Mona Lisa Knew

Not a Yes-Man, A YES-TO-LIFE PERSON

2009-03-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

The best kind of employee is the kind who says yes to life. Obvious it may seem, but think about it. Does your employee or colleague count minutes, punch a clock, record their work, their hours, their contributions?

Contrary to a yes man or woman, a yes-to-life person breathes and lives the work like it was theirs...to own, to keep. Now, how does one inspire in someone or create an employee like that? Well, we could go through a slew of suggestions and ideas, but I just don’t think it’s possible. Why? Because it’s in the person—in the person you hire. So, when hiring, ask life related questions and home in on what makes this potential employee tick. What are their values?
Do they value the work for the work’s sake or do they just want a salary? Do they take pride in accomplishing the task at hand? Do they revel in a job well-done or are they satisfied with achieving only the expected? Do they, in fact, relish exception—exceptional work?
It's hard to create, this kind of employee...they just are, regardless of you and the job.

So, look for the person, hire the person, and keep the person—the yes-to-life person—the kind who embraces life and sees every task thrown at them as a challenge to rise to, an opportunity to learn and grow. This is the person you want working for you.

Yes, indeed.

—Maggie Pagratis

MOSTLY FOR MEN-----THEN

2009-03-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

The Board of Trade, founded 200 years ago as a voice to represent the business community, then almost entirely comprised of men and created for men, is now headed by president and CEO, Ms. Isabelle Hudon, who shares her wisdom with members of the business community.

Though she has held several influential positions in her career, this is the first time she is at the very top. “My first reaction, after a few weeks of sitting in that chair four years ago was, I understood, very well, the meaning of feeling alone at the top. But, since, I’ve learned how to surround myself with very good people. Ultimately, it is not true that you’re always alone at the top, but it is true that it’s quite different. When you are number one, the puck stops at your desk and you have to call the final decision.”

Hudon sees leadership as inspiring people to want to follow you. She does think you can change the world on your own. In fact, when she was appointed president and CEO, she accepted and applied much of the advice of her mentors: Make sure that you’re surrounded by very, very strong people.

“It is tougher, daily, to manage strong people, but success will be much more sustainable and better. I strongly believe that leadership is not about one person but a bunch of people performing all together.” Being a woman, says Hudon, only enhances and adds to the experience of being a leader.

More and more, the presence of women in leadership positions redefines the interaction in the workplace. “Women try to share the passion, share the idea, making sure that their own idea becomes a collective one.” When a woman leader sees that people are buying into her ideas, then she launches her plan or action. “Whereby,” she says, “men are way more authoritative. One is not better than the other one, but the mix is very good. I do believe that the richness of a team is the complementing of people and expertise. We have to have great expertise and a good combination of men and women.”

Hudon’s leadership style is not conventional or hierarchical. Rather, the predominant and recurring ingredient for her success as a leader is passion. The meaning of success for her has always remained the same: Success is simply happiness. “Success can be very different for different people. We have to have goals and we have to reach those goals and make them even better. But one thing is for sure, we have to celebrate success.”

Both Hudon’s personal and professional goals center around communication and the spreading of inspiration and joy. Her professional goal is simply to inspire people around her to work in a common direction, towards a common goal. Her personal goal has remained the same her entire life: She wishes to continue to be happy. Even in situations where Hudon does not win, she looks for the positive side of things and accepts the occasional pitfalls. Winners, says Hudon, are both born and created. It’s more about choice for her; the choice to behave with respect and integrity. When you know how to cherish those values and you have ambition and you’re happy...then everything is possible. “Dreaming is a right,” she says, “and not a privilege.”

The dream to rise, to believe in inspiration and passion—to be a woman and a leader —is a right Ms. Isabelle Hudon has earned.

—Maggie Pagratis

OLDER WOMEN IN DEMAND

2009-03-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

Older women are hard to find. They have gone into their basements and homes and are likely practicing there, says business owner and franchiser, Julio Philippe. We have to try to bring them out again.

Julio Philippe was inspired to launch PhotoDerma while attending laser conferences throughout the U.S. It was apparent to him that the “beauty” business would only flourish and that the services now offered by small enterprises would become the focus of large corporations; the small mom-and-pop shops would be replaced by la crème de la crème risk-takers of the business world—and PhotoDerma would be one of them.

With a degree in business and substantial experience in sales, Philippe took elaborate measures to ensure that the concept and title were accessible. He wanted to brand it carefully and meaningfully. Hence his choice of “photo” representing the force of light, and “derma,” denoting skin.

“For me it was important to have a brand name that was easy to understand, easy to remember. I wanted something that finished in the Latin like ’a.’ It travels well across the world.”

For two years, he tested the technology and prepared. Finally, after extensive research and study of the name, concept and efficiency of the equipment, he set about selling franchises. Since the very start, Philippe had planned for this.

