Favorites of mine

I have a particular affection for turtles, especially land turtles. Growing up in southern Illinois, I used to watch them mysteriously appear and slowly make their way across the back yard where I was playing. Those were box turtles.

There aren't as many now although I do recall, about ten years ago, being stunned by the number of snapping turtles along the highway in southern Missouri. Not recognizing them for what they were, I attempted to relocate one %&#@ snapper off the road, ungrateful creature! I'm lucky I have all my fingers. Steve intervened.

Since then it has become a family story. How large was this turtle? When I tell the story I hold my hands about 10 inches apart. When Steve tells it the turtle is about a yard wide -- probably what it felt like with all it's ferocity.

This painting, however, is of a very mild and gentle sea turtle, a completely different sort.