If you are into nature, the environment and the out of doors, then this book of poetry you will find enjoyable. You will find as you read it that you are in the middle of whatever is going on. There are many thoughts about nature and its many treasures to be explored here. This book could easily be taken along on any trail or hike you go on as a companion book to compare with nature's many encounters. Remember to take along a camera as well, so folks will believe your stories too. This is a short walk through the woods, along stream beds and even up hillsides. The key word is observation, and you may want to take along a note pad to jot down what you see and experience.

Clay Pond has a rich history that is shared by other residents of the pond. Ask anyone there about the friendly turtle, and the other wonderful friends, like Lacy the Dragonfly, who have made this place a home over the past several years. Each creature has their own unique tale to tell. Everyone in this place looks out for the well being of all the others. If it were possible to claim each other as family, they would do it in a heartbeat. It is, in a word, a safe haven for anyone living in or around the pond. Many of my stories in this whole collection are based on true incidents in my writer life. As the reader, I hope you fall in love with this nature world as I have drawn it. The purpose of compiling these tales is to entertain, stir, or bring to remembrance some of the readers' own experiences as they step out into their own nature world around them.

Picture a pond full of every type of bird, fish, frog, snake and they all are going to have their own story to tell. This is Woodie's turn as he becomes the newest member of the crew. Will he be accepted or asked to leave? Every one must get along or there will be consequences.

Enjoy this book NOW in Full Color See additions to this book as well from the black and white original. There is no one on this planet that wouldn't be encouraged by some of these true stories. It's been going on all of my life, and I believe many will be surprised as to the nearness of a Creator who is just a prayer away. Do I talk to an invisible God? Does He speak back to me? Find out the truth here that has taken me a life time to compile. And it's not even over yet, and the best is yet to come for all of us; if we only believe."

Some Long and some very Tall stories are told here. See how this Mom's poetry "Shows and Tells" a tale or two The expression "Pass It On" can have many meanings, but here it can only refer to a mother reminiscing about earlier times in her life that she desires to share with others. Any young parent might find this enjoyable as they deal with their own children underfoot most of the time. Grandparents will be reminded of some past events in their own lives as Toni brings them to life here once more. There are stories in our history that should NEVER be forgotten So, pass them on Numerous object lessons are in plain sight here as our writer shares her own heart regarding dealings in her personal life and that of her own children and grandchildren. These stories are told in a rhyming pattern with illustrations drawn by her own grandchildren. She soon realized that other parents might also enjoy these storytelling adventures too. The smallest members of our household face fears that are addressed here as well. Be sure to place this short read near your children's bed stand to read at night, before tucking them in, or anytime of the day for that matter. You as a reader may find your children wanting to also draw their own pictures from the poems in this book. You can be sure each picture they draw will be refrigerator worthy too Some parents may be inspired to begin their own book that takes us on a journey down their own "Memory Lane," as is true here about Toni's Book. Watch for more Poetry Stories to come. This is the first of many "High Flying Tales." Now I've warned you, be on the lookout for anything that flies.: -}: -}: -} In the author's own words: "A Kite Named Jack and Other Rhymes portrays the fears and imaginations faced daily by all children based on my own childhood memories. This collection of rhymes hopefully embraces creativity while promoting manners and morals with a substantial message attached to each and every one. This book was dedicated to my grandchildren and they provided the illustrations as well. Featured on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and ITunes, I am proud to be a new author as it is a life long dream come true.

The mind will take us on an unusual journey here. The subject matter has been done to death, but this story puts a new twist on it. This tale is told with three characters, and by the end of it, you will see why three really is an irritation, and two will do rather nicely. If you enjoy a good Twilight Zone episode this one will not disappoint you. Maybe you as the reader will see your own reflection in this one, or that of someone you know. Note the added chapters that also have to do with mirrors, and what we might see or think we see in them. Enjoy

Clay Pond is an adventure more than just a story. You will meet new friends here that you will want to keep forever. They will become as much a part of your life once you become involved in their lives. Once you enter Clay Pond, you will find a place you can return to at different times where you can relax; a safe haven. It beats getting lost in a maze inside of a computer game. This unique Clay Pond world will feel like a home away from home.

