TURTLE BAND

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It's getting time for turtles to wake up.

I'm missing Tommy already.

RIP Tommy

Tommy is gone.

My dad buried him under his favorite tree. (His or Tommy's, I'm not sure)

Thank you all for your kind comments. The longer the day went on the more sad I became. I was alone for a few hours yesterday afternoon and cried for much of it. I just can't believe he's really gone. For good this time. Forever. And the way he died. Hurts me the most.

Nobody really knows how long turtles live. I think they can live forever. California Desert Tortoises are known to die of respiratory infections or they get hit my cars or chewed up by dogs. I've heard of them drowning in pools. But an elevated fish pond? You don't think turtles can climb. You just don't.

I'm not kicking myself. If I'd had him he wouldn't have drown as we have no pond, above ground or otherwise. But he would've gotten out, that I'm sure of.

Mom has a baby turtle. Well, he's hardly a baby, he's 10 or 11 now. His name is Tina. Let me explain.

Once upon a time this little girl wanted an animal but was not allowed to have anything with feathers or fur. Her daddy was (and is still) asthmetic and those things could cause him to stop breathing altogether. Still she wanted a pet. So. In those days you could buy California Desert Tortoises at the local pet shop. This seemed like a good idea as there was no feathers or fur to be seen on this unusual creature. We bought a turtle. Girl or boy I have no idea at this time but I named her Ginger. (My favorite show was Gilligans Island. And it still rocks!) We took Ginger all over. We went to Canada and she came with, in the camper, accross the border. She met all the rele's and even visited the Grand Canyon and Mt. Rushmore! Shortly after we returned Ginger died. Years later my father admitted that he had fertilized the grass and didn't realize it would harm the turtle. She was buried near a rose bush. I thought she would like the view.

Then we found Tom and Tina both. Not at the same time. Tom was strolling accross the street near our home and Tina was crossing Garden Grove Blvd. (turtles get out, they just do) Tom was a large male when I found him and Tina was a tiny female. About half his size. They never got any bigger as long as I've had them. Anyway Tina and Tom had babies. I'm sure they've had many but the little buggars are tiny and get away before you can see them. Tina was quite shy, as the females tend to be and I never did catch her laying. So about 10/11 years ago we found a baby. They are tiny folks. The egg is the size of a ping pong ball, so the turtle, just that size. Small. And they look like dirt or rocks. Turtle camo. They are ridiculusly hard to see.

Taking care of a baby tortoise is work, a lot of it really. I wont go into the details but trust me, it is, and after 2 years I'd had enough. I gave the little darling to my mom, who was tickled pink to take care of this high maintenance creature. She named the little thing Tina, after her mother. Oh by the way, Tina Louise was the real name of Ginger on GI. Right? I know, but I was a kid, there you have it.

Tina passed away about 5 years ago. Respiratory infection. Tina was so shy that we hadn't noticed the signs. By the time I got her to the vet it was too late. After a week on antibiotics she crashed. She's buried in the herb garden at my old house.

Oh yeah I was going to tell you why Tina, my moms Tina, who is a boy, has a girls name. Well you see, girl tortoises flat tummies, it's not called a tummy but it is the bottom side of the turtle. Boys have a concave tummy. They do! But, you cannot tell the sex of a baby turtle for about 10 years. Mom just hoped that Tina would be a girl. A couple of years ago I started to notice the shell curving under there. 'You know mom, I think Tina's a boy.' Didn't matter. She was going to wait a little longer to see. Now? It's real obvious. Still she will not change the name. 'Mom, now that Toms gone you can call him Tom!' That's logical, right? No, she still wont do it, Tina it is.

This is Tina
A very handsome guy, dontcha think?

PS: Dang Witchypoo. The thought of Tommy comunicating with me is facinating! I wonder what they think of us humans. Are you sure you're not getting anything? Anything? Nothing?
Humph!

Good bye old friend

Some of you may remember my turtle Tom. I've had Tom most of my life, over 40 years. I found him, walking the street while on my way home from school. I picked him up, we put up signs, we never found his owners. He's been with us ever since.

