Happy Holidays

We here at Charlotte’z We[b]log wish you a Merry Christmas. Or Happy Hanukkah, or whatever holiday it is you are or were celebrating this week. Maybe Boxing day - now see, I’m a little confused about this particular holiday because it represents one of my cousins - the Box Turte, or does it not? Needless to say - or, rather, it goes along to say - Whatever holiday you are celebrating this time of the year, if any….. may your days be merry and bright.

The World Turtle

Remember how I keep mentioning that thing about the turtle carrying the weight of the world on HER back?  Furthermore, for the sake of accuracy, take notice to the femininity of said reptile, SHE is as our Earth; our MOTHER.  

Let us dig a worm out of this and discuss a little deeper-

These religious cultures that believe(d) that the world is supported by a turtle held up by four elephants...It is a belief held most significantly in the Hindu religion - though there is mention of it within the Chinese culture, as well as the Iroquois Indians of North America, and other Indian tribes, too.

This is an account of the beginning of creation which is recognized throughout several other religious civilizations as well.  Nearly as popular as the story of Genesis in the Christian religion, the story of the turtle as a worshipped entity dates back millenia to the early Mesopotamian people.  Turtles have represented divinity and closeness, if not oneness, with GOD.  If you’ll note - Mesopotamian cultures are some of the first documented of your species - homo sapien sapien.  Think on this now, the first people of documented time in the essence of history were noted to have worshipped turtles, first, above all other entities.  

There is actually a temple in India dedicated to “Kurma” a turtle avatar that saved a local tribe as they called for their God to guide them to victory in war, sometime in the 16th century.  Perhaps you are familiar with Vishnu, a God with Great Powers and influence in the Hindu religion.  Vishnu has four arms and is said to have derived his powers from the turtle through an incarnation of life.

Needless to say - we are rounding out our definitions of turtles within the simplicity of their representation of Peace and other mythological symbols.  Allow yourself to embrace the tranquility that the the turtle brings you, as a higher deity might.  While science says the world is round, some people say we are merely walking along on a turtle’s back.  Should this be the case, perhaps we should pay some homage to the one with all that strength.

 

Peace

Oh how the tidings sing a merriful tune...

 

I do so hope you are all settling in to your cozy chairs by the fireplaces and enjoying the carols of the season.  Here at the pond, the decorations are going up and the music is cheery.

 

In continuting with our spiritually signifcant influence of the turtle, this week we are discussing the folklore of the Chinese, and the prominence of the turtle upon their culture.

Whilst sharing this valuable lesson, may the truth of the Chinese Proverb for happiness be with you always:

 

To obtain happiness for one hour - drink WINE.  To obtain happiness for one year - be MARRIED.  To obtain happiness for a lifetime - grow a GARDEN. 

 

I like gardens!  My human drinks wine!  We are going to live for a long long time!

 

Moving along..... Spirituality is an important component of life, love and much much more. And so, in speaking of sitting in your comfy chair by the fire, let us focus our attention to the representation of happiness and good health in which my ancestors play a pivotal role.

 

In ancient times and throughout today, the turtle has been and continues to be an illustration for (good) health.  (Need we really mention here, the longevity factor?)  One should mimick the very way of the turtle in order to live sustainable, healthy, peaceful lives.  Even without the wine, the marriage or gardens.

 

Also be reminded of previous reference of the impact upon so many ancient civilizations in the account of the purity of life which turtles represent because of their strength, endurance and propensity.

 

Now, remember the FOUR elements of our lives? ...

Immediately we should recognize the turtle representing the life element for WATER.  Among the others, Earth, Wind and Fire.  Of course, we also know the turtle represents EARTH in other fables around the world and therefore, we must take into account the purity and fundamental component of exemplary value which the turtle offers. 

