Discover new and old friends as you take a tour around the North Pole, meet the special Scout Elves, and learn about the Christmas magic they create!A beloved part of family traditions across the world, Elf on the Shelf is among the top three most-recognized holiday character in the US, along with Rudolph and Santa Claus himself. With almost 25 million sales around the world, a float in the Macy’s Day Parade, and the fourth-bestselling holiday title, Elf on the She...

Despite Marco Island's common distinction as the largest of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands, there are only 12 square miles of land upon which to wander - making the enormity of its history all the more remarkable. Marco Island projects prominently from Florida's mainland at the peninsula's southwestern fringe, where the waters of the Everglades and the Gulf of Mexico commingle. Its tropical climate, verdant landscape, unique topography, and abundant wildlife sustained prehistoric Native Am...

A journal of the art of mindful living in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh - Issue 90This issue features teachings from Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr Larry Ward, and Sister Boi Nghiem:Thich Nhat Hanh on the intimate connection between suffering and happinessDr Larry Ward on caring for our traumatic experiencesBrother Peace on losing both his parents to depression and suicideDharma teacher Valerie Brown on inspiring hop...

"Antigone" is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the 5th century BCE. The play is part of a trilogy, but only "Antigone," the third installment, has survived. The narrative revolves around Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, who defies the king's decree and buries her brother Polynices, in defiance of the law. The king, Creon, orders that Polynices' body should remain unburied as punishment for his rebellion against the city.Antigone's act of burial is not only an expression of...

Candide, written by Voltaire, is a satirical novella that follows the adventures of its optimistic protagonist, Candide, as he traverses a world filled with hardship and turmoil. Through a series of misfortunes and unlikely events, Candide encounters war, natural disasters, and human cruelty, all of which challenge his unwavering belief in the philosophy of optimism, espoused by his mentor, Pangloss. Despite the relentless adversity, Candide's journey is a critique of the naive optimism th...

In the ancient world of Greece, amidst the lyrical splendor of poetry, one name shines with a brilliance that transcends time: Sappho. Revered as one of the greatest poets of antiquity, Sappho's work speaks to the depths of human emotion with a clarity and intensity that remains unparalleled. Through her verses, she immortalizes the joys and sorrows of love, the beauty of nature, and the complexities of the human experience, captivating readers across centuries with her exquisite imagery a...

"An Essay on Crime and Punishments" is a seminal work by Cesare Beccaria, first published in 1764. This Enlightenment-era treatise is pivotal in the field of criminology and penology, advocating for the rationalization and humanitarian reform of criminal justice systems. Beccaria, influenced by the Enlightenment ideals of reason and human dignity, critiques the arbitrary and often brutal nature of contemporary punishments. He argues that the purpose of punishment should not be retribution ...

"The Grand Inquisitor" is a philosophical narrative within Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel "The Brothers Karamazov," where Jesus returns during the Spanish Inquisition and is confronted by the Grand Inquisitor. The Inquisitor argues that Jesus's gift of free will is too burdensome for humanity, as people prefer security over freedom. This parable captures Dostoevsky's deep reflections on the tension between individual liberty and the desire for societal order, posing complex questions about auth...

In Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler," readers are introduced to the enigmatic and complex titular character, whose name alone has become synonymous with intrigue and psychological depth. Set against the backdrop of a stifling bourgeois society in 19th-century Norway, the play follows Hedda Gabler, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage and yearning for freedom and fulfillment. As Hedda navigates the intricacies of her social world, her inner turmoil and suppressed desires manifest in a series ...

"A Christmas Carol" follows the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly and cold-hearted old man, throughout one magical Christmas Eve. The narrative begins with Scrooge, a wealthy but stingy moneylender, dismissing the Christmas season with contempt and refusing to give to charity. He dislikes the idea of Christmas joy and generosity, considering them a waste of time and money. On Christmas Eve, as Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley,...

A Comedy of Errors is one of William Shakespeare's early plays, known for its humorous and farcical plot. It revolves around two sets of identical twins, separated at birth, who are unaware of each other's existence. The play takes place in Ephesus, where one pair of twins, Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant Dromio of Syracuse, arrive in search of their long-lost brothers. Unbeknownst to them, their twins, Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Ephesus, already reside in the city. A serie...

"Dracula" by Bram Stoker is a captivating tale that intertwines horror, romance, and suspense, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Set against the eerie backdrop of Transylvania and Victorian England, the novel chronicles the unsettling encounters between Count Dracula, a centuries-old vampire, and a group of intrepid characters determined to thwart his malevolent plans. Through journal entries, letters, and newspaper clippings, Stoker crafts a chilling narrative that imme...