Friday, June 13, 2014

Hoppy Friday - Grateful for the Tortoise and the Hares

Honestly, I can't believe it's Friday again. I have found that working for myself, Friday's don't have the same feeling as they use to. That "Thank God it's Friday" feeling has turned into "Oh my gosh! Where did this week go? It's Friday already!!!!"

This week I would like to share two stories that touched my heart, made me smile and made me cry happy tears.


First was Mama turtle. Every morning when I get up, I open my bathroom window blind, look into my back yard at the pond, the trees, the grass and the sky and say out loud, "Thank you for this day!"


The other morning, my day started out watching Mama turtle head up my yard to my flower bed. David had just put fresh mulch in all the beds. Mama turtle got into the bed, dug her head under the mulch, turned in a circle three times and the started to dig with her back legs. She's an older turtle as noted by all the moss on her shell.

I was so excited as I knew she was going to plant eggs there. I call it planting because they really do plant them in the earth. It took her about 40 minutes to dig the hole (I fed the bunnies and had coffee while she was digging).


Then she straddled the hole and plop, in went an egg! She pushed a little dirt on the egg and then again, plop went another egg and some dirt and again and again. She planted a total of five eggs! Then just as carefully as she made the circle, she covered it back up.


I watched her travel back down the yard to the safety of the pond. Quickly, I went to my computer and Googled how long it would take for the babies of a Slider turtle to hatch. Looks like 45-90 days depending on weather conditions.

What touched my heart most is the place she decided to plant the eggs. You see, new life will be coming from a place where I buried four of my beloved bunnies. This place is a bunny graveyard. I can't help but think these wee turtles will be safe here. I'll be keeping a watchful eye on this spot for sure and give those babies a first class flight to the pond once they emerge.

Next, I had an unexpected gift from my mailman. Literally, a gift from the mailman. His name is Adriane. If I see him getting a package out of his truck for me, I will walk out to greet him and save his tired legs a walk up my driveway. The other week he said, "I've been meaning to ask you something. My mother passed away a few years ago and she was really into ceramics. She made three white rabbits. I was wondering if you might like them?"

I replied, "Really? Are you sure? I would love them!" His face got the biggest smile and he said he would bring them. Well, sure enough this week, he pulled up to my door with the rabbits. I think it made his entire day that I was thrilled with them and thanked him over and over. However, I think he was more thrilled because he now had room to put out some of his collections, which I was informed was eagles. ;)


The three hares, whom I have named "Wynken, Blynken and Nod have found a new home on the shelf in my guest room. Here they will watch over my guests as they sleep and bring them sweet dreams. Each was signed by Adriane's mother and dated 1997. I can't help but think she is happy and smiling that a crazy bunny lady ended up with her creations. hee,hee,hee.

Here is the poem Wynken, Blynken and Nod written by American writer, Eugene Field. It's original title was a Dutch lullaby published, March 9, 1889. It is one of my mom's favorites and mine too. 

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod 

by Eugene Field

 
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
   Sailed off in a wooden shoe,—
Sailed on a river of crystal light
   Into a sea of dew.
“Where are you going, and what do you wish?”
   The old moon asked the three.
“We have come to fish for the herring-fish
   That live in this beautiful sea;
   Nets of silver and gold have we,"
            Said Wynken,
            Blynken,
            And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,
   As they rocked in the wooden shoe;
And the wind that sped them all night long
   Ruffled the waves of dew;
The little stars were the herring-fish
   That lived in the beautiful sea.
“Now cast your nets wherever you wish,—
   Never afraid are we!”
   So cried the stars to the fishermen three,
            Wynken,
            Blynken,
            And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
   To the stars in the twinkling foam,—
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
   Bringing the fishermen home:
‘Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed
   As if it could not be;
And some folk thought ‘twas a dream they’d dreamed
   Of sailing that beautiful sea;
   But I shall name you the fishermen three:
            Wynken,
            Blynken,
            And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
   And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
   Is a wee one’s trundle-bed;
So shut your eyes while Mother sings
   Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
   As you rock in the misty sea
   Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:—
            Wynken,
            Blynken,
            And Nod.
 

