Friday, June 1, 2012
10:04 AM | Posted by Blog Editor | | Edit Post

Beware of Turtle
by Jessica Shenefield 
first published in Crunchy Carolina, June 2008

I have a soft spot for turtles. Though I recognize that it’s based purely upon influence, I like to joke that it’s hereditary. My mother had red-ear sliders from childhood till college. My sister has had a chinese box turtle since 1989. We were stewards of four precious young desert tortoises in the early 90's due to an over-breeding at a wildlife center. Turtles, lizards, and snakes—oh my! I have an affectionate fascination with all of them—and I’m passing it on to the next generation.

For years now I’ve been encouraging my children to stop and smell the flowers, watch the ants, observe a spider, contemplate a wasp and photograph a butterfly. I point out vistas, pastures, yards, gardens, trees, hawks, vultures and livestock as we travel about on errands and road trips. I teach them to observe the wildlife but not harass it; including the vegetation. They are great about letting me know when they’ve happened upon something nifty and taking me to it for discussing, identifying and recording.

My husband, on the other hand, will collect it and bring it to me. Such was the case with Snappy.

One sunny Sunday afternoon in April my dear husband was standing in the doorway of our outbuilding when, marching across the driveway in front of him—at its full one-inch of height—was a hatchling turtle with a tail twice as long as its body. Being fully aware of my turtle amore' he plucked it up and brought it inside for identification as he’d never seen a turtle with such a long tail (we both originate from the left coast).

It was a very young common snapping turtle and we started browsing big-box stores online for a terrarium to keep it in, then opted for CraigsList to find a used one instead. Snappy didn’t have time to wait for somebody to communicate via email so we put the turtle back where he had been found…and ten minutes later discovered another terrarium, with a phone number. Scooped Snappy back up (he hadn’t gone but a couple inches in all that time) and discussed it further; finally returning him—AGAIN—to the spot in the driveway where he’d been sighted. Snappy took the cue and bolted for the direction from whence he’d come. Twice picked up, once shy? 

Perhaps we’ve unintentionally ensured that he’ll not venture into the populated portion of our property in the future. In hindsight, had my dear husband been as well-trained as the kiddos, keeping Snappy would never have been an option; and I admit to being embarrassed that we’d ever considered making a pet of a wild critter—we’d resisted the temptation with other wild turtles. I suppose it was the draw of an extended science project…the ability to observe a turtle growing up and learning about their habitat more personally as we attempted to recreate it within captivity, but with wild turtles there is no returning them to the wild when you get tired of them or when they become unmanageable. Once you start keeping them you have to keep them till their end. If you try to return them to their natural habitat they most likely will not survive and they’ll be taking your germs. Call to mind the devastation on native tribes by early settlers—same story with wild critters turned pet, and later returned to the wild.

That said, I still get tickled over the mental picture of a ‘Beware of Turtle’ sign at the top of the driveway. Perhaps we’ll install one anyway, and have the satisfaction of perplexing our neighbors…as well as a conversation starter that this is not our habitat alone.



About the author:
Jessica Shenefield, LMBT (NC License #8367) is a nature-loving, four-wheeling, homeschooling mama of three. 
She occasionally paints, occasionally bakes, and occasionally blogs. 
When she isn’t tromping about the countryside with her kids, or providing chair massage at local farmers’ markets, she is likely on Facebook. 
Find her at pauseNC.blogspot.com.
Monday, May 28, 2012

Time is running out!

7:30 AM | Posted by The Mommies Network | | Edit Post
Time is running out to vote for your favorite non-profit, The Mommies Network, in Eleventy Marketing Group's Eleventy Group's 4Good contest The winner will receive a free ONCORE marketing package to maximize fundraising- freeing up our volunteers to focus on our mission of providing a safe, secure, FREE place for mothers to find support and encouragement from other mothers and to empowering them to be better women, parents and community leaders. Fundraising not only provides technology upgrades to our expanding network, but it also goes to support all our Chapters and the "moms on the ground."
So join our facebook event to vote and share. Get those votes in by 11:59 p.m. EST and help us spread our wings!
Friday, May 25, 2012

We're on our way!

4:22 PM | Posted by The Mommies Network | | Edit Post
We're soaring high with your help!

The Mommies Network is in the running for a fundraising marketing package that will increase our development efforts. A free ONCORE package from Eleventy Group's 4Good contest will benefit all our members by raising funds with less effort. More money means a better network for mommies across the nation.

Join our facebook event to vote and share. A minute of your time is all it takes.

With gratitude,
The Mommies Network

Foodie Friday

3:00 AM | Posted by Blog Editor | | Edit Post
Whole Grain Banana Pancakes

A while ago we had a discussion in our forum about our favorite Trader Joe's items.  Well, one of my absolute favorite products by them is their Multigrain Baking and Pancake Mix.  It is so tasty, and more nutritious than plain white flour pancake mix.  I decided to spice them up even more by making them banana pancakes.  These pancakes are seriously crave worthy.  They are so, so good that you should make them this weekend without question.  These were enjoyed on the back porch with my husband and daughter on a lovely spring morning


First, I make the pancake batter according to directions on package.  Next, I take out 3 bananas that I have in my freezer.  Any time my bananas get too ripe to enjoy fresh, I pop them in the freezer for smoothies, pancakes, or banana bread.  Put the bananas in the microwave with their skin on and heat on high for 1 minute.  Then, remove the peels (they will still be pretty frozen in the middle), and pop them into a microwave safe bowl.  Heat for another minute until some of the juice has collected in the bottom and they are nice and soft.  Mash the bananas and stir into the pancake batter for the best banana pancakes you have ever had.  

Monday, May 21, 2012

The Mommies Network needs your help!

10:35 AM | Posted by The Mommies Network | | Edit Post
The Mommies Network is a finalist non-profit in Eleventy Group's 4Good contest With a simple click to vote and another to share, you can help boost TMN's fundraising power. Better fundraising means technology upgrades, an expanding network, and more time for our volunteers to focus on what they do best: make mom-to-mom connections everyday.

Join our facebook event to spread the word that will help us spread our wings. Voting costs nothing but a minute of your time.

From everyone at The Mommies Network, thanks for your support.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Happy Birthday Baltimore Mommies!

1:00 AM | Posted by Blog Editor | | Edit Post
Baltimore Mommies 5th Birthday Party!!!

Clip art from Google Images

Please join us for a day of food and fun at the annual Baltimore Mommies Birthday Party! 

This is our biggest event of the year where we get to meet fellow mommies and their families, enjoy the beautiful weather, and watch our children have a ton of fun together.  

There will be food, crafts, games, a cake decorating contest, photographs, and a playground for the kiddos. There are also going to be countless amazing raffle prizes, some worth almost 200 dollars!  

Don't forget to bring your donations for the Bea Gaddy Center, as this is one of our annual opportunities to give back to our own community.  

For more information about where and when this will take place this weekend, please go to our calendar or check out the discussion in the forums.  
Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day

10:08 AM | Posted by Blog Editor | | Edit Post
Happy Mother's Day!
  
I hope that all of the Baltimore Mommies in our community get the chance to feel extra special and appreciated for living one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs out there.  
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