 

Because of these extremely influential elements in our lives and the vital role they play in sustainable, peaceful living - the turtle is also a strong element in Feng Shui, which is 'a system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy.'  In other words, a fancy definition for decorating your home with the correct energy for your own spirit (as the Chinese believe).  This can teach us the influential role of the turtle even whilst you may not have one in your home.  The turtle, in Feng Shui is one of just four 'celestial' animals which serve as powerful forces of energy within the home - real or not.  Notice, the Green Dragon, the White Tiger, the Red Phoenix and the Black Turtle listed as animals which should be placed throughout the home in separate corners, all corresponding to their energies which will bring peace and harmony to said home. 

 

Following the same precedent:  There are only four "animals" that were worshipped in ceremonies as possessing spirit within the ancient Chinese civilizations - the Horned Rhino, the Phoenix, the Turtle and the Dragon.  Kinda makes one wonder if the Phoenix and the Dragon may have reallly existed at one time because of the significance in the folklore regarding these ever majestic souls.

 

And now, as a new year approaches and a season of joyful time and laughter is upon us, may we rejoice in the simplicity of the turtle and the peace she brings.

Totems

As the yuletide season is upon us throughout so many cultures this time of the year, we find it prime time here at Charlotte’z Weblog to speak of the history of the significance of turtles throughout these different civilizations. This week the focus is on Totems. Recognized by several Native American Indian Cultures as animals which depict certain characterized determinations in our lives, turtles are said to be the totem which teaches us determination and instinct. If you’ll remember the mention in a previous post, in ancient times, the turtle represented the WORLD itself. That’s a pretty big weight to carry. No wonder we wear these heavy duty shells! This particular history resonates within the Native American culture most notably as the American continent itself is represented as the “Turtle Island”. Although, this is also a known remembrance in the Hindu and Chinese cultures. “Turtle shows us it’s time to slow down”… Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? It could have been the turtle and the rabbit, too. Depending on when you grew up, and where. Nonetheless... the turtle, in some cultures and religions holds many sacred attributes even relative of their characteristically slow moving status. They are known figures of perseverance and protection. Turtles represent creation and longevity in so much as many of these cultures throughout the world celebrate their traditions with the turtle in mind. The American Indian was no exception. A sure culture representative of determination - could be because of their undying faith to their totems. The wisdom of totems offer specific areas of dynamic value within each animal of the kingdom. In this, the turtle specifies the way of Peace with a heavy influence on feminine energy - serving as the energy of Mother Earth herself. Mother Earth, which requires Peace and Harmony. Turtle teaches us balance and provides us with positive energies. I like to think, even while ‘Turtle’ is not my human’s totem animal… I can provide her with the influences of my spirit. While each person roaming this gigantic planet has their own totem animal, only some of us may ever learn, perhaps by the guidance of the turtle, which wild beast rules our universe. In the meantime, you and I may celebrate this holiday season in whichever tradition we may so choose. Perhaps your spirit animal is the bear and you are hibernating this time of the year. Or maybe you have a Wolf watching over you and you will be close with family and friends. Whatever your guidance… remember, as turtle does, follow your heart (which is where your instinct lies anyway).

Losing Scutes

I lost my first scute! It’s kind of like losing your first tooth, or shedding your first layer of skin. Although, I am unsure how well you may relate to the latter. Speaking of however, I am shedding my skin too. While that is not nearly as fun to speak of, it deserves mentioning… Because, all of this means I am growing up! Yay! My mother seems to think that I have outgrown the life stages which are most sensitive to my health, as a young hatchling. There should not be much worry going forward for her because I am a healthy and happy turtle. Anyway, back to the topic of my scutes. This is important. Really important. If you’ll remember my mentioning so before, scutes are sort of like the bark on a tree. Each year, I will grow larger and my scutes will fall off. It is currently assumed (without further research) that by the time I lose the last of this current layer of scutes, I will be approximately one year old. And so it will be so forth in each coming year as I grow older. The presumably inaccurate nature of this statement is only due to inadequate findings in research done thus far. It is in fact true that turtles will lose their scutes and thus the turtle has grown a year older. However, it is not necessarily true that should one find a turtle in the wild, to count the rings of the shell will not surely indicate the age of the reptile. In captivity, this is all a bit easier to monitor. Obviously, I am not yet a year old and I have lost my first scute. I will assume that I will lose the rest of this youngling skin by the time I do turn one year old, whereupon a ring will appear within each scute, indicating that I am approximately of the age as would be figured. Nonetheless, this is all such a very big deal. More so to my mother than for me. For me, its like shedding skin. Which is exactly what its like for you, shedding skin that is. You do it every day and you don’t even really know it and if you do, you shouldn’t really care too much. My mother on the other hand takes it with a more celebratory notion. All I wanna know is if there is a Scute Fairy. I hope she doesn’t leave me money though - I wouldn’t have any use for it. I want some mealwoms!

