A collection of short stories about animals, nature, and the high seas from articles published in various magazines over the years. All based on personal experiences.
Nature's Wisdom is a collection of short stories about animals, trials at sea, and ‘the evolutionary journey of man and nature. It is a book for all ages. Based on my personal experiences, most of the stories were previously published in newspapers and magazines over the years. Also included is one poignant tale about a greyhound written by my late father, Daly Highleyman, and published in the 1930s. How would it feel to be on a small sailboat far from land in gale force winds or suddenly subjected to a micro-burst? Are horses psychic? What was it like to be up at the helm of a 165-foot concrete schooner and, looking down the steps, see water gushing into the cabin? Did Sweet William come back to say goodbye? How can a puppy found starving to death in the Virginia countryside become a master sailor? Explore and discover the answers to these questions and more in Messages from Nature. Progress is being made all over the world, the so-called progress named technology. But another avenue of progress is also being made all over the world and that is the progress of research in the field of creativity. It cannot be ignored that the creative endeavor has a spiritual side to it. Nor can it be said that creative work results from technical know-how. Inspiration is a key factor and its roots may not be as nebulous as they first appear. Genuine creative imagination does not just spring from the right hemisphere of the brain. I believe its roots come from a much deeper place: the heart. In this vein, it is my hope that this little tome will inspire the reader to feel and react to the beauty of nature and the love of animals; in effect, to experience the invaluable life lessons that only Nature can teach.
Excerpt
HOW DO WE MEASURE INTELLIGENCE?
Recently, I overheard someone comparing dogs to people. Their methodology of comparison used intelligence as the factor. My question then is how do you measure or define intelligence? Does compassion or empathy fit into this equation?
The other day, I heard a poignant tale. An older man was in the hospital and dying. His family received permission to have his companion dog allowed in the room for a last visit. The dog was ushered in and the door was closed. Fifteen minutes later, the family came back, opened the door expecting to escort the dog out. The patient was still in his bed. His arm was around his dog who had jumped onto the bed. The man was dead and his faithful dog had died beside him.
Empathy and compassion.
Sweet William was my wonderful, faithful companion. An English black and white cocker, he was my shadow. One day, I noticed his stool was white. I made an appointment with the vet but, at the last minute, was not able to take him. My daughter took William to the doctor instead. They took a sample of the stool and sent it to a laboratory. This was on Friday. By the end of the following week, I had not heard from the vet so I called. They had forgotten to send the sample they said. Besides, the lab was closed for the weekend but no worry. William seemed fine now, didn’t he? At that point he did. However, we had a trip to take. I had rented a U-Haul truck to deliver some furniture to my father’s house in North Carolina. It was a long drive from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Of course, Sweet William was coming, but I also took along my daughter’s Doberman. The whole drive down, William cuddled next to me on the seat. The Dobie stayed on the floor. We stopped twice at rest stops. Both times, William drank an entire bowl of water and seemed unwilling to saunter around the dog parks.
We arrived late, leaving the unloading until morning. William normally slept at the foot of my bed. That night, he chose not to and let the Dobie take his spot. In the morning, I woke up with a start. Something was wrong. I looked across the room and there was Sweet William leaning strangely against the wall. His eyes looked dazed so I approached him very quietly and slowly, afraid of frightening him. He was postured as if being tied against the wall, almost rigid. Not a comfortable position. When I reached out to pat his side, he cringed. Immediately I knew he was in pain. I called the vet and got his emergency number. He would meet us at the clinic.
The Doberman was left at the house while I ran across the street to borrow the neighbor’s car to take William. Taking the U-Haul would have been impossible since it was still unpacked and the cab was far too high for a pup in pain. Coming down the neighbor’s walkway, there was William walking very slowly up the hill just to be with me. It was painful to watch. He would not let me carry him. It was difficult getting him into the car, but somehow I did as the tears welled up in my eyes. Fortunately, the veterinary hospital was close. We arrived in minutes. William was immediately placed on the operating table and a tube was put in his side. He was dehydrated and in severe pain. The doctor said he could not determine the cause of his problem until the pain was under control. He had more to say but I did not hear him. I was focused on my brave little man lying on the cold steel table. He asked that William be left with him for the day and possibly the night so that he could do some tests. I had no choice. I went home to the Dobie and made myself busy unpacking the truck. In the afternoon, I made a visit to the vet. William was in a cage with an IV attached to his side. I spent about an hour on my knees talking to him through the bars. His sweet eyes focused on me and almost shifted back and forth as if to say, “I’m all right. Please don’t worry.” The other dogs in the clinic were respectfully silent. That evening, my son and a friend came from college to help unload the truck. We had no food in the house so we stopped to have pizza and then went to the hospital. It was locked. No visits possible with William until morning.
