in my kitchen, around the farm

the necessity for well-mineralized bodies and the magic of turtles

We have been charmed again. Charmed by the mysterious and elusive Mrs. Poppy P. Snapalot of the esteemed, and most deeply respected, Frontenac Bale of Snappers lineage. How can I, with mere words at my disposal, convey the sense of pride this wonderful turtle brings us when, each spring, she leaves the endless, vast wilds all around her to make the long journey to our house. Why? Why does she do this? She lives surrounded by wetlands and engulfed in forests. Her choices in where she might lay her eggs are endless. And yet, it’s here, in the small patch of earth beside our front door that she returns, year after year, to scrape away a pocket in the earth in which to deposit her jelly-like eggs.

Sometimes we see her laying her eggs. Sometimes we miss her and only know she was here when we see a little trail of baby snapping turtles spreading out from our house to the wilds beyond. What drives them? Wherever do they go? I don’t know, but they seem to.

I’ve been thinking about Mrs. Poppy P. Snapalot quite a bit this year. I found her on our walkway path that leads to the house earlier this week. She was on her way out, having done what she came to do. I went and sat beside her for a bit. I got the sense I was worrying her so I didn’t stay long, just long enough to thank her and look closely at such an wondrous creature. Her shell is covered in algae and the patterns on her skin are mesmerizing. According to her size, she’s a senior turtle now. Snapping turtles can live to be over 100!

Whatever the reason that she comes here, to our home, to lay her eggs I will never know, but I am so filled by awe. I am deeply, deeply honoured and can’t help but think that maybe she was born here, that she is returning to the spot her mother came to lay her one day long ago. This house is old, somewhere between 170 and 180 years old. I can’t help but think that maybe the people that once lived here watched for those baby snappers, too. It’s one of the greatest gifts of my life, to be witness to the miraculous natural world in such a profound way. I am blessed by this turtle. I would rather