Cold Water

It’s starting to get cold outside. It’s starting to get cold in here! Winter is in the air, and the water. Literally. I’m cold. And it’s not because I’m cold blooded either. I’m cold, because my H20 is only 74 degrees. 78-82 would be more like it! Someone kick the heat on up in here! My pond will not generally become this detrimental to my health and so there is no real reason for concern. This inclemental element is merely a temporary hurdle for my human. She will install a new heater as soon as it arrives. She takes good care of me. Its raining again. I know this because I never go outside when it’s raining. It rains a lot here. It stays cold when it rains. Must be a sign of winter. Herein lies my wonder. If it IS winter, why am I not hibernating? Late at night I can hear the waves crashing on the shores and the sea lions crying out. I wonder if they are real cold like me - out there in the ocean. If they do not hibernate, maybe, neither do I? So, I did some research… okay, my human did the research, but only because I cannot read yet, I’m still a baby, remember. Besides, my instincts are transversal. I can hibernate in the wild, or not - where I’m from, it’s not likely necessary but for a few weeks anyway, if at all. In captivity, I am not going to hibernate because my human does not want me to. And that is that. I don’t really need the hibernation ritual unless it’s really cold (outside). The heater should be here next week sometime and I’ll be a happy turtle when the water warms up. In the meantime, I’ll just bask upon my rock to keep warm - we all know how much fun that is for me.

Surviving the Real World

Blood runs thicker than water. That’s what ‘they’ say anyway. Who are these [people] to say things like that? As my human mother cares for me, the water runs clear, and clean, and fresh, and I am happy to survive in this creative environment; without all the gooey cells and mucous and platelets. This brings to note that water should not run thick in the first place! Maybe it does somewhere’s, but alas, my human and I, we live in a land of fantasy and delusion. She, the writer, me, the spoiled little cold blooded reptile. I am daily catered to with otherwise nothing but time on my flippers for deep water explorations and surface observances. Not to mention the glorious times of day whence upon I may take to basking. It is surely a delightful part of my existence. Now, mind you, all these wonderful things about my life shan’t make it a fairytale….. Actually, what am I saying? I don’t live in the real world. I live in a world created for me. Remember, where the water runs clean and clear. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ‘Tis funny how the world is, where some animals such as myself will not care for their young beyond an age. From embryos in a sac to toddlers. Yet, this human will care for my own self (as well as she does for other non-germanes) for decades. --- My mother human went away for several days. There was another human that cared for me while my mother was gone. He did a fine job, but I sure did miss my mother. She has a special way of loving me in that I would hate to live alone in the real world where my blood mother just laid my egg and walked away. So, I’m glad my human mother is back home to care for me. If blood runs thicker than water… well, I think it’s safe to say that whatever ‘they’ say is not always 100 percent statistically accurate.

Charlotte Hunts

I get tired of these little guppies trying to eat food directly out of my mouth sometimes. Every once in a time I will snap at them, and one of these days, if they’re not so lucky, I’m gonna snap one of them in half. I have hunted before. I am kind of lazy when it comes to eating these live fish because my human feeds me shrimp and krill and other turtle food every day. I don’t much get too hungry for these little pesky brats. They do help keep the tank clean, eating the little scraps that I will not digest. At the end of the feeding time I’ll spit some of my pellets out because I am so full. They like that. Haha - lucky little guppies. There is one left over from the original three that appeared in my small tank while I was only a few, small months old. Then there were three more - and now there are only two. So that equals three. Does this math make sense to you? Is this what common core looks like? The mother human has tried feeding me strawberries and bananas and lettuce. All of which I am mostly uninterested. The pellets are full of nutrients and vitamins to help me grow and the shrimp and krill are just like candy to a baby. My candy, because I am a baby. It will be neat to grow old enough to eat real big fish. In the wild, I would be hunting already. Although, there would also be things hunting me. I’m so glad I have this little habitat that my human built for me. She added flowers the other day and I’ll get a fresh, clean tank this weekend. That’s always exciting because new guppies arrive! Yum Yum.

