NEW BLOG DUE EVENING OF 08/20/19
MAY/JUNE BLOG 2019
"There is no friend as loyal as a book."
Ernest Hemingway
As you know I've been a book lover all my life. Books got me through a hard childhood, made me passionate about learning, and today I have books stacked up in my bedroom that give me a sense of comfort and security no matter what is happening in the world or in my life. I so enjoy going from room to room and running my fingers over my large collection of books I love. What memories are on those shelves. I even have books from my childhood and my diaries. Hemingway said a mouthful. I do wonder what his book collection was like. As for mine, there is always room for another book, whether it be fiction or non-fiction, if it is well-written and/or well- illustrated it will find a home with me. I'm a bibliophile with a very strong emotional attachment to books as an art not their monetary value. In this Blog I will introduce you to places and people with the love of the book as art and brought their dreams to life for you and I to enjoy, admire, and inspire us to believe in our own dreams. Don't give up even if you are over 90! Years ago and woman in her 90's got her first book published, a book she had been working on for many, many years. That was her dream and she made it! It became a bestseller.
Now let's take a peek at other dreamers.
VISITING A HEAVENLY BOOK SPOT -
ROSWELL BOOKBINDING IN PHOENIX, AZ
Books are at the center of my life. As my daughter always says, "My mother's way of decorating is to add another bookshelf." I claim that remark as true. I'm also always looking for new and interesting places, ideas, and needlework ideas to write about, investigating 'new stuff" for this blog. Not only do I dig into my files, books and the internet but I love visiting places to do with books and needlework.
But this time, this article began with a call from Christi Buchholz, who introduced herself as the customer service representative for Roswell Bookbinding. To my surprise, I discovered that this company has been located in Phoenix, Arizona, about a 20-25 minute drive from me, for nearly 60 years. Here I was in the book
Christi encouraged me to come on over and tour the entire 5000 square foot building and see the entire process of creating my beloved books. So on the 14th of May I happily drove to Roswell Bookbinding, anxious to meet Christi who would take the time to personally tour me.
What can I say about a perfect morning other than the tour was way above all my expectations?The minute Christi and I stepped into a large conference room with wall of shelves full of amazing past book projects completed I was in book heaven. She kindly showed me some of the more exotic and complicated projects such as a copy of Mickey Mouse's suitcase specially made to hold books, an Adidas shoe box, explained how Rockwell was awarded the high honor of binding the St. John's Bible. I wanted to stay there for days instead of hours but there was so 
Over 100 people work there and were some of the most welcoming people I've ever met. They graciously allowed me to watch them
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| Hand Sewing a Book |
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| Working on a Cover |
work and explained their jobs. I learned about foil stamping and dye cutting, what a signature was (page count is very important with offset presses where the total pages must be multiples of 8,16, or32), choosing between gloss lamination or matte lamination in paperbacks. I watched machine book sewing with large spools of white thread unwinding continuously and hand stitching.
You can feel the pride in their work and love of binding the minute you walk into the building. Here are people taking paper, leather, vinyl, cardboard, glue, thread and other miscellaneous materials and turn that into amazing books. How wonderful to see your hard work turn into something beautiful and lasting.
Because of my research and historical novel, The Secret Codices - ($15.95 -20%discount applies), I've been trying to make time to learn the Coptic binding that was used on the books in the 4th century A.D. that feature in my book. I've put that off long enough. I've decided I've got to make an appointment for that happening like I do for the dentist, doctor, etc. When I learned about these discovered books in Egypt I wanted to go see them and write about them. My book relates the heroic efforts of a small band of 4th century Egyptians to preserve these forbidden texts and translate them into the Coptic language. The story is told by a female scribe, tutored by her grandfather, the famous teacher, Epimachos. Her journey to save these codices leads her on a dangerous adventure spanning the length of Egypt from Alexandria up the Nile to the mountains in the south near Nag Hammadi. I did four extended stays in Egypt to research them. But I have more to write about. That's my dream. I hope many of you are considering making a book on your needlework with pictures and information on it for historical purposes. Look at all the needleworkers of the past whose art is now written about and displayed. Who knows? So we have the best information on that process, I've included some books below on book binding.
