Spotted Turtles

Spotted turtles with their black shells and amazing yellow spots are incredibly beautiful reptiles that are rarely seen.  Living in shallow, fresh-water areas such as flooded forests, marshes, wet meadows, bogs and woodland streams in southern Canada (Ontario) and the Eastern U.S.:  the eastern Great Lakes and east of the Appalachian Mountains, they inhabit these still waters as a natural habitat.  These types of waters provide the best environment in which to effectively hide their distinctive shells.

My first experience with a spotted turtle was an accidental sighting while setting traps for muskrats.  The canal in which I was setting the traps was covered by a greenish-yellow pond scum.  I just happened to be looking at a spot when something dark ducked beneath the surface.  Intrigued I continued watching and a few minutes later a turtle's head with black skin and bright yellow markings poked out of the scum.  Carefully marking the spot I made a grab for the turtle and caught it to discover I'd captured one of the most beautiful turtles I'd ever seen.

Spotted turtles are small, one of the things I like about them as pets, and have a gray to black base skin color.  It's upper shell (carapace) is smooth, and does not have a central ridge running down the middle (called a "keel"), growing from 1.4 to 4.9 inches in length.  A totally black shall can contain anywhere zero to about one hundred yellow spots, which are a defining characteristic of this turtle.  Spots can also be found on the head, neck, and limbs.  On the bottom shell (plastron) one will find yellow or orange-yellow and black spots present on each section (scute).  As the turtle ages the darker spots of the plastron increase until the entire thing is black.

Fascinating observations about the habitat of the spotted turtle help us see why it is so hard to easily see them in the wild.  Still waters are often dark just beneath the surface, and usually grow something over the top of the water for added protection.  As if sensing its need to find protective cover the spotted turtle actually keeps close to yellows that will blend in with those distinctive spots, effectively camouflaging the turtle.

This infant turtle (actual size) is a beautiful specimen and a good example of why I think they are such beautiful reptiles.  The one spotted turtle I captured turned out to be a great pet, but eventually I set him free, back in the same canal where I found him.  By that time he would eat out of my hand (minnows, snails, and insects) and come to the side of the tank whenever I appeared.  One day, in the near future, I hope to drive my Jeep back East and catch one or two of these wonderful turtles to add to my own turtle tank.

Thinking about spots I realized that I have blemishes in my life, spots on my shell if you will, from past experiences that were not particularly pleasant.  Pondering this I realized that my shell is black, because I'm a sinner, but on that black background God has painted some beautiful spots, things I once considered blemishes but are now adornments that draw the eye away from the darkness to the light.  God promised in Romans 8:28 to take all the things that happen in my life and cause them to turn into something that reflects His goodness, mercy, grace, and light.

Paul makes it very clear after that verse that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.  As I observe the beautiful things God has done for me I am moved to tears.  Do you want to know how I know I am saved, and belong to my beloved Lord?  Let me show you my spots!  Have a blessed day, friends.

Turtles in the Family

Happy Birthday Tawny

Today is Tawny's birthday.  For those of you who do not know me or my family Tawny is my daughter-in-law.  Her mom and dad were members of the church I pastored for 13 years, dear friends, and now dear family.  This post is about a young lady who has added so much to our family.

When Tawny was still in High School she wanted to learn how to play the guitar.  So did her mom.  So I gave guitar lessons at the church.  Eventually they both played guitar on the worship team.

At that time I had no inkling that one day this young lady would ever be part of my family.  Nor did I bend my knee and pray that God would lead one of my sons to fall in love with and marry her.  Because she was in my congregation I wanted God's best for her, and I knew and trusted Him to lead her in whatever path He chose.  Psalm 25:12-13 reminds us:  "Who is the man (or woman) who fears the Lord?  He will instruct him (or her) in the way he (or she) should choose.  His (or her) soul will abide in prosperity, and his (or her) descendants will inherit the land."  (NASB)

Tawny was that kind of girl.  She had a growing faith and walk with the Lord, and was very serious about her relationship with Him.  In fact, the whole Badano family was that way.  Ruben, Debbie, Tawny, Tiffany, Luke, and Noah.  I could see God's hand on each of them and watched with wonder as He touched each one.  That hasn't changed, by His grace and mercy.

