Log Cabin Floor Plans

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Gay Republicans? Yes, gay Republicans -- not only do they exist, but they are proactive in both party and national politics, and as this book explains, they are intent on changing the status quo. In Party Crasher: A Gay Republican Challenges Politics as Usual, Richard Tafel, head of the Log Cabin Republicans, issues a challenge to some of America's most sacred political institutions with an insightful analysis of the past, present, and future of gay politics in this country. Using personal anecdotes as well as the stories of other gay and lesbian Republicans, Rich Tafel succeeds in humanizing the struggle he and others have undertaken in their effort to have their party deal fairly with gays and gay issues, as well as their campaign to make gays aware of the benefits that can accrue from having political alliances with others besides traditional left-leaning Democrats. At first glance, this gay Republican's story may seem a quixotic quest, but by book's end the reader is reminded of the power an individual can wield. In a political system in which apathy and cynicism reign, Tafel's maverick style is refreshing; in a culture filled with people in need of being liked, Tafel offers the alternative belief that being respected is more important than being liked. And through his stories it becomes clear that even his most ardent opponents on the left and on the right have to harbor a grudging respect for the integrity and depth of his beliefs. The book is laid out in three sections: "Life," "Liberty," and "The Pursuit of Happiness." In the part entitled "Life," Tafel shows that gay political ideologies are a product of the rejection gays experience. The next section, "Liberty," shows how those ideologies play themselves out in the course of day-to-day American politics, and Tafel warns of the dangers gays face in being taken for granted by the Democratic Party while being written off by the Republicans. In the course of this discussion, he chronicles the process by which the Democratic Party became the overwhelming party of choice for gays, and he challenges the treatment of gays by the Democrats as a triumph of empathy over substance, while at the same time blasting the Republicans for pandering to the zealots of the far right. In "The Pursuit of Happiness," Tafel argues that political strategies alone aren't enough to advance the cause of gay rights -- spiritual values and morals, he says, must be at the heart of the gay strategy. Here he challenges both those within the gay community who reject moral language and spirituality and those in organized religion -- particularly those in his own Christian faith -- who view sexuality simply as a matter of choice, and a choice to be condemned if it is not the straight and narrow. By the book's conclusion, Rich Tafel has crashed any number of parties: the Republican establishment, the Democratic establishment, the gay establishment, and the religious establishment. What is unique in his criticism of his community, his church, and his political party is the underlying desire he has for all parties to live up to the "better angels." More than a book about gay politics or Republican politics, Party Crasher is a reminder that a few committed people, basing their actions in integrity, can still make a difference in the jaded world that American politics has become. Certainly that is a message that Americans need to hear.

As the executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans, a political action committee for gay conservatives, Richard Tafel is used to criticism and scorn. "I've been demonized and been called names by those on the right who have never taken the opportunity to get to know me," he says. "And I've been caricatured and demonized by those on the gay left who also would rather despise what they think I am than find out who I really am." Party Crasher reveals a fascinating individual, an ordained minister (mentored by Harvard Divinity's Peter Gomes) comfortable debating scripture with fundamentalists and a political activist unwilling to accept the common wisdom that gays and lesbians should give their allegiance to the Democratic party. While always friendly towards queer campaign contributions, Tafel notes, the Dems have failed to follow through on many of their promises. Far from allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, he reports, the Clinton administration has been responsible for expelling more homosexuals from the armed forces than any other in American history. And then there was Clinton's trumpeting to the religious right of his approval of the Defense of Marriage Act, which refused federal recognition for same-sex unions. Tafel rejects the identity politics that lead to such unproductive alliances, favoring instead an emphasis on individual rights and responsibility in which political commitment is based on a desire to personally do the right thing rather than be "accepted" or "loved." "If you want to be embraced," he warns, "get a boyfriend or a dog. But don't get involved in politics because you need a hug; you'll just get hurt." Party Crasher is filled with anecdotes of Tafel's encounters with people at all sorts of points on the political spectrum, such as the time that the radical group Queer Nation invited him to a college campus to criticize homophobic activities by members of the college's Young Republican chapter, or his perspective on the controversy surrounding the 1996 Dole presidential campaign's rejection of a Log Cabin contribution. And there are several profiles of other gay Republicans (heavily skewed towards men, it's true, but as Tafel says, openly Republican lesbians are even more rare than their gay male counterparts). There's something in this book to upset just about everyone's preconceptions, but what comes through most is Richard Tafel's passion and commitment for social justice and genuine acceptance of everybody's differences. --Ron Hogan

