Messages from Nature 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? 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.
Although born in La Jolla, California, Patricia spent half her childhood in Washington, D.C., the home of several generations of her mother's family. In 1961, her mother died. Only 18, Patricia returned to Vassar College with a year at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, another year in Rome, and ultimately earned a B.A. degree in Philosophy. Later, as a single parent of three children, she raised, raced, and showed Thoroughbred horses. She also completed a Masters degree followed by a PhD. Patricia has taught English and writing, written for magazines, had a newspaper column, and sold many of her paintings. She now lives in Florida with her husband and menagerie of dogs, horses, and cat. Author of nine books, she was the 2002 winner of San Diego Book Awards Association, recipient of the 2004 Woman of Achievement Award, Best Books Award Finalist, and 1st runner up trophy winner JADA Award Winning Novel Contest 2006.Patricia is the past President of the National League of American Pen Women-La Jolla Branch, and the recipient of the 2004 Woman of Achievement Award from the NLAPW-La Jolla. She was also President of the Washington, DC Branch of NLAPW. In 2010, Patricia was recognized as a VIP in the Cambridge Who's Who. In 2017, Patricia was honored as "Author of the Year" by IAOTP (International Association of Top Professionals). Patricia has written for the Evening Star Newspaper in Washington, DC, the Beach and Bay Press including La Jolla Village News in California, and The Georgetowner and Uptowner Newspapers in Washington as well as several magazines across the country. Her presentations have covered all aspects of writing for literary groups as well as colleges and universities. Patricia also is an artist. One of her paintings is on the cover of 'Messages from Nature'. In her "spare" time, Patricia has been rescuing thoroughbred horses. In the late '70s and '80s, she raised and raced them. Please visit www.literarylady.com
