This book presents an understanding of work-family balance for working adults belonging to a number of different family structures (e.g. single and/or childfree adults, LGBT couples, families with female breadwinners). It contends that family structure should serve as a way of thinking about diversity (i.e., race, gender, age, family) in the U.S. workplace. It also argues that-in addition to accommodations occurring through workplace policy-the negotiation of work-family balance happens as a result of self-advocacy that occurs in everyday communication about family at work. Relaying the stories of a number of different working adults belonging to a variety of different family structures, it explores the range of obstacles faced in the attempt at balancing work and family life, generates informed ideas for eliminating barriers commonly experienced in balancing work and family, and problematizes enduring assumptions regarding gender roles and the myth of steadfast public and private spheres.

This book presents an understanding of work-family balance for working adults belonging to a number of different family structures (e.g. single and/or childfree adults, LGBT couples, families with female breadwinners). It contends that family structure should serve as a way of thinking about diversity (i.e., race, gender, age, family) in the U.S. workplace. It also argues that-in addition to accommodations occurring through workplace policy-the negotiation of work-family balance happens as a result of self-advocacy that occurs in everyday communication about family at work. Relaying the stories of a number of different working adults belonging to a variety of different family structures, it explores the range of obstacles faced in the attempt at balancing work and family life, generates informed ideas for eliminating barriers commonly experienced in balancing work and family, and problematizes enduring assumptions regarding gender roles and the myth of steadfast public and private spheres.

The birds are behaving in a strange manner. Two black crows, messengers from the Old Kingdom, arrive to tell Miss Jay and her team that an ancient curse is still active. In order to lift the curse and bring healing to the Earth and All Life, they must solve a riddle in just four days.

How is Miss Jay connected to this curse? What is the secret of the Dragon Tooth brooch worn by Cassandra, Pallas Athena, and Miss Jay's ancestors? How can the friends bring healing across bloodlines?

In their search for these answers, Bindi, Biggles, Kooky, Vargo, Master Zen and Miss Jay embark on an exciting journey, starting from a small island near Tasmania, where all that is large appears small. From there, they travel to Greece to meet with the ancient gods and Th emis, the oracle of Delphi. In the magical canyons of Sedona, Arizona, they seek out a wise elder with the secrets of shape-shifting, dance, and the medicine wheel. Eventually, their search takes them to Africa. Along the Zambezi River, they meet Oshun, goddess of water, who summons truth from the water itself. Miss Jay learns why she left the Dragons, who Bindi really is, and why they have been brought together.

Can the friends work together on this next phase of ascension to bring through the new energy of the New Earth? Can they heal the bloodlines and balance the masculine and feminine energy?

Will they ever be free, happy, and at peace?

The adventure continues in this second book of the Feather Bower series, as an unusual group of friends accept a new mission for the benefit of all living beings on Earth.

In order to activate new grids, offer Reiki healing, and raise the vibration of the Earth, the group must connect to ancient wisdom at each of the planet's four compass points so they can work with sacred and powerful energies. Miss Jay and her powerful associates-Bindi, Kooky, Master Zen, and Vargo-partner with the lead dragons Kardias, Korona, Ruber, and Azul to bring back their teams of dragons to help heal the Earth.

Along the way, the adventure takes the friends to sacred sites in India, Japan, America, and New Zealand, activating the heart, crown, base, and throat chakras for the Earth and all living beings. There, they activate magical portals and crystal grids to bring through ascended masters, ancients, elders, and ancestors who all work together to bring peace and harmony on Earth. What does the giant golden key open? What is the importance of the Ankh?

Can the partnership between humans and dragons help to bring about a new realm of nirvana on Earth? What will it cost the group of friends? Miss Jay ignored a sense of dread and it will bring her to her knees as more than one life will hang in the balance. If the group can succeed, every living being may know the peace and harmony on Mother Earth as it is in heaven.

There is a moment in Miss Jay's life when she stops looking at the world and starts truly seeing it. She begins to notice strange and miraculous things-gifts from the universe to one who would embrace them as an absolute truth.

Birds and animals appear at significant moments, sharing wisdom and messages and allowing Miss Jay to understand how all life is connected. She forms special friendships with three very special birds: Bindi, a rainbow lorikeet with a feathered dot on her forehead; Kooky, a kookaburra with great spiritual insight; and Master Zen, the Magpie who holds shamanic energy and is connected to spiritual elders.

Soon, the birds and animals reveal answers about truth, happiness, purpose, meaning, and even God. Miss Jay's travels take her to the Red Centre of Australia to meet with the Grand Mother Rainbow Serpent at Uluru and to the depths of the Great Barrier Reef. There, she discovers a Crystal Light City and makes a new friend-Hira the great humpback whale.

Wise souls know that there is a need to balance the elements of earth, air, water, fire, and ether within our own Chakra systems, as well as around us. Isis, Osiris, and Horus appear and bring through words of encouragement and guidance.

Why do all the animals seem to know about Miss Jay? What is her sacred mission? Who is Vargo? Friendships are rediscovered and bonds secured as they all work together to help Miss Jay find the answers to the biggest questions she's ever asked.

Transgender Communication Studies: Histories, Trends, and Trajectories brings scholarship in transgender studies to the forefront of the communication discipline. Leland Spencer and Jamie Capuzza provide a broad foundation that documents the evolution of transgender communication studies and challenges fundamental assumptions about the relationship between communication and identity. The contributors explore the political conditions these practices create for persons across the spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations, placing them in the subdisciplines of human communication, media, and public and rhetorical communication. The collection also looks to the future of transgender research with suggestions and directives for continued work. This comprehensive study inspires critical thinking about gender identity and transgender lives from within the vocabularies and methodologies of communication studies.