Plodding Like A Turtle, Staycating Like A Bean

/ Ally Bean

Turtle, name unknown, taking an afternoon constitutional around the terrace.

• • •

I SAW THIS TURTLE FRIEND WALKING along the top of the stone wall that forms one side of our lower terrace.  

I was up on the deck and looked down on him, so I leisurely went inside the house to get my camera.

One fact about turtles, they cannot outrun me.

I went down the deck steps to get to his level, then snapped a few photos of him.  He made no attempt to hide from me, proving that I am the most benign creature on earth.

Can’t even scare a turtle.

Me.

• • •

WE’LL BE ON STAYCATION NEXT WEEK, so instead of dithering away here I’ll be busy doing the Memorial Day things [plus a bit more] in the real world.

But most importantly, my gentle readers, what will you be doing while I’m not here? Hmmm?  This is what concerns me.

Thus might I suggest that you take this survey about blogging? Don’t let the word “older” stop you. It’s for anyone who keeps a blog.

So, you know, that would be you.

Right?

• • •

85 thoughts on “Plodding Like A Turtle, Staycating Like A Bean”

  1. What an adorable turtle! Do you get many in your area? We only get toads where I am – they’re not quite as photogenic…
    Enjoy your staycation! (My autocorrect wanted to change that to “starvation” but I hope you do none of that.) I’ll go check out this survey thing…

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pistachios, we get turtles around here but they’re usually not as big as this one. He was unique, and quite sure of himself.

      Autocorrect needs to get over itself! Starvation? No way. Next week will be the opposite of that, I do believe.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Eilene, a black bear! Oh my, that’d flip me out. A little turtle is a friend, but a bear… I dunno.

      [Your comment was sent to trash. I found it today even though you made it yesterday. Sorry for the delay in my response, but I have no idea why your comment went to where it did. Another blogging mystery, I guess.]

      Like

        • Eilene, it’s Saturday morning and I just found your “lost” comments in my comment trash. Your comments weren’t here in my trash file yesterday when I checked. I don’t know why your comments are delayed/vanishing into my trash instead of posting to my blog. I don’t have you blocked, nor do you use any language that’d get you kicked into my moderate file. I apologize for the inconvenience, and will investigate further. Somewhere, somehow.

          [And now in my best Roseanne Roseannadanna voice: “Well, Jane, it just goes to show you, it’s always something — if it ain’t one thing, it’s another.”]

          Liked by 1 person

            • Your comment went to trash again. I’ve heard this problem mentioned by other bloggers on their blogs. Maybe WP has been tired this last week, and just needs a long weekend to relax before getting back to work. I dunno… 🤷‍♀️

              Liked by 1 person

  3. Lovely turtle! We don’t get turtles or toads, as Pistachios above does, but after Monday’s huge rain, I was shocked to find three mallard ducks walking down my driveway, fully unaware at how Very Cliche they were.

    Mind you, we live right in the middle of town with only driveways separating us from our neighbors and nary a lake or pond in sight. (Unless you count my teensy ornamental one in the corner of my itty bitty backyard, where a duck could not even do a dogpaddle.)

    Enjoy your Staycation. Who knows who/what else you may encounter?

    Liked by 2 people

    • nance, mallard ducks out for a stroll? How cute, but a little odd. Did they get off-course because of the huge rain? Were they on vacay, exploring new neighborhoods? Looking for a timeshare?!

      I’m looking forward to next week. Doing whatever we want around here as tourists, then going home to sleep in my own bed, sounds heavenly to me. Very relaxing.

      Like

  4. Ooooh, I get excited when I see a tortoise! Ok Myrtle the turtle .. that’s a fabulous photo … am noting her beautiful markings. Have a lovely time away Ally Bean – and thank you for your concern re: what we’ll be doing in your absence 🙂 If you REALLY want to know, I’ll no doubt be tearing my hair out about my schengen visa arriving in time for me to go travelling abroad ..

    Liked by 2 people

    • Susan, I thought the turtle’s markings were way cool, too. So distinct.