PhotoDerma is at a very important stage right now, says Philippe. “When an industry is young, there are a lot of little shops all over the place. When an industry becomes mature, big businesses install themselves.” In fact, Philippe has opted to focus on one country at a time. By beginning the franchise installation in one area, he has bargaining power with suppliers. “You have money to spend, which is something that you could never do alone.”

PhotoDerma intends on investing $75 000 in the next six months on advertising alone. This, says Phillipe, is thanks to the combined effort of the franchises. “The franchiser collects funds from each of the PhotoDermas and spends that on marketing; Internet, radio ads, billboards.”

In the next 12 months, there will be 10 more Photo-Dermas launched. Ten a year is a good number. It’s a business that’s bound to grow. Philippe elaborates: “Look at young women. I see, now, young women with pigmented lesions, something that you didn’t see not long ago. But now we see it. Why? The sun.” The sun has brought young and old back into the salons, this time for skin laser treatments and photorejuvenation.

“You have the 40-year-old woman who wants to look good. It’s 90% of our business.” The woman 35 to 55 who is working and does not want to have surgery but wants to be beautiful, with the fresh look of uniform skin colour. “That’s a big market for us. I think PhotoDerma is well positioned in the market. The face, the skin...has a lot of potential.”

PhotoDerma primarily uses Intense Pulse Light (IPL) as opposed to the mainstream laser. “The new IPLs have very powerful integrated cooling,” explains Phippe, “they have a lot of energy, something that the old IPL did not have. We can do very efficient treatments. As well, it has been proven scientifically to work for hair removal, for vascular lesions, for the face. We can shut down a vessel, eliminate Rosacea without creating Purpura (intense redness). The laser based technology, when it’s used at short pulse duration, creates Purpura.”

As it stands, this industry absolutely wants older women. If it were not for the challenge of certified, experienced—and age-appropriate human resources, Philippe says he would probably grow more rapidly. “It’s tough to find and put somebody up to speed. I think this will be a big challenge. It’s a challenge for everybody in the industry. Since, in the industry right now, you have a lot of estheticians in their basements, it’s tough to get them back on the market. I find that I’m posting ads for estheticians...we pay well—and they don’t show up. So, it’s very tough to recruit.”

To work with IPLs and laser, one needs to be either an esthetician or nurse. “Since we work with women, I don’t like to have young staff. I prefer to work with 35-year-old women because, first of all, they can relate. I don’t necessarily want a 20-year-old woman to sell this service.

When you walk into a PhotoDerma, it’s beautiful. So, you establish credibility; you’re not walking into a little hole in the wall. You’re walking into a PhotoDerma.” During the consultation, it is common, says Philippe, for a client to inquire about treatments already tested by the esthetician herself. This credibility by shared need and experience is invaluable. iinvaluablenvaluable. BNM

—Maggie Pagratis

REDEFINING THE BELLY BUSINESS

2009-03-14T09:13:00.001-07:00

As business owner, dancer, teacher and choreographer at Ethereal Tribal, Fryett juggles her many roles with the sway of a performance. The company, established recently in Montreal, has grown steadily and boasts appearances at the McGill Theater, La Compagnie de Medievale, Tribalement Votre, Theatre St. Denis, and St. Basile Le Grand.

Ethereal Tribal is a professional dance group and incorporates many styles of dance. It represents a fusion of cultures, ages and life approaches, allowing room for change and redefinition. The possibilities with this form of belly dancing are infinite as it adapts while growing.

Andrea Fryett is well-respected among the dancing community and has had the pleasure of working with famous dancers like Ansuya, Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Moria Chapel, and Bozenka. In August, she performed with Sharon Kihara and Mardi Love from the superstars as well as Ariella Aflalo. But the thing that makes Fryett light up when she speaks is the most recent addition to her repertoire of unique collaborators: a male belly dancer!

Tribal Fusion’s audience often turns loyal, attending most of the shows. Recently, one male spectator caught their attention by the enthusiasm he displayed at every one of their performances— and he was picked out of the crowd and asked to dance with them! Fryett says that they needed a black male dancer for the part and he, with his vibrant energy, was exactly what they were looking for. His moves
are not feminine, says Fryett, even though belly dancing is thought to be a sport of women. Rather, men take the basic belly dancing moves and redefine them; they lend to them male energy and strength. Whether male or female, this redefined kind of belly dancing might be just the thing for you.

For more information, visit www.etherealtribal.com.

—Maggie Pagratis

THIS BUSINESSMAN'S ORPHANAGE DREAM

2009-03-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

He’s not Indian and he’s not British and he’s not Canadian, says business owner, Sanjay Goswami. He is everything, and he fits everywhere. Why then is he opening up an orphanage in India?

Well, he explains, developed countries offer so many chances and opportunities for needy children and adults. There is so much help here available to anyone who wants to take advantage of it: Education is free, and social resources abound. In India, however, the situation is different. There is much poverty. Everything is more difficult. The children there want to eat regularly, to be taken care of, to be allowed to grow, and to be educated. Goswami wants to give them that—at least a fighting chance at all that.

