Friday, July 19, 2013

Turtlenado and the Diamondback

Have you heard about the new sci fi movie out there right now? It's called Sharknado or some such thing. It's premise? A tornado the over water scoops up a bunch of man eating sharks and transports them to California, where they fall from the sky and chow down on a city.


I think I'll skip it.  I haven't been able to enjoy the ocean since the first Jaws movie and really don't need any encouragement to develop yet another phobia.

At this point, however,  I am ready to believe anything can fall from the sky around here.

After years and years of dangerous drought, we are getting rain like I have never seen in my lifetime.  Really, that's not just my typical brand of blog hyperbole.  According to the news, we haven't had this much rain in the area since 1929. 

It's not only raining cats and dogs,
 it's apparently raining turtles.


Just in case you think that's a rushing stream there, think again. That's my front walk he's trying to ford. You know it's bad when water critters start evacuating,

I stood up on the porch with the shiny red Kodak as he turtle-paddled down the walk, much faster than I have ever been led to believe, by the way.


 Then, he turned and headed across a patch of grass.


Right toward the dry haven of my open garage.

That was the point where I started making the little screeching noises.  They traveled all the way upstairs to the office of a smarty pants with lotsa hair who utterly refused to pick up a stick and poke him in the other direction.

According to him,  Turtlenado did not qualify as a vicious sea creature.  He rambled on...something about the shell and that it didn't want to hurt anybody...while I marveled at the wonder hubby who could stand thirty yards away and do both a bone density test and a psychological profile of a vicious sea monster.

I wasn't having it.

The last time I checked, heart attacks classify as harmful, and if I open my back door and find a soft shelled surprise waiting on the back stoop, I'm going to have one. Period. I was about to clang him away with a couple of pot lids when he turned of his own volition and headed across the drive toward the neighbor. Thank God.


And that, I hope, was the last I'll see of the turtlenado.

It's not, however, the end of the story. The story ends with a related warning about waterlogged evacuees invading the southeast. You see, the sea monster may indeed have been harmless, but other jaws are not. 

Do you see this precious pup?


This is Beamer, the beloved beagle of Lt. McNephew and the Newlywed Niece.  Do you see the marks on his face? Those are fang marks from an attack of a diamondback rattler.  And do you know where the attack occurred? Right outside their own back stoop under their carport. The snake was lurking under her car.

Under her car. (I thought I would repeat that in case you missed it.)

I'm grateful to report that they were home when it happened. They saved little Beamer and sent his attacker out with a bang. 

Waterlogged southerners, please beware.


*****
Can I add another urgent prayer request as well? 
One of my very favorite blog friends, Sharon at Sharon Sharing God has been evacuated from her home  because of a raging fire. Please join me in praying not only that her home will somehow be spared, but also for those fighting the blaze and Sharon's heart as she waits in prayer for news.




27 comments:

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I'll pray for your friend and the fires in California...I have family in an area that doesn't burn (all cement baby!) but they are often affected by smoke and ash. I grew up out there - it can be bad!

Also how scary about the puppy! So glad they were home!

We had months of rain literally and now a week or so without but with terrible heat and humidity. In fact I'm heading out in a few minutes to get my grocery shopping in before it gets too hot!

Deanna

Tanna said...

Oh, my! I am so glad Beamer is doing okay. Yikes on the evacuees! Keep your eyes peeled!

Praying with you for Sharon. blessings ~ tanna

Vee said...

Well...where to begin...my heart rate has definitely gone up just reading this. I hate it when husbands don't jump as high as we do! Oh poor Beamer. Glad for that bang.

May you get some sun soon...

Vee said...

Sharon...yes, praying...

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i have heard of the show - but we don't get cable so i will have to listen to others opinions about it. i hear they are bringing out a 2nd movie so i guess it was well liked. have a good weekend. ( :

i had heard about those fires. many many prayers for all of the ones going through those tough times. so sad.

Denise said...

I'm not going to lie, I am about terrified every time I walk out my door. I have my eyes peeled for those awful creepy crawling snakes. So happy Beamer is on the mend but at last word was still not back to his normal playfulness. I would bet the meds are keeping him somewhat sedated. Glad you were able to keep your turtle away although don't they make shoes and stuff out of them? Just sayin'...


Oh no about Sharon. I'll be praying!

Debbie said...

Well I would have been right there with you on your turtle dilemma, haha. I just knew the fire situation would be bad this year...we are just soo dry. Praying for your friend, and for all of those effected. My daughter's husband is a firefighter and hasn't been home in days! Soo scary. Glad Beamer is ok. ENJOY your week-end Deb!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Raining turtles!!!!! And I'm really glad we live where there aren't any major snakes. I'd be terrified. Glad Beamer is okay but that story gives me shudders.
And praying for Sharon. I always wonder how people can deal with these disasters.
Stay safe from turtles and btw...we are desperate for rain up here so can you send some of it our way!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

So glad Beamer is OK (what a cutie). Praying for Sharon.

We are finally drying out a bit. We had one day with no rain and a couple of half days!!

What a huge turtle!

We are watching Sharknado today! We love these movies - they are always good for lots of laughs!

Barbara F. said...

Debbie, first order, prayers are on their way. That little beagle is the sweetest!! Love him!! Glad he is alright. And third, a visit from a turtle is good luck!! xo

Debbiedoos said...