The purpose of this compilation of short stories, vignettes, and poems is to turn a few smiles right side up. You'll run into spiders, ghosts and even the little "Fly on the Wall." It's all in fun and for everyone's reading pleasure. If you have your boots on, jump right in. Every chapter here is a stand-alone piece or storytelling poem (as I call them). Some could be read right at bedtime; or any time of the day or night. You may know someone who could benefit from a lift in their spirit or their step.: -} The following is an excerpt from one of my stories here: Chapter 3: Little Red Spider Today I shall complete my masterpiece. I found the perfect place for it. Won't all of my friends envy me? My father was a master weaver and some of the webs he created were featured in the Who's Who Almanac of Spiders. I learned most of my spinning skills from him. He was so very patient, as he drew and pulled at each line of intricate design. The key was always in the tension. Dad used to say, "Loose will cook your goose, tight is always right." My father's book, Walking the Fine Line, sold over a million copies. Every spider household had at least one copy of his instruction manual. I'm fortunate to have had him as a parent. Most of my friends came over to my place to listen to the stories Dad would spin as he wove a new string into the web. Venturing deeper into my book you will find another interesting Chapter. Chapter 5: The Proof is in the Omelet So many sayings and old wives tales and we get all confused. The controversy could easily be solved, if only we would stop to think. Which came first: The Chicken or.... Stop right there The chicken, if we remember, ran and screamed how the sky was falling, so afraid and probably pulling his feathers out, all at the same time. As a Native American Storyteller, I've been told it is in my blood, but it could also have been something in the water too. Where eagles fly, Don (Greywolf) Ford Storyteller and Editor

No descent self-respecting modern homo sapiens should miss getting this Stone Age parody. This book rocks, or at least has its own share of rocks in it. If nothing else, this book should turn a few smiles right side up.: -{: -} My primal aim is to entertain. Step back in time with me to a time where a cave is a home and where dinosaurs roam. I had great fun writing it, and now it's ready for you

I spoke with a friend the other day, and he suggested I write an ethnic piece. He said there are plenty of books for White children. Of course, because I look more White than Indian, he suggested this. I took his lead, and this story is about an all White school in the North with a Black visitor from the Deep South; a new student. Watch for a couple more stories here. Because students on a bus are a captive audience, bullying is easy to perform on them. This book is a quick read if you are headed on a plane somewhere or cutting across country in your car. Read it in your motel when you have a few spare minutes. Enjoy Cheers

Maybe the Polar Bear is what we need to watch regarding Global Warming. If they suddenly appear in our backyards, this could be a big clue that things have warmed up a whole lot and the bears are now on the move. It gives us all something to think about and its told in a fun way so that it will be a pleasure to read, no matter what side of the fence you are on. We are going green whether we like the idea or not.

Each story stands alone. Believe it or not these are the facts and they happened to me. No matter how incredible they may seem, they are all true. Enjoy these short journeys into my life and world. You will come away remembering them, and I got to personally experience them.

What if you were handed a phone number and it was God's number. How would you respond? In our stories the reader will see how other's responded to this news. When the towers went down, the last I heard was my son was going to be in one of the towers for breakfast with a friend. All day long his mother and I waited for a phone call; from him or anyone for that matter. The phone lines were down across the city and we waiting until nearly midnight before a call came in. It was our son and he was okay. They changed their breakfast plans at the last minute. I would have given anything for a phone call earlier in the day alerting us that he had come to no harm. In our stories we have God's actual number and all we have to do is dial it. Are you prepared for that voice on the other end?

In the last seven years I have been working on short stories; a plethora of them. I have decided to compile stories for the reader along various topics. This happens to be stories that are all fiction for the most part. I hope you find this selection of tales to be entertaining and worth what you invested in it. My hope in all of this is to stir each reader to comment or take action. By action, I mean I'm hoping to interest you in some of my other books and short story pieces. I write in nearly every genre, so I believe there is something in my writings for nearly every one. As your read "Connect the Dots" stories and such, make note of what you enjoyed in a particular story and feel free to add an overall review of my work. I will welcome it. Where eagles fly, Don (Greywolf) Ford Native American Storyteller author-and-artist-don-ford.html Other works by Don Ford: "Death & Taxes" & "Royal Ferdinand"

As a Native American Storyteller, the environment holds a special place here for the author. By the time the reader has finished these stories he/she will know how to hug a tree. Some may venture out into the forest for the first time and discover a new world in their own backyard. Join your forest friends; they'll be waiting for you.

It would be nice if the soldier could come home to a place of peace and quite, but this is not always in the cards for some battle-worn heroes. Just when our soldier in this tale thinks he will head home for some much needed R & R, he must put on his battle gear once more. However, the tools of war cannot be used in this battle that takes place in the son's school. A new strategy must be applied to win this war.

Around any holiday, it is fun to read stories that fit the season. You will find such tales here. These were penned for the readers' enjoyment. Feel free to read at bedtime or any hour of the day for that matter. This is an all-ages book for that purpose. Holiday time is meant to be family time, and these stories will be best enjoyed and read together. I'm sure that the memory of many will be jogged into recalling times of great holiday giving and fun in the readers' own lives. The story Star at Christmas was first penned as a poem, and later I decided to also build it into a story to help fill in the broader details. It's not any "Night Before Christmas" tale, but you can read this book alongside that one if you care to. Cheers, Don