      I hope your visa arrives on schedule. There’s such a helpless feeling when your travel plans hinge on one huge thing, that is pretty much beyond your control. 🤞

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Love your turtle! We had one a couple of weeks ago here, too. I took strawberries out to him, but he didn’t seem interested. I have cute pictures of our little grandson studying the interesting turtle up close. As far as next week goes, I will frantically be doing all kinds of last minute details for our daughter’s wedding next Saturday…while babysitting!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Beth, do turtles not like strawberries?! I’m disappointed by this. I bet a curious little kid could have spent a long time watching this gutsy turtle make his way across our terrace wall.

      I imagine that in the end all will be great for the wedding, it’s just the getting it together part beforehand that seems insurmountable. Also, it’s not a real wedding if there isn’t angst and chaos beforehand. Fact. 😉

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    • Janis, yes, I can now add “turtle whisperer” to my resume. As one does. 🙄

      I’m excited about seeing the results of the survey, too. The questions were spot on to how/what I think about blogging. Will be fascinated to see what other people have to say.

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Love the coloring on that cute turtle. I don’t see things like that very often. Last weekend was our busy weekend as our youngest graduated from college (at 8 AM which meant we had to get up at 4 AM to drive there!) This weekend I am going to be working in my craft room on a couple of projects and getting it straightened out enough to be functional again. I’ll take your survey though, thanks! Have a wonderful staycation.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janet, we don’t see too many turtles either. I know that they live down by the creek in the ravine behind our house, but not too many climb up the hill to come visit us.

      An 8:00 a.m. graduation? That’s just cruel. Congrats to your son– and to you, too. I hope you enjoy your craft room time this weekend. The survey was interesting. The questions got me thinking… which I like to do.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. I don’t get turtles in my yard but there are frogs, toads and all sorts of other critters. None of them like to get photographed though or maybe it’s just me. Enjoy your time off. We’ll be waiting for your return!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Kate, where we used to live we got frogs and toads, but they aren’t around this property. Seeing a turtle is rare here, although I know they live in the creek behind us. I shall enjoy staycating, I promise.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Mr. Turtle is very photogenic. Nice of him to let you take his picture.

    Have fun dithering. I’ll be reading and possibly museum-ing during the three-day weekend, then forgetting what day it is every day next week at work. Good times.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Tara, I agree about Mr. Turtle. He had it going on. I like your plans for the long weekend. I could do that, too. Although by taking the whole week off, I can end up back in sync when I decide to re-sync with the world. When…

      Liked by 1 person

      • If I was a summer fan, I would have taken the whole week off, then I, too, could easily know what day it is. I shall have that kind of ease after I take a week off in September. Ahhhhhh.

        Have FUN!

        Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, I’ve felt that this has been one of the longest Mays on record. For me the month has dragged by and I’m finally getting to summer. Guess I’ll just enjoy staycating even more because of it. 😊

      Like

    • Joanne, I will enjoy my time away from the blogosphere. I promise. I agree about the survey. It made me realize my assumptions about what blogging is all about. Enlightening.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Joanne, thanks for doing the survey! If you were provoked, I hope we gave you ample opportunity to say exactly what you think. It’s been fascinating so far, as a study of this wonderful community of personal bloggers.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I’m anxiously awaiting an important delivery, but I’m sure I will blog regardless. Now that I’ve quit FB, I have more time for blogging and twitter poetry, and I’m happy about that. Enjoy your break!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Playing Devil’s Advocate – how do you know the turtle wasn’t scared? I bet he was! Where I live Memorial Day weekend means massive traffic jams so I tend to stay near home as much as possible…

    Liked by 1 person

    • Jan, I never thought of that! Maybe what I took to be a slow mosey was really him running away from me in fear. Oh dear, my whole world has been turned upside down with this possibility.

      From the sound of it you’re better off sticking close to home. Around here Memorial Day is another laidback holiday, things to do but not much stress about it.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. What a fabulous turtle – and a very clever one no doubt as clearly he picked a most gorgeous costume from the turtle shell clothing shop. I’m sorry to report that no turtles have been spotted in my vicinity – the most exotic wildlife here is the neighborhood opposum.