Goswami founded SKG Design over 20 years ago, and is the proud father of two children. He helped raise them and provide for them. They are adults, and with himself the proud owner of a successful renovation establishment, he is ready to do new things. He, like many accomplished businessmen, wants to do something for others; something that involves giving. Recently, on a search for this something more, he went to Tanzania where he met philanthropists from the ABC Christian Ministries. “They’ve got 11 000 orphans that they’re raising in Africa, India and other places—and it’s based out of Iceland,” says Goswami. The intent for his trip was to get a footprint and see what they were doing so that he could do something similar in India.

Since then, he has begun researching and making plans for the construction of his Indian dream orphanage. To do so, however, to put the plan into phase two, where the actual orphanage is built, Goswami will go to India in early November. He intends on spending some time there after it is built in order to supervise, ensure resources, and ultimately, make sure that the children have a good quality of life.

His experience and certification in building homes from scratch has come in very handy in his search for labour, materials, and an ideal location. He is able to make educated judgements and quicker decisions. He does not want unnecessary delays, as there are so many Indian children orphaned with no family and nowhere to go. Goswami’s familiarity with India, Great Britain, and Canada—and his feeling of belonging everywhere—give him the confidence that he can
do anything anywhere. He is adamant about turning his dream of an orphanage into reality. In fact, in summer 2009, he says the orphanage will be built and ready to accommodate children. His own children here in Canada, his inspiration for this, have enthusiastically volunteered to lend a helping hand.

“I feel that I’m blessed with so much,” says Goswami, “that it’d be good to give a little bit back.”

—Maggie Pagratis

THE IMPORTED FUR MAN

2009-03-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

Is it a love story? Is it a fur story? Is it an art story? Oh, all of the above, the meeting reveals as Betty sits there and talks about her Zuki, husband and furry partner. “I imported him,” she says with a smile.

It all started 37 years ago when Betty took off on a quick trip to Israel and came back with a brush of love, a future husband and life-long career in fur. Zuki, then an immigrant without a job, naturally went to work for her father, who was in the fur business. But what kind of fur? The only kind of fur business the community was accustomed to: traditional, mainstream, brown, black or white. Nothing like Zuki was to come up with.

That’s where Zuki’s youth and inquisitiveness came in. Now, he thought, if we can make black fur, we can make fur of other colours. Why not pink and blue and purple fur? Why not? He was to be met with resistance, but luckily, Betty’s father was an accommodating man and allowed Zuki some leeway. And thank God he did.

Zuki redefined what it meant to wear fur. He used fur as a canvas and an ornament for the body. He did not see the tradition of the industry as one not to be tampered with. There was no line for him. His creativity knew no boundaries—which led him to the creation of INTARSIA. He was the first to envision and create fur like a puzzle, where pieces of individual fabric and colour are inserted into existing fur like a work of art. The result is a mirage of colours and textures, comparable rather to a pièce de resistance than to a mainstream fur coat.

Not traditional, not expected, there is no limit to what can happen next, says Zuki. Who knows where the creative mind will take you? As it stands, his current collection incorporates both sides of the hide, resulting in two coats in one: One side with Intarsia or coloured fur, and the other——hand painted.

How do they deal with the controversy of fur? Well, the fur industry, says Betty, is one of the founding industries in Canada. And, it is strictly regulated. Zuki International values these regulations and feels privileged to exist among the very top innovators within it. Zuki is highly respected as not only an entrepreneur but as an artist. His work is shown across Asia and Europe, and there seems to be no end to demand in Russia where fur is now all the rage.

Luckily, this fur man was imported here and allowed the freedom to explore, to be himself, says Zuki, in the beaverful land of opportunity; where he is able to take the fur industry to places it had not gone before, where he can move forward but also go back in time to fetch inspiration and ideas of old, back in the day where every surface was a possible canvas.

Zuki has one regret only. He wishes that he had had the insight to appreciate how fully innovative his concept of Intarsia was at the time. He wishes he had patented the process that has yet to be as precisely mastered by others in the field. Yes, he is the imported fur man—still Zuki King of Intarsia.

—Maggie Pagratis

REVIEW OF JANIS IAN'S "SOCIETY'S CHILD"

2009-03-03T03:35:00.000-08:00

I interviewed Janis Ian on October 2^nd of 2008 after reading Society's Child—a powerful experience. Its tone moved beyond the pages into my own life. I felt as if the book was coaxing me along to go ahead and read it lest I discover deep life secrets and messages.
Its words and lessons still reverberate in my mind. Above all, I recall the humility of the human being behind the words, her honesty, and the appreciation she has for life. In line with all the monumental successes of her songs, her Grammys and accolades, Janis Ian's Society's Child is a great book. With or without fame, it reads solid and truthful and further testifies to the fact that Janis Ian is a great writer.

For more information on Janis Ian's Society's Child, visit www.janisian.com.