I've seen excellent needlework books fail, simply because the front covers and back covers were done poorly. It has been shown that people choosing a book to read look at the front cover, then the back cover, and then read the first few paragraphs of the book and then at illustrations, diagrams, or photographs if these are included.
If designing a book it takes great planning and foresight.
Hazell, Rachel - Bound: 15 Beautiful Bookbinding Projects - This author is an expert on binding and shares her knowledge with an accessible collection of creative bookbinding projects using different techniques for cutting and folding as well as stitches such as ladder, the Silt Book, A concertina with Pockets and the Three-Hole Pamphlet Stitch, which can then be developed further to create unique and personal handmade notebooks for yourself and as gifts. $22.99
Hollander, Tom and Cindy Hollander - Introduction to Bookbinding and Custom Cases: A Project Approach for Learning Traditional Methods - This step-by-step guide by experts in binding bring you valuable beginning and intermediate level skills, using their trademark hands-on approach, this couple explain the basics of the craft, then guide you through instructions and photos to help you succeed. You'll master the pamphlet book style, the flat-back book, the round-back book, and the construction of slipcase book protection. Along with formulas to help you navigate making your own custom-size books, an extensive glossary of bookbinding terms and a list of many of the authors' handmade books and boxes provides inspiration. $35.00Kyle, Hedi and Ulla Warchol - The Art of the Fold: How to Make Innovative Books and Paper Structure - Hedi has been described as a book structure magician and in this book she shows
Watson, Aldren - Hand Bookbinding: A Manual of Instruction (Revised) - This Dover publication brings us expert, illustrated guide to creating fine books by hand;. Materials and equipment, basic procedures, rebinding an old book, plus 8 more projects: dust
jacket binding too. Through the illustrations by the author, cover materials, tools, and equipment (including making your own) you will become proficient in this craft. $16.95
ST JOHN'S BIBLE PROJECT
"One of the extraordinary undertakings of our time"
Smithsonian Magazine
The Smithsonian Magazine says so much about this incredible book project in so few words. And it was one man who caused this to ever be possible. Donald Jackson, the Queen of England's calligrapher and longtime friend of St. John's Abbey had a lifelong dream of creating an illuminated Bible. As a young boy he loved the feel of a pen in his hand and took that love of writing and drawing to its highest level. In 1996, Donald
The only modern equipment used on this monumental book project was a computer to plan the layout of the Bible and line-breaks for the text. The size is impressive as well being two feet tall by three feet wide (when open) and is divided into seven volumes.
You've seen the covers in the Roswell Bookbinding article above, now I will let this work of art speak for itself.
As for Donald Jackson, his love of book art has consumed his life. He didn't chose a simple path for his art, he took it to the highest level he could. It took him from the 1970's to almost the 21st century to be heard. The planning, the hard work, the pressure to make his vision come to life and be perfect must have been draining so I feel he had to focus on the love of his art and not the pressure.
If you want to learn more about this one-of-a-kind book art project or want to see where the replicas of this Bible are being exhibited please go to: www.saintjohnsbible.org.
A MASTER BOOK OF THE PAST: THE TREVELEYON MISCELLANY
"It is through art, and through art only,
that we can realize our perfection"
Oscar Wilde
I must include this wonderful hand created book from 400 years ago by Thomas Trevelyon, a man of some mystery, not of the upper classes or royalty. He seems he was a skilled scribe and pattern-maker who had a great access to woodcuts, engravings, almanacs, chronicles, emblem books and took his talent, knowledge and love of book art to create his own. He did not do this for reward or public admiration, he simply had a passion in him to use his talent to create something for his family and close friends to enjoy. How surprised he would be to discover his works are in the Folger Shakespeare Library and is considered one of its greatest treasures. In fact, this is their only book to enjoy an exhibit devoted to it. How about that Thomas Trevelyon?
We are not talking a small work of art. The facsimile edition, that I am a proud owner of is massive being 18 inches tall and weighing over 17 pounds. It is printed on archival paper, Smyth sewn, and bound in cloth-wrapped boards with a reinforced spine and a full-color dust jacket and I love the bookcase that holds it. In addition to the 594 pages illustrated by Trevelyon, this volume includes a new introduction and indexes to poetry, scripture, subjects, images, and Trevelyon sources.