Both of my sons would certainly be interested in her, I knew, because she was lovely.  Physically and spiritually she was lovely.  That's a powerful combination.  There was a purity about her that came with her desire to serve the Lord that everyone could see.  So I prayed that my sons would keep their vows of purity and treat any girl they courted with the utmost respect.  I'm proud to say that both of them conducted themselves as young men of God in that regard.  There is the temptation to say that they were perfect in every way, but alas!  I knew them too well.

Imagine my delight when Tawny became a part of my family.  Jeff had chosen a godly woman for his wife.  I remember that I was so excited as I conducted the wedding as the pastor that I forgot to tell Jeff he could kiss the bride at the end of the ceremony!  Or was that done on purpose?  It's hard to remember it clearly.  Jeff certainly didn't let me get away with that!

Suddenly we had a whole new crew of Badano turtles in our Bennett turtle family!  We still live in different ponds, but there are many times we get together to bask in the Sonlight of God's love.  Those times are always precious to me.  Frankly, we don't do it enough!

Jeff and Tawny found their own turtle pond in which to live, and along came Brody!  He's the littlest Bennett turtle.  I'm sure I'm as jealous of the time Brody spends with Ruben as he is with the time Brody spends with me.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Tawny is a great wife, mom, daughter, and daughter-in-law, and we are all proud of her.  She has continued to walk in her faith, as has Jeff.  A dad couldn't be prouder than I am of both of them.

Happy birthday, Tawny.  I love you very much.

Dad Bennett

Relaxing Wanderings

Sunday was a very special day for Cathy and me.  Our Jeep is currently running about without its top or doors, ready for adventure.  However, the two of us were ready for a relaxing day of simply wandering about, doing a little swimming, sitting in the shade and reading, and seeing magnificent vistas.  So I consulted my topographical map to find a winding back road to Lake Isabella and Kernville from our house in Lancaster.

According to my map Jawbone Canyon Road is paved all the way to Kelso Canyon Road, and Kelso Canyon Road connects with 178 near the Kernville turnoff.  So we put ice in the cooler with water, Snapple Diet Tea, Diet Coke with Lime, and Diet Root beer, a bag of cherries, a bag of grapes, and another bag of cherries went in with the drinks.  The bag of pretzels didn't need to be cooled.

Grabbing an egg sandwich from McDonald's we set off on our trip at eight that morning.  Instead of using the 14 freeway we chose instead the less traveled and more sedate Sierra Highway to Mojave.  For my friends from the East Coast that's pronounced Moe-havae.  In Mojave we had to get onto the 14 to go as far as Jawbone Canyon.  Of course, once we got into the canyon itself the road was closed.  So we had to take the motorcycle trails to Kelso Canyon Road.

This was a beautiful journey, though a little dusty and bumpy, but did not give me a chance to use my 4-wheel drive.  Ah well!  Eventually we reached Kelso Canyon Road and arrived at Kernville just in time for lunch.  It was about 11:00 when we got there, and by the time we bought a sub sandwich and got our chairs settled in the park, used the restroom, and were ready it was 11:30.

The park at Kernville is quite lovely.  We sat in the shade, ate our sandwiches, and read.  Cathy read from her Nook and I read an actual book.  People still do read actual books!  Mine was a Charlotte MacLeod novel Rest You Merry, one of her Peter Shandy mysteries.  After an hour of rest in the shade we went looking for rocks under the bridge and eventually left the park to go to the lake to swim.

Putting up our shade tent and chairs right on the edge of the water was fun.  Once that was in place I removed my shirt and shorts (don't worry, I was wearing my bathing suit under my shorts, and waded into the water, finally finding a spot deep enough to swim.  After a swim I sat down and began to read another Charlotte MacLeod mystery, The Corpse in Oozak's Pond.  Cathy and I stayed at the lakeside for about two hours enjoying the boats, jet skis, and families around us.