Feels Good to be A Turtle

I just love being a turtle. I just realized it today when my human mother was speaking to me. She was wondering aloud to me what it must be like to be a turtle and I was wishing I could open my mouth and explain it to her. She doesn’t currently understand everything I say when I blink my eyes or flitter my back flippers. Duh…. it means I’m happy! She was explaining to me that it’s been raining for a few, if not several days. Not that I was really wondering about the rain, although, I was wondering why we haven’t gone out into the grass or played with the dog. I do so enjoy getting outside in the sunrays of the earth. I am growing really fast even with only the sun of my lamp. Finally about to lose some of my scutes… This here, this is the real joy of being a turtle. My turtle shell! This thing rocks. Pardon the pun please, as I know that I must resemble a rock at times, but that is only because my Plastron is changing colors. Getting darker. My plastron is the top of my shell. The carapace is my bottom and has expanded. The human wonders if I have growing pains because it seems I grow almost literally over night, some days. I sometimes find myself wondering if this must be what it felt like for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when they metamorphosed. Those guys are cool! Anyway. As I was saying. I’m growing really fast and my human is amazed. I’m so healthy and cute! Or that’s what she tells me anyway. I’m not all too familiar with the term except that she uses it for me and the cats and the dog all the time. It must be something nice because she uses a really high pitched voice and makes sure we all hear her well enough to understand that she is caring about us. Otherwise, it’s just so super cool having a shell. It helps me swim and keeps me safe from myself when I accidentally fall off my rock. That is a long fall. It is so weird because, someday, I will actually be bigger than that rock! I think probably the neatest part about being a turtle is definitely my turtle shell. It is so amazingly constructed and protective and decorative and - well, neat. In some cultures, turtle shells are considered a divine source of wisdom. There are several accounts in some Native American symbolism where the turtle itself represents the earth and the heavens. The plastron representing the heavens - round and leading upward as a mountain to the heavens. The plastron representing the flat of the earth (before we discovered the earth was round, of course). These accounts serve a purpose in their cultures and I am grateful for the adoration which offers me as a living, breathing representation of life to our mother earth. Just another reason it’s so good to be a turtle!

YOUR IDEAS

In the past weeks, there has been mention of a new feature coming to this blog. The human is having a rough time figuring it out. Likely because she is ill advanced in the realm of technology. She learns by God, it just takes time. As a promise to readers, we are posting every Friday night. In the coming weeks, we will be posting every Friday night via a webcast, audio recorded event, or youtube video. What the human wants... Your ideas… what would you enjoy best? She can post to youtube so you can see videos of me and hear my story that week. Or you can simply listen with a visionary mind, perhaps with scrolling images depicting my growth progress. Readers, please speak out. We need to know you’re out there! In the meantime, we thank you for your patience in the arrival of this big event for this little blog. The human has been quite busy preparing for this and while the delay was imminent… it IS coming soon!

Charlotte Speaks

Here among the blades of grass, Stands the giant dog. He is enormous even. Ginormous. A Tyrannosaurus Wrecks-A Lot. ----- My shell protects me From the dangers He presents. To be stepped upon Would be Strange. ----- But Alas, This daylong sun Is a lovely sight to see. When the dog With all his Might Is Not Hovering Over Me. ----- The sun is warm. The air is crisp. The leaves are Changing Colors. ----- The last rain, Fresh on the Ground, Smells like Something I’d like to Devour. ----- That fence is too tall. And, It comes too close to the ground. How’s a girl to get around? ----- Here’s the cat. He’s crazy. Always wants to play with me. I mean to say It’s something to see. ----- Now, back to The home tank To Swim Among the Guppies Allow me to be Frank Those fish are Yummy! ----- Maybe tomorrow We’ll come back outside Again. I’ll just be Floating around Until then. ----- See you next week For another Update. I’ll try to be done Early So you Mustn't Stay Up Late. .....