    A staycation sounds like the perfect way to wind up May and head into June all rested, relaxed, and un-starved. I’m hoping to cast a time-stretching spell so I manage to get tons of projects attended to, with plenty of leftover time for bonbons and naps. Wish me success. I’ll be sure to make time to opine about my blogging habits as well. It sounds like a fun thing to have one’s brained picked over about.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deborah, I thought this turtle was exceptionally cute. His pattern was so distinct. Very fetching.

      I’m going to let this upcoming week happen in whatever way that it will. I’ve got few ideas of local places for us to visit, plus it’s the beginning of festival season around here… so if we don’t have a good time it’ll be our own darned fault.

      Like

          • Ally, how wise. Expectations can become a bit burdensome and vacations are legally required for good reasons. You’ll either come back reinvigorated and busting with energy and creativity—or find another toy, another direction, another career, another vocation or vacation—it’s your life. But you’ll have a strong community waiting to welcome you back, if it works out that way. Enjoy and thrive!

            Liked by 1 person

    • Jill, I read something about turtles yesterday, too. Hadn’t made the connection with this guy. Our staycation plans are rather loose, but that suits me just fine. I can do whatever and be happy.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Isa-Lee, birds are tricky little creatures. They seem like they want to be photographed, but it’s a con. A turtle, however, is cooperative… but not so easy to find, in my experience.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I’m sure there are turtles here somewhere. Sometimes at the Botanic Garden, but then they’re in water, and there goes the advantage.

        The birds the other day I SWEAR taunted me. So cute and so mean.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. I don’t mean to brag, but turtles can’t outrun me, either.
    I will be mostly playin, putterin, piddlin about. I am going to cook at least two meals. I am going to eat out at least once. I might do car things. Maybe some garden things.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. He’s a lovely turtle. Actually, I think most turtles are lovely. I’ve only ever found one that wasn’t and it was a rather large momma snapper laying eggs and I think I’d be rather unlovely then too if I were a turtle. We have a whole list of cabin activities planned but it’s going to be blistering so I’m assuming we’ll actually boat and swim and postpone some of the work until a weekend that’s cooler. (That’s the hope anyway.)

    Liked by 1 person

    • Kate, I thought this turtle was a cutie pie, so I had to take a pic. Because I keep a blog and turtle pics are de rigueur. 😊

      Your weekend activities sound like fun. I’ll be thinking fond thoughts about you out there boating and swimming– like it’s summer or something!

      Like

  27. Love the turtle pic. We have conservation land right behind our backyard, with a natural pond. Turtles come through my yard every summer, same path always, to go across the neighborhood street and lay eggs in my neighbor’s front garden. I often know when a turtle is crossing through because of my savvy English setter. She thinks turtles are remote control chew toys. I’ve rescued more than a few!!

    Enjoy your week. I will be working and running around like a madwoman trying to fit in all the end-of-school-year activities without refilling my flask. JK. Without losing my mind AND refilling my flask.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Kate, I’d enjoy watching turtles with a purpose walking across my yard. And to have an automatic turtle alert system such as your dog, how cool! During my week off I’ll send calm thoughts your way as you end your school year and drink/don’t drink from your flask.

    Like

  29. That turtle looks like he (or she) was sunbathing… beak up to the sun. (Is the mouth area on a turtle called a ‘beak’? It is on a tortoise.) I get confused between the distinction between the two in America…. here a tortoise is a land animal and a turtle is a water one.

    Like

    • Val, you bring up a good point. I don’t know the distinctions between turtle and tortoise. I thought that if the animal was small it was a turtle, if it was big it was a tortoise. That, of course, doesn’t really make much sense when you think about it. All I know for sure is that this turtle friend was ready to be photographed. 🐢

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Once a week or so I am a cool kid. Awesome, too.

    Glad you worried about what we’d do in your absence. I did take the survey.

    Hope you had a happy Memorial Day weekend. Hope the turtle did, too.

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    • J.B. Whitmore, you are so kind to send happy vibes to this turtle friend. Should I see him again, I’ll inquire about how his holiday went. The quiz was interesting. I’m looking forward to reading about conclusions reached, demographics compiled.

      Like

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