An Ornate Box Turtle, the official reptile of Kansas, sets an example by sticking out its neck and plodding forward. (Jennifernish/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/jennifernish)
Country Notebook
By Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson
On a recent drive to Mound City, I counted, at different locations, three box turtles resting in the middle of the busy highway. I was able to side-step the turtle without causing harm to the turtle, me or my car.
If these were snapping turtles, I might not have been so careful, but after all, the box turtle is the official reptile of the State of Kansas. According to the internet, turtles are subject to becoming extinct, likely due to the human population wanting more and more of the environment turtles must have to survive.
My mother-in-law once proclaimed, “If a turtle is walking up the hill, it will rain. If walking downhill, it will be dry.” Probably silly, but I have to admit, I think of Rosie every time I see a turtle and try to determine the turtle’s walking pattern.
Most of the time, the turtle seems to be making a straight shot at just getting to the other side, but there does seem to be some truth in that turtles, like most reptiles, are more visually present when rain is in the forecast. “Why does the turtle seek higher ground? “ I ask, which leads me to ask the next question “Can a turtle drown?” Surprisingly, the answer is yes.
The turtle is easily characterized, like in the fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. The tortoise is a turtle with both names symbolic of making progress through a slow, but steady pace. The hare, also known as a rabbit, is more arrogant leading him into a false sense of security.
All three turtles had their necks sticking out of their shells. So much for taking protective measures as most turtles do when facing dangers. Maybe these were turtles in training trying to become the next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. My favorite of the ninjas is Raphael or “Ralph” known as the Rebel.
I like Raphael as I can be a rebel when I feel strongly about an issue. Thus I can’t resist giving a view of the recent support or criticism regarding Harrison Butker’s remarks at a commencement address. From my perspective, Butker was there as a lay leader in the Catholic Church, not as a kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs though I suggest he might not have been asked to speak if he wasn’t famous as a three-time Super Bowl champion.
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and engagement in symbolic language. I view his remarks as an opportunity for women to make a decision based upon their opinions and options and not social norms. I was a working mother and do not regret being so, but I can accept and support that it isn’t right for everyone. Like the turtle, Butker stuck his neck out and was offering, as any commencement speaker often does, encouragement to seek alternatives.
We are constantly being bombarded with questions like, “How can we survive in this impatient, angry, superficial environment?” I could continue with the negativity, but the point is, “What are we as individuals doing to improve our little section of the world?”
Approximately twenty women attending a weekly bible study at the Mound City Methodist Church, select one person each week to receive a card of appreciation for their work in making Linn County a good place to live. This same group donates blankets to those who are grieving a loss or illness or needing encouragement.
I suggest we look at the turtle as a role model. Stick out your neck and move forward, slow and steady. Don’t just sit in the middle of the road and wait to be run over.
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