Friday the 13th

When I went into Kaylee's room this morning to wake her up, I did what I've been doing, and turned on the UV light on her turtle tank. I glanced in to find the turtle, and couldn't see it on the rock. Scanning the tank, I found Lumpy the turtle floating in the water, not moving. I picked her up, tried a few things, but Lumpy was dead. I placed it on the rock, left the light on, got Kaylee up and didn't say a word, as she didn't need to head to school with that new knowledge. When I brought her home from school, Steve told her we needed to talk to her about something, she asked if it was good or bad, and when Steve said it wasn't good, the first thing out of her mouth was "Is my turtle dead??" I don't know how she figured that out, but she did. Lumpy is buried in our back yard under the tree, where Kaylee wanted it done, because the roots of the tree provide strength and security, and she felt Lumpy would be 'safe' there.

Did you know it's illegal to sell, buy or have baby turtles in the state of Indiana? We can't get a replacement turtle even if we wanted to. Unless we go back to Florida and smuggle it in again.

Does anybody know why it's illegal to sell or buy baby turtles in the state of Indiana but it's not illegal to sell or buy adult turtles? What is the difference and why do they care?? It's a turtle for heaven's sake!

Even losing a turtle stinks. Poor Lumpy, Kaylee cared for her well, cared about her well, and it's not Kaylee's fault Lumpy is gone. I feel bad for the little turtle, worse for Kaylee. But...I know it's a fact of life, and as Steve said, it's better to start with learning about loss with a turtle rather than one of the cats, or worse, a family member/friend. It still stinks though. Don't laugh at us, even though it's a turtle. It was sad. Stupid turtle, not smart enough to climb up the ramp...

In related news, we have $100 worth of brand new turtle equipment we're wondering what to do with now. (Okay, that's sort of funny.)

Kaylee started reading "The Hunger Games" last night, and she'll finish the whole first book in less than 24 hours, after spending 7 hours sleeping and 8 hours at least with school. She's completely engrossed. The only problem is, I bought the books so they're on my iPad, not her kindle, and I've lost control of my iPad until she's done reading all three books in the series. Tonight I won't quibble with her if she wants a reading distraction. But in a few days we may have a battle. ;)

Well, I was supposed to go to Ohio today to spend two nights and do some photo shoots with B-25s. My little bag was packed and everything. Unfortunately I had to cancel for Saturday because the weather just wasn't good enough. Then he canceled with me for tonight, because the clouds rolled in and it wouldn't have been the nicest photo lighting. We're still "on" for Sunday, but frankly, I doubt it. The forecast is calling for winds gusting to 35 knots, and if I was flying the 340, or heck, a C-172 as the photo ship, I'd be fine with that, but the Six....I've landed it in 28 gusting to 32 knot winds, but it was only about 20 degrees off the runway. It's sort of like...while it's good to know something is in your toolbox, that doesn't mean you need to pull it out without good reason. ;) I didn't actually mind tonight canceling; I wanted to be here with Kaylee when she learned about Lumpy. Steve could have handled it, but I'd have been thinking about it anyway. Not much would keep me from wanting to fly off in a T-6 and go play with B-25s, I admit. :)

I went to get my eyebrows waxed today, and as I was sitting on the reclining chair covered in doctor office paper, the woman called another woman over, pointed at my shoes, and started speaking in rapid-fire Vietnamese with the other lady. I looked at them, looked at my feet, looked at them. What?? These weren't even my clowny shoes! I have no idea what they said or what they thought was so note-worthy about my shoes, but something sure got their attention. Weird...

Well, Friday the 13th is almost over. I'm tired, it was kind of a long day, but at least I don't have to get up early. I don't think. Unless I wake up and it's magically nice from here to Ohio. But I won't hold my breath.