Animals/Nature Archives - Page 16 of 21

As the Crow Flies

December 15, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

If we measure distance as the crow flies, we measure in a straight line. Crows are smart birds. They fly the shortest route to get where they want to go.

I have lived in the country most of my life. I love it. One of the fun parts is giving people directions.

In the past we had no GPS and few road signs or mile markers. As a result, people often came up to our house and asked how to get somewhere.

We told them to go past churches, large trees, or barns. Sometimes we said to go over a big hill or around a sharp curve. We often said the distance was “a little way” or “a far piece.”

One of my favorite expressions: “It’s not that far as the crow flies.” That sounds good for crows. They fly straight.

We are not crows. We must go over those hills and around those curves. We have to pass those barns and churches. The crow’s direct route is closer, but we can’t fly.

In life we have daily choices. We choose the roads we travel by foot and in our cars. We also choose our life goals – our paths for daily living.

Will we choose straight paths, clearly marked and easy to follow?
Will we select routes off the beaten path, beautiful but harder to travel?
Will we take forbidden paths, filled with danger?

As Robert Frost said, our decisions make “all the difference.”

“Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path” (Psalm 27:11 NIV).

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Hit the Trail

December 8, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 16 comments

I’m almost always ready to hit the trail (or hit the road). Our family loves to travel. Therefore, when someone says it is time to hit the trail, I pack my luggage and go.

A friend recently hit the trail on an unexpected journey. She was out of state celebrating a baby’s birth. As she traveled home, a grandchild called. The little girl begged her grandmother to visit her in another state.

My friend had never used GPS. Neither had she traveled from where she was to where her grandchild lives. Her desire to see her grandchild outweighed her fear of the unknown. She:

Pulled off the road
Found a GPS app
Entered her information
Trusted GPS to take her where she wanted to go

She made every turn her app said to take. For two-and-one-half hours she traveled through lovely little towns. She wondered if she was receiving correct directions. Yet, she trusted GPS to lead her.

She made it to her granddaughter’s house by traveling off the beaten path.

Several times during that drive, my friend had the same thought. What if we listened to God like we do GPS? If so, we would be where we need to be.

Of course, GPS devices and apps occasionally lead us the wrong direction. God’s guidance never fails.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Thanks to Suellen Shaw for sharing her experience.

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Let Things Slide

November 10, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

Why bother doing a good job, if it’s a chore we hate, right? Wrong! We all face the temptation to let things slide, especially if no one sees us.

Why not neglect our responsibilities and have a little fun? Work seems less important if we want to do something else. The longer the job takes, the worse the temptation.

Do any of these excuses sound familiar?

“Nobody ever looks under the bed, so why sweep there?”
“The boss doesn’t like me, so why do his senseless work?”
“Why should I care? No one else does.”

The longer we dwell on such thoughts, the more our excuses grow.

Quite honestly, few people look under the bed. Sometimes the boss doesn’t like us and gives us senseless work. And people don’t always care.

But does that justify less than our best?

We will know:

Dirt is under the bed.
The assigned task wasn’t done.
We cared no more than anyone else.

Once we make a bad habit, it’s hard to break. Like the pressure of a volcano, it grows worse and worse. Sometimes the results are tragic.

Therefore, let’s do our work well. We will feel better about it. Plus, we gain a good reputation.

The easy way does not always equal the best way. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes
9:10 NIV).

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

True Colors

November 3, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 3 comments

I love the explosion of colors every fall.

Leaves turn red, yellow, and orange.
Pumpkins appear in gardens, yards, and stores.
Flowers bloom in every color of the rainbow.

People’s true colors may not be so pleasant or so easily seen. Those with evil plans try to hide them. Their real attitudes, plans, or opinions may not be clear until they hurt us.

At the same time, discovering other people’s true colors can provide pure joy.

The fun-loving nature of a shy person
The hidden talents of a singer, artist, or actor
The kind heart of someone when needs arise

As we enjoy this beautiful time of year, may it remind us of the one who made such beauty possible. May our true colors reflect the splendor of our loving creator.

“He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17 NIV).

What is your favorite time of year?

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place

August 25, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

I don’t climb mountains. However, I know mountain climbers often find themselves between a rock and a hard place. They climb in difficult areas. Often they have few good choices.

We may not climb physical mountains. Yet, most of us face mountains of difficulty sometime in our lives. We find ourselves between a rock and a hard place. We must make hard decisions with no easy choices. Any choice causes problems.

Do we quit our job or work in unfair circumstances?
Do we pay rent or buy food?
Do we continue painful medical care or stop treatments?

We must choose what we decide is the lesser of two evils.

Aron Ralston faced such a choice after a climbing accident in 2003. He was trapped more than five days. His choice: Do I die or cut off part of my right arm. He used a dull knife to free himself.

Our choices may not be that hard. However, some choices are worse.

I wish I had an easy answer for such situations, but I don’t. I find the following helpful:

1. List the pros and cons for each choice.
2. Discuss the options with a trusted friend or relative.
3. Pray for wisdom.
4. Accept help from others.
5. Get a grip on what matters most.

I pray you face few times between a rock and a hard place.