It was 15:30 when we packed up and headed to Isabella where we would pick up Bodfish/Caliente Road.  This was paved all the way to Highway 58, which we had to take as far as Keene, before once again taking to the back roads.  I must say that the Bodfish/Caliente Road was beautiful, often shaded, and coming down out of the mountains offered many breathtaking views.  From Isabella to Caliente we passed three vehicles on the road.

At 18:30 we finally pulled into the driveway and Cathy went in to take a shower while I unloaded the Jeep and put things away.

Many would consider what we did as boring, hardly worth the time, but we loved it.  In an open Jeep one can see so much, and just being together for the day was a treasure for me.  I still enjoy spending quality time with my beloved Cathy, and just being in her company is thrilling.  I'm so glad that God allows us to drive His Jeep on days like today!

Remember This Day

Memories

This may not be the best time to talk about hirsute hiatae, but I did have hair!  Perhaps I should mention that the most beautiful woman in the world is still the most beautiful woman in the world!  She has aged (gracefully of course) but her smile and the beauty of her soul shining from her eyes remains the same.  I am a truly fortunate man.

Naturally my uxorious memories must be penned with philic care.  My tendencies to wax eloquent when speaking of the virtues of my beloved Cathy are understandable.  In course terms:  "Eat your heart out guys!  She's mine!"  Of course I would never give myself imprimature to print sordid prose!  All joking aside, Cathy holds my heart, she is my desire, and my daily prayer is that I will be the kind of husband that reflects the love of Christ to her in a very real and tangible way.

On the day we stood at the front of the church and made our wedding vows all the promise of a life filled with love and devotion was there.  Thirty-eight years later I can honestly say that we have not grown weary of each other, or of our efforts to fulfill the promise.

Not long ago I told Cathy that I loved her, as I often do.  Her reply surprised me.

"I don't know why!"  She said.

Of course I had to become facund and playfully recited part of our wedding vows.  "I love you because you looked into my heart, and passing over all the foolish and weak things you couldn't help dimly seeing there, you drew out the beautiful belongings no one else looked quite far enough to find!"  Her reply was typical of her wry sense of humor.

"Whoa, honey!  We've been married thirty-eight years.  The honeymoon is over and I see the foolish and weak things very clearly!"

Ouch!  (Go ahead and laugh!)

Amazing as it seems the promise is still there before us.  Hand-in-hand (we still do that) we will walk into our future with confidence because the Lord Jesus goes before us, preparing the table before us, filling our cups to overflowing through His grace and mercy.  Our love for each other continues to grow, though that has every appearance of being impossible.  I find myself looking forward to the years that come with quite pleasant feelings.  Bunchie, I love you!

On June 15, 1974

This date has always been a magical day for me.  I married Cathy at Mount Pleasant Brethren in Christ Church in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania 38 years ago.  We still hold hands, kiss often, cuddle, and do all the things couples do to express our absolute enjoyment of each other's presence and our love.  Our turtle pond is located in Lancaster, California at the present moment, in a nice house on a tree-lined street.  And yes, there is a turtle pond in the back yard!

Afro's were in when we got married.  Ben Franklin glasses were popular, as were bean bag chairs, bell bottom pants, CB radios, chokers, "chopper" bicycles, clacker balls, Cuban heels on men's shoes, cybernetics, denim jackets, disco dancing (please, God, don't let this come back!), earth shoes, 8-track tapes, hot pants, "Jaws" T-shirts at the beach, kissathons (always popular!), mood rings, mutton chop sideburns, pet rocks, punk fashions, punk purple hair, roller disco, "Space Invaders" video game, spandex, streaking, string bikinis, Susan B. Anthony dollar, "Trekkies", the unisex look, velveteen jackets, waterbeds (we still sleep on ours), white stockings and wigs.  Farrah Fawcett-Majors posters were popular and the 55 mile per hour speed limit wasn't.  These were the fads and fancies of the 1970's I remember.