—Maggie Pagratis

The Man Behind the Robot; The Robot Behind the Man

2009-02-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

Ivan Jivkov took the plunge into his own business in 2004 and hasn't looked back. Since then, his steel detailing company, Jitech Fabrication Technologies, has made its impression on the industry. In 2007, it was the recipient of the West Island Chamber of Commerce Award for best new business, and in 2006, it won the Best Solid Steel Competition for the best commercial steel building.

Getting the job done and winning awards has, however, not always been easy for Jivkov. In fact, the greatest of all challenges has been finding qualified people to complete the projects. His latest idea, to implicate a series of robots in the steel detailing process, would put and end to this problem. “In Canada there is a real shortage of skilled labor such as metal workers, welders. We just don't have the people to do the work. There are two alternatives. We can outsource oversees, but due to the distance, the turnaround of the project becomes very very long. So we're stuck with automating.”

Consequently, Jitech has devoted a lot of time to this idea as well as received government grants to go ahead with research. Jivkov believes in its benefits so much so that he supplements grants with personal and company funds to its development and adaptation. “We are working with the Institute of Aerospace Research combined with Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. What they do is they have industrial robots that they are working on for the aerospace industry; metal is metal and the robot doesn't know the difference whether he does airplanes or he does buildings....so we are tapping onto their resources and their knowledge to pursue our project. It's still in the early stages of development. We believe we will have something in 2009, and something great in 2011,” says Jivkov. “The major challenge of the project is to be able to have robot software read information downloaded the 3D models that we create here in our office automatically and do specified tasks. Some of those specified tasks are drilling, cutting with higher definition plasma, marking, assembly and welding.”

Research has allowed Jitech to grow and remain at the forefront of technological developments. Its continued application of IT and EDI have allowed for these kinds of up-to-date solutions. In fact, it was one of the motivating factors behind Jivkov's decision to leave his job four years ago and start his own business. The idea of automating simple tasks fueled his desire be a leader, a business owner and creator. He has honored his life motto -- that each man is ultimately “master of his own destiny.”

In this case, man masters his own destiny and that of the robot too.

—Maggie Pagratis

The Entrepreneurial Fire of Madeleine Kojakian

2009-02-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

Man and woman, both surgeons, want to become husband and wife. After a long day handling the intricacies of the human body, they have neither will nor inclination to delve into anything else. What do they do? They find entrepreneur and owner, Madeleine Kojakian.

It all began in 2000 when Kojakian worked with a venture capital company—she was responsible for planning events for the media division. There she got the experience of collaborating with different designers, planning events and launch parties. She was delegated the responsibility of hiring, selling and promoting. “We did campaigns with different brands. And that’s how I got to know the fashion and lifestyle industry in Montreal. Then, I was getting married in 2003, and with my research in weddings, the CEO of the company I was working with said, 'Try to keep a journal of your wedding and what you’re doing.’”

Inspired, Kojakian suggested doing a wedding issue. “And that’s how I got into the wedding business,” she says. “While we were doing the wedding issue, I got to know a lot of the wedding vendors. I got to know the industry locally as well as nationally and internationally because we had to do a lot of research, try to benchmark ourselves with other existing magazines. And, at the same time, I was planning my wedding. “I remember asking one of the girls that was writing articles to do a profile story on a wedding planner.” In two weeks, they were unable to find a single local wedding planner. After doing extensive research online, Kojakian decided, just for fun, to launch the wedding planning site. “Next thing you know, it grew, and people started calling me, and one thing led to the other. They liked the fact that I had experience in the fashion industry...and because I had experience with events, the wedding planning came very easily.” Now she is the official wedding planner for both the Hotel Nelligan and the Hotel Places D’Armes in Old Montreal.

Maddy K, Kojakian’s registered trademark and company, organizes weddings for foreigners, in particular, Americans. “Montreal, especially Old Montreal, is one of the top destination locations for weddings...it gives you a touch of Europe without having to spend the Euros and without having to fly across the Atlantic,” says Kojakian. Seventy-five percent of her clientele, she estimates, is from the U.S., 15% from Canada, 5% from Europe, and the rest, from just about everywhere.

“A lot of our focus is downtown, and it’s for couples who are looking for something different. For example, the science center, is a very big loft space. We’ve done weddings there, which is very nice, because you’re able to transform the space the way you want it. We did a very nice Indian wedding there...the girl was Indian, and he was American, and we tried to merge the West with the East, and we kind of gave it a more modern twist. Another one was two doctors from New York. One was Canadian from Quebec, and another one was Indian...and they both were extremely busy surgeons, and they wanted to incorporate some elements of their background. So, again, we merged both aspects of their ethnicity.”

OBJECTIVES

“Now that the brand is established, and it’s pretty known in the wedding industry, we’re looking at merchandising,” says Kojakian. Negotiations are underway to launch their product line in outlets throughout North America. “This way, it’s not just our couples who get our products...it will still have the design elements of Maddy K, only it’s cheaper and you don’t have to necessarily hire Maddy K to design it for you.”