“You have let me sink down deep in desperate problems. But you will bring me back to life again, up from the depths of the earth” (Psalm 71:20 TLB).

Have you had a rock and hard place experience? If so, please comment.

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Make Waves

August 11, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

People sometimes warn us not to make waves. Other times, we realize we must. When we choose to make waves, we:

Rock the boat
Upset someone or something
Shock or disturb
Risk being called a trouble maker

Two truths about making waves help us decide what to do.

Waves can do great good, by:

Continuing earth’s natural flow
Calming us
Providing beauty and pleasure

Waves can also do much harm, by causing:

Ship wrecks
Drowning
Destruction of houses or communities.

Likewise, we can do great good or much harm by:

Improving or damaging our world
Correcting or increasing mistakes

Before we make waves, let’s be certain our actions make a positive difference.

“If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18 NIV).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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Get Your Ducks in a Row

August 4, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

Life grows hectic if you don’t get your ducks in a row. Mine certainly does.

My desk starts to look like a mountain (or several mountains) of paper. My schedule becomes crazy. I don’t know what to do first. I need to organize – to get my ducks in a row.

Also, if you want only ducks, you need to focus on ducks. Get rid of the geese. Geese look a lot like ducks, as we see in this picture. However, geese are not ducks.

If you fail to organize, you may mistake unnecessary actions for necessary. Like geese, get rid of the unnecessary. Focus on the necessary – the ducks.

If your desk looks like mine, remove the papers you don’t need. If your schedule becomes crazy, plan only what you can do. If you don’t, you soon run out of steam.

Once you get your ducks in a row, you have everything in good order. You do what you need to do when you need to do it.

Some ducky ideas to help you organize:

Pack a day or two before trips.
Write and follow a financial budget.
Study a few days before taking a test.
Make a list of needed items before going to a store.

Then rest in the knowledge that you are starting to get your ducks in a row.

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3 NIV).

How do you get your ducks in a row? Please comment.

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Like Water off a Duck’s Back

July 14, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

Do you need a solution for anger or frustration? Watch ducks. That’s right; watch ducks.

Ducks often dive under water for food. When they come up, the water glides over their backs and returns to the pond or lake. Occasionally they shake their feathers to get rid of any extra water.

Ducks show no need to:

Watch the water.
Quack at the water.
Fight the water.

They’re too busy swimming and diving for something to eat.

When life upsets us, let the problem go. Treat it like water off a duck’s back. We don’t have to:

Focus on what upsets us.
Yell at what upsets us.
Fight what upsets us.

Getting upset tires us, so in a duck-like manner:

Ignore hateful comments.
Overlook insults.
When we must respond, do so clearly but kindly.
Then shake off any remaining negative feelings.

In the process, we gain freedom — freedom from the control of others and freedom to become our best selves.

We can also pray that those who upset us learn to act like ducks.

“A fool is quick-tempered; a wise man stays cool when insulted” (Proverbs 12:16 TLB).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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In the Middle of Nowhere

June 23, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 7 comments

I grew up in the middle of nowhere. We lived far from stores, doctors, and other people. We drove 10 miles through hills to the nearest town. I rode a bus 17 miles to high school. Actually, I rode much farther than 17 miles. We had to travel several roads off the beaten path to pick up students. The drive took about an hour.

My sister, cousins, and I developed tough little feet when summer arrived. We preferred bare feet over shoes. The dirt and rocks on our remote country road did not slow us down.

We ran on rocks as easily as we can on today’s smooth pavement.
We picked blackberries that grew on the sides of the road.
We watched for snakes that sometimes crawled across the road.
We played games in the trees and fields around us.
We could make all the noise we wanted without disturbing the neighbors.

Yes, we lived in the middle of nowhere. Yet, it led wherever we wanted to go.

Imagination took us around the world.
Books fed us dreams for the future.
Family taught us to set high goals.

Today, many people pay huge prices to vacation in such isolated places. All I have to do is go home for a visit.

“Sing a new song to the Lord; sing his praises, all you who live in earth’s remotest corners!” (Isaiah 42:10 TLB).

Do you have a favorite place in the middle of nowhere? If so, please comment.

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Garden Spot of the World

May 19, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

I live in the garden spot of the world. In my opinion, Central Kentucky is the greatest place on earth.

Of course, many other people claim they live in the garden spot of the world. Our world offers much beauty, and I love to explore it. Nevertheless, nothing compares to my Kentucky home.

Consider all her advantages:

The beauty of four seasons
Friendly people
A great combination of countryside and towns
Hills, valleys, lakes, meadows — so many choices for homes or vacations
A variety of animals, both tame and wild

From the window near my desk, I watch the seasons change.

Flowers and trees turn green and bloom.
Sunshine, rain, rainbows, clouds, sleet, and snow come and go.
Rabbits, squirrels, turkeys, deer, butterflies, and birds pass by.

Many people who explore our area choose to remain here. Others return for frequent visits.

Our family loves to invite visitors from other countries to our home. We enjoy sharing with them our little spot in the garden spot of the world.

“But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding” (Jeremiah 10:12 NIV).

Where is your garden spot of the world? Please comment below.

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