Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Turtle Soup, Anyone?

So... it all started when I read my friend Kara's blog yesterday. She mentioned that her boys liked turtles; her husband started collecting turtles for them; and Kara was trying to contain them.

A few minutes later, Mr. Fix-It called and asked me to bring some lunch for him to the job he was working on. (Mr. Fix-It doesn't like to leave to eat...unlike his loving wife who will ALWAYS stop to eat!) So, being the wonderful wife I am, I quickly packed up a few pieces of left-over frozen pizza, some chips, some bite-sized Maple & Brown Sugar Mini Wheats for dessert and a big bottle of sweet tea. Lunch of champions! [This really has absolutely NOTHING to do with my story...but I thought it might help you with your menu planning! Just another freebie for my loyal readers!]

Okay, back to Turtles. After delivering Mr. Fix-It's lunch, I was on my way home down the dirt road. About halfway through the woods, I see a young turtle taking a jaunt across the road. I slowed down to check it out --we check out wildlife here in the woods quite often! After contemplating the situation for about 4 seconds, I decided NOT to pick it up and take it to the Bella's. Don't ask me whether this was indeed a turtle or a gopher tortoise -- I don't know or care. If it has a shell--IT IS A TURTLE, in my book!

When I made it home, I laughingly sent an e-mail to my friend telling her that her blog had conjured up a turtle on our road! Thought no more about it.

Fast forward to this afternoon. My sweet dd and I are driving home after a long day in town. As we stopped to pick up the mail, I glanced up the road. Lo, and behold ...ANOTHER turtle!


I'm starting to see a trend here! After whipping out my trusty camera, I encouraged dd to take a picture.

This turtle had dug a small hole --in the middle of the road! For what? To lay eggs? To use the bathroom, like a cat? Hmmmm...I am not a turtle expert. This turtle was attitudinizing; totally ignoring dd! However, after a bit of prodding, dd escorted the turtle off the road... encouraging her/him to dig the hole elsewhere.

If this trend continues, we may have to invite the Bella's over for a "turtle watching" field trip. Maybe they can titivate my knowledge of turtles. We can always go down to the pond and watch them jump off the logs...

Stay tuned.

9 Click here to Comment!:

Kahlua Keeping Koala said...

Indeed this is the time of year for turtles laying eggs. They find the place they like, dig, lay and leave. It's kinda fun until you find they are digging in your rose garden!

Note: Look up when you see this activity. There are probably crows around waiting for turtle to leave so they can have a snack.

BTW: DYK (Did you know...) Turtle eggs do not harden as chicken eggs do when cooked? Do not ask...

Anonymous said...

How neat I love turtles they are so neat.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for leaving the very nice comment on my blog (Life goes on) I truly didn't think anyone read it......You brought a smile to my face and I thank you!

Queen B said...

Is it just the picture, or is that the biggest turtle ever? Or maybe we have teeny turtles in Arkansas...

Laura said...

Did you get a new thesaurus? Are you trying to meet some sort of word challenge? I'm noticing your new vocabulary.

Anonymous said...

Actually mother, that was a BIG turtle. I've seen bigger, but that was definitely a BIG MAMA! lol
Love ya!! <3 :)

Unknown said...

The year we moved to Tennessee my mom gave me a "White Trash Cookbook" (wonder what she was trying to say). It has numerous recipes for cooter (turtle) soup. Let me know if you need one! A turtle that size might feed Wayne for a week!

Kelley said...

Yes, it isn't too uncommon to hear of people eating turtle here. For some reason I just can't stand the thought of "innocent" turtles being eaten. I won't tell you how horrific the manner in which they're cooked here (I wish I didn't know) but I'm glad to know that there are others out there more interested in helping them cross the road rather than eating them! (I know my grammar is terrible but I have a red-haired rug-rat at my leg!)

Anonymous said...

Oh, I feel so honored to be blogged about! That is one nice looking turtle that Quinn would adore. We just might be over someday soon! LOL!

Kara