First, thouhts and prayers for your friend..XO. Second, poor Beamer, what a little cutie. I love Beagles I think they are so darn cute and loveable. And last that turtle, was HUGEEEEEEEEEEE! Happy Weekend to you.

Angel said...

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry on this one...so I did both. Your turtle story made me chuckle and little Beamer's snake encounter made me sad (but grateful he's okay).

And, oh my! Thank you for the news about Sharon! I will pray for her now.

Chatty Crone said...

Debbie you know we are wet here too. But I haven't seen a turtle. And oh my heart is breaking for Sharon - a friend of mine too - I did not know this yet. And that poor pup - you have me in tears! Love you anyway. sandie

Lynn said...

I have no problem with critters, as long as they're no where near me! Turtle or not... Poor puppy, glad he'll be ok:@)

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh that poor puppy! I know the weather is crazy, loved your little visitor, sorry I have to go with Lotsa hair on this one, a turtle, no problem, snakes...Huge problem! I hear there is going to be a sequel to Shaknado...Hope for you this was a one time run with turlenado!

XXOO Carol PS: You are hysterical...I wish you were my neighbor!

Merlesworld said...

The turtle is sweet not so sure about the snake, trouble is when we get lots of rain the snakes will come inside along with other little critters to find dry areas.
Merle..........

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I do understand your turtle fear, Debbie. We once had a rabbit that somehow entered our garage and we couldn't get it to leave. Everyday I was out there cleaning and sweeping up bunny droppings (and they were everywhere!). I even made a trail of food to lure him out, but no luck. Finally my hero worked his magic and got the bunny out. To this day, I still peek out there and hope he hasn't returned.
I'm so happy that Beamer is alive... poor thing! As for Sharon, I'll be praying....

Ruth Kelly said...

Usually we have no rain in July - standard for Utah but this year, we had a whole week of rain storms in the evening. Poor little puppy - ugh having a rattler so close to home!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

OK, so I had to laugh about the turtle. That's one animal I've never been afriad of; perhaps I'm just ignorant about the danger they impose?

As for little Beamer and the fang BANG, this Southern gal approves 100% of that end resulf. Hope the little guy continues to improve -- and his happy owners are spared from future excitement.

And Sharon... Thanks for letting us know. Praying here...

Alycia Nichols said...

Oh, my gosh...I am so sorry about Sharon and her family! I have been watching the news and seeing how those fires are just raging out of control. I WILL pray for her safety, the safety of her home, and that of the many brave men & women working so hard around the clock to spare lives & property. Just tragic!

I'm also really sorry little Mr. Beamer had to go through that frightening situation! Poor little thing must have been freaked out!!! I'm glad the perpetrator met a fitting end.

The turtle. TOO funny!!!!! I am not a huge fan of turtles (I don't trust them!), so I can imagine your fright. Ick! Ick! Ick!!!!

Barbara Neubeck said...

...Debbie... Prayers for Sharon and her family ..... and every one in the fire areas.... glad the cute little Beamer is OK.... Glad the snake is GONE to wherever dead snakes go....
But.. I have to say ...I love your turtle visitor....... he's cute.. xxx
Hope he doesn't come back.
Hugs and Blessings
Barb xxx

Unknown said...

Thoughts and prayers for your friend in Cali. The weather has been extremely strange everywhere this summer! I'm so glad Beamer is ok....what a cutie!! Try to stay dry and send a little rain our way!!~~Angela

Gaby said...

My daughter was walking by the lake at kids' camp yesterday and a few minutes (maybe ten?) after she left, they killed a water moccasin snake right in the spot where she had lingered to smell some flowers. Be still my heart! This rain is going to drive us all nuts.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Praying for Sharon...laughing about the harmless turtle and sorry about the dog, oh my I know rattle snakes, I live in Texas. As for the rain..we have enjoyed some and had the coolest summer I can remember in years...I love it!
Thanks for the wonderful tale, which you are always so good at telling.

Sharon said...

Hello everyone!

Words will never be able to express our gratitude for all your thoughts and prayers! We were finally able to return tonight (Sunday) after being evacuated in the middle of the night Wednesday.

We are so grateful to so many people who fought this fire, and managed to save our town and our home.

But, more than anyone else, we truly believe that God intervened in a supernatural way. He controlled resources and the weather to work to the greatest advantage for the firefighting efforts. Praise His name!

Keep praying - 7 homes were lost in an area outside of town. These people need His comfort at this time.

As far as Turtlenado, I would have welcomed those sharks if they were able to spit some ocean water on the blaze! As for Mr. Beamer - I cried over this - but I'm so glad he's OK. Beagles are a sturdy bunch - just ask Marty.

Thanks, Debbie - for rallying the troops in prayer, and for being such a great friend.

GOD BLESS!

(And oh, how He did!)

Crickit said...

I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.. and I just saw this movie trailer the other day and my reply was... REALLY!?? I also have not dared to enter the ocean waters here on our beautiful shores because of the movie Jaws. I guess now I have to worry about a shark possibly falling into my swimming pool only to gobble me up! LOL. I am glad Mr. Turtle found another home for now! :)

Renée said...

Oh baby Beamer, I'm so glad he survived, but I'm sure he will need counseling after that traumatic attack.

Enjoy the rain, the turtles, and all your glorious green. We are hot and DRY with smoky summer skies. I will pray for your friend.

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