The highlight of this book is the wonderful Elizabethan embroidery designs - over 100 pages of them. These delicious embroidery patterns are ready to transfer to material and be stitched - about 290 designs. Such a wonderful source for embroiderers in love with Elizabethan embroidery. I've shown some of these in this article for your pleasure. This book is still available. New with bookcase - $750.00 (only 10% discount on this since it is short discounted. The mailing will be $18.00
Thank you, Thomas Trevelyon.
POTPORRI OF NEW BOOKS
BLOG BOOK PICK: Goldwork Masterclass by Alison Cole a designer of beautiful embroidery and books.
"With a needle and thread Alison Cole magically turns fabrics in Art Masterpieces." - Ruth Kern -
Last blog I selected a pick recommended by Alison Cole, the wonderful embroiderer, teacher, and writer of award-winning books on needlework. This month I'm excited to announce her forth-coming book due out in August, Goldwork Masterclass: Adventures in Metal Thread Embroidery. This book, she writes, "has been written for all who love the joys of Goldwork. Each chapter of this book looks at a different aspect of Goldwork - from traditional to contemporary. Starting with a little of its rich history and the materials and padding beneath, through to the glittering threads and techniques for their application - this book takes goldwork apart to give you the inspiration to create your own beautiful metal thread embroidery." If you order by July 10th, 2019 you can purchase this book at the discounted price of $45.00 PLUS your usual 20% discount. Afterwards, the price will revert to $54.95 but you still can count on the usual 20% blog discount. (our discount code: Bks19)
Alison's other "classic books" are still available and are listed below. But first, I want to meet this incredible, dedicated embroiderer, designer, and teacher. She lives in Australia, but teaches around the world. I so enjoyed meeting this delightful redhead at one of the embroidery seminars. She's a delight and her classes are filled as soon as announced. She has received the Florence Monod Award for excellence and a Commendation for Stitching Excellence from the Embroiderer's Guild United Kingdom for their 'Picture This' competition to name just a few of many, many awards and honors she has compiled to date. Her Stumpwork Masterclass helped her win a commission for Christian Dior. Then another commission - embroidering on the Monash university Chancellor's robes. In 2017 her book, The Embroiderer's Little Book of Hints and Tips received a Gold Medal at the Independent Publisher Awards in New York, USA. Alison took her love of needlework to an incredible level of excellence. Don't miss visiting her website and view her awe-inspiring needle art. Her website is:Alisoncoleembroidery.com.au.
Alison's Other Great Books:
Stumpwork Masterclass - This 208 page soft cover publication that is for beginners and experienced stitchers and contains information on all aspects of this beautiful form of embroidery that she teaches in her beginner and intermediate classes as well as the masterclass. The main focus here is the techniques found on historical pieces of Stumpwork, she also encompasses modern techniques. Alison takes Stumpwork apart and looks at its history and each element that makes it up from motifs such as flowers and animals to stitches and neede-lace. $49.95
All That Glitters - In her first book Alison features the embroidery techniques of Goldwork and Stumpwork and features a text book of requirements and techniques as well as a project section with designs - both framed and free standing pieces - suitable for both those new to Goldwork and the advanced embroiderer. Laid out with clear diagrams, color photos and hints and tips, this is an important book for embroiderers. $39.95
Embroiderer's Little Book of Hints and Tips - This is a workbasket-sized 144 page soft cover book with a concealed internal spiral-binding so it opens flat. Alison includes sections on everything from setting up a workbasket through to framing your finished embroidery. It has special sections with hints for Goldwork and Stumpwork embroidery as well as general stitch hints and fudges, hints for photography and going to classes. At the back are needle identification pages with actual size photos of needles for comparison. There are some blank pages for you to enter your personal notes. $40.00NOW ONTO MORE GREAT BOOKS
Barrett, Gina - 20 to Stitch; Fabric Buttons - Create 20 unique, shaped fabric buttons for use as embellishments or accessories. Learn to make 20 button designs using fabric as an embellishment to a garment or as a piece of jewellery or accessory. Gina Barrett uses techniques such as stitching, embroidery and beading, and provides shaped templates for those projects where the user may need more assistance. The buttons are all worked at a small size, so will require limited materials and thread for a polished finish. All these buttons can be created easily by following Gina's straightforward instructions and stitch diagrams. $9.95
