Today it is time to share a Slice of Life at “Two Writing Teachers – the weekly writing challenge that encourages us to write about a small slice of our lives. The community is such a supportive one.
Driving home from a doctor’s appointment this afternoon, I saw several signs dotting the median, along one stretch of the road. It took a few minutes to realize they were “Turtle crossing” signs.
In several places in Canada, roads have actually closed to traffic to allow turtles to cross to lay their eggs safely.
It made me remember several adventures with turtles.
- Catching tadpoles, frogs and turtles when I was growing up in Montreal (we always let them go after admiring them)
- Visiting the turtle farm on Cayman Island when I was going to teacher’s college and my brother lived there
- Allowing my children (20+ years ago) to have pet turtles when they were young. I would never allow that now.
- Trying and succeeding (several times in fact) in turning a large snapping turtle on its back on the side of the road – without getting snapped
- Observing a large turtle busy laying eggs along a path in our home town a few years ago
There’s something about these ancient animals, animals that we definitely must protect. I hope people actually obey the sign!
Beverley A Baird 
I LOVE turtles, and this post made me so happy because I began to reminisce about my experiences that were similar to yours. We used to catch tadpoles, but no turtles. Those we got at the pet store. Three of them, I believe. I wouldn’t want one now though either!
I was talking to my daughter tonight and she said she didn’t remember catching turtles but remembers seeing the big ones on the road.
I hope they stop for the turtles, too, Bev. You’re right, it’s important to take good care of them. It was fun hearing your memories, too.
Thanks Linda. I had no idea what I would write about until I saw that sign and then the memories started as we drove home about 4:00.
I grew up in Ontario. I remember my dad coming home from night shift with a snapping turtle he’d found. He wanted my twin sister and I to see it. It was a ferocious beast, as I recall. My dad put it in our playhouse to keep us all safe. It was gone the next day. I don’t really know where it went. I couldn’t have been much more than 4 or 5 at the time. I haven’t thought about that old turtle in decades.
Those snapping turtles are ferocious! Wouldn’t want to be caught by one. Funny what memories we retain.
I was just listening to a pod cast about the turtles in the Galapagos Islands and grieving for them…ancient and wonderful creatures, indeed.
I just saw an article but didn’t read it – about a turtle whose shell was reinforced by ties. Wonderful creatures indeed. Thanks Tara.