A small, bushy-tailed animal, a few years ago, made a big impression on me. If anyone had determination, he did. As I looked out my front room window, I saw a small squirrel, probably young and inexperienced, pulling a stick across the yard. This wasn’t just any stick, it was a big stick. It was at least twice as long as the squirrel and fully an inch across. Fascinated, I watched that determined little rodent pull and tug until he got to the maple tree. Then, unbelievably, he started up the tree with the stick still in his mouth. It was slow going, bumping into leaves and branches, but he managed to get pretty high into the maple before he disappeared among the limbs. Was the squirrel going to put his trophy into his nest? It would certainly be good reinforcement for the walls, that is, if the weight of it didn’t flatten them.
Maybe the squirrel had peered in the windows of the houses along the street and admired people’s Christmas trees! Perhaps he decided he would cheer up these gray, misty December days with a tree of his own. Thoughts of decorating that stick with acorns and bird feathers may have been dancing in his furry head, but alas! As my grandson and I watched, the almost-Christmas tree fell out of the maple and landed on the ground.
Did the squirrel just lose his grip? Was the drop an accident or on purpose? He quickly scurried after the stick and nosed along the ground. I’m not sure if he was hunting for it or a replacement, or just planning his next move. Now, I could scoff at the goofiness of the squirrel for thinking a twig of that size would fit his airy house, but I look at it differently. The squirrel had a purpose, he had determination, he had a plan and he worked at it. Boy! Did he work at it! And, when he realized it wouldn’t work, he didn’t sit in his nest and sulk. He hurried down and started hunting for something else to fill the bill. Writers could learn something here.
Did my idea for a book work? Did it fit what I was trying to say or was it entirely out of place in a cozy mystery? Would it be met with enthusiasm and sales? No? Then, discard it and try again. And again. Determination is what it takes for almost any job, large or small. When the going seems to be all uphill, like it certainly was with the squirrel, do I just take a firmer grip, dodge the obstacles and keep going? It takes a wise person to recognize when an idea or a plan or a goal isn’t right, to drop it, and nose around until finding one that’s perfect. May I have the wisdom of that determined squirrel.
The newest Ned McNeil book, By the Fright of the Silvery Moon, released this last August, is $4.97 All the other Darcy and Flora cozies and the first Ned McNeil, Moonlight Can Be Murder, are only 99 cents for now. How long will that low price last? Only my publisher knows!
Blanche! What an enjoyable read and encouragement to us all! Love the way you applied it to your writing but it’s a great visual reminder of how to apply to any of our situations! And how fun to share with your grandson! I’m sure you told him what you’ve written here..what a teaching moment to pass on! Who knows when that lesson will come to him years from now!
As always, thank you for sharing!
Thanks for writing, Fran. It’s always good to hear from you. Yes, the squirrels in my yard have taught me several things. They are entertaining.