THE CHALLENGES

The challenge, says Kojakian, is not the weddings themselves. Those usually run better than expected. It is human resources that baffles the mind and consumes the time. “The challenge has been finding good people to work for you because you train the juniors, and then they realize, ’hey, you know what, we can create our own wedding agency.’ And then they move on, and they do it, and they kind of duplicate things that you’ve already taught them. That’s been the biggest challenge for me; to always innovate myself...”

THE ENTREPRENEUR

“When you’re an entrepreneur, you have that fire in you, and that flame is there from the moment you are born. You either have it or you don’t. But if you have it, the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is, they get overwhelmed, because there’s so many things they want to do, and they want to be everything. So, my advice is try not to diversify yourself. Find a niche. Don’t try to be everything, and focus on that niche and grow that niche. Because if you put all your energy into one thing—guaranteed you’re going to succeed.” BN

—Maggie Pagratis

How "Go Away Booboo!" came to be

2009-02-21T14:56:00.000-08:00

I hate pain. And I think everyone's counts. I don't think there's small or big or man's is greater than woman's or one is better than the other. It's just all horrible. I wish I could make it go away. Really I do.

In my frustration years ago, as I was watching my daughter cry after bumping herself, I was so desperate to make her pain go away, to distract her from it in some way, that I started to recite a poem, to make one up in the moment—with go away gestures and all. My mind raced as I thought of interesting images, pleasant ones like monkeys and cows and the moon and Mars.

My daughter stared at the flailing of my arms as they whipped around and shooed away the imagined character. In that very moment, Booboo came to be and we grew to love him, but gosh, we wanted him to leave, to go far from us. For all we cared, he could fly with the stars and fly into the night and play with a cow because all we wanted was comfort in a mother's arms.

After a large array of gestures and words and distractions, my daughter felt better, and so did I because at least I'd made some pain go away.

What if, I thought, what if there were images to distract children along with words? That would be much easier than all this flailing around.

And so, Go Away Booboo! came to be in seven languages.

—Maggie Pagratis

The Mother's Spell: A Funny Fairytale

2007-08-10T05:58:00.000-07:00

A funny and most unconventional fairytale about the merit of manners, featuring a girl turned doll and a frog who was stunned, speechless and beyond euphoric in that he, only he, knew that he had needed a girl, turned doll, turned girl again, to kiss him in order for the spell his mother had cast to be broken. He dared not repeat what he'd done to deserve it. Suffice to say that his mother did not much appreciate rudeness; the spell she had cast was intricate indeed!
(Athse Publishing, August 2007)

50% of all proceeds from this book will be donated to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

Buy this book here

Paperback $10.93
Download $5.00

Video coming soon.
www.athsepublishing.com

Pocketful of Moods Picture

2007-06-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

Image from A Pocketful of Moods. ©Ron मिलर
व्व्व.अथ्सेपुब्लिशिंग.com

A Pocketful of Moods

2007-06-01T12:21:00.000-07:00



My name is Chrysta Pocket
And I have a lot of moods.
They each make up a part of me,
Which makes them all real good.

I've got a mood for happy.
I've  got a mood for sad.
I've  got so many many moods. 
I know that isn't bad.

I pull them out as needed
From my pocket where they're hiding.
I feel some as they're tickling.
I feel some as they're smiling.

I've got a mood for funny.
I've got a mood for mad.
I've got a mood for silly.
I've got another one that's glad.

I reach into my pocket
To see if they're still there.
The very different moods of me,
I love them all, I swear.

I've got a mood for playful.
I've got a mood for true.
Sometimes my mood is lonely
And in the mood for you.

So I dip into my pocket,
Search for my loving mood,
And that's when I most want to
Give my love to you.

I'll keep my moods forever.
They make me so unique.
The moods inside my pocket
Are a pocketful of me.

©Athse Publishing.
All rights reserved.

This illustrated children's book is coming soon...
athsepublishing.com

"Crush On Words"

2007-05-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

It's a lovely बुक. Watch the video and buy the book at www.athsepublishing.com

Here is a picture preview:

Image copyright © Milos Trando

Ephew, The Nephew -100% Profits Donated

2007-05-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that Ephew, The Nephew, the children's book, illustrated by Victoria Masters, written by Maggie पग्रतिस.
Here is a picture preview:

Image copyright© Victoria Masters

athsepublishing.com

Picture of the Long-Legged Turtle from Arizona

2007-05-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

Here she is, the lovely Long-legged:

The Long-Legged Turtle from Arizona will be available for sale this week. Look for it here or at athsepublishing.com

Buy the book here

Image copyright©Kevin Scott Collier

Crush On Words - Children's Book Released

2007-05-08T05:34:00.000-07:00

Explore the magic of sounds and letters and the people behind them in this rhythmic and richly adorned children's book - a tribute to words and children everywhere.

Crush on Words
Buy the book here
$8.33 US

athsepublishing.com

The 100-year Old Boy - Children's Book Released!

2007-05-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

When Jesse refuses to eat his food, the most unusual thing happens...

Browse the magic of this richly illustrated children's book and delve into the world of infinite possibilities and imagination... *80 cents per book sale goes to Friends of African Village Libraries.

