I’m an early riser. In fact, I get up waaaay early. Part of that is just being a menopausal old broad, but mostly I get up early because I love the peace and quiet before the world gets going. What I mean by that, is before the teenager rocks the house with the sounds of the computer, the television, the radio, AND his electric guitar all playing at once. Teenagers are wonderful multi-taskers. He can even talk on the phone in the midst of all this. Is this Karma paying me back for the way I was as a teenager?
At any rate, I don’t like noise very much. Usually, I get my cup of coffee and sit on my back porch just as the world is waking. Sometimes Mr. Moon is still shining through the trees, but most of the time I’m out there just at the break of dawn. That’s often when I get a lot of “visitors.” Critters of all kinds come through my backyard. The rabbits, the squirrels, the lizards, and the chaparrals live there. Coyotes, foxes, and an occasional cougar roam through (yes, I said “cougar,” but that’s another story).
A few mornings ago, I saw this turtle on my deck. I think he is just passing through. How he climbed the steps is a mystery to me, but I don’t think he was happy there. Stretching out his neck looking at me, he was almost “posing.” At least, he was until I got the camera. Then, no amount of sweet talking would convince him to come out of that shell. I offered him food; I even offered him my finger. I gave up and just snapped a picture.
I crouched waiting for a long time, but he could wait longer than I chose squat. So, I moved him out in the garden and snapped one last picture.
Look at those photographs and tell me what you see that is good about them. That shouldn’t be too difficult. Please don’t comment on the paint job on my deck! I really painted it two years ago, but the Texas heat blistered the paint. It’s a good thing I like the “weathered look.” Don’t tell me about the weeds I haven’t pulled, either.
I want you to see Only The Good. This is an exercise started by my friend Marcia at Tumbled Words and carried on by her friend Nancy J. Bond. In this world filled with trouble and strife, we need to practice seeing the good in things. I promise if you do this often enough, it will come naturally to you. In fact, I’m even starting to like my weeds!
Think about it. Tell me what you see. Then maybe you will have a picture of your own to post for Only The Good. If you do, come tell me and I will link to your post.
I hope your day is filled with only the good.
Today many bloggers write for Manic Monday. The word for today was “faith.” I have it (faith, that is), but it’s not something about which I feel comfortable writing. You might find some very good articles if you follow the link. It may even inspire you to write an essay of your own.
I decided to try Unconscious Mutterings from Luna Nina. again. Supposedly using free association helps you gain a better sense of self. I dunno. But, I’ll give it a whirl. Maybe it will help me figure out which of the voices in my head is the real me talking!
- Uneven– Asymmetrical
- Wonder–Amazement
- Spider– Weaver
- Emma– Peel
- Swing — Big Band Music
- Orbit — Outer Space
- Flirt — Tease
- Donation — Charity
- Veil — Mantilla
- Atmosphere — Gas
I did post new update for Share A Square.
Technorati Tags: turtle, photographs, Only The Good, Unconscious Mutterings, Share A Square
[...] The Good - Flag Over at The Eclectic Life, Shelly has a post called Only The Good - An Aloof Visitor as part of the Only The Good project. As I had never heard of the project, and was intrigued, I [...]
What I really like about the first photo is how the markings on the turtle’s shell are mirrored in the markings on the porch. Those slowly curving lines on both shell and porch are so beautiful. I hadn’t heard of the Only The Good project, so thank you for drawing my attention to it. I have just posted a photograph over at my blog http://liveslessordinary.wordpress.com as my own contribution to it.
Amy, I always get intrigued by patterns, too. Actually, when I looked at my porch in this photo, it looks better than it does in real life
I’m so glad you are joining Only The Good. I wish more people did it! Thanks for visiting and playing along.~skt
Great photos! What a beautiful creature. The very fact that he decided to pay a visit is a GOOD thing. I like that he sought and found cool, moist shade in your garden. He looks quite at home there!
Thank you, Nancy. I only wish he were “at home” here. I think he only travels through. I’ve seen him (or his cousin) a few times. The markings on his back are what intrigue me the most. Thanks for visiting!~skt
I love the way the dew still sparkles on the grass, showing how early in the morning (and how cool!) it still was.
Sharp eyes, Robin! I hadn’t even registered that in my pea brain. The patterns and swirls on that turtle’s back were what really drew me to him. I had to sit there and pet him (I’m sure he loved it) just to feel the textures.~skt
I’m not sure if you still lurk without posting at my place, but I found it ironic that you and I had both planned to post today for Only The Good. Last time I was here, I was excited about your post about the convenience store and prepared to share. I think you’ll like my choice, and I hope you “sign on” to comment.