Hugs, hoppy Friday and may your weekend be filled with many things to be grateful for.   

xx,
Michelle and the Bunnies

36 comments:

Šárka said...

What a delightful post! I am sure the turtles will be cool in there and they will be supercute once they emerge :-) I also guess you and the postman were both equally pleased and happy with the gift and gifting. Oh and I wish I could come over and to be able to stay in that gorgeous guest room!!!!

Melody said...

Such a wonderful post. You are such a good person. Animal lovers are the best. Those little turtles are so lucky they have you to watch over them. Gorgeous bunny ceramics have a fabulous new home too.

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Visiting your blog always brings a smile to my face and a joyful beginning (or end) to my day. I'm so fortunate to know you and call you "friend". I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Shell.
Hugs from me and smooches from Tag-wart.
xoxo
Deece

Judy1522 said...

Two wonderful stories and I love that poem also. I read it to my kids when they were little.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I read this poem to my children at bedtime, too. So wonderful to revisit it - thank you. I am sure mama turle's eggs will watched over by those bunny angels. What a lovely gift - those ceremics are beautiful, as if made just for you.

Little Miss Titch said...

oh that is wonderful,the gift of those bunnies is just lovely and they are gourgeous too,and then the promise of new life,just amazing,xx Rachel

Christine M said...

How exciting to have Mrs Turtle lay her eggs at your house. Your new ceramic rabbits are lovely. I bet Adriane was so pleased to know they have gone to a lovely home and will be loved. Have a lovely weekend, Shell. Hugs, Christine xx

Jeanette said...

Beautiful post Shell. Happy tears here at the postie giving you his mum's beautiful bunnies. Can't wait to read more about the turtles when they hatch. Hugs xx

Anonymous said...

As always it is so refreshing to me to pop in and read your happiness!! I love it! Recently had a turtle surprise us in our fenced in yard! Unsure how it managed to get in for the visit but it did eventually work its way into the forest area. Our new pup may not have left it alone had it stayed.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful stories. Happy to read about the turtle laying eggs in your back yard. They also will be pet for you as your bunnies are.
Beautiful ceramic bunnies. Wonderful room!

Deb said...

How wonderful that your angel bunnies will be watching over the baby turtles and that Wynken, Blynken and Nod will be watching over your guests. Truly a week to be grateful for Shell! Have a wonderful weekend and hugs to you and the bunnies, Deb

Jo in TAS said...

How exciting having baby turtles hatching right in your back yard and from a very special place. Love the ceramic bunnies too, they were destined for you x

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

I am finally here, and I am enjoying ever line of the poem, every sentence of your sweet story.

Michelle, you know how much I understand and feel your love for nature! Watching that mummy turtle is so heart-melting. I love the photo you captured of her trudging back to the waters, where she will WAIT. I hope you get a chance to come to visit my post; I just read a book that is a killer-diller tear jerker about a true story of a woman who never lost hope of finding her baby girl who she had to give up. After 77 years, they found each other. You can see LOVE and some would call it instinct in the animal world, but there is something greater to at least explore. How wonderful that you received these three bunnies, so appropriate named and placed to watch over and sprinkle dream dust on your guests!

Wishing you a magical, a purely DELIGHTFUL day today my friend! Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

P.S., Isn't it stunning how life "recycles?" Mrs. Turtle is planting new life where your beloved ones are placed. Oh, this is the stuff of poetry!

Starr White said...

Such a lovely, heartwarming post Michelle :)

Sheila said...

How exciting Michelle , hope you will let us know when they hatch . How special for you to receive the gift of the three bunnies , they look wonderful on the shelf :-)

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

How I love that photo of momma tortoise going back to her destiny...and thank you dear friend for coming to visit today! It is a beautiful sunny day. Anita

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Love both of those stories--
and now I can't wait to see if you have baby turtles!!
hugs, di and miss gracie

Natascha said...

