Turles, Gram, and more fruit!

Still no cranes at the refuge. But today, in the last bits of sunshine before the weekend storm arrives, the turtles are up on the logs sunning themselves. I don't know why they do it, but they strain their necks up and it always reminds me of my grandmother. Gram used to pull her chin up and kind of clench her teeth and ask, "Do you think my neck is wrinkled?" Even though it really did look wrinkled, I answered, "No, not at all." I might have been young, but I wasn't stupid!

A trip to the market for some new painting material. Ah, more fruit! On the right is my palette. I probably need something bigger for mixing my colors, but I'm not sure what to use and how to know what I need. What do you use for your palette and how big is it?

I'm calling it good enough. Now that I'm done painting it, I can eat that beautiful Honeycrisp apple I've been looking at all day!

Slow for turtles

I drove through the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge today. I love that place! Not too many birds there yet since the wetlands are dry from the summer sun. But I was not alone at the refuge.

When I peered into the water, over the cattails and nettles, I could see the turtles sunning themselves on the exposed branches and roots. They stretched their necks out like old women hiding double chins. But you have to slow down and really look for them before you can be charmed by their vanity.

A white Suburban drove impatiently behind me and finally passed when I was able to pull off to the side of the gravel road. Inside, with the windows closed, were a father and his young daughter. They drove quickly through the refuge. I'm sure that they missed the turtles.

But, if you go there, you'll be sure to slow down and look for them, won't you? Old ladies with their chins lifted to the sun to minimize wrinkles and jowls. Turtles are great!