Life is a mystery that unfolds its story to each of us in a different way at the right time. (Hermann J. Steinherr)
I’m sure you’ve heard people say that life is a mystery. But is it one we are supposed to solve? Perhaps we are just to tease a few secrets out now and again while the bigger mystery remains. As one of the gospel songs says, “Farther along, we’ll understand more.” But perhaps it’s good to keep some of the mysteries of life without figuring out all the answers. Maybe that’s what the Lord intended so we would trust Him for the answers.
And it could be the mysteries in life like bumblebees able to fly or how butterflies can go hundreds of miles to one particular tree every year, that those puzzles of nature awake in us a certain wonder and love of mystery. That love can sometimes carry over to what we read. We like solving mysteries, figuring things out, but then we also like it when the author surprises us with an unexpected ending but one that when we look back at the story, we think, yes, that’s the way it was.
I had a different kind of mystery today. Well, it was sort of a mystery. Unusual at any rate. I got an e-mail about one of my young adult books that went out of print years ago. A young man, now 35, told me that my book, Bridge to Courage, was the only fiction book he’d read from beginning to end and that was when he was in the 6th grade. I wrote back to tell him I didn’t know whether to be honored or sad that he had never read more fiction. He did claim to like the story so it wasn’t my story that soured him on fiction. At least I hope not. He’d read text books and got a college degree, but used summaries and Cliff notes instead of reading assigned fiction books in his classes. I personally can’t imagine not having the pleasure of reading fiction. So many great books through the years. How about you? Can you imagine having read only one fiction book in your lifetime?
But back to the Mystery giveaway pictures. The last picture tricked more people than I thought it would. If the picture I put up hadn’t been so fuzzy, I think more of you would have gotten it. I managed to get a clearer picture later that might 
have revealed enough to give it awa
y. Amy almost hit it on the nose when she said manta ray, but it’s the small stingray instead. Maria also guessed an aquarium fish. Sandi and Kathi both thought puffer fish and Ola and Margaret guessed frog face or eyes. Margaret also guessed moon craters or a sheep’s head. She was covering all the bases. But Robin said lamb chop. Maybe the puppet, Robin? Linda claimed a white catfish. I liked Marji’s chocolate melting in ice cream. Peggy thought it was a rubber duck face and Wilma was feeling cuddly with her 2 puppies in a lap guess. Pat guessed a chest of drawers handle. I could see that. Connie was seeing things in a counter top and Evelyn was just using her imagination to see all sorts of things. But as I said it was a sting ray. Here’s a clearer picture of the close-up. Even shows a little tooth in the middle of its mouth. Then here’s the rest of the picture my daughter took at an aquarium.
Only this one more picture before I draw for the three winners on Sunday. (Lou Anne, if you read this, I never did get a return answer of my e-mail to you about winning one of my books in the last giveaway. So if you see this, please go to my contact link and send me a new message.) So I’m ready for your guesses. Remember the contest is open to everyone over 18. But whether you win or not, let me know if you’ve had fun playing my Mystery Photo Game and if so, we’ll do it again sometime soon.
As always, thanks for reading.
Comments 32
Author
You all are so smart this time that I may just have to so another mystery photo to make ME feel better. For a fact, if you’re wrong, a lot of you are wrong the same way. 🙂 I do appreciate all the great guesses.
Linda M, your comment made me smile about either feeling really smart getting the mystery photo or going “what was I thinking” when you were off base with your guess. You all are such fun.
I’m so glad you enjoy the mystery picture contests. I’m not great at making the pictures, but it’s still fun. Now if I ever get that fancy camera that can really zoom in on things, you may be in trouble. I’ll take pictures you’ll never figure out. LOL.
I do appreciate all of you who also read my books. You’re the best.
It does look like a cat’s paw to me also.
Looks like cat paws.
I believe the photo is of a cat paw. 🙂
I am going with dog paw…I love these contests!!!
I think it’s Oscar’s paw. Love your books.
Author
Gee, nearly all of you are either right or I’ve completely bumfuzzled you. Not sure that’s a real word but it sounds good. Love how some of you let Oscar get in the picture. He appreciates the mentions, Amy and Kathleen.
So glad you are enjoying the mystery photo game. I always have fun trying to come up with something mysterious and then seeing your great guesses. I’ll show the rest of the picture and draw my three winners Sunday. By then I’ll either be jubilant that the UK Wildcats are still in the NCAA tournament or down in the dumps if they aren’t. I get completely too carried away by my basketball fandom.
Thank you all for guessing and playing my game. You’re all winners to me.
The back of a black and white cat or possibly bunny. Yes, keep up the mystery pictures. I either feel triumphantly smart or what was I thinking!
Sure looks like a cat’s paw…..but, I have been known to be wrong once in awhile 🙊
As for never reading fiction books…..there are people who just don’t like to read, and they say they don’t want to waste their time reading something that’s not true. Yet those same people have no problem watching a ‘fiction’ movie or TV program 🤔
Author
I have had many people tell me that at book events, Marji. That they don’t want to read something that’s not true. As you say, they feel it’s a waste of time. Maybe they only watch news programs on television. But I love how Jesus helped us learn truths in the Bible by telling us stories. So I don’t feel reading is a waster of time at all. I do sometimes feel watching certain television shows can be a waste of time, so maybe I’m on the opposite side of this.
I’m going with the paw. A cat, small dog, puppy or anything that has a paw!
I think this one is a white cat on it’s back with either a black tail or another cats black paw on its belly. Yes, I was talking about Lamb Chop the puppet, not a lamb chop to eat. 🙂 Thanks Ann, these have been fun!
A cat’s paw? These Mystery Photo Games are fun!
I’m not even going to try to guess the mystery picture. I’m terrible at things like that. But your story of the man who had only read one fiction book made me so sad that I had to comment. I can’t imagine life without fiction. Nonfiction can be wonderful, but sometimes we need the escape we can only get from a work of fiction. I wonder what his life has been like. Hopefully he will decide to give reading another try.
Author
I agree, Tammy, about hoping the young man gives fiction another try. I really didn’t get the feeling he read nonfiction either except what was necessary for his work. But then, I meet a lot of people, both men and women, when I’m doing book signings who say they never read. They don’t have time. Or some will say they used to read but don’t any longer. I guess with the ease of television and movies for entertainment, some people choose that over reading. Me, I’d rather read! As for the mystery pictures, they’re just for fun and any guess works.
Oscar’s paw. Kathleen
Looks like a cat to me.
It looks like a puppy has it two paws doubled up at the top of the picture?
It looks like a cat or dog paw.
If Oscar was a cat I’d say it was his paw along with a friend. I’m thinking the black isn’t a paw as much as a spot on an animal. Maybe Oscar has a black and white cat friend?
I see two cat paws, and the black is either its tail or just a black spot on its stomach. I enjoy these mysteries!
definitely a cat’s paw..no question..gotta be right.