He's a wanderer my Tom. We say he runs away, but, you know, he's a turtle. He doesn't run. He walks. Sometimes quickly. No matter. He gets where he wants to go and it doesn't take as long as you might think.

He has always escaped. Since I've had him that's been our problem. Better make sure that everything is secure because he WILL get out. Now he always comes back, but he does get out. Often. There have been times when I thought I'd seen the last of him and then, whoops! there he is again. Neighbors have returned him. My phone number is on his shell and I've had people call me. 'I've got your turtle!'

Since we moved into our new house with no backyard I sent him back to stay with my folks. True to his nature, he got out. They secured a spot in their garden area. He got out again. He was gone for a day and then they found him in the garage. Wandering around.

My mother called me today. Tom had been missing for a couple of days. She wasn't worried, he turns up. My father found him today. In the fish pond. Now he did not 'fall' in. This pond is elevated about 2 feet off the ground, maybe less. Somehow he managed to climb up the side of the pond. I'm just sick thinking about this. Turtles swim like rocks. Straight down. They don't float or make noise alerting anyone of their distress. He drowned. No one new. He's also the color of the bottom of the pond. But, who would look in there?

It's not like loosing a dog. Dogs, cats are much more connected to people. Cuddly. Turtles are not cuddly. They don't come when you call them. They don't purr or bark. But they do have personality. It's subtle. I know what he likes to eat and what he won't touch. I know when he's ready to hibernate and when he's ready to wake up. He's always the last one to bed and the first one up. He can smell the sun, we say.

So I will miss him. My Tommy. What a great turtle you were.

Lookin for the sunshine.

Mmmmm, watermelon! Tommy loves the watermelon.

Gettin a drink.

Following Mo around.

Remember this?

When he climbed up on a flower pot and couldn't get down?

He did manage to get down.
And somehow he made it up the sides of the pond.

Yes I will miss him.

Turtle soup and other weekend activities

Whoo boy! What a weekend! I did a lot and had such a great weekend. Saturday I had two of my boys and one girlfriend over for breakfast. I made waffles. I did not take pictures. Hmmm, must have been busy with the waffle making and boy can they eat. I made 3 batches.

Then I put the turtles to bed for the winter.

First I make turtle soup.

Take two full grown turtles, add water.


I do not know why blogger put this on it's side. It frustrates me and I spend way more time than I need to with no results.
Anywho. You leave turtles in the tub for like, a long time. I usually forget about them till it's time for me to take a shower. This is a bit of a mess, which is why I call it turtle soup. You will thank me for not taking pictures of it. Yuk. And I do need to sanitize the tub when they are done.

I wash off severely crusted areas. This also helps to hydrate them for their long winters nap. I check for any boo boos that may need watching. I trim their nails a little. Mo came with horribly long nails so I trim a little every month or so while she's awake. I use a cordless dremel and just take off a little at a time.





I dry them well.












They get to wander around a little to dry off more. Then I fix their phone numbers. Tom's is still in good shape but Mo needed the number redone.

The phone numbers? Well the turtles, especially Tom have been known to escape from time to time. Turtles are territorial and will return to their burrows especially when there is regular food. The problem is people will pick them up. This way if someone finds them hopefully they will call me.


Yes, this does work. Tom made his way into the neighbors yard. They had just moved in and they called me. They had no idea we had turtles so they just assumed it came with the yard until they saw the number and called us.
Then you take a large box and shred some newspaper.













Add turtle. I had to block out the phone number.











I mark the box so I remember what's in there.
Yes, I close the lid. I've done it for years. I don't think they mind. They don't complain.












They each have their own box. Then I stack them and put them in a cool closet. I call it the turtle condo. BH says it's the turtle highrise.

And there they stay till March/April. I usually hear them moving around once the weather warms. I have a waking up ritual as well so I wait until I have a day to be home with them and do it.




And! Are you ready?!

I got Maya B Saturday!


She was very very nervous at first.

She still is a little unsure about BH but she is warming up fast.

