The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Photo by Mary Vee, Lake Superior On the shores of Lake Superior, tucked in a harbor, lies a cabin. It's an A-frame with a tiny bedroom facing the lake on the upper floor. Uncles, aunts, and cousins vacation there throughout the summer, each bounding through the back door after a long drive, calling dibs to sleep in the tiny bedroom.  The winner tosses their suitcase on the bed then opens the window b efore they eat, drink, or even use the bathroom. Photo by Mary Vee Few sunlit hours are spent inside the cabin when the kids arrive. They slip into their bathing suits and bound to the water's edge, slipping on the rocks and tumbling under the surface. Their skin seems to have polar temperature protection. It's the only explanation why they can stand the freezing temperatures even in August. Photo by Mary Vee, Lake Superior The best sound is the waves pitter against the shore...unless huge stormwinds rial up the water crashing, billowing waves against th...

There are times when storms throw us off course.  I joined the gang of fallen hikers.  Not in the woods, or on the backroads. It happened 1/3 mile from home. The paved road portion. Where the black ice hides. Black ice forms when snow mostly melts followed by a freeze. Often snow will fall after the freeze, hiding the thin layer of very slippery ice. Boom. Naturally, I did the wrong thing by bracing for impact with my arm. My hands stretched out and took the force, breaking the distal radial bone. Smashed would be a better word. The surgeon was impressed. He put in plates and screws forming the letter "T" on the Xray. Look for a character in a future story of mine with a broken arm. I know now how to paint it realistically. :) When these storms come, though, I have found it very helpful to think of what is true, what is honest, what is just, what is pure, what is lovely, what is of good report, those things that have virtue and praise. Then I remembe...

Photo by Mary Vee The power is out. Day three. I am thankful for the fleet of electrical power workers who are out in the wind and ice storm that is attacking our area.  On our backwoods American road, trees are down, a power line fell and ignited the road, and the power is out in our community. Temperatures are expected to drop throughout the day. At this time we are experiencing a whiteout (when cloud and snow on the ground meet and prevent visibility). Repair men and women are braving the elements to restore our power along with the power for thousands of others in the north.  Fleets of electric repair vehicles park at fire stations where crews change shifts and hopefully get something warm to drink. Photo b Mary Vee Perhaps the task wouldn't be as difficult if once the repair was finished, the restored area could be checked off the list. But ice ladened trees or their heavy branches continue to fall on power lines. It's like a whack-a-mo...

Photo by Mary Vee The wintery Springtime photos are popping up in news and social medial like popcorn. They don't look anything like my photo from last year to the left!  From all over the United States, Winter has its hold creating an irritant. Yes we're kinda tired of the white lawns. But, did you know snow has unique chemicals not found in rain? These chemicals seep into the soil and produce vibrant crops. Without the snow, farmers must enhance the soil with specialized fertilizers containing these same chemicals.  I prefer the natural found in snow. Don't you? Let's check back at the end of this growing season and see what the earth has produced. Often times irritants sneak into our day.  Here's a crazy one. This morning, I opened the fridge to get out cream for my coffee. My daughter came into the room and had an important story to share. I listened while grabbing the "creamer", poured said creamer into coffee while keeping eye co...