Stories in Print- Animal Prints in Woods Tell Stories

Photo by Mary Vee

I heard a great interview with a nature expert on the radio this morning. The topic, of course, piqued my interest, especially since he was showing the interviewer signs of coming Spring.

With the snow still floating through the air in my neck of the woods, in April no less, I wanted to hear about these signs as an encouragement that yes, Spring really and truly would come.

When you live in a northern state, constant gray skies from November through April can get pretty dull. It's difficult to believe new blossoms are on their way. Animals are waking from hibernation. And the circle of life is not broken.

This radio interview, conducted in a northeast state, let listeners hear the crunch of boots while guide and interviewer traversed through nature. The guide stopped. "See here," he said. "This is a bear paw print. Almond shaped for the toes. A small indentation for the heal. This bear is on all fours. It is a cub. Probably woke before Mama and is out looking for food."

The interviewer told us the guide leaned down to imitate all fours to show positioning. The guide said, "These tracks are like a diary. In all my years, I haven't seen a bear on my hikes, and I'm glad. I wouldn't want to disturb them from their activity. I have, though traced their journey. From these tracks, I can read their journal. What interests they had. What came their way. What created a fear or caused an active response."

Interviewer and guide walked farther then stopped. "See here. These are porcupine tracks. next to them is a gray fox. Predator and prey. These prints are missed by most hikers."

I realized even when I hike I see the big picture all around me but miss these stories in print.

While the short interview ended a moment later, several points rang true.

Animal tracks tell a story.
Good details are often missed by the larger things around us.

Today's challenge for you, try to see the little things in life.
The small packages.
The smile before the giggle.
The flap of a bird's wing.
The single snowflake.
The word on the piece of paper.
The bud.
The drop.
The background.

There is SO MUCH in our world that we haven't seen...and it's right in front of our eyes.

This post has been brought to you by the one word: TinyTreasures

My newest book is slated for a May 1 release. The story is suspense. Likened to a Tom Clancy story.

At one point, the hero, Staff Sergeant Ethan Hartman says to Liz, a woman who lost her job, four months later was evicted, then was trapped in her on sense of never being able to climb out of her situation:

"You can't leap into an invisible hot vat of unworthiness. It will boil all of your potential away. there is so much you can do. Daring to live will help you get up in the morning. I'm only starting to learn that. Helping you escape is my first step toward climbing out of that vat. Trust me." Ethan Hartman

Daring to Live will first be available in paperback on Amazon and other bookseller. Here is the cover:

Suzanne Woods Fisher - Overcoming the Fear of Failure

We've all had something fail. Maybe a school assignment, baking a cake, changing a car tire. Well that was my shortlist confession. There really is a mile long list that you don't want to hear. Talk about a quick drive to the blues. Even one negative comment in a barrel full of praises can take us down. Sigh. Why oh why do we remember the one negative one and forget the positives. You are not alone. We all do this. But there is a way of escape. Today, Suzanne Woods Fisher is going to share her story. The Fear of Failure “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13, niv). Years ago, before I received my first book contract, an editor returned a manuscript to me with the comment that the writing wasn’t up to her publishing house’s “caliber.” Ouch! That was a tough remark to swal...

A Memory Device For You

Photo Courtesy Recently I added a memory game to my week's activities. It all started when I listened to one of those fabulous sermons in church and actually took notes. Later in the week, I recalled liking the sermon and searched for the notes, but lamented when I couldn't find the piece of paper. I quizzed myself: What was the general topic? I racked my brain…good grief this was Thursday and a thousand other things had happened when I asked the question. After a cup of tea, visualizing where I sat in the sanctuary, and using every other means possible to remember the general topic I finally answered the question. The process to recall the rest of the good things said was an epic fail. Although I have since started using a notebook I have created a memory game. On Monday, at any point during the day, I try to say the following without the use of my notes: General topic of the sermon Main book of the Bible used Application p...

Laughter and Singing at the Homeless Shelter

It was a night to remember. A night to tell friends about. So I am... Fifty men, women, and teens rode in busses on icy expressways into the inner city. They poured out of the bus at a homeless shelter unsure where to go, what to do, or what to say. One led the pack through the main doors, pass security checkpoints, and on through winding hallways to a large room. At night, this room is filled, wall to wall, with cots, blankets, and at this time of year, cold homeless men, women, and children. On this evening before the night, hundreds of chairs formed straight rows and faced a platform. The fifty set up sound and instrument equipment. Singers cozied in the limited platform space. Instrumentalists tuned their instruments. A few residents poked their heads in the door. Intrigued, they came in and watched the first measures of several songs start, stop, start again. Microphone levels adjusted. The singers laughed. Chattered. The group stepped off to the side and...

The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Search This Blog