The boys chose sleeping bags to sleep by the fire in the living room. I retired to the bedroom with Jessie, the Dobie. The vet was supposed to call if there was any change when he went that night to check the animals. Nevertheless, even with Jessie at the foot of my bed, I found it very hard to go to sleep. The lights were off leaving only flickers from the fire reflecting on the walls leading to the living room. Just as I was dozing off, Jessie leaped off the bed. She dashed into the living room and raced from one end to the other waking up the boys and terrifying me. Then, just as sudden, she came back to my room, jumped on the foot of the bed, curled up, and immediately fell fast asleep! Within seconds, the telephone rang. It was the veterinarian. William had just passed away.
When I told the doctor about Jesse’s performance, he replied that he had heard of this kind of thing happening before. “You see,” he said, “William just passed over to say goodbye.”
The autopsy revealed that indeed the white stool had been a warning, though probably too late to do anything. The liver and kidney were practically non-existent. It was amazing he had lasted this long. We suspect he had raided a trash can in our Charlottesville neighborhood and a poison had been part of its contents. This poison had slowly eaten away his insides.
With the boys’ help, we dug a grave on the hillside below the house. It was a lovely setting with overhanging trees and flowering bushes all around and a vista of the mountain peaks in the distance.
Although William’s body is buried in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge, we know his soul has moved on. Perhaps he’ll come live with me again, but as another dog.
So, how do we measure intelligence? Empathy, compassion, endurance, and loyalty. With such standards, do you think people can measure up to dogs?
Professional Reviews
Loving nature
Reviewed by Joy H. for Readers Favorite
Patricia Daly-Lipe's adventurous and loving nature shines in "Messages from Nature." A former newspaperwoman who holds a Ph.D in Creative Arts and Communications, she showcases her considerable literary talents in a well-written and appealing melange of animal and nautical tales. Who couldn't help liking Woodstock, the stray pup who was a born sailor? Or Just'n, the thoroughbred horse who Pat saved just in time, before the poor animal starved? Then, in one of the most moving stories of all, she recounts her father's tale of Jerry Too, the greyhound who loved his young owner so much he'd die rather than let him down. This is the stuff animal lovers and other readers adore.<
But she doesn't stop there. The author includes another aspect of nature, the unconquerable sea., and her sailing experiences. As an accomplished sailor as she is a horsewoman or dog owner, she deftly paints a world of sea and sky, sun and storm, triumph and disaster. Yet all is done in an intimate and engaging manner. The volume ends with poems extolling Nature, the subject of the book. It couldn't be done better. I recommend reading this book to anyone who has the slightest feeling for Life.
Barbara Peacock, author
essence of animals
Patricia has captured the true essence of the animals in her life and animals all around us. Her unique perspective, warm heart and gentle nature shines through in this book. The short stories make reading this book enjoyable and easy.
Tim Link,
Author, Wagging Tales: Every Animal...
captivated
I have just read "Messages From Nature" and am captivated by your work. It has been a learning experience for me in many ways. I hold more respect for my daughter's compassion as an animal rescuer. I am in awe of your navigating skills and hold newly found admiration for my young cousin, Stephanie Hart, who navigates for a Connecticut Sailing Club. Lastly, I feel your dear father's touching story sheds light on your attraction and love for animals. What a legacy.
Rita Goodgame
Little Rock, AR
"I finished reading Messages from Nature and I really enjoyed it. Not only was it fun because I know the author, but the stories were great. I loved your father’s story of Jerry Too! Is there anything you haven’t done? The story about sailing to St. Martin was wonderful and scary; and of course we love St. Martin so it was special. You rock girl!"
dcaudill@
"A wonderful story Patricia. And wonderful things you are doing for animals."
Joe Camp Author
Joe's best selling book, The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd, published by Random House/Harmony Books, follows three novels, a non-fiction inspirational book, seven produced theatrical screenplays, and the first four Benji Promise Books, for children three to seven years of age.
How wondrous is life through the writings of Patricia Daly-Lipe. Her books Nature's Wisdom (original edition) and Messages from Nature (re-written edition) display her spiritual, respectful camaraderie with life. Her psychic partnership with animals is evident from her loving care for her pets and understanding of their timely deaths. You'll cry also over her father's heart- tugging rendition of greyhound racing. These soul-warming writings of her life's vignettes will invoke your honor of the undaunted spirit of passengers in Nature's realm. Furthermore, with her intelligent passion for life and understanding of Nature, elegant Patricia steers amazingly competently the ships in dangerous, high- rolling seas. She writes like a sailor, a scientist, an historian, and an artist, as her soul rises philosophically into the beyond.
Constance "Tina" Stonestreet Medical-Science Editor,
Ordained Minister, and Artist-Craftswoman
This is Patricia Daly-Lipe’s gift: She tells your story – tells all of our stories – through her own experiences with beloved companions, animal and otherwise. The lean, wiry power of Daly-Lipe’s wordcraft compels you to immerse yourself in her tales, knowing full well that her tales are your tales. It is a fast read, but don’t be in a hurry; reign yourself in and savor the journey.