She was smelly so I took her to Petsmart. I have a local groomer that I love but she would not be open until Tuesday and I couldn't stand it.

I don't think they did a great job but it was ok. She is clean and smells good. I'll have her done again before T-day.

Tom and candy

Tom! Again!

See what this is? There are two turtles in this tub. There should only be one. The tub used to be Toms but he manages to climb out from time to time so he got switched to the box. I came home today to find both turtles in the tub. I asked BH why he had put both turtles in the same tub. He didn't. So, how did this happen?















This is how the boxes are in the family room. We know he has tipped the box over before so we gather that he tipped the box toward the tub and climbed in.

The box was in this righted position so we had no idea such activity was going on whilest we were away.

See the magazines to the right and the black bag in front. These were to keep the Tomster from tipping the box.

The tub WAS up against the box to keep him from tipping in that direction.





I had planned on posting my final BPOH today but Blogger in its infiniate wisdom has decided that I shall not upload any pictures at this time. So these were previously uploaded pics for no good reason.


MEXICAN CANDY.

It is getting that time Ladies and Germs when everything I should not be eating becomes an obsession. Some women crave chocolate, which I have and do, but these last few years it's also been chips and wierd things.

One of them is Mexican candy. I love the stuff.

Today I highlight Tamarind Spoons. This gooey sweet and spicy glob is put on cheepie plastic spoons. What is Tamarind you ask? When Blogger gets it's act together I'll post pics. I have no idea how nation wide Mexican candy is, in our global community maybe you can get the stuff all over the world now. Here in lovely Lake Elsinore, a mere 2 hours from the border, I can indulge myself every dang day. Just in the commercial center where I work there are 2 stores where I can feed my habit.

Turtle eggs***Day 3***

Mo has been behaving strangely. After having turtles for so many years I know what this means. She is going to lay eggs.



















She is diggin a hole.

















At one point Tom comes out to see what all the fuss is about. We quickly move him to another part of the yard.


















If you have never seen the mating ritual of turtles you will be shocked. He is so mean. He bites and shoves her all over the yard. This I read is normal and should not be inturrupted. I don't, but I don't like to watch either.


















And then one morning I find this.

















Now this egg is resting right on top and will certainly be distroyed or eaten or whatever. To move turtle eggs you must mark the top and not move the egg much. They cannot be turned. I gave this one to a friend. She may be able to incubate it. I did find 2 more in the hole. I am leaving them there because they are far enough down that they should be ok.

Commit to Quit Day 3

So far, fantastic. Went to the ball game last night. Didn't feel the urge to smoke at all.

Today I think I really want to smoke. It's the mind addiction. The body is cool with not smoking. The mind is bored.

It wants to smoke.

I haven't.

I'd have to buy some so I just couldn't break down and cheat.

That is a good move on my part.

Because I would cheat right now.

Or eat a package of Suzie Q's.

I found Oreos and Starbucks at the market across the parking lot.

This'll do.

Happy Fathers Day BH

HAPPY FATHERS DAY SWEETIE!

BH had a great Fathers Day. His boys were terrific. They got him this awesome birdhouse. It is huge. First they hand him this huge post. Then they brought out the birdhouse. So funny. They also got him this very cool computer game for flight simulation where you can also engage in dog fights. (you know, airplane dog fights, not woof woof dog fights) They all came over on Sunday with all the grandkids. It was just so much fun. We BBQ hot dogs, sausages and a friend brought over these very tasty smoked sausages and ribs. Yum Yum.
This here is a ice water challenge. Stick your hand in the ice water and see how long you can hold it in the water.

Notice the faces

Little Bryson wins!

He was so cute, he did not give up.

Then it was time to give Tom some watermelon. I think he ate 7 pieces. What a pig!

He was covered in red sticky juice.

Bryson loved feeding the turtle by hand.

Miscellaneous Friday***Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival

We have this discarded thin decorative mattress/pillow thing. It's too big for the trash so we have sort of left it out. Tom loves it. This is where he tucks himself in for the night. Yes the wet spot is from him. He doesn't seem to mind.

