When:  Tuesday–During the Afternoon- 3/13/2018
Weather: Low 60’s, mid-afternoon, light breeze.
Observations/Thoughts

• Going To The Park: At about the mile point on another beautiful late winter day in Texas, I saw a mother with her 3 daughters coming toward me on the street. The front two were moving via a plastic wagon, and mom and the youngest were coming behind. The mom wore a green t-shirt representing the local school district. (In Texas, they are referred to as ISD for Independent School District.) As I came upon the youngest, she excitedly said something to me. After she said it a second time, mom quickly translated, “We are going to the park.” My next question was, “How long has it been since you have walked to the park?” She admitted it had been awhile. I let her know the park had been closed a few months, and it would be closed for a few more. She replied, “I really don’t think we were going to make it there anyway.” With all 3 girls being under 5 and with mom having only 2 arms, I was pretty sure my news did not disappoint her too much. I probably had a parting phrase something like, “Enjoy those precious girls of yours.” And, if I didn’t say this, I thought it. Where was the nice guy who presently lives in my body when I was younger? The guy who lives here now OR the guy who writes this blog, always seems to know what to say. Or, the guy who writes this blog makes it seem that way…
• Turtles in the trees: My walking path includes one pond. The pond has been the source of many problems. While coming up on the pond from both sides, there is a sign stating the path is part of the 100-year flood area. (I know it doesn’t use these words exactly. I have spoken to people from the city and they use phrases like this to try and alleviate their guilt in the poor planning.). The most recent issue was when the path was closed down to deal with more draining issues. (It is also when I got in “trouble” for traipsing where I supposedly had no business being.). Thanks to the recent rains, the pond has been quite high. This has allowed a few of the trees to drink heartily right along the edge. With the trees under water up to their lower branches, pond-dwellers are granted easier access to the trees. This is where the turtles win. Their claws do help, but an ability to come from the water and land on a branch near parallel to the water does facilitate their evolutionary progression. They are not able to climb anything that resembles perpendicular. They don’t mind. They are enjoying the chance to dry out and see if their wrinkles go away. Should I pause too long or get to close, they will unhook their claws, and roll back into the water. I am not sure if it is the same pair. Nearly every time I pass the pond on my walk, there are two of them situated on the same branch.  The pond pecking order is probably at work…