$11.33 US. Buy it here

athsepublishing.com

Ephew, the Nephew and the Bubble Gum Air Balloon

2007-05-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

Ephew, her nephew, was a fan of bubble gum.

He often put twenty pieces in his mouth all at once.

One day he went completely mad and stuffed his mouth with twice that amount.

It was perfectly normal then when his feet began to float off the ground and he found himself carried into the sky with a gum balloon coming out of his mouth.

Ephew, the nephew, could hear her calling but could do nothing about his rising body.

He flapped his arms, trying to return down below, but his attempts were futile.

Luckily for him, and as God would have it, a bird flew nearby and popped the balloon.

Ephew, the nephew, said, "Phew," and was relieved when he landed on a soft cushiony surface.

Ephew's aunt was quite upset that this surface was her hair.

It just did not seem fair.

All this trouble from bubble gum and air.

About I Took My Witch Hat Video Book

2007-04-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

The video book is being prepared and will be ready by this Saturday, the 28th of April, 2007. It will be performed by a male vocalist/animator. For the purposes of the video book, the pronoun has been changed to the third person. (It's a fun and refreshing take!) Look for it at videobooksforkids.com

I took my witch hat
Out of the closet
And dusted it off
It’s time for some magic!

I found my old broom
Safely hidden away
The bristles were broken
But some had remained

I recovered my black shoes
Real pointed and high
Not polished just yet
I think it’s about time

I got out my bottles
For potions of love
Potions for goodness
And all sorts of stuff

I pulled out my pot
Pitch dark and all grimy
I’ll cast a fine spell
So sit back and watch me

I mixed and I stirred
And made a big mess
Of all things desired
All things confessed

I filled up the bottles
And with a little syringe
I squirted the world
With a drop and a pinch

Oh the result was at hand
The skies changed in color
Turned a marvelous pink
I stared in sheer wonder

I hopped on my broom
To go see from up close
The effects of my potions
And the path that I chose

Wishes were granted
Dreams were fulfilled
Writers were read
Children were thrilled

I was pleased when I saw
Smiles cluttering the sky
Drenched in euphoria
And sultry surprise

If you too, would like a pinch
Of an enchanted ride
Hop onto my broom
Come with me next time!

© athsepublishing.com

The Mother's Spell

2007-04-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth was a naughty girl. "You have absolutely no manners whatsoever!" her mother said to her. "Please Elizabeth, stop. Stop using those awful words!"

"Bloodsucker!" Elizabeth said, tilting her face forward with a scowl and a giggle. She most definitely liked the sound of that!

"Bloodsucker!" she repeated and laughed some more and did a twirl just for the heck of it. "Bloodsucker! Bloodsucker!"

"Now, Elizabeth," her mother said, "I've had just about enough of that language. I don't particularly enjoy being called a bloodsucker."

"Bloodsucker," said Elizabeth again and howled in amusement.

"Very well then," said her mother, "I have no choice but to take drastic measures." And with that, she raised her hand and chanted, "Boom Kaboom! and you are a doll! You will no longer be able to speak or walk or crawl or laugh. You will only be able to blink and roll. The spell shall be broken only if you can make a frog kiss you in delight. Go now, and enjoy sitting like a doll with manners."

Elizabeth, now a doll, was unable to move or respond. She blinked in protest, but her mother just smiled. "Have a polite day, Elizabeth," she said. "Perhaps this lesson will be memorable one."

And with that she was gone, into her crafting room, to do goodness knows what.

Elizabeth, the doll, who used to be a girl, who so wanted to be a girl again, sat still for a moment and thought optimistically, "I can still roll and blink."

So, she began to roll. She rolled out the door, through the meadow, down the hill, all the way to the nearby pond, where she sat.

She watched the waters and blinked profusely for that is all she could do. Only one hour passed, luckily, before an ugly frog surfaced.

He stared at Elizabeth, remarking on her beauty, "How lovely you are, little doll. How absolutely exquisite! How delightful and oh so quiet! You would surely not protest should an ugly frog like myself try to kiss you."

He thought for a second that he heard the words, "Kiss me, you bloodsucker!" vibrating in the air, but then realized that he must be imagining -- for dollies don't talk, especially ones with their lips glued together like this one. This doll was lovely, porcelain and good and very well behaved...

He approached, leaned slightly...Kaboom! and he planted the kiss.

Without warning, the most magnificent arousal of lights filled the immediate area, and the doll, the prim and pretty, quiet, little, proper, prissy doll, spurted, "Gross you bloodsucker!" and giggled and did a twirl.

In her excitement, she grabbed the frog, slimy and ugly as he was, and smacked a big messy kiss on his nose.

Frog was stunned, speechless and beyond euphoric in that he, only he, knew that he had needed a girl, turned doll, turned girl again, to kiss him in order for the spell his mother had cast to be broken. He dared not repeat what he'd done to deserve it. Suffice to say that his mother did not much appreciate being called monkey several times a day. She especially did not like the laughing and hooting that followed. The spell she had cast was intricate indeed!

