DISCOVERIES

A Journey Through Life

by Shirley Ann Parker  

A Synopsis   

Like the flash and dart of dragonflies, other busy lives surround ours as we prance unaware through our own world. These 17 original short stories, set in our time in our land of the free, share common themes of family, friendship, humor, and a sense of wonder. Each absorbing story portrays a powerful sense of place, even when life’s smaller crises are held up to the light, for it is the everyday challenges that define us after all is said and done. 

Whether describing mountains, country, coast or town in the United States, the British-born author brings a visual and humane literary style to this work. The characters are as real as Jenny, who, at age 18 doesn’t want to get married, though everyone is telling her she’ll be sorry if she doesn’t; or retired schoolteacher, Barney:

“Interrupting his thoughts, a horn brayed and Dopplered past. He barely glimpsed the red sports car, as he fell to his knees from the draft.  

"Oh, God." He pressed his hand against his heart, then cautiously patted his arms and legs, finding nothing that hurt worse than usual.” 

On the other hand, we often must deal with hollow pretenses, as does Sadie, the unexpected sideshow at this year's fund-raising bazaar in her hometown. 

But Marge and Dan locate their turn-off without difficulty and follow the road that winds toward the green-grey foothills. Hedge sparrows and meadowlarks fly up on either side. A red-tailed hawk sails in tightening circles over the land, intent on lunch, or at least a snack. A most handsome pair of loudly scolding magpies escorts them as far as the next indiscreet grasshopper delicacy. 

Their lives are in sharp contrast to the family raised amid affluence on the southern California coast.  

"Why did you come back now, Jim? What can you do?"  

Last night's questions from his sister Elizabeth echoed in his mind as he paced nervously. Only dimly aware of the books and guns and Mexican artifacts in the study, he was totally unaware of breaking into tiny pieces the long stems of dry grass absently carried back from the summer-brown hills. His morning ride had provided neither answers nor inspiration, only questions. 

Worse, now he was bewildered by a vision. His ten-year-old gelding had seen something, someone, that should not have been there, could not have been there, yet was. And Jim had seen her, too, though she was three years dead.  

"I'm not crazy! Oro felt what I felt, saw what I saw," he assured himself. "But it's impossible.” 

From the joys and exasperations of daily living to magical realism, from Old Man Shever to The Refuge, these engaging stories weave a colorful tapestry from the threads of an existence overflowing with discoveries made on life’s journey.

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