“Nymph of the Wood” is a new story about the importance of choosing a mate and the dry spell that can follow after a few years of marriage. I have witnessed so many of my friends as they picked a mate with what seemed to be very little forethought. The first chapter contains information that is important in laying the foundation for what happens in the rest of the story. It may seem a little slow at times. As the story unfolds, there will be a number of nature scenes and mysterious interactions. I hope the themes of wonder, hope, love, nature, and second chances are evident to the reader.
I am amazed at what unbelievable things I witness when I am able to sit and watch the unfolding of the world around me. Many of the surprising occurrences in nature will be things that I have personally witnessed. I will leave the determination as to which ones to you, the reader.
I have not written lately so I thought I should say a few things. Most of the places in “Paddling” are real. One reader even thought he knew which lakes I was writing about in the canoeing portion.
I am pleased that my story brings back memories for some and gives others something to dream about.
Yes, I do love nature. For the last few years I have been looking more keenly at the things around me. There is so much beauty if you just take the time to look for it. The other night my wife and I were standing on a walking bridge over a marshy area. We should have been eaten by mosquitos but we didn’t have one bite. As we watched the setting sun, I noticed there were hundreds of swallows in the sky. As I looked more intently, I saw hundreds more. I believe they were eating the mosquitos and allowing us a very special moment.
The twins are doing great and life has returned to being somewhat normal, whatever that is.
Some of you have written some very kind words. Some of you have shared your experiences. Some of you have shared your trials and hurts. For those who have written, I want you to know that it encourages me to up my game. I hope you enjoy the last chapter.
Slater Chance
It’s been a crazy two weeks. Taxes were due and there were audits at work. My father-in-law is dying and my mother went into the hospital. My daughter delivered a set of premature twins. My wife’s cousin passed away at the young age of twenty four.
Understandably, my time has been consumed with living through these experiences. Its life and it needs to be dealt with. New lives are developing and lived lives are coming to a close.
I finally received an email from a woman. I was beginning to think that only men read the story. That was a pleasant event.
I hope you enjoy the latest installment of “Paddling”.
Slater Chance
To those of you who have written to me, I say; you are too kind. Some of you write and tell me how you eagerly wait for the next chapter. When I read that, I want to write even better. Some of you have shared interesting stories, memories that you have of similar adventures. Some of you tell me how you are in a stage of life where you can no longer get out and explore the great outdoors. You inform me that my story helps you to pursue those adventures, in your mind. That really encourages me to write even better.
The email thing has me really confused. Sometimes your story is so powerful, that I want to write back. I want to connect with you. Sometimes there is no response. I don’t know if the email is deleted as spam or deleted because it comes from the site. Maybe some of you don’t want others to know that you read on this site.
If you want me to write back, let me know that a response is OK. If you want me to respond with my AOL email…..just let me know.
I do care about people. If I can encourage you in some way……please let me know.
SC
Chapter 14, 15, and next week 16, deal with the experience of winter camping, in the story “Paddling.” Much of the story comes from a true life experience. There have been few times when I have been colder. During the day, the only way to stay alive was by being in continuous movement. At night, it was difficult to look at the stars, because your eyeballs were so cold. The guys that I traveled with were extremists; they cheered as the weather got colder. We traveled so far back in that there was no possibility of getting out until daybreak.
The directions for making an ice house are accurate. The first one we made collapsed and we didn’t get the second one made until almost midnight. The second night I crawled into my sleeping bag, I shivered for about ten minutes. I would not knowingly go through an experience like that again. Even though the scenery was incredible, I was usually too cold to enjoy it.
If the temperature was in the mid thirties, and I stayed in a tent with a heater, I would do it again.