He was a sleepy boy this morning.

Over the weekend we went to the Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival. It is really a lot of fun. At the end they do this thing called a balloon glow. A few years ago they had about 30 balloons all in one place and it was awsome. This time they had 2 groups of 4 at either end of the festival. Not as impressive but still very cool.
The balloon is folded out much like a parachute. See the guy in the blue? He is letting the balloon out slowly holding onto a rope. The tail end of that rope caught his foot sending him accross the grass on one foot. He never got airborne thankfully.
From time to time as they are blowing up the balloon they 'light it up'. This is a giant strawberry. Once it is blown up you can't see that cute green cap.

going up

up

up

They play music games with the balloons lighting up to the music. They also have everyone scream 5-4-3-2-1 and they all light up. It really is a beautiful sight.

Peter Frampton played at the main stage. Music was good. A mix of old and new stuff.

And I got these very cool earrings. Don't you love them? Cheep too! Ten bucks!
Oh I forgot to tell you. BH and I saw the Omen on 6-6-06. Had to. I saw the first one and it scared me so bad. This remake is very much like the original. Nothing flashy. Same story, same ending. No huge special effects. I liked it though. Enough to buy? Mmmm, no, but if you liked the original go see it. It would be fine as a rental as well.

Tom the 'Amazing Escape Turtle'

This is Tom the Amazing

I know he doesn't look all that amazing, but he is. I have had Tom for almost 40 years and in that time he has 'ran away' many times. When we found him he had a little hole drilled in his shell by his leg. We soon discovered why. The darn turtle got out all the time. My dad would tie him up with rope and he would break the rope. Then dad got this super rope, with a little wire in it and tied him up with that. It did not take Tom long to pull free of that. While he couldn't break the rope he did manage to pull the little piece of shell with the hole in it completly off. I've kept that little piece because I thought that was so amazing and didn't think anyone would believe me.



Well this weekend was packed with a whole bunch of family troubles and to top it off Tom managed to escape the fenced yard. Now I knew he would so I had some rocks and bricks stacked in the problem areas but he still managed to find a spot under the fence and got out. This is a big problem. Big Hunk lives on 5 acres. With the recent rains we had the weeds are now about 2' high. There are tons of bushy things and rocks and I couldn't imagine how we would find him. Most of the property isn't fenced and even if it was he'd still manage to get out.

So last night we went outside to bring him in. We keep him in a box. He has managed to spoil the copy machine paper box so now we keep him in a plastic tub with a lid. Mostly off, the lid that is. Yes he climbs up like that all by himself and looks at us pitifully. Anyway we go to look for him and he is nowhere to be found. Nowhere! The fenced yard is not all that big even if it was dark. I looked over the entire fencing and found a bent spot where I am sure he escaped from. Off we go, in the dark to look for this dang turtle that looks very much like every rock on the property. We carefuuly looked around the house and in surrounding bushes. Then I took a little hike down the little road to the mail box. No Tom. I decide to try again at day light. Turtles don't move at night and are a little slow in the cool mornings so I think I have a chance to catch him as he is waking up and moving around.

In the morning I do the same walk around the property. Five acres, we're talking 5 acres of trees, bushes, a ton or more of rocks (did I mention that Tom looks like a rock?) and knee high weeds, probably a rattler or 2, a herd of bunnies, oh and I did catch a coyote this morning in the unfenced yard. I decide not to tralala through the weeds and risk disturbing some dangerous creature. I have my phone number painted on the back of his shell. Eventually someone will find him and give me a call. He's done this before so I was not terribly worried. My sweetie was much more upset. They will be disking the fields pretty soon and he was thinking Tom might get chewed up by the equipment. Yikes! I hadn't thought of that! So off he goes once again to make his rounds. I was getting ready for work when Sweetie knocks at the door with a special delivery. Tom! I was so surprised I could barely talk.

So now Tom is in his plastic tub a lot more often than he cares for. I keep telling him that if he wasn't so naughty he could go out and play. I did let him out a little this morning. I need to really shore up the fence so I can let him out more.