I lurk without posting comments all over the place, Rosemarie. I apologize. I like to read, but if I get started commenting I get lost in it…and right now I’m stuck with that crochet goal. I’ll be by this afternoon, Scout’s honor, but I gotta go get groceries while you can still walk outside without frying.
Only The Good:
~ Nature is friendly place!
~ Only the early risers greet the day with creatures!
~ I see another creepy crawly creature beside the turtle! I’m sure it’s good for the garden whatever it is.
Hi! Shelly,
I’m finally on-line. Saturday my son brought my mail to the hospital. The afghan is amazing! Everyone from nurses to drs and maintenance people came in to ooh and aah over it!
My grandson was thrilled to read the names of the crocheters and where they lived. Kansas, Washington, Texas, North Carolina and on & on! He was really impressed! I am taking pics of him with the afghan. My son is supposed to come up today to show me how to post pics. The only problem is that I can’t send email from here.
We might get a few days off this week to go home and I will mail you pics from home so you can post it on your blog.
I want to thank everyone who took part in bringing a smile to my grandson’s face.He loves it! Didn’t take him long to throw aside his favorite Spiderman comforter!
I will try and thank everyone who sent us an email address shortly.
Pictures of the afghan don’t do it justice. The thing I love the most is the size of it. This afghan covers him completely…no cold feet!
When Mr. T. was here last year he did receive 2 afghans, but they were more like ‘throws’ and way too small. We will cherish this comforter forever!
Oh, and Thank You Very Much for the ‘Guess Who’ game! Mr. T’s sister who’s 9 (spent the weekend with us) confiscated the game & has played with adults as well as kids at the Mcdonald Manor & the Hospital. I will post about it when I can upload pics. Thanks again Shelly!
Sweet Friend, you are so welcome. I’m sorry about Spiderman, but this comforter is full of a lot of love. Don’t bother writing individually now. You have more than enough on your plate. Just post about it when you can, and I’ll send everyone to see. Hugs to you~skt
That’s really neat finding that turtle! The shell is so pretty, I love the designs on turtle shells, I don’t know why…
I don’t know why, either, but I’m with you all the way on that
~skt
Ahhh…early mornin’ coffee with the critters…I can relate!
And, the little fella is so dang cute, all I see is “good”!! (wonder how he got himself up there?!)
~skt
I hope that turtle climbed the steps, because the only other way was a drop of about three feet from the driveway!
The most beautiful thing is you put the turtle in the garden from the porch. I am sure the turtle was thankful too. Have a great day.
Nah, Sandee. That turtle wasn’t very thankful. He didn’t have any manners at all
~skt
Oh…I see a lot of good in turtles! in fact, I’d like to be able to just tuck myself into a shell like that when the world bugs me! How cool to just find one on your porch! I only find racoons, skunks and stray cats on my porch!!
Jessica
I’ve found raccoons, skunks and stray cats, too! I’d like to tuck me into a shell right now!
~skt
Hi Shelly! I love the idea of finding something good in everything. I have been trying to do that for years. Remember the Walt Disney movie “Pollyanna”? I try living my life seeing the good. It’s actually easier for me than the alternative. Since my husband and I have owned our own retail business for 30 years, it got scarry at times depending on how business was going. Waking up to the sun shining through the window, or a cozy rainy day at home to stay in and sew or craft, something so simple. Now, the good I see here is turtle not crushed on a road somewhere. We live just outside the city limits so have some woody areas around the roads.
In the Spring there are always turtles on the roads. As my kids were growing up we always stopped where we could picked up any crossing the road and put them in the grassy areas far enough away from the road. We are just crazy about all living things.
I sent you some square, thanks for your “thank you”. I’ll send some more later on.
Hi Maizee! I’m so glad you stopped by. I had sent a “thank you” card to you, but it was returned to me. I didn’t have the correct address, I guess. I appreciate the squares. They were lovely, and the card you made was adorable.
I like it that the turtle isn’t crushed, too. I STILL stop and move turtles…but they just turn around and head right back into the road. Duh. Just like some people, ya think?~skt
Amazing! Nicholas would have loved to see that!
Maybe Nicholas could have gotten him to come out of his shell?~skt