Sunday, May 26, 2013

Of turtlenecks and turtles

Only two days ago the sun was shining and I rashly decided I could safely start packing away the winter clothes and bring out the summer things. Thankfully, I hesitated because it's been cold and rainy ever since.

I am loathe to shed my turtlenecks shirts too soon. I have been wearing them every winter since 1980 when I started having trouble with chronic stiff neck pain. As long as I have my turtlenecks, I'm OK. Of course, this has seriously limited my wardrobe. Everything I wear must be compatible with a high necked shirt. I manage by having a wide assortment of turtleneck shirts that I turned into "shells" by cutting out the sleeves. I also have many long-sleeved turtlenecks in a variety of colors.

If I start wearing low-necked shirts too early in the year, I pay for it with neck pain. I do daily exercises to keep the neck muscles limber so I can pass the peripheral-vision test for my driver's license. 
                       ( Not one of the neck exercises that I do!)

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where I volunteer has an area for turtles (actually tortoises) that have been injured. Broken shells can be repaired with splints and adhesives. Many turtles are struck by cars when crossing the road.                                        
The really sad fact is that it is sometimes deliberate. A University researcher recently conducted a study by placing a fake tortoise on a busy road and counting the number of cars that ran over it. One out of fifty drivers went out of their way to hit it. But just having a broken shell doesn't kill a turtle and they may crawl off to die of infection or shock.

There is now an alarming decline in the number of tortoises and frogs. There is a corresponding increase in the number of people. It all makes me terribly sad.

Maybe some sunshine and summer shirts will improve my mood!

20 comments:

troutbirder said...

How sad. Makes you wonder about the human race sometimes....

Joanne Noragon said...

The sunshine will help a lot. Sit in some as soon as you get it and let it soak in.

The Odd Essay said...

Your post reminds me of a time we were volunteering in Tennessee. I was driving a truck and went out of my way to avoid hitting a snake in the road... the car behind me went out of his way to hit it. What can I say?

Linda said...

Very sad.

Willow said...

We always pull over on our county roads and help the turtles out of harms way.

Jan said...

Following a car racing accident in my early 30s I too have to manage long term neck problems. I find that I can get away with light scarves in paler colours through the summer months. I have a whole repertoire of twists and knots to keep the look interesting! Jx

Jane and Chris said...

We have the idiot drivers here who aim for turtles on the road...makes me so angry. They are fascinating creatures aren't they (turtles not idiot drivers.)
Jane x

Anonymous said...

The sun is shining here today so my S.A.D. excuse has gone away!

Quite often while walking in the lanes hereabouts it feels as though folk are deliberately driving at me. Perhaps they know me?

Can only imagine the mentality of drivers who take aim at animals in the road.

Susan said...

We're dreary here, but then, it's still spring and we never expect sunshine until after the 4th of July.
The statistics of drivers going out of their way to hit a turtle is appalling, but not surprising. In some states, I'm even afraid of walking in a crosswalk!
Happy Memorial Day, XOXO

Crafty Green Poet said...

poor tortoises! I didn't realise though that their broken shells could be repaired

Buttercup said...

I'm a turtleneck person, too. I think that's about all I wear from October to April.
People can be so cruel -- to other people and to animals. Not sure what causes the meanness.

Elaine said...

A few weeks ago our quiet country road was splattered with the bodies of dozens of toads. There were so many that I could only hope that lots more made it to the safety of the fish ponds. I concede that these are difficult to see, especially at night, but some people just don't care and haven't the patience to wait a moment.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

I really hope our whole summer isn't going to be cold and dreary. I need that sunlight, and so do you! I hadn't thought about it, but I guess working in animal rescues exposes you to the sad results of despicable human behavior. Sad.

Bob Bushell said...

Terribly sad what people and cars can do. In our country we go up 70 mph, and we can go appoximately 90 mph. They don't give a 'monkies' what or who that they kill.
Sorry about your neck.

Moving with Mitchell said...

Such a sad (but sadly not surprising) statistic about the turtle crossing the road.

Adopt Spanish style and start wearing scarves when the temps drop below 85. Then maybe you can wear "summer collars" much sooner.

Joanna Jenkins said...

I'm a bog turtleneck (and flannel sheet) fan in the cold weather. We're supposed to get very warm around here and I think it might be time for short sleeves too. Just in case, I keep a scarf handy.

I had no idea a shell could be repaired. That's fantastic. now if only we could "repair" the brains of idiots that think running over animals is okay. Sheesh.

Stay warm, xo jj

Merlesworld said...

I alway carry a scarf, it always helps if the weather turns cold.
We don't get turtles here much, there is lots of bush and creeks to live in but I remember after it rained every puddle had tabpoles swimming in them that no longer happens.
Merle......l

Linda Starr said...

all too sad, I hope they all get flat tires from crunching on the turtles shells.

Kittie Howard said...

I also read that study you blogged about. Those people are sick! sick! sick! I don't know what's wrong with some people these days, but they seem to have a mean streak beyond description.

And, I also love turtlenecks! Each fall I get two new ones (usually red and black as those are the winter colors I wear most often) and really look forward to the ritual.

Knatolee said...

I hate that people deliberately try to run over animals. Happens around here. I try to cheer myself up by thinking about the people who do care.

This story had a happy ending:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/story/2013/05/17/wdr-turtle-airlifted-pilots-paws.html

Peterborough is a few hours drive from me.