My Take
DiVoran Lites
As I walked through our subdivision a big German Shepherd ran at me from across the street. He barked as if it were his job to protect the house he’d come from. But I’d never seen him before and wondered if he had strayed off or been left abandoned. In my terror, I thought I might raise my trekking poles to fend him off, but right away I realized that wasn’t an option. He’d just mow me down even if he ran into one of them.
Suddenly I recalled that you’re much better off not to show a dog that you’re afraid. I calmed down right quick.
“What’s the matter old friend,” I said keeping my voice soothing and light. “Where are your people?” At that moment he stopped barking and looked over at the house he had come from.
If I could have read his mind I might have heard him thinking, “Yeah, I’m all alone here with a monster that wears a floppy hat and walks with six legs.”
Suddenly he turned and trotted right back across the street. I stood still not wanting anything to remind him I was there. He disappeared into the shadow of the front porch. Could someone have whistled on one of those dog-training whistles that humans can’t hear? Or did God just calm us both so we could let it go?
A dog bit me when I was about twelve years old, and visiting my aunt and uncle. Skipper, their black and white border collie was tied to a tree in the front yard and I was petting him. Without warning another dog ran across the lawn and barreled into Skipper. He growled and my hair stood on end. They were biting each other and I knew Skipper was at a disadvantage because he was tied. I thought I’d better help, so I grabbed the strange dog’s tail and pulled with all my might. That was when I saw my mistake. That other dog whipped around and bite three bleeding holes into my hand. Then he turned and ran away.
Leaving Skipper where he was I ran into the house to show my aunt and uncle the hand. Of course,they reiterated that I had made a mistake. Doesn’t the Bible tell us not to get involved in a dogfight? My relatives talked it over and decided there was no need for stitches or rabies shots, for which I was grateful. But those puncture wounds ached for a long time before it finally healed.
I appreciate the lessons taught by dogs and other animals all my life. I really appreciate the miracle of the German Shepherd just walking away from me, and no matter what the circumstances were, I attribute it to the guardian of my body, soul, and spirit. The Holy Spirit and the best teacher ever.
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years.
After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled this blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled this blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 58 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, writing blogs for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing. He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville. Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.
Old Things R New 