Bateman, Lorna - Embroidered Country Gardens - Embroider elements of an idyllic English country garden in this beautiful book suitable for beginners as well as accomplished embroiderers. Lorna walks you through a variety of stitches including raised and textured stitches, teaching you to embroider individual flowers with them and how to incorporate these into an original garden motif. This book includes an A-Z of English garden flowers, how to stitch them, how to stitch common garden insects, and how to embroider iconic garden imagery such as birdbaths and garden ornament. Lorna also includes hints and tips to help you develop your own skills and unique styles. She features over 8 elaborate and practical projects to stitch, including a pencil case, tape measure cover, thimble pip, glasses case and thread catcher. Full-size pattern insert for making a bag in which to keep the individual projects is included. Lorna focuses on raised embroidery techniques and textured stitches. $26.95
Giordano, Chloe - The Embroidered Art of Chloe Giordano - Take a walk through the stunning stitched world of renowned embroiderer Chloe Giordano. Taking each project from conception through to completion, see how Chloe plans her designs, chooses and blends colours, selects threads, and finally stitches in order to create her beautifully detailed embroideries. Packed with Chloe's guidance on every aspect of the process, including hooping and framing, this book will inspire you to create stunning thread paintings of your own. In the second part of the book, wind your way through a beautiful gallery of Chloe's work showcasing her popular intricate embroideries that celebrate wildlife both big and small. All are accompanied by back stories and inspirations behind the piece, offering a fascinating and exclusive look into the mind and mastery of the embroiderer. Chloe has a huge following online with over 243,00 followers on Instagram and 44,000 followers on Facebook. $29.95
Haggard, Brian - Blended Embroidery - Preserve family memories with new quilts that lovingly tie together the past with the present. Learn how to comb through bits of history and reimagine them into wall art, sewing notions, and more! Gorgeous embroidery adds richness to these vintage hybrids. Full instructions for five projects, fifteen stitch techniques, and a gallery full of ideas will help you think outside the box and create a cherished new piece for your home. $27.95
Ishii, Sachiyo - Pocket Pompoms: 34 Little Woolly Creatures to Make - Our author brings us 34 really cute pocket-size creatures with sections on materials, tools, and basic techniques, you have all you need to get your started. Learn how to make the pompoms, attach them to each other and needle felt on features such as faces, ears, arms and legs - adding the features is where their characters really come to life! All the pompoms can be made from scraps of yarn in your stash and each design uses only small amounts. You can be up-to-the-minute with plastic pompom makers or keep it traditional with the cardboard ring technique. $14.95
Ishii, Sachiyo - 20 to Knit Pocket Pets - Sachiyo is back with a new collection of 20 great projects including a baby penguin, a koala bear, a guinea pig and a squirrel. All the projects are accompanied by clear, easy-to follow patterns and photos. There is a useful page of basic techniques at the start of the book, including making up, stuffing, and simple decorative surface stitching. Easy to make. $9.95
Newton, Deborah, Finishing School: A Master Class for Knitters - This is the most trusted resource on finishing techniques for knitting. Compiling her sage wisdom from more than 25 years of experience. She uses a straightforward approach that empowers knitters to create professional-looking garments and accessories. She patiently takes her student-readers through blocking, seaming, buttonholes and bands, zippers, edgings, pockets, and other embellishment - and carefully demystifies it with detailed photos, tips and tutorials. As a bonus, 15 patterns for sweaters, jackets, and scarves, many with variations, illustrate the newly learned techniques. $22.95
Okamoto, Keiko - Keiko Okamoto's Japanese Knitting Stitches: A Stitch Dictionary of 150 Amazing Patterns with 7 Sample Projects - The author is known around the world for her wide range of innovative designs including new takes on classic forms full of interesting embellishments such as fringes, pompoms and garlands. This is the first time her famous book is available in English. Projects include a cardigan with charming crocheted strawberry garland, a multi-colored, fringed neck wrap, a pair of funky, sculptural arm-warmers - toasty and multi-textured; a charming Fair Isle knitted basket bag, a pair of fluffy, cuffed mittens, an elegant A-lined textured wool sweater suitable for any body type, a chic Nordic-patterned short coat. $18.99