Why We Read

I was watching the human this afternoon while I was out for my daily wanderings through the big space with grass. It must be the backyard, sometimes maybe the front yard. One of them is closer. I like to walk through the grass and feel the fine blades under my shell. There are only so many places for me to walk to before the human moves me. There are places I must be able to get underneath. Definitely plenty of places to hide. Especially the luscious clovers. So, I get to wandering and she moves me and I get to wandering again and she moves me, so finally I get to somewhere that I can pretend she cannot see me, and I watch her. From under the dried leaves on the ground I can peek through and watch her reading. It is peaceful when she reads. She allows me some freedom (once I sit still) and she just reads in her book. In my observations, it is apparent to me that reading is important. If one cannot read, one cannot write. Without written words, where would your social activity evolve? Think about this. Humans have not evolved to a level of conscious such as turtles. We do not speak at all and merely communicate through body language. Nowadays with all your technology, you people seem to communicate via written word more than ever before. If you cannot read, how will you communicate with the rest of the universe? Reading is more important than just reading words, however. Comprehension is an even more involved exercise within your reading. Just look at that word for example - comprehension. Do you know how many syllables that is? Do you know that the ‘sion’ at the end of that word sounds like ‘shun’? If you do not comprehend what I’m saying here, you must practice. My human reads a lot about turtles. This helps her to better understand how to best take care of me. She also reads a lot of different things, ensuring her the skills to be a better writer. As for me, I like it best when she reads books. This is when I get to go outside.

The Words of the Girl

Welcome back.  Charlotte has been on hiatus for a few days preparing for her next great adventure.  Her story, as perhaps expected, has been coming along slowly in her earliest moments of youth.  As she is growing bigger and stronger and emerging from infancy to toddler stage, however, so will her perspective grow and become stronger as well.

As previously mentioned, in the span that will become Charlotte’s lifetime, she may live to 30 years or more.  This means that even while in her reptile life, she is only several months old, in the relation to a human, she is now approximately the equivalent of a toddler moving from age 2 to 3 years. We may as well assume that Charlotte is aged 30 months in relation to a human child.  

There have been reports of people living over the age of 122.  It has been officially documented that this is now the official maximum life expectancy for any other human that has not yet died.  And so it has been documented for a yellow bellied slider in captivity to live to 58, we can expect Charlotte to have a lot more to say than what she had for lunch in the coming years.  

Charlotte is here to tell this story, I am here to listen, and then, to write it.  

Today, Charlotte embarks upon a new relationship with her readers.  

Commitment.  Focus.  Sharing.  Trust.

Commitment to one post per week.

Focus on topics you care about.

Sharing the valuable time we have together.

“Trust me, Wilbur.  People are very gullible.  They’ll believe anything they see in print.”

~E.B. White.

You may recognize this last quote from Charlotte’s namesake - the spider.  This is only meant to pique your interest.  You may admire the pun or else mis-understand it.  Should the latter be your avenue, recognize, there will be no lies told here.  Merely a story imagined, yet full of reality.   

There will be baby steps.  There will be awkward moments.  There will be a time for laughter and a time for tears.  Time for self reflection and no time for judgement.

Charlotte’z We[b]log was created as a platform for visitors to enjoy reading.  To enjoy the broader spectrum than what we see with our own naked, human eyes each day.  A weekly anecdote to the life surrounding us all.

And without further adieu… The Words of the Girl.

I’m flipping my legs as if I’m going somewhere, seemingly flying through the air if it were not for the three strong human fingers holding me here, mid air.  It is time to go outside and get some sunshine.  She will set me back down eventually.  I should remember this by now.

