P Cat is the seventh story in the continuing Open the Door audio series.

Sometimes the smallest family members have the biggest opinions about who really owns the house. This morning’s story is about one determined cat… and one bathtub.

I hope you’ll come listen.

🎙️ Open the Door on Substack.

https://docellen.substack.com/p/p-cat?r=ac94d

It’s easy to think Mom Osprey is stretching.

She isn’t.

On a blistering hot summer day, Mom Osprey becomes a living umbrella. By spreading her wings, she shades the chicks—or eggs—beneath her from the direct sun.

She’s panting because she’s hot, too.Dad osprey sometimes takes over this job, but Mom is usually the one standing guard because she’s simply the larger bird.

Many of you know me through my photography. Some know me from my years as a veterinarian. Some simply know me as the woman who wanders around Jordan Lake talking about birds, clouds, droughts, wildflowers, and whatever else catches her curiosity.

Over the past few weeks I’ve quietly begun a new project called Open the Door.

Every Sunday I share a short audio story inspired by nature, childhood, and the people and experiences that have shaped my life. Each story is free to listen to and includes a written transcript.

This week’s story is “In Momma’s Hands”.

If you’d like to join me, you can visit:

docellen.substack.com

I’d be delighted to have you come along. After all, Nature’s door is open — come right on in.

I looked at the bald eagle’s talons, still carrying the mud from wherever she’d been before she landed. It made me think about us humans and our old saying about having feet of clay. Here I was, watching a bald eagle with feet of mud… but it wasn’t her feet I envied.

It was her wings.

On this day, July 9, 2019, I spent a quiet morning watching an Eastern Kingbird family along the shoreline at Jordan Lake. Breakfast was definitely on the menu as the parents worked tirelessly to keep hungry youngsters fed.

Sometimes the simplest moments in nature deserve a second look.

I hope you’ll enjoy this minute as much as I enjoyed being there.

— Doc Ellen

Sometimes the simplest things deserve a second thought.

This week’s Open the Door story is “Turning the Handle.”

I’d love for you to spend a few quiet minutes with me. I hope it leaves you with something to think about—and perhaps a smile.

Listen here:
https://docellen.substack.com/p/turning-the-handle

Nature’s door is open…come right on in.