When you read Messages from Nature’s (formerly Nature's Wisdom) – and read it you must – you will, by turns, smile, laugh, cheer, weep, grieve, and heal. And most of all you will rejoice at the opportunity to be invited along the diverse paths of this talented writer’s own journey in the unified company of empathy and compassion. The work chronicles Daly-Lipe’s respect – and love – for all life.
Daly-Lipe is skilled at transferring her thoughts to her reader via creative imagery consisting of supremely well chosen words. If there is truth to Mark Twain’s observation that the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between the lightning and the lightning bug, then Daly-Lipe’s prose and poetry crackle with benevolent lightning. (No offense is intended, however, toward lightning bugs.) In addition, her spare and precise writing credits us readers with being inside her, with being one with her, as she describes her experiences. She writes, for example, of Mr. Woodstock, the rescued pup from Albemarle County, Virginia, who adopts sea legs and becomes an icon aboard the author’s sailing craft. She slips the term yacht pup in on us without explanation; she knows we know what a yacht pup is and sees no need to puff the phrase up with quotation marks or italics. Oh, sure, Daly-Lipe seems to reason, not everyone yachts, but each of us has a car pup, a couch pup, a barn pup, or an office pup. She seems to know we’re with her on this one, too.
Actually, we’re with her all the way anyway, so compassion-rich are her tales and so compelling is her manner of telling them. When you experience, through Daly-Lipe, the abundant truths waiting Out There to be harvested by the diligent and willing among us, you will be in possession of glistening gems of nature’s wisdom by their handfuls. “If we listen,” Daly-Lipe writes, “our animals will teach us more about love than most of our human friends can or will.”
Reviewed by Patti Cole, Contributing Editor to laJoie
Dr. Pat Daly-Lipe is a highly skilled writer whose love and compassion for animals is evident throughout (this volume). Messages from Nature (formerly Nature’s Wisdom) is a joy to read and resounds with respect and honor for all life, non-human and human, a rare quality these days.
Rita Reynolds, author of Blessing the Bridge, What Animals Have to Teach Us About Death, Dying, and Beyond. She is also co-editor and publisher of laJoie Magazine, a quarterly publication dedicated to promoting human appreciation for all animals.
I was just telling Brad that you have an incredible gift for writing about animals. Everything you write gets me crying. Your deep love of animals is so clear and you have a talent for drawing the reader into the story. Brad suggested I tell you. I think you are amazing in that ability. I hope the world sees more animal-related literature from you.
Betsy Clark, Haymarket, VA
"This is a wonderful book for all ages. If you need a great gift to give someone, what better than Messages from Nature (formerly Nature’s Wisdom)? These heart-warming stories are both entertaining and meaningful.”
Devan, age 10
Messages from Nature (formerly Nature’s Wisdom) is a delightful collection of personal stories about animals, people, travel, and the sea. The reader quickly sees that Patricia Daly Lipe is a special person who loves animals and thoroughly understands the special bond that only animals and humans can share.
It is also evident that she is an accomplished writer who loves travel and adventure. I particularly enjoyed her sailing recounts as I could almost feel the stillness of the too calm, quiet days and the fierceness of the stormy, windy days at sea.
In this complex world, it is particularly refreshing to find a writer who is able to help us stop, look, reflect, and learn invaluable life lessons that only Nature can teach us. I highly recommend this book.
J. Best, North Carolina
Messages from Nature (formerly Nature’s Wisdom) is an eclectic collection of short stories and poems, with the unusual twist of Daly-Lipe including some of her father’s works at the end of this 128 page book - His poems are particularly delightful to read!
Following the tried-and-tested recommendation to ‘Write what you know about’, Daly-Lipe does exactly that, resulting in a patchwork quilt of light-hearted, easy-to-read autobiographical snap-shots of her travels in both the US and Europe, and the events in her life involving her pets.
And, Daly-Lipe suggests that, “If we listen, our animals will teach us more about love than most of our human friends can or will.”
Then, the inclusion of Daly-Lipe’s personal photos further adds to her carefully crafted words, as if any additions are needed!
This collection will particularly appeal to pet owners, animal lovers, nature lovers and travelers. I use the word “travelers” in both the context of physical and spiritual voyages alike. Indeed, Nature’s Wisdom makes for a pleasant voyage on which to embark.
David Taub Feature columnist for Poetry Now,
Britain’s largest circulating poetry and short-story magazine.
Member of Britain’s National Union of Journalists.
Co-author of Language of Souls www.ukpoet.com
"...you are such an inspiration to me. You write sooo beautifully and also do so with your painting."
Explore the mystery of how nature makes unexpected gifts of creative wonders to an unsuspecting caregiver one late night and early morning in southeastern Georgia, USA.
