The Universal Archive

This painting is part of a series the artist made depicting the "Loves of Jupiter." Ganymede is a beautiful youth, nude except for a flowing red cloth. He is being carried aloft by a massive eagle, who is Zeus in disguise. The painting captures a moment of gentle surrender and almost dreamy sensu...

Understanding Friendship A quest to understand understanding: What is friendship?
Or, more precisely, what does it take to be a friend?
I've never considered myself a good friend to anyone.
I'd offer help, not necessarily when it was convenient, but when it didn't cost too much, if that makes sense.
I suppose I'd evaluate the investment.
I might help for days or weeks if I deemed it worthy and if it didn't take away from my family.
If I believed it would in any way negatively impact my child ...

Earth Awakens
Orson Scott Card
CHAPTER 1

Code

Changing the course of a war for the survival of the human race doesn’t often come to anyone, but it’s especially rare for eight-year-olds to have the opportunity.
Yet when Bingwen saw that it was within his grasp, he didn’t hesitate.
He was as respectful of authority as any child could be—but he was also keenly aware when he was right, and those in authority were either wrong or uncertain.
Uncertainty was what surrounded Bingwen now, in a barra...

When all Thy mercies, O my God, My rising soul surveys, Transported with the view, I'm lost In wonder, love and praise. Thy Providence my life sustained, And all my wants redressed, While in the silent womb I lay, And hung upon the breast. To all my weak complaints and cries Thy mercy lent an ear, Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learned To form themselves in prayer. Unnumbered comforts to my soul Thy tender care bestowed, Before my infant heart conceived From Whom those comforts flowed. When i...