Description

Swedish Interiors Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems Swedish Interiors is the first book to share the history, progression, and key elements of Swedish style and how to use it in many different styles of homes. From the white- and blue-hued images of the familiar Gustavian style to the gold accents and luxurious patterns found in the Swedish Baroque, Rococo, and Biedermeier periods, the secret to Swedish design is in having the confidence to mix old and new while maintaining a clean and simple aesthetic. Emphasizes light, comfort and elegance. Is found throughout the world, proving its wide appeal and the ease with which it blends with other design styles. The authors operate Eleish Van Breems Antiques, a renowned Swedish antiques and decorating resource. Featured on Martha Stewart Living, and in Country Living, House Beautiful, Travel & Leisure, the New York Times, Traditional Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Victoria, and Yankee. Regional author tour.

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• ISBN13: 9781423600244
• Condition: New
• Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

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More than half of the projects in this book can be completed in less than 8 hoursIn an age of mass-produced, look-alike merchandise, there’s no greater pleasure than to receive—or to give—a handmade gift. To make gifts for family and friends testifies to your esteem for them and to your loving dedication of precious energy and time.And there’s the rub. These days, few people have time to create elaborate hand-fashioned gifts. Understanding the demands on contemporary crafters’ schedules—but understanding, too, their wish to express their love and care in this very personal way—led Joelle Hoverson to write Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Now, in the follow-up to that extremely successful 2004 volume—with nearly 80,000 copies in print—Hoverson and photographer Anna Williams present Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts.The book—designed for use by both first-time and longtime quilters—features 30 patchwork and quilted projects organized according to the amount of time it takes to complete them: less than 2 hours, 2 to 4 hours, 4 to 8 hours, 8 to 12 hours, and 12 hours or more. The gifts are inspired by Amish, Appalachian, and Japanese quilting traditions, among others, and range from easy pillowcases and covered scrapbooks to simplified (but heirloom-worthy) log cabin and crazy quilts. Hoverson also shares an overview of her approach to color as well as the tools and techniques she used to complete the projects in the book.

Features

• ISBN13: 9781584796343
• Condition: New
• Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

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An "Eggstravaganza" of thirteen traditional patterns that gained popularity in the 1930's. In addition to two sampler quilt layouts, yardage charts are provided for five patterns in various quilt sizes. And to tempt your creativity, you will find a treasury of projects.

Features

• ISBN13: 9781891776199
• Condition: New
• Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

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Barns, sheds, garages, and storage buildings all age as houses do. And, like houses, they will eventually need renovation to save them from disrepair and to restore them to their former glory. And they can even be converted into spaces that are once again useful to their owners, including a storage area, a studio, or a home office. Readers will learn to save money, history, and architecture simply by renovating and restoring rather than by replacing their old outbuildings. From the foundation up, from the walls in, and from the roof down, craftsman Nick Engler, author of dozens of books and hundreds of magazine articles on woodworking, construction, and home how-to, takes readers through the process of renovating existing outbuildings. Engler gives seasoned advice on how to square and strengthen the structure, repair or replace the roofing and siding, enlarge and modify the building, install new doors and windows, and add electricity and plumbing. He also includes practical information on how to evaluate an old structure in light of current building codes and how to then preserve the original charm of any outbuilding while making it usable again.