Donna Smith

From a headless burial to cocaine toothache drops, the true stories hidden in the Wild West's medical records are a match for its tallest tales. In the 19th century, when dying young was a fact of life, a routine bout of diarrhea could be fatal. No one had heard of viruses or bacteria, but they killed more soldiers on the frontier than hostile raiding parties. Physicians dispensed whiskey for TB, mercury for VD and arsenic for indigestion. Baseball injuries were considered to be in the line of duty and twice resulted in amputations at Fort Davis. Donna Gerstle Smith explains how an industrious laundress could earn more than a private, how a female army surgeon won the Medal of Honor and how a garrison illegally hung the local bartender.

When Thomas MacDonald, a somewhat dull thirty-something bookstore clerk, finds three suitcases near a dumpster, he has no idea of the adventures ahead of him. He swiftly discovers that his new-found baggage is a time-travel portal, one that seems to have a purpose to its destinations into the past. But what is it? And how does his new-found love fit in? Should he tell her about his travels? Will she think he has lost his mind? Or maybe, just maybe, they might figure out how to use those suitcases to their advantage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, three writers began searching for a way to beat the "stay at home" blahs. They began work on a series of short stories, wherein each would write the beginning of a story, pass it on to the second, who passed it on to the third. At the end of the week, they met on Zoom and shared their work. One of those stories just kept growing and became the novella, Baggage. Enjoy

Millions of people accept Christ, wait for a life transformation, then wonder, "Is this all there is?" For those brave enough to ask, the answers seldom suffice. No word of man can bring the perfect peace Jesus promises. Faith, joy, and fearlessness are gifts of the Holy Spirit, not the cumulative result of scholarship or service. Where's the joy and peace that passes understanding in your life?Going to church and listening to well-intentioned, precisely prepared, or popular faith messages have no power without the Spirit of God. There must be more than what most churches teach, because most congregants don't bask in the comfort, power, and peace of Christ. The mass exodus of people from western churches clearly shows that something is missing.If you're not feeling what you think you're supposed to, this book is for you. And for those who already know the delight of walking with Christ through God's Spirit, but haven't developed the reproducible method to share that joy. The Hidden Truth offers useful lessons and insights.Jon Dean and Donna Smith wrote this book to help you through the discovery and discipleship process they documented and taught. This 2019 edition of their 2014 book makes it easier for readers to use and apply. Jesus says, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15)What does Jesus command? What does He promise to the obedient? The Hidden Truth lays out both His commands and promises (Chapter 11).We are called to daily become more like Christ. But what is He like? The Hidden Truth offers one-hundred eighty characteristics of Christ (Chapter 10).Author Jon Dean (JD) Smith is an unusual man. He is fully Christ's man, something many believe about themselves, but their thoughts and behaviors suggest otherwise. In the Foreword, Lynn Baber shares her experience working with JD and Donna to produce The Hidden Truth, and the testimony of their soul rest and peace during crisis and loss.More churches teach congregational doctrine, service, and opinion than teach Jesus. The Hidden Truth is 100% Jesus; who He is, how He taught His disciples, what He both promises and commands, and what you can expect from walking daily in the Holy Spirit.Yes, the Holy Spirit, the one Person of the Trinity seldom taught in mainline churches. If you're not intimately related to this member of the Godhead, you miss the vital connection that makes Jesus real in your life today. Transformation is only possible through the Spirit of God.The Hidden Truth is pro-church; the church that Jesus will greet with joy and love when He returns. Most churches are institutions of man, not discipling centers based on what Jesus lived and taught. Life mixes strife, conflict, and fear among beauty and blessings. God the Father created the human spirit to seek truth, but we don't always recognize it. True soul rest becomes possible when the Spirit of God in you discerns what is real.(Originally published in 2014 as Please Become Our Disciple )

This project was carried out to make a comprehensive guide for artists who are seeking to learn the pipeline of creating a 3D character textured in hand-painted style from an initial concept to a fully finished optimized character suitable for games. The aim of this thesis is to present all the necessary information to get an artist started on this path as well as offer theoretical background to this topic, and describe trends that are driving the scene of handpainted texturing style. The project consisted of a character concepting phase, followed by creating a high-poly model of the character in Zbrush. The model was later retopologized in Topogun to get a low-poly version that is used further in the process and that is suitable for games. Then the model went through technical preparation for the texturing stage. Lastly the character was textured in 3D-coat, a result analysis was done and conclusions were drawn. The outcome of this project is a comprehensive document with valuable information and a game-ready 3D character based the original concept of Sylvanas Windrunner from the World of Warcraft game. The outcome includes a high-poly and a low-poly version and a texture map.

This book provides a much-needed analysis of the changing representation of gay politicians in UK newspapers. Focusing on the 1950s onwards, a time when the press became more personal and gay politicians/politicians involved in gay scandals came to the forefront of media attention, the text uses case-studies and socio-political analysis to develop a frame of representation which shows how a move from intolerance to tolerance to partial recognition of homosexuality has impacted upon the acceptability of homosexuality in 'heterosexual public space', with this then affecting the representation of gay politicians in the press. What was private has now become public, pointing to the fact that gay politicians have mediated personas; their private lives, and sexualities, are lived in/presented through the media. This book reveals insights about representation and the construction of identity through its focus on sexuality, politicians and the media, with the changing line between the private and public an essential concept. Sensationalism and scandal are key issues in the text, with the press coverage of politicians caught up in gay scandals, as well as gay politicians, explored. The representation of gay politicians in the UK press has so far been underrepresented in media and political studies. Lack of discussion is strange, considering that gay politicians have been at the forefront of the media's attention over the last fifty years. This book provides a much needed contribution to political, media and social history.

This book provides a much-needed analysis of the changing representation of gay politicians in UK newspapers. Focusing on the 1950s onwards, a time when the press became more personal and gay politicians/politicians involved in gay scandals came to the forefront of media attention, the text uses case-studies and socio-political analysis to develop a frame of representation which shows how a move from intolerance to tolerance to partial recognition of homosexuality has impacted upon the acceptability of homosexuality in 'heterosexual public space', with this then affecting the representation of gay politicians in the press. What was private has now become public, pointing to the fact that gay politicians have mediated personas; their private lives, and sexualities, are lived in/presented through the media. This book reveals insights about representation and the construction of identity through its focus on sexuality, politicians and the media, with the changing line between the private and public an essential concept. Sensationalism and scandal are key issues in the text, with the press coverage of politicians caught up in gay scandals, as well as gay politicians, explored. The representation of gay politicians in the UK press has so far been underrepresented in media and political studies. Lack of discussion is strange, considering that gay politicians have been at the forefront of the media's attention over the last fifty years. This book provides a much needed contribution to political, media and social history.