How fun about the turtle laying her eggs in your flower bed. I'd be excited too. This year I've hosted a nest of robins on our front porch and on my deck privacy fence. I felt so bad for the mom sitting on her nest in the rain that I got a temporary board to put overhead of her nest to at least shield some of the wet. The babies are now growing feathers. I also had a whole family hatch in one of my bird houses. I just love nature coming to live in my yard. I will go out of my way to protect their little eggs from harm! :) Keep an eye on those turtle eggs, I can't wait to see.

Tina said...

Love, love, love this post!!! I just love that you have such a generous, big heart for bunnies and all things living! I loved reading about the Momma Turtle and I don't think she could have left her eggs anywhere more secure or safe. I will be on pins and needles to see them when they hatch. And I just love the wonderful bunny figurines gifted to you by your mailman! They look just perfect on your shelf and, as with the Momma Turtle, they seem to really 'belong' with you. Wishing you, your hubby, and the bunnies a wonderful weekend and many Blessing!!!!

Elly D said...

I so enjoyed this post! The two stories and poem and the beautiful pics of your garden and guest room. Also love that bunny lamp! :)

Elly D said...

I so enjoyed this post! The two stories and poem and the beautiful pics of your garden and guest room. Also love that bunny lamp! :)

Lesley said...

Michelle, your post made me smile, laugh, and yes, feel a little sad...I'm sure the baby turtles will be well watched over in that little spot of land...and the ceramic bunnies are so perfect for your guest room...love their names! What a great postman you have!

RG said...

Our blogging friend Henry the Turtle will be thrilled! Yay for Mama ...

Good for the mail man gift!

Some of us are the point in life where we give our extra stuff to the mailman!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Shell,

What a beautiful post heartwarming you have shared dear friend.
Lovely that the turtle choose your place to lay her eggs and how much fun it will be keeping an eye on them.
Also how thrilling to get the three white rabbits. Love the poem too.
Happy weekend and hope you have lots of fun!
Hugs
Carolyn

Unknown said...

An uplifting post from beginning to end Michelle. It has been many years since I've read that lovely poem, thank you for the memory.

Kris said...

Wonnneeeederful post, sweet Shell!! And how fun that you actually got to watch Mama Turtle plant her eggs!! Can't wait to see the little babies!! The bunnies are beautiful and Eugene Field was my Dad's most favorite poet!! Pop had many of his poems memorized and he recorded many a cassette tape for me!! Now, if I can only figure out how to convert those tapes to CDs. Enjoy the baby turtle process!!

paulette said...

LOVED your 'feel good post'!! I got the warm and fuzzies!!:o))
P

Erica said...

Baby turtles! How blessed you are! The two poems I always read to my children were Wynken, Blynken and Nod and The Owl and the Pussycat. They knew them word for word! A blast from the past. Thank you :-)

Sparky said...

one of my fav poems too...and the turtle...oh my they grow them large in your pond....lovely pics shell..

Annette Tait said...

my, my, Shell how perfectly beautiful for mama turtle to have her babies there! so loving indeed! and what a super postie you have heh heh :) xxx

RoseMary Baty-Willcox said...

What a wonderful post to read, brightened my day. Hubby and I was going to breakfast this morning and on the side of the road was a turtle and I was hoping it would not ran over, but you don't stop in traffic here in south Florida. Will look forward to following the babies to come. What a sweet mailman you have.

Heather said...

What delightful stories, they both brought a smile to my face. How nice for both you and your postman to see his mother's bunnies find a special new home.

Chris said...

As we were coming home from church yesterday, right off the side of the road in the gravel a turtle was laying her eggs. It is just a little country road but really that is the best place for her eggs? Your turtle is lucky to have you as her guardian. Loved your post. Have a bunny good day.

Lana said...

Just like the turtle...even your mailman knows that you are a safe harbour for all little creatures...God bless you for how you love...

StitchinByTheLake said...

Loved these stories Shell! I rarely ever see my mail person since I live on a rural route and most often the mail is left in the box. Once in a while if I have a package I find it on my door step - I don't even know he/she has come and gone! I appreciate so much that my mail comes rain or shine. :) blessings, marlene

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