Mother Nature to the Rescue!

  Sometimes things happen in real life that almost seem too weird.  Or, perhaps things happen all of the time and I just notice them more than most folks.  Anyway, some pretty strange things occur here on the Bayou that just about defy explanation.  Maybe there is no explanation. Maybe I should not look for any and just accept things as they are....bizarre or not.

  Years ago, Mom gave me a little terracotta turtle to stick in the garden. It was a cute little rascal until the weather took its toll on the exterior.  I kept the thing even though it was starting to resemble a zombie turtle with its flaky exterior and decaying head.  I did not have the heart to toss it.  After all, Mom bought it for me.  So, the turtle sat in the garden getting more ragged by the day.

My turtle with his new "head".  Good job, Mother Nature!

  One day, I was out raking leaves when I noticed that the turtle had a new head!  Now, terracotta turtles do not just "get" new heads! Something unusual was going on in the garden!  Stepping up to examine the thing, I had to start giggling.  An oak leaf had fallen in the exact spot to replace the long gone noggin!  The placement of the new "leaf" head was odd enough but this leaf was the perfect shape for a head AND had a mouth and eye!  My turtle never looked so good!  

  How this leaf fell in the precise position is a mystery.  How this leaf happened to have a tear right where a mouth should be is most unusual.  How a bug gnawed a hole just the right shape and size for an eye is beyond believable.  But these things did happen.  My turtle lives on to see another day!  At least as long as the leaf stays put!  Mother Nature did a fine job of repairing my turtle!