The day is glorious, beautiful.  The perfect day to warm myself  in the real sun and meander through the yard in exploration of a way out into the world beyond the fence line.  My human will sunbathe today as well.  Vitamin D is the good stuff.  I got the right human for the task of spending time outdoors, that’s for sure.  

In this daily adventure, I will embark upon many things to see and hear.  The birds chirping, the sun blazing down, the honey bees buzzing for nectar in the dandelions.  As I am watching the bees, I have become interested just long enough to capture the gaze of the human, also interested in the interaction.  

This is my life.  Human, turtle, bee - there’s a dog too, and of course, Einstein the cat.  There is also another cat - though he’s not typically interested in this activity.  

Beyond swimming around all day and basking upon my rock, I enjoy this time spent outside with the human, most.  I hate it when she pulls me away from hiding somewhere though.  I’ll come back out eventually.  My opinion - she’s impatient.  But I also think she kind of likes me.  She does not yet realize that I’m usually only going to stay there for a few minutes, maybe ten, if she can stand it that long before looking in on me.

All in all, it’s nice today.  My human sunbathes even while the world around her seems tumultuous and scary as it spins around in circles.  I am content because she cares for me in lieu of fighting wars and political battles - though I think she could take a senator if one needed put in his place.

I like it that she shares my attitude:

We are all in the same pond.  Let us live.  And, even while it seems like an awful large pond out there, I like mine just fine.

I am in mid air again.  We must be going inside now.  This time I’m squirming because I do not want to go.  Although, the human brought me some guppies the other day.  Maybe I can corner one.  Otherwise, I’ll bask on my rock for a few minutes, later tonight, after dinner.

I could get used to this turtle life.

Charlotte Wakes Up

After Charlotte dreams each night, she must awaken to a bright new day. Some days, her human allows her to sleep in. Most days, she wakes around 9am. She wakes slowly, as a child might on a school day. If her human is in a hurry, she will be awakened early, to ensure proper feeding. As yellow bellied slider turtles require a twelve hour circadian rhythm, she is generally put to bed at approximately 9pm each night. When Charlotte wakes up, the first thing she looks forward to, is food. This is good because it is an indication that she is healthy and looking forward to getting stronger. Her basking lamp is turned on first and once she comes out of her shell for the morning, her human will shake the food, which Charlotte knows by sight, and sound. She scurries fast toward the side of the tank where she is fed and pops her head up out of the water as if to say, “okay, I’m ready, feed me!” After feeding time, Charlotte is delicately handled and inspected for any infection that may find its way to her shell or skin. Now it is time for exercise. She will be taken outdoors for at least an hour each day as well as it will be ensured that she basks for at least two of her waking hours per day. Some turtles hibernate. Mostly in the wild. Charlotte will not need to hibernate because she has a human that cares for her. Instead, every day is bright and new and appreciated in the world of this little reptile. She awakens to a loving, caring voice that feeds her and she is just happy to be alive.

Charlotte Observes

What an interesting life the human must lead, thinks Charlotte. As she basks upon her sun rock observing the room around her, Charlotte watches her human working. Writing. Typing up some little story about a turtle. The small turtle observes her feline lying at the bed’s edge, near enough in proximity to her tank that the two may see each other from most angles within linesight. She wonders what these mammals must be doing all day while she simply searches for good food, plays with her guppy (which is too big for her to eat yet) and basks upon her rock. Simply enamored by the movements in the room. Charlotte has observed and continues daily to watch what is going on in this mammal infested household. She has decided that it is safe for her to live here and has become quite content with the daily routines. Thus, she basks upon her rock more. Furthermore ensuring that she is a healthy turtle for braving her fears and climbing atop this rock to dry her shell and warm her cold, reptile blood. It is important for turtles to bask upon a warm surface under a sun lamp as they would bask upon a rock in the real sun out in the wild. This process of ‘basking’ helps the turtle digest and capture the correct quality nutrients from their diet. In this however, remember that turtles are also very shy creatures. You may notice in nature that you rarely see aquatic turtles up close. They are faster than you think. Imagine something necessary to your own life which requires sustenance in quantity and quality. Perhaps, lotion on your skin. Fruits in your diet. Clean air for your lungs. Charlotte is shy by nature and has compelled this notion into action whereupon she may be an inspiration throughout this blog to motivate us all to be cognizant of our own observations. There was a time when the shy anxiety of Charlotte’s tiny little nerves would not allow her to bask up on the rock, which she ultimately required for survival. It took time for her to observe the surroundings of this world and learn whether or not she could trust the movements, noises, sights, smells and even the temperature in the air. Think of the surroundings her species is typically dealing with. There could be a hawk surrounding the area, an alligator just nearby, or worse - improper amounts of sunlight. Through observation and instinct, Charlotte has made good decisions. Realize that observation is important. In a world when we are so immersed in our social media and other distractions, this is more important than ever. Think of Charlotte. Think of Survival. Charlotte Observes. Do you?

