Lisa Carter's Blog, page 14

Apex Predators in the #TheStronghold

What is an apex predator? An apex predator—also called a super, alpha or top-level predator—resides at the top of the food chain upon which no other creatures prey. They are the ultimate predator; all others are the prey.

Apex predators are divided into 3 categories—terrestrial, aerial and aquatic. Aerial apex predators include the bald eagle and the red-tailed hawk. Sharks, whales and octopus are aquatic apex predators. The jaguar is a terrestrial apex predator and can present either as a spotted or black cat.

The jaguar is the 3rd largest of the big cats—after the lion and tiger. The jaguar is the only one of the Big 3 native to the Americas. Indigenous peoples from Argentina to North America regard the jaguar as a sacred cat. The jaguar was on the verge of extinction when scientists from multiple countries created a safe zone, called a “corridor”, to connect the “islands” of jaguar habitat, allowing the animals to roam freely and enable the animals to make a comeback.

The jaguar needs a wide prey territory to thrive, but the corridor stopped at the border between Mexico and the United States. It was believed that the last Arizona jaguar, a subspecies, had been killed by a hunter in the 1960s. But wildlife cameras have spotted several outlier jaguars in the borderlands south of Douglas, AZ since 2009.

In 2014, 1200 acres were bought and set aside in AZ, NM and on the other side of the border in Sonora, Mexico by conservationists. This has not happened without controversy—by NM cattle ranchers—who fear this biological reserve so close to their ranches also threatens their livelihood. Because true to their innate nature, apex predators will always be apex predators.

Death this way Comes.

Of course as The Stronghold illustrates, the supreme, most deadly, apex predator of all is none other than mankind itself.

For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.

 

 

Physical Obstacles in #TheStronghold

The physical terrain featured in The Stronghold became a character in its own right. Here are some of the challenging obstacles Pilar and Alex faced on their quest—

Hoodoo—sculpted by desert wind and rain

Mesa plateau

Alkalai Flats—enter at your own risk

Box Canyon

Sandstone cliffs

Red buttes

Swale—hollow depression between mountain ridges, often marshy at best, at worst a channel for flash floods.

Plunging chasm—watch your step or next stop, eternity.

For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.

#SierraMadre #Adventure from #TheStronghold

Ancestral Stronghold

Heading into the Unknown

The blood-soaked ruins of the church

The formidable Sierra Madre

Jagged cordillera of the Sierra Madre—rising out of the Mexican plain like the bloodied knuckles of a fist

A savage land still only inhabited by the eagles—and maybe the Broncos

Only the foolish venture here—or the desperate.

The mysterious Tarahumara

Hidden remains of the Bronco rancheria

For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.

#Recipe—Chorizo Sausage and Eggs

Ingredients—
• 6 oz Spanish chorizo (spicy cured pork sausage) or 6 oz Mexican chorizo (spicy raw pork sausage)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil if using Spanish chorizo
• 10 large eggs
• chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• warm corn tortillas


Directions—
1. If using Spanish chorizo, finely chop, then cook in oil in a nonstick skillet, stirring, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes.

If using Mexican chorizo, remove from casings and cook (without oil) in skillet, stirring and breaking up meat, 4 to 5 minutes.

2. Whisk eggs together in a bowl—I add salt/pepper to taste and increase with 1/4 cup of milk.

3. Stir into chorizo. Cook, stirring, until eggs are scrambled and just set, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.Chorizo can be found at Latino markets or grocery stores which carry Latino food items.Enjoy.For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.

Behind the Scenes from #TheStronghold—The #wedding

My inspiration for the Mexican wedding—

The dress

Coins

Lasso

Mariachi

Fiesta!

For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.

Duct Tape Rules—The Ultimate Survival Tool

When you’re fighting to survive The Stronghold proves that duct tape rules. Here are a few more ideas of what you can do with duct tape—

Gift wrap—for men

A hammock

A girdle

In case you forgot to bring flowers

DIY mailbox

My personal favorite—

So never leave home without it.

For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.

Release Day—The Stronghold

For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.

Why I Wrote The Stronghold

This story is the hardest story I’ve ever had to tell. The story which wouldn’t let me go. The story which had to be told, despite my best efforts to avoid the hard truths of this book. In the writing, I, too, was forced to confront strongholds in my own life. It wasn’t fun. It never is. But it was necessary and healing.

I wrote The Stronghold for and because of two people:

For my friend who somehow found the courage one night when we were in college to share for the first time—with me—a terrible secret of what happened to her. I’ve never forgotten your story nor the undeserved pain you carried. This is for you and for all the others in a sisterhood to which no one ever wants to belong.

For Jesus—I am Yours. And You are mine.

The Stronghold deals with guilt, shame and finding the One whose love, power and name can break any stronghold. For His love is indeed stronger than death. May you find freedom in His love.

This novel is, ultimately, a love story as old as time itself. My prayer is that readers will find in God the relentless love they’ve longed for. He willingly sacrificed Himself for your sin, pain and wounds. He alone can restore your soul. I pray that you might fully know this love. He is the One who longs to know and be known by you. I pray that in His arms you might discover the name by which God calls you—and it is Mine. From the moment He created you, you’ve belonged to Him. I pray you will embrace this identity and choose to become His.

Then despite what you may have done—or what has been done to you—I hope you will see in Jesus’ eyes the pure passion of a bridegroom for His beloved bride. That in His love the lost years might be burned away as if they’d never been. And that finally, you can catch a glimpse of the sweet forever He’s promised to all who believe in Him.

Happy reading,

Lisa

For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.

Behind the Scenes #Inspiration from #TheStronghold Part 2

On the Mexican side of the border—

Nogales

Bavispe River

The Chihuahuan Plain against the backdrop of the Sierra Azul

The inn in Xoacatyl

Mexico

Xoacatyl at the base of the rugged Sierra Madre

Forbidding view of the Apache strongholds from the village

For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.

The #Legend of Apache Tears

The Apache Tear Drop

The legend of the Apache tear drop—

In the 1870s, seventy-five Apaches and the U.S. Cavalry fought on a mountain overlooking what is now Superior, Arizona. The outnumbered Apache warriors rode their horses off the mountain to their deaths rather than face defeat at the hands of the soldiers. The wives and families of the warriors cried when they learned of the tragedy. Their tears fell and turned into stone upon hitting the ground.

Johnny Cash immortalized the event in a song entitled “Apache Tears” for his 1964 album, Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian.

Apache Tears are rounded obsidian nodes (volcanic black glass). An Apache tear looks translucent when held up to light. Apache tears are usually black, but can range from black to red to brown.

The Apache tear drop plays a poignant and symbolic role in The Stronghold.

For more information and behind-the-scenes photos of The Stronghold visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/the-stronghold/.