Well, lo and behold, wonderful the world, spectacular his luck -- this lovely, foulmouthed doll had kissed him! and undone that horrible and so unfair (in his opinion) spell.

The heavens flashed and he turned back into the boy that he had been. Elizabeth froze, stunned for a moment, then giggled and called him bloodsucker!

They held hands, and he called her monkey doodle and she returned the favour amidst rolls of laughter.

Both agreed, however, that the spell experience had not been pleasant and that perhaps, from now on, they should keep the colourful language to themselves - the two of them - like two peas in a pond!

videobooksforkids.com
athsepublishing.com

The Long-Legged Turtle from Arizona

2007-04-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

In a sunny, southern corner of Arizona, there lived a Long-legged Turtle.

She was the shy and solitary kind and did not take to flaunting her talents, the main of which was to win races effortlessly, being that she was long-legged and all.

One day, in her shy corner of the world, Turtle happened to come across Dog and Cat who were taunting and also mocking Lizard who had apparently lost a race to them.

Turtle was appalled and decided to put aside her shyness and speak up.

"You must not do that," she said to Dog and Cat. "You must not mock those less fortunate than you."

"Ha, ha, ha," said Cat and Dog in unison, "you are a turtle, the slowest of the bunch, the least fortunate of the lot when it comes to speed. You slowpoke, mind your business!"

Well, Turtle was not at all pleased with this mockery and disrespect of animals. She was of the opinion that all creatures ought to be respected for they were exactly as God intended for them to be - fast or slow or big or small. Just perfect in her view.

"I repeat," said Turtle, "I don't approve of such unpleasant treatment of my friend, Lizard, for though I have not spoken to him much, I enjoy him from a distance and wish that you would preserve him his dignity by ceasing your unnecessary mocks and jabs."

"Oh, get lost, you bugger!" said Cat and Dog, resuming their cackling.

"Very well then," said Turtle, "I will race you both."

Cat and Dog's sides almost split from all the laughter that ensued.

"Tomorrow at ten," they said and hurried off, holding their bellies and doing their best to keep from rolling on the ground as they imagined Turtle racing them.

The next day, at ten in the morning exactly, Turtle and Cat and Dog all presented themselves at the Start Line.

The race didn't last long...Long-legged Turtle rose slowly and deliberately, exposing the long legss he'd been hiding under her shell for so long. She then carelessly lifted one leg and stretched it over to the Finish Line. That's all it took - one step, and Long-Legged Turtle from Arizona had won the race!

Cat and Dog stood and stared. They knew immediately that they had been beaten.

Needless to say, they were quite ashamed for all their mockery and disrespect, and learned never to underestimate any of the creatures in the land. There might be surprises to be had!

So, if you're ever in Arizona, look for the shy, therefore not so famous, Long-legged Turtle. You never know, she might just put aside her shyness for a moment, creep her head out of her shell and say hello.

videobooksforkids.com

athsepublishing.com

Video Book of Yawny Bear: Watch for Fun

2007-04-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

He recently moved away from home and has a protruding torso and rose-coloured gums.

She says she listens to her parents and does not entertain guests during their absence but ends up on his belly.

athsepublishing.com

David and Goliath Made Secular: A Book Video

2007-04-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

Goliath is one mean son of a gun, but David knows just how to put him in his place.
Here's the book video for your viewing pleasure.

For book version: visit www.athsepublishing.com

Book title: A Giant That's Mean Is a Very Bad Thing.

Art © by Oliver Weiss
Text © by Mac Wilkey

athsepublishing.com

Reading of How Crocodile Became Flat

2007-04-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

How crocodile became flat has been a long-held secret. Listen to how it happened...

Feel free to embed if you have a site that needs more children's content.

Preview actual book here

Other Athse Books

athsepublishing.com

A Reading of My Sister the Bee

2007-04-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

He's quite annoyed with her at first but then realizes that she's so so loveable -- and she's all his. A gift.

Preview actual book here

athsepublishing.com

Yawny Bear

2007-04-11T05:04:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, there was a bear who had no friends. It's not that he wasn't likeable - he was. It just so happened that he'd moved away from his bear friends.

Well, one day he decided that he would do something about his loneliness and set off to find a friend.

He walked for miles until he came upon a house. Pink it was, with gold shutters.

He walked up to the door, raised his big furry paw and knocked.

“Who's there?” called a little voice from inside.

“It is I,” answered Bear. “I am friendly and I am a bear. And I need some friends. Would you be so kind as to oblige?”

“A bear?” repeated little girl Jezebelle, opening the door ever so slightly. “I am not permitted visitors while my parents are away, least of all, a bear. Bears bite, and I do not wish to be bitten.”

“I do not bite,” said the bear with a frown. “I am a kind bear; all I do is hug. I am friendly and warm and cuddly and soft. And I make a great pillow. I promise.”

“I'm sorry, but I have been warned about you, and you bite. You have big sharp teeth and can swallow little girls whole.”