Search Press Studio - 100 Little Crochet Gifts to Make - These 100 projects from some of their best-selling crochet authors covers a wide variety of themes from beautiful crocheted flowers, beanie hats, Christmas crocheted projects, cute bears, lovely hearts and stylish purses. Special stitches used are explained in detail, and yarns are described in generic terms, so crocheters can use what is available to them, wherever they may live. They are simple enough for experienced beginners and will also appeal to seasoned crocheters. The tools and materials are inexpensive and widely available. $19.95
Shore, Debbie - Sew Outdoor Living: Brighten Up Your Garden with 22 Colourful Projects - Using easy-to-follow photography and simple instructions Debbie shows you how to sew beautiful items for outdoor living. Sew decorative accessories for the patio, such as seat cushions and bunting, create practical items such as a BBQ tool roll and picnic caddy, and even make a child's teepee. Perfect for people of all abilities who love sewing and enjoy their gardens, or who want to make a gift for someone who does. $17.95
Yu, Han - Bead Embroidery Chinese Style: A Step-by-Step Visual Guide with Inspiring Projects - This author is one of the world's leading experts on bead embroidery, regularly showing garments at Fashion Week, and for state dignitaries and celebrities as well as teaching and lecturing workshops across China. She includes 25 unique embroidery designs and a step-by-step guide to 30 unique projects that incorporate traditional Chinese art and design elements. You will learn over a dozen embroidery stitches for single-bead, multi-bead, free stitches, layered stitches, and more. Small-scale embroidery projects include jewelry, coasters, pouches and more. More advanced projects, include makeup bags, lamp covers, and wall art. $24.95
Wolfe, Victoria Findlay - Playing with Purpose: A Quilt Retrospective - Take a deep look inside the evolution of one of today's most important modern quilt artists. Always fascinated by color, pattern, and design, Victoria found her life's true joy in quiltmaking. From a young age, a wandering spirit compelled her to become "an artist". Today, her diverse and exciting body of work stirs quilters worldwide to dig deeper, take risks, and experiment with fabric. This beautifully photographed retrospective contains photos of more that 100 of her inspiring quilts, as well as the stories behind them. $39.95MYSTERY CORNER
Blake, Bethany - Something Borrowed, Something Mewed (Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery) Daphne Templeton's sister Piper is getting married - and their mother is getting carried away. She insists on hiring Sylvan Creek's top event planner, Abigail Sinclair, who proposes a Statue of Liberty - inspired bridesmaid dresses. WIth all the bickering among the families, Daphne's glad her only duty right now is pet-sitting for Abby's cat, MS. Peebles. At the tension-filled dress fitting, the abrasive wedding planner is found strangled by a garter - a weapon both borrowed and blue. Now Daphne is ready to get involved to help solve a murder. $7.99
Cahoun, Lynn - Sconed to Death (Cat Latimer Mystery) - Cat has a full plate at her Aspen Hills Warm Springs Resort, as a group of aspiring cozy mystery authors arrives for a writers retreat. So when Dee Dee Meyer stirs up trouble because she insists Cat's best friend Shauna stole her recipes - Cat marches into the shop to confront her. But Dee Dee's about to have her own batch of trouble. Greyson FInn - a celebrity chef and, until today, one of Denver's most eligible bachelors - has been found dead in her bakery. Cat is warned by the chief of police not to engage in any half-baked sleuthing. But as her curiosity rises, Cat's determined to discover who served the chef his just desserts. $7.99
Connolly, Sheila - Murder at the Mansion ( Victorian Village Mystery) - This author has published over thirty mysteries, including several New York Times bestsellers. This is a first in her latest series. Katherine Hamilton never wanted to return to her dead-end hometown. But when she is called in to help save Asheboro from going bankrupt, Kate can't refuse the generous offer. One day while touring the old Victorian mansion, Kate stumbles over a dead body. Impossibly, the victim is none other than Kate's high school nemesis, Cordelia Walker. Soon Kate is drawn deep into the history of the old mansion. What secrets are hidden within its walls-and can the truth be discovered before the killer comes for Kate herself? $7.99