Charlotte Dreams

According to studies, turtles do NOT dream. However, most studies turn to debates and are open to opinion. Charlotte Dreams. Most likely she dreams about food because that appears to be all she thinks about during her waking hours, as she skitters at the glass of her tank throughout the day, hoping her human will feed her some snacks. There are various representations available for the meaning of a turtle in a human dream. So, that brings the question to mind - if turtles do or could dream, what would they dream about? Dreaming is defined as the following, according to Dictionary.com: - - - A succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep - - - An involuntary vision occurring … when awake. - - - A vision voluntarily indulged in while awake; daydream; reverie - - - An aspiration; goal; aim - - - A wild or vain fancy Then, think of this: Turtles have been populated upon this planet for millennia. Consider the deeper context within most of these definitions provided. Be creative here. Turtles must aspire for something or their species must not be able to survive. Finding the right mate, finding the right food. Sure, most of this could be purely instinct, but not according to Charlotte. What about a new rock or a different flavor guppy? Wouldn’t a turtle just as any other creature have the aspiration for a bigger, cleaner, sunnier post to bask? Charlotte has a deep meaning within. A representation of peace and good luck, among other pertaining characteristics such as longevity and wisdom. For this reason, perhaps it is not absurd to believe she dreams of frolicking through Shamrocks in Ireland. Or maybe swimming in a luscious pond in an exotic locale. Usually when it is time to wake her up in the morning she is refreshed and happy and seemingly prepared to face the new day. This must be an indication of a good nights rest, probably, maybe even a good dream or two. According to the definitions provided, it is only a perception of fact when we do not pay attention to details and therefore it may be determinable that turtles DO in fact dream. Some might say Charlotte cannot make friends either, but we have a better understanding here, now don’t we?

Charlotte and the Feline

Charlotte has a friend. His name is Einstein and he is a cat. When Einstein is thirsty, he approaches the turtle tank with care and enjoys watching Charlotte watching him as he refreshes with a cool drink of fresh, running water. Charlotte likes to go outside sometimes and play in the yard, in the grass. If her human is not watching carefully, she does not worry, while Einstein will be just nearby keeping a close watch on the moving object. The two seem to interact together and both act equally curious of the other species. When the kitty drinks from the tank, sometimes the turtle will swim down to the bottom of the tank and back to the top, real fast. Almost as if to say hello, nice to see you, in the form of a little under water dance. It seems that this reptile species is intelligent enough to recognize recognizable things. This not only makes her friendly, but also advanced enough in mind and spirit to compose the thought to be friendly. As for Einstein, well, the name says it all. And he is happy to have made a new friend. This can teach us a beautiful lesson in the value of a good relationship. Fresh water, entertainment. Who could really ask for more?! So as, while some relationships are based upon trust and commonality, others are based on curiosity and potential. There is definite potential with Charlotte and the Feline.

Charlotte is Busy

Doing research for her next post.  

Stay tuned...

