Friday, July 29, 2016

Time Plods On Tiny Turtle Feet

Thought for the day:  You wanta fly, you gotta give up the shit that weighs you down. [Toni Morrison]

[seniorark]
Ms. Morrison makes a good point, but there's also another way. Sometimes, all it takes is a friend to get us up off the ground and safely to where we need to be.

You can thank the Atlanta newspaper for this re-post. A brief article on Monday reminded me of something that's happening right now in New York, something that fascinates me so much that I wrote a post about it five years ago. That's plenty of time for y'all to have completely forgotten about it by now, and I think it's a story worth retelling. It originally ran in July of 2011 as We Can Fly With a Little Help From Our Friends. With a wee bit of editing, here it is again.

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Thought for the day:  Man must  not allow the clock and the calendar to blind him to the fact that each moment of his life is a miracle and a mystery.   H.G. Welles


All's relative at a family reunion.
No, I'm not gonna go all Einstein-y on you, but the old dude was right. Time and speed are relative. Children have little grasp of time, and scant concern about it beyond the eon separating one Christmas from the next, or the interminable amount of time it takes to drive to Aunt Sally's or to their favorite vacation spot at the beach. On the other hand, as we get older, our days no longer seem to contain the full allotment of twenty-four hours, and the days, weeks, months, and years pass so quickly, there doesn't even seem to be much point in bothering to take our Christmas decorations down anymore. Like the joke says, life is like a roll of toilet paper: the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.

Speed's the same way. To a child pedaling his toy car down the driveway as fast as he can, he's flying like the wind. But if you put that same pedal car on the autobahn? Different story. And compared to a snail, a turtle moves pretty darned fast. But compared to a 747? Road kill.

Or at least,  it could be.

If  you've ever been disheartened by news stories about modern progress pushing yet another animal out of its natural habitat and to the brink of extinction, here's a story of a different breed. Right now, a piece of the modern world is hitting the pause button. Or you could say ...  it's slowing to a crawl.



You've heard of the annual running of the bulls? Well, every year diamondback terrapins leave the salt marshes of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts to take part in a slow motion stampede of their own. In this annual running of the turtles, these critters lumber to their nesting grounds, and every year, a herd of 'em crawls right through New York's JFK Airport during their trek to the Jamaica Bay Refuge Center to lay their eggs. In 2011, their journey intersected with JFK's Runway 4, and an estimated 150 turtles shut down the runway and delayed flights for approximately an hour. As one unnamed Jet Blue pilot allegedly said, "Running over turtles is not healthy for them, nor is it good for the tires." Right. I can't see as how being run over by a 747 would be particularly healthy for any of God's creatures. Life transforming, perhaps, but definitely not healthy. This year, some 400 turtles have been making their laborious way across the runways and taxiways.

As soon as the first turtles are spotted on the tarmac every year, the airport staff springs into action, and does what they do every year. They rush out to help. Some terrapins are hand-carried across the runway to safety, while others are scooped up and given a lift to their nesting grounds in the bed of a pick-up truck.




It just goes to show you. Even if we cover it up with concrete, steel, and asphalt, nature is still all around us. And it was here first. It's good to know the folks at JFK Airport understand that.


Another thing this turtle tale reminds us? Even though we may feel like a lone turtle plodding a solitary path on the scary runway of life at times, we're never truly alone. No matter what obstacles and hardships we may face, no matter what tragedy befalls us, there are support groups, both online and off, to lift us back up again. No matter what our destination, there are always other people willing to help us in our journey. All we have to do is let them. In the amateur radio community, the more experienced hams who provide guidance and assistance to other hams are called Elmers. In schools and workplaces, we have tutors and mentors. Same for most hobbies, and same for writing. Especially in the blogosphere. Not only is there a host of aspiring writers blogging about their travails and triumphs, but there are also agents, editors, publishers, and already-published authors offering a treasure trove of tips, advise, and support, and bless their hearts, the majority of them are more than willing to throw us in the back of their truck and help us across that scary tarmac. In a matter of speaking.


