and Pratchett are great authors and they complement each other brilliantly.' ***** 'Superbly enjoyable read. Seamlessly co-written.'

The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays. "The elegance of Patchett’s prose is seductive and inviting: with Patchett as a guide, readers will really get to grips with the power of struggles, failures, and triumphs alike." —Publisher's Weekly “Any story that starts will also end.” As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores “what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self.” When Patchett chose an early galley of actor and producer Tom Hanks’ short story collection to read one night before bed, she had no idea that this single choice would be life changing. It would introduce her to a remarkable woman—Tom’s brilliant assistant Sooki—with whom she would form a profound bond that held monumental consequences for them both. A literary alchemist, Patchett plumbs the depths of her experiences to create gold: engaging and moving pieces that are both self-portrait and landscape, each vibrant with emotion and rich in insight. Turning her writer’s eye on her own experiences, she transforms the private into the universal, providing us all a way to look at our own worlds anew, and reminds how fleeting and enigmatic life can be. From the enchantments of Kate DiCamillo’s children’s books (author of The Beatryce Prophecy) to youthful memories of Paris; the cherished life gifts given by her three fathers to the unexpected influence of Charles Schultz’s Snoopy; the expansive vision of Eudora Welty to the importance of knitting, Patchett connects life and art as she illuminates what matters most. Infused with the author’s grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark—and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time.

For every successful person in a perpetual-crisis mode--swimming in papers, overrun with complicated new technology, hamstrung by details, and starving for time--Jan Jasper's Take Back Your Time offers simple, practical strategies for getting back your desk, your peace of mind, and most of all your time. At last, a clear, practical, and supportive guide to getting out from under the memos, Post-its, catalogs, magazines, e-mail messages, old clothes, and other clutter taking over your space and our lives. Written with a generous understanding of why we hold on to clutter and other self-defeating habits, the book covers: -Conquering desktop clutter -Taking your personal time inventory -Beating procrastination -Managing information overload- -Using technology sanely -Using a day planner to maximum benefit -And much more. The result of more than a decade of helping high-powered clients get organized, this is a very useful guide to taming the electronic (and paper) tiger, and regaining control over your life.

This second volume is for the seasons of the Christian year (Advent through Pentecost). Its distinctive Anabaptist flavor is evident in the predominance of Jesus’ voice, space for communal reflection on Scripture, and the choices of Bible readings—it offers a way of prayer that lets the voice of Jesus pervade the whole day. “Praying together like this really bonds our prayer group, and connects us with the life of the congregation. We sense that we are supporting the pastoral care and the teaching ministry of the church.”—Noon prayers group, Prairie Street Mennonite Church, Elkhart, Indiana

The Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee calls for changes to the Bill creating an adjudicator for disputes between suppliers and retailers under the Groceries Code. Evidence was heard of some improvement in Code compliance, but there is evidence too of continuing difficulties, and of reluctance by suppliers to invoke their rights under the Code. The Adjudicator will provide protection for suppliers in the form of a cloak of anonymity and will have its own powers to investigate alleged bad practice and it is agreed that those powers are needed so that suppliers will feel more secure in coming forward. The Committee does not believe however that the Adjudicator needs powers to investigate proactively, without any supporting complaint. They do recommend widening the scope of the Bill to cover additional sources, allowing indirect suppliers such as farmers and trade associations - and whistleblowers - to put forward their own evidence of Code breaches that would spark an investigation by the adjudicator. They disagree with the introduction of fines and propose that fines be an available penalty from the start, not least so that the Adjudicator's performance can be judged on the basis of a full package of remedies. The report also makes a number of suggestions on how the issue of costs should be addressed, including an early review of the Adjudicator's performance