Dratch, Dana - Seeing Red - (Red Herring Mystery) - A reporter like Alex Vlodnachek can't say no to investigating multiple murders in a tale in which the discovery of several dead bodies is upstaged by many other complications. Alex's freelance career is catching fire and her relationship with B and B owner Ian Sterling is flirty and fun. She's even attending a glittering cocktail party at his sprawling Victorian inn. But something is off. When Ian's father vanishes, the enigmatic innkeeper ask her help. When Alex, an intrepid redhead discovers a body in the B and B's basement and a "reproduction" Renoir in the library, she begins to suspect that Ian is more than just a simple hotel owner. With editor pal Trip, brother Nick, and rescue-pup Lucy riding shotgun, Alex scrambles to stay one step ahead of disaster - and some very nasty characters. Can see find Ian's father before it is too late? Or will Alex be the next one to disappear? $7.99
Greenlaw, Linda - Slipknot: A Jane Bunker Mystery - Now back in print this is the first installment in Greenlaw's mystery series. Jane returned to Maine to escape the mean streets of Miami. Surely whatever crimes are committed in this tourist-filled seaside town won't involve anything as dark or seedy as did in the Sunshine State. It's a bit of a shock, then, when Nick Down AKA the town drunk, turns up dead - and it's not the simple accident that everyone assumes it to be. Now it's up to Jane to get involved although only two things are certain: nothing is what it seems, and the whole town is in each other's business. Before she became a writer, Linda was the captain of a swordboat, the career that earned her a prominent role in Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm and a portrayal on Isle au Haut, Maine, where she captains a lobster boat. $7.99
Smith, Karen Rose - Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches (Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery) - Restaurant critic Derek Schumaker, notorious for his bitter reviews, is about to visit Daisy's Tea Garden, and Daisy and Aunt Iris are simmering with anxiety. A bad word from this reviewer and her business might stall but Daisy tries to stay confident. After all, how can her resist her cucumber sandwiches with pimento spread - not to mention the cheesy cauliflower soup and more. Schumaker takes a to-go order when the afternoon tea service is done, which Daisy hopes is a good sigh. But when he perishes from a seizure, it looks as if his food was dosed with poison . When she discovers whispers of scandal in his past - Daisy has quite an assortment of suspects to sift through. Delicious recipes included. $7.99
Sefton, Maggie - Dyeing Up Loose Ends - (Knitting Mystery) - Kelly is happily busy with her son Jack, now a rambunctious four-year-old preschooler. Jack keeps his mom on her toes and drinking all the coffee she can handle. Kelly splits her free time between Pete's and Lambspun, where her fellow knitter love hearing all about Jack's latest exploits. The Lambspun's crew is horrified when a murder occurs in their midst - and Julie is the victim. With her sleuthing instincts on full alert, Kelly starts asking questions. The well-liked waitress may have had enemies no one knew about, or she could have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Friends at Lambspun soon learn that the answers are knottier and more shocking than they ever dreamed. This series includes a recipe and pattern. $7.99
Young, Kate - Southern Sass and Killer Cravings - For generations, the women of the Brown family on Peach Cove Island have been known for their Southern sass and sweet homemade desserts at their beloved Peach Diner. Now Marygene Brown has left her husband and returned to her hometown, where she finds not all is peachy. She has barely tied on an apron when a diner regular drops dead at the counter. When it turns out the man has been poisoned Marygene must find the killer. $7.99 THANKS FOR VISITING US
If this was your first visit I'd like to introduce you to our book business of over 26 years. During this time we've set up many bookshops for the ANG and EGA seminars and a variety of other needlework organizations as well as doing this blog.
Can't find a certain book? Please give us a call and we'll go to work to find it for you whether it is in-print or out-of-print.
Call us Monday thru Saturday at: 602 - 943-0738. If you get the dreaded message machine please don't be shy about leaving a message. I'll get back to you ASAP. Or you can e-mail me at: rkern3@mindspring.com. Or mail your order to: Ruth Kern Books 7235 N. 9th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021.
MOST IMPORTANT! Remember to look for the discount code hidden somewhere in this blog that gives you a 20% discount on any new book you order from this blog or the previous ones.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU COMING BACK AND VISITING US AGAIN.I'
LAST SMILE: I saw this on a bumper sticker when I was stuck in traffic: "Blessed are the quilters for they are the Piecemakers".