Know what? This old broad may still plod like a turtle, but with so many helpful friends in and out of the blogosphere, I feel like SUPER TURTLE!



You know, we can all be super turtles. With a little help from our friends.



                                    Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.



57 comments:

  1. "Life is Good, Take it Slow" I like that :)
    I take things pretty slow and easy myself, there's no better pace, unless you need to catch that bus there, right now.but even then, there'll be another bus.
    love the flying super turtle.

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    1. I like the idea of going slow, too. It's much more enjoyable to savor the journey than it is to be in such a hurry, we don't appreciate the scenery. (Even from a bus!)

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  2. A lot of wisdom in this post!!

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  3. Smiles. And slightly sweaty eyes. Thank you. It is lovely to hear a positive story in all the negatives which bombard us.

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    1. ♪♫ You've gotta ac-cent-u-ate the positive, e-lim-i-nate the negative... ♪♫

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  4. What an excellent post. You're right, nature is all around us. Lately, I've been noticing all the birds in my yard every morning. They like to clean up the left over dog food. They come huddled in flocks like girls in Jr. high clicks.

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

      I like to watch the birds and squirrels in our yard, too. Seems like the birds are gossiping sometimes. Again, like junior high girls... (Great simile!)

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  5. From one turtle to another, we very often do need a helping hand (or a gentle push)from a kind and/or kindred spirit. It's not easy to become a Super Turtle on one's own.
    Thanks for the inspiring thoughts.

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    1. Fellow turtles, unite! The first step to getting a "lift" is admitting we need one.

      Thanks. I'm glad you liked the post, cowboy.

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  6. Hi Susan - what a great post ... nature is extraordinary - I hadn't heard about the turtles ... crabs, toads, elephants through the hotel inconsiderately built on their migration trail ... you have such a wonderful way of storytelling - the turtle on his back with 'oh my God I'm flying' is just such fun to see ... and then the staff at JFK rushing out to rescue turtles before the next 747 rains down on them ...

    Enjoy your Super Turtle ramblings ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary. Thank you so much, dear lady. I enjoy telling stories, so it's nice to know someone else enjoys them besides me. :)

      Cheers back atcha!

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  7. I fly off to faraway places, as you know - but couldn't manage without the kindness of strangers when I get there.

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    1. For sure! You probably understand that more than any of us.

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  8. Still a great post--definitely worth the repeat. And I love that last cartoon. So much in life is how you choose to look at it. Perspective is everything. :)

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    1. Thank you, ma'am.

      I love that cartoon, too. For some strange incomprehensible reason, I relate to that little turtle... :)

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  9. Loved it! No one walks this life alone and thankfully, there are helpers along the way to give us a hand and make our journey easier.

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sister-from-a-different-mother.

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  10. I think I remember this post! Of course I love anything about people helping animals. What a great story. And a great message too.

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    1. People helping animals, animals helping animals, animals or people helping each other... I'm a sap for all of 'em. :)

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  11. and I know I'm slower in the summer heat. Excellent post. Plod along and stick your neck out, help is on the way. Have a good weekend

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    1. If I get any slower, I won't be moving at all. But, if I'm waiting for help, I might be inclined to pull my head INTO my shell rather than stick it out too far. :)

      You have a super weekend, too.

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  12. A little helping hand can go a long way. Can I be a teenage mutant ninja turtle over a super turtle though? lol

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    1. Ab-so-doggone-lutely! If you'd rather be a teenage mutant ninja turtle than a super turtle, go for it! (Those guys can kick butt!)

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  13. Aw I'm glad they help the turtles across. That's kind of a funny challenge for them to have. Looks like they hurdled it beautifully. :)

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    1. Ah, yeah, They've done a lovely job of helping the turtle get over those hurdles. (Even if they're named Yertle.)

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  14. This made me so sad until I read that people are helping them. I'm so glad for helpers out there and I feel good that I've helped both humans and animals.