Habitat - Space

Charlotte is growing fast. Maturing too. It should soon be declared that she is in fact a female. Furthermore, it will be sooner than later whence this quickly advancing reptile will require yet another new home. Decidedly there will be necessary measures taken to create an outdoor habitat for her space placement to be zen and orderly. This will allow for more exercise and sunning time as well as serving as a feng shui environment for her human. The importance of the representation of our minds’ eye should lurk in every corner of our home, car, office; wherever you are, there you are - but should it not also be noted that wherever you are, you are being. Whenever one is being, one is alive and well. The effects of feng shui in the home are stunningly relevant to this notion. Hence the dedication toward Charlotte’z new ‘Web’. She will have reptile sand, running water and guppies, of course. It should be expected that the environment will create a minor reflection within Charlotte’z human counterpart whereupon the aura of this sweet turtle and her peaceful nature may shed light into the spaces in her mind. Turtles are extremely adaptable species. Over time, these amazing creatures have survived fire and ice, plague and continental shifts. Somehow, it should seem obvious that there is something to learn from the way they keep their space. The Zen Life.

Carnivore

Charlotte got some guppies! In the beginning there were three. Now there are two. This turtle absolutely enjoys skittering around her habitat searching for the new neighbors. While they are fast, she is more so than the old adage proclaims of her species. Hunting appears to be a new pastime, although the basking rock is still her favorite hangout. The water at the surface of the rock must be right at prime temperature as she likes to float there and watch her human working. One must think she might get tired of chasing fish around and staring at a human on a computer all day. It is apparent however that she is quite content and seemingly entertained most times. There is an outdoor habitat which she enjoys during the brightest times of sunshine in the day. This space has significantly more water for her to exercise, yet she seems nearly uninterested most days to have the additional space rather hiding under the largest rocks, almost so in knowing that she is susceptible to larger predators than her own self. For now she is growing faster than would be expected of such a little life that will live so long. Eventually she will be outgrowing habitats and guppies alike thus causing her human the expectancy of investing into pond materials and larger fish. Throughout these days as Charlotte enjoys her next fully carnivorous meals there will be much terror through much light as this circle of life is exposed before our eyes. It does lead one to wonder of the delicacy purpose within this meal. Do we need meat, or is it merely delicious? Some people, some places, eat turtles. This need not be a politically correct statement or not. This is merely a thought exposed out loud. Remember now, via the eyes of a turtle. Most turtles do not have their own blogs. Charlotte does. She says “Yum Yum”.

Genesis

Charlotte was born sometime in the late spring of 2014 near the Florida Panhandle on the Emerald Coast waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In the few weeks since her existence came to be, she has become an astounding traveler and quite spoiled in the realm of obtaining more than a few new habitats over the first course of transfers from the petstore bedding initially provided. Trust has created an immediate bond between she and her human in that she has learned to eat directly from the hand and has since grown to prefer taking her meals this way. Occasionally she pretends to be shy and skitters off as the food is put to the water, but eventually she comes back and pokes her cute little head out as if to say “okay, I forgot you’re not going to hurt me, may I have that meal now please?”. Surprisingly, the little slider does NOT like strawberries OR bananas. Thus far these are the only two treats she has had an opportunity to sample. Furthermore, the intricacies in the design of this tiny life are the driving motivation for her story to be told. A life which may outperform many of you. Here, you may witness the genesis of a new era, told day by day or week by week from the perspective of one of the oldest living species on planet earth. Methinks we might should pay attention.

Welcome to Charlotte'z We[b]log

Charlotte the Yellow Bellied Slider - Age - Several Months Welcome to Charlotte’z We[b]log. A place where turtles and humans and all other species, worldy or otherwise, commune. This IS a blog about a turtle. A young little reptile life which is merely a smallest tiniest dot in the stratosphere which we call the universe. To think, at the conception of her species were dinosaurs - In this, Charlotte resembles many facets of metaphorical value along the lines of what life holds, history and the future waiting for many of us. The genesis of her we[b]log is now. Enjoy this story of a turtle, with an outlook from tiny little eyes in a great big world. During a time that outsets amidst war and genocide and the greatest need for love and peace. Perhaps her perspective might offer us all a new way of viewing the world around us at every turn. Thanks for visiting Charlotte’z We[b]log. We look forward to telling her story for thirty years or more. This could get interesting folks. Stop back and visit from time to time.

There was nothing to Eat

There was no feed to read.