[This is a new type of post for me. Others are doing it in varying ways. It is what is known as a “microblog” post. I’ve attached two here for this first attempt. Let me know what you think with the submit a comment section below. Is it too little? More like a tease than a story? Interesting to read something so concise? I care… let me know.]
Micro Blog One:
It Pays to be Aware of your Surroundings!
My parents lived in Hollywood, Florida when I was in college. Unlike many there, I made an effort to get out to the amazing south Florida beaches and enjoy them. On Christmas break I would go because the crowds were down. On one occasion, I’d been swimming a bit and noticed something floating about 30 feet away. It was small, brown, square and tossed about by the waves. I decided to check it out.
Curious and excited about what the object might be, I closed in on it and wondered, “Could it be some hidden treasure now brought to the surface?” I got more excited as I closed within arm’s reach. “It’s a wallet!” It got sucked under by waves, so I watched carefully and spotted it again, then dove forward and caught it. It had cash! I was thinking, “Maybe I’ll get a reward!” It had ID! I looked at the ID and was stunned. It was MY WALLET!!! It had escaped my pocket and was circling around waiting for me to find it. I was very thankful for God’s providence, but it pays to be aware of your surroundings.
Micro Blog Two:
Why Keep a Towel in the Car?
One late winter afternoon, when I was eight, an owl flew from dense woods into our car. “Whack,” he went fluttering down.
“Stay put,” Dad ordered while he checked on it.
“Do we have a towel in the car?” he said.
“I think so.” I can’t remember how I knew, but there it was.
Dad handled wild animals well. He scooped it up. This was a dark brown owl 16 to 17 inches tall. Dad firmly wrapped him and placed him in the floorboard.
Dad calmly, commandingly said, “Place both hands around and keep him firmly wrapped. Don’t squeeze, keep him tight so he knows he can’t move. He’s stunned, but he’ll recover. He won’t fight if he doesn’t feel threatened. Keep arms extended and face away.” I obeyed.
He looked around, but didn’t fight or attempt escape.
Dad carefully stopped at home. “I’ll come around. Stay perfectly still.”
Dad placed him on his extended arm slowly unwrapping him. The owl stretched his 3 ½” wingspan and shook. He took flight to nearby trees.
“Man that guy had massive talons,” dad said, “even through my police jacket, I could feel those claws.”
He was beautiful. I’m glad we gave him a chance. Left in the road, he would have been hit again. I’ll never forget seeing him spread those massive wings when dad unwrapped him. I was glad we had that towel in the car.
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Why not read an earlier adventure from The Tim Tales? Tales from Turtletown #1: The Crazy Creek
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