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    1. As one of those weird people who has actually gotten out of a car before to move a turtle out of the street, I love that all of those turtles in New York are getting help. :)

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  15. Wonderful post today.
    I knew about the turtle crossing and I love this story every time I read it.

    cheers, parsnip and the hamish

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    1. Thanks! We can all use a feel-good story, even if it's one we've heard before.

      Cheers back atcha!

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  16. Those JFK employees helping the turtles...that's the kind of stuff that makes me believe that we have NOT all gone completely nuts!

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    1. These days, the continued existence of sanity and decency is something we need to be reminded of every now and then.

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  17. I've been learning and thinking a lot about compassion lately and your post came at a good time. We don't always remember to be kind to others, other life-forms, to ourselves and do need to be reminded. I appreciate what you've done here, Susan.

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    1. Thanks, dude. I'm glad the post came at a good time for you. Some people may forget to be kind at times, but somehow, I don't think you're one of them.

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  18. Susan this is such a good reminder to slow down and live in the moment... we are rushing for the next moment. I do love hearing that the airport helps the turtles... xox

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    1. This kinda story is right up your alley. (tarmac?) I'm glad you liked it.

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  19. I l(augh)oved it, Susan! Especially the last comic - sometimes it is nice to change ones's perspective - and "fly"!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Britta. Especially that last comic. I love that one, too. Perspective and attitude are everything!

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  20. What a lovely story at a much needed time. Respect for one another (turtles/people/whatever) and a little kindness, and the sky’s the limit. That final cartoon is awesome: outlook IS everything.

    VR Barkowski

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    1. Yeah, I think we need more stories like this to remind us that kindness is still alive and well in the world.

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  21. Haha...I wish I could lie down and say I'm flying!

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  22. When we lived in Georgia there was a pond to the side of our property. Turtles would come up and bury eggs in our yard. When we put in a playground for the kids we accidentally dug up a turtle nest. We buried it again but I don't think they ever hatched. I always felt bad about that.

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    1. I'd feel bad about it, too, but you did the best you could. And who knows? Maybe they DID hatch.

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  23. This so lifted my spirits, Susan ... thank you for re-posting!
    That 'header' turtle's expression is quite endearing, don't you think?

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad it did.

      Yes! I love that picture in the heading. It looks like the little guy is smiling. :)

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  24. Does this relative time thing explain why I left blogging for 2 weeks and came back over a year later? It's good to "see" you again. Great post.

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    1. HA! Yes, I believe your case is a perfect example! Welcome back! I've missed you and your "hump day" funnies.

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  25. That makes me so happy to see humans are helping the turtles, truly happy. Too many times I hear such sad stories and it breaks my heart. Most the time it makes me disgusted to be part of a race so cruel, so I'm overjoyed by this. I help animals in any way possible, I love them so much!

    Raindrops of Sapphire

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    1. I agree. I think it's part of our responsibility to be caring stewards of the earth and all of her creatures. Although we see far too many stories about the cruel treatment of animals, I believe the majority of us look out for them.

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  26. What a sweet and inspiring post! It's nice to know support is always out there, even when we feel we're at our lowest and most isolated...

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Yes, it's very reassuring when we realize we aren't alone.

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  27. JFK... You know, I used to live 15 minutes from that airport--which translates to 3 miles in NYC driving distance. Don't miss it at all, but I'm not surprised they were conscious of the turtles. Otherwise there'd have been some crazy trying to shut the airport down. NYC has it all.

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    1. HA! It doesn't sound like you have a "warm spot" in your heart for the hustle and bustle of NYC. :)

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  28. I loved this post! And I chuckled when I saw the smiling turtle at the top of the page. Yeah. Running over turtles is definitely not good for their health. I'm glad they are given a helping hand. You're so right about people being there to support us when we need a little lift. It reminds us to be grateful for friends.

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    1. Cool! I'm glad you liked the post. (How could anyone resist that smiling turtle?)

      Yep, definitely. Friends double our pleasures, and halve our sorrows.

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  29. What a fun and uplifting post! The phrase, "running of the turtles," made me laugh. :D Not sure where we all would be without the help and support of our friends and loved ones. I'm glad to have them around.

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