“But I give you my word,” replied Bear. “I merely want a friend. We have moved so far away from home, and I haven't had a companion in so long. Can't you please reconsider?”

“I cannot break the rules for I am not that kind of girl. I listen to my parents, and they insist that I play with no bears during their absence.”

Just then, Bear raised his eyebrows, closed his eyes and opened his mouth so wide it practically covered his entire face. He stretched his arms to the side of him, and oh, how afraid Jezebelle became. She took a step backwards and awaited the most fierce of attacks. She could almost feel the teeth that were to cause her demise.

But it was not forthcoming. She waited some more and watched bear extend himself, arching his torso, protruding his ominous breast, baring his monstrous pearly whites and rose-coloured gums.

Still, he did not approach. Jezebelle's world did not cease. Her breathing was not terminated. She was not devoured.

An exquisite wave of delight washed over her, and she realized that Bear, her bear, was yawning.

“I am a little tired,” he murmured, eyebrows raised apologetically, a mild embarrassed frown creeping past his newly pouting mouth. “Would you kindly reconsider my offer and be my friend? I keep my promises, and a friend I would never eat.”

Jezebelle evaluated the new developments and figured that if he hadn't eaten her by now, he probably had no interest in doing so.

And so, she decided to trust, her yawning bear.

“Do you mind if I call you Yawny Bear?” she asked, requesting permission in her politest manner.

“Not at all, Jezebelle,” he replied contentedly. He was only too happy to accommodate his newest friend.

“Won't you take my hand?” she asked and put hers into his furry one. It was soft, welcoming, kind and warm, as he had promised.

Together they found a perfect tree where they played rolling games, and jumping games, and hopping games, and joking games, and afterwards lay down for a rest.

Jezebelle discovered for herself that, indeed, he was a great pillow.

And together they yawned.

athsepublishing.com

Yawny Bear: P review Here

You've Got Me...

2007-04-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

You’ve got me
wishing again.
I feel wishes circling
round in my head.

You’ve got me
wishing for regular things
like rainbows unseen
and stars glittering.

But you’ve got me

wishing for more.
You’ve got me wishing for
all the things that I adore.

You’ve got me
looking at skies,
for fairies with wings, ones you can see
with your very own eyes.

You’ve got me
searching for light
and diamond raindrops,
the kind you can’t buy...

(Excerpt)

Preview here

Tickle Land

2007-04-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

There once was a world full of war and everyone was fighting. One day in the middle of the battlefield a soldier thought, Why not? and lifted his hand without the sword, leaned forward and tickled his opponent.

The opponent stared, confused at first, but then smiled and burst into laughter. Pretty soon the surrounding warriors, all the fighting ones, turned to see what the ruckus was about. What was that sound?

Laughter.

It became common in that land thereafter to punish and fight by tickling.

It's called Tickle Land.

That's where we should go.

©athsepublishing.com

Emotional Intelligence Versus Intellectual Intelligence

2007-04-04T05:52:00.000-07:00

Emotional intelligence is when you're in traffic and you so want to yell at the person in front of you who is driving recklessly, but then you catch yourself, remember, think...what if his wife is giving birth? What if his mother just died or he lost a family member? What if his child was just diagnosed with an illness? How angry do you feel if you think these things when he's cutting you off, speeding, running, rushing, maybe to save someone's life...

Intellectual intelligence, well, that's easy and so what?

I'd much rather have an emotionally intelligent person around me, someone who stops to think before they put others down or yell at someone in a public forum.

What if that person, who has you fuming, just got beat up by their husband and is so desperate to get their mind off it that they do anything, go online, publish, write, post. What if that person just recovered from major life trauma?

That's why I think everyone should keep their yelling and sarcasm to themselves.

I've made the impatient mistake myself at times, but I stop myself...think.

Now, even my daughter says, "Mommy, don't be upset that he's driving badly, maybe his mother is sick and he has to go the the hospital to help her."

The sweetie pie.

athsepublishing.com

It's about a Mother

2007-04-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

An eight-year-old boy talks to God and thanks Him for plucking the brightest star from the sky, his mother, and bringing her to him. The stars cry and mourn their loss where a gaping hole remains., but the boy asks Him to console them, for their loss has been his gain.

A testimony of love containing 13 original, watercolour and pencil illustrations by Milos Trando.

Excerpt from A Star Fell for Me:

When I asked the Great One to pluck a star,
He swept the brightest one down by far,
on earth to dwell,
for me to love,
the gift to me
from up above...

©Johann Everitt (text)
© Milos Trando (illustrations)
Preview book here

athsepublishing.com

R&B Booboo Video and Song

2007-03-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

Who does not want pain to go away? Now an R&B song and book, "Go Away Booboo!" for spiritual and emotional healing.

Song by Larry E. Coleman: crowner-colemanpublishing.com
Lyrics by Larry E. Coleman and Maggie Pagratis
Images by Liliane Grenier
athsepublishing.com
Go Away Booboo! Video