Nobody had cell phones.  Many people were still on party lines with their phone service.  No one had a laptop computer, or a desktop computer.  We used IBM Selectric typewriters!  The font balls were interchangeable and one could use a different color ribbon.  I really don't think I would have believed someone if they told me then that eventually I would open my laptop computer, go to Skype, and talk to my daughter face-to-face from Lancaster, California to Mount Airy, Maryland!  No phone!

In 1974 the Chevy Malibu got about ten miles to the gallon and went from naught to sixty in less than six seconds!  Filling the tank cost around $10.  Our Malibu today (2009 model) gets over 30 miles to the gallon and takes about 11 seconds to get to sixty.  It does however have cruise control, tell me how many miles I can go before I need gas, tell me my tire pressure on all four tires, connect to my cell phone so I can be hands-free while I drive (a service I do not use) etc.  I could fix anything that went wrong with my 72 Malibu SS 454 cu. in. engine!  It had chrome bumpers.  Computers are necessary to determine what's wrong with my 2009 Malibu and I can't fix much that goes wrong.  Cars don't have chrome bumpers anymore!  This Malibu has a tank less than half the size of my '72 Malibu and costs nearly $50 to fill!

In 1974 airplanes and jets had comfortable wide seats, stewardesses who treated one like a paying customer, and we could go right to the gate to greet friends flying in to Harrisburg or Philadelphia.  There were no TSA agents and people were allowed to smoke on the flight.  Meals were served and the food wasn't bad.  Today airplanes and jets are designed for thin people with short legs and small feet.  A child of ten would be comfortable on today's aircraft.  Although we still pay to fly, we are not treated like paying customers, but like cattle, to be herded into chutes, inspected, and sent along to our respective corrals.  TSA agents with a shoe-size IQ and the personality of stinging nettle do their utmost to make our travel through the chutes as unpleasant and demanding an experience as possible.  After my back surgery, while in a wheel chair, I was asked to stand up so a TSA agent could use his wand to make sure I wasn't carrying a concealed weapon.  Had his IQ been sufficient I might have explained that people in wheelchairs generally had difficulty standing, but I was sure that words of more than one syllable would be lost in the interpretation.  Welcome to traveling in the twenty-first century!

Some things haven't changed.  I still have difficulty finding 13EEE shoes.  McDonald's food still cures constipation.  Junk mail continues to fill my mailbox to overflowing proportions and I still get fun mail from the IRS.  Just recently I received a letter from that worthy (choke, gasp, cough, expire!), I mean sinister criminal organization, that was typical:  Amount of taxes owed for 2006, $0.  Fees and penalties on amount owed, $436.00.  Yes, of course!  After all, our government needs money!  The Left Coast continues to lead the country in nepotism, egomania, megalomania, and narcissism.  Politicians in California are as sybaritic as their constituents and as out of touch with reality as the Left Coast and politicians in Washington, D.C.

Tomorrow we will celebrate 38 years of marital bliss.  Both of us have changed over the years, but the core of our loving relationship remains the same.  We find our fulfillment in the Lord, not in each other, and we respect and love each other.  As I look at all the things that have changed over the years I am so glad that we have been able to face those changes together with a united and solid faith in the Lord.  Through the years we have made many new friends, and remained friends with our oldest and dearest friends from the past.  The world around us might not make a whole lot of sense, but life is good.  God is good, all the time.  Life in Him is good.

When we married we wanted children, believed that they would be a blessing, and I wanted to be a pastor, and believed that that job would be fulfilling and blessed.  We had children and they were everything we dreamed they might be.  As I think of them now I am filled with pride.  My sons are tall and strong, have a strong faith in Christ, and walk the talk!  My daughter is lovely, witty, and down-right fun to be with.  One of my sons towers six and a half feet tall, the other is over six feet tall!  Who would have thought!  They married beautiful women with a strong walk in the Lord and have given us wonderful grandchildren.  I spent 37 years in the pastoral ministry, poured my life and love into people in five congregations, and was indeed blessed beyond measure!

Cathy is still my most treasured blessing and gift from the Lord.  So here we are, ready for that special day to dawn, still hand-in-hand, still trusting Jesus, and full of joy.  I love June 15!