Tuscan Zen Turtle

I had a funny incident happen yesterday. I wanted to find Nemo a new wading pool. The one he has is the saucer to a very large pot, but I only purchased the saucer. The size is great. The color was great. But it wasn't made so well and it was leaking onto the floor slowly. With the intention of finding a new wading pool, I substituted a serving dish that was appropriate high but gave him about 2" less diameter--and Nemo loves his baths.

So...at first I searched 14" serving dishes online but couldn't tell how deep they were. I decided to google "turtle wading dish" to see what was on the market so I could figure out a less expensive alternative. The first hit I got was this blog! lol! In glancing through some of the other hits, someone mentioned a Pyrex baking dish. I didn't find Pyrex, but found THE perfect Nemo wading pool. It's perfect size for him, but also matches our Tuscan Zen decor. It's called Terracotta Cazuel. Ahhhhh. I can just see him on his little floating lounge chair now in the mist sipping cactus juice. If anyone is interested, I found this at cooking.com.

Nemo Finds A Bit of Sunshine

Nemo was lounging in his summer home yesterday when the sun through the back door surrounded his blanketed hide. He seemed ambivalent to my suggestion to come out into the sunshine. In fact, he turned his back to me so his head was in the far left corner. You can barely see the outline of his shell shaded in the house. But he shoved his head under the back corner so just his face was exposed to the sun.

I have no idea what he hears or understands, but he certainly did it his way. He remained in this position for quite some time. Also shown is a view from the other side. Enjoy!

We're Having A Heat Wave

In yesterday's post, I spoke of the new smaller quieter space heater than shown in yesterday's picture. Because of Brian's knack for catching Nemo being more active than me (probably intentional on Nemo's part), he found our heat seeking pet sprawled out a few feet from the heater thoroughly enjoying the wafting warm air. Because one picture showing both the heater and Nemo would not be as expressive, I took the liberty of showing the new heater separately from Nemo luxuriating in the heat.

While I don't have a photo, Nemo did something rather extraordinary today. He went outdoors by himself! On nice days, I open the back door enough for a nice breeze to come through and place the draft dodger so the door doesn't close with the breeze. Knowing Nemo's feelings about the outdoors and the terrace, I have not worried about him attempting an escape. I'd been out of the kitchen for nearly an hour. When I returned I checked all the usual hiding places but no Nemo. After hearing a noise from outside, I glanced out to the deck (a/k/a the turtle terrace) and saw Nemo making a beeline toward the steps. I didn't know I could move so quickly. I grabbed the kiddie gate and made it outside before he reached the top of the step.

I guess because he "found" the terrace exploring on his own, the outdoors now seemed more palatable. I provided a folded up towel so he could reach the threshhold easily. Somehow I think his descent was not very graceful although he would have landed on the rubberized mat. He climbed back inside as if nothing eventful had happened. I watched from a distance for awhile as he climbed onto the draft dodger trying to balance himself on it to get back outside but he fell off, landing on his feet. From there it was time for a nap. Quite the busy unturtle day.

Nemo Warms Up to Winter

It's not the most exciting picture in the world, but it is Nemo checking out the new monolith in his habitat. "What is this thing that brings forth magic warmth so my toes aren't cold?" As soon as something new is introduced into his world, he has to go see who or what the invader is. Very cat like...or other pet like. Curiosity usually doesn't go with a turtle.

Yesterday, the new heater arrived. The one in the photo worked fine but it was noisy. The new one is smaller and so much quieter. Once again Nemo quickly made friends with the new "keeper of the warmth" and was found napping near it last night. I placed a blankie near his chosen sleeping spot and he was found in the same position this morning except his head was poked under the blankie. That's my little guy!

Ooh, almost forgot. Nemo's new video is now on YouTube--Proof Turtles Can Be Cute. It's more of a slideshow of his adorable poses showing a typical Nemo Day. If you feel like voting for him, simply go to this link--Pet Video Contest #7--and write a comment that you vote for Nemo's video--Proof Turtles Can Be Cute. As much as we love those furry little critters, we think Nemo deserves a pat on the back...shell...too.

Temporary Blog Slowdown

Left: It's difficult to tell where Nemo's new prehsitoric friend ends and Nemo begins.

My frame of reference for time is way out of whack recently. Since July, I've had a number of surgeries, the most recent of which was 10/16. Much of the time I'm fighting sleepiness from meds for find it difficult to think, let alone spell or be creative. I did want you to know that Nemo is well. He makes me laugh daily. I have not been as prolific with my camera but Brian occasionally takes pictures for me. Today I mostly just wanted to say hi and assure Nemo's fans he is just as feisty and active as error, but Mom is tired and irritable. I am working during lucid moments on modifying one of his videos to submit for Pet Video #7 on YouTube. I found fun new music and hope all readers of this blog will enjoy it. I also hope to soon be back to at least feeling sufficiently awake and alert to do my daily entries. It is enjoyable for me to share his silliness.
When I locate my photo card, I'll add the picture of Nemo checking out his new ceramic space heater. Soon after setting it up, he was exploring the new object and also quickly finding the many places he could lounge and still feel the warm air.

Typically Eastern Box Turtles winter outdoors so you wouldn't think 70 degrees would be chilly. Then again, Nemo is an un-turtle. He has become so much more active since his area became closer to 78-80 degrees rather than 70-72 degrees. Who knew 70 degrees could be so inhibiting of cute turtle behaviors. I got the heater after noticing he seemed "huddled", in spite of his "turtle neck". lol. We will have to wait and see if he chooses to hibernate in his blankies or not. He is still fussing with food. I have ordered a new brand of box turtle complete diet and canned food. There really are only two manufacturers. Hopefully, he will like the second manufacturer. In the meantime, he now dines from his CB2 black matte sushi dish which he can reach more easily, as pointed out by Brian.
Another quick update...Nemo now waits in his bath water if no one is around until someone comes by and notices the mist has stopped. lol. How cute and demanding is that?! And several mornings, he has been waiting at his log for me to turn his basking lamp on since he knows that is the first thing I do when I get up.

Please don't give up on lack of new posts. I simply need more energy and a bit more healing. Thanks to all who are Nemo fans!

Nemo's Busy Half Hour

So many photos were taken since yesterday morning, I'm not sure which to show. Brian was home for awhile when I was gone. He was getting some work done upstairs in his office. He told me what happened but also took photos so I wouldn't miss any of Nemo's cuteness. I'm not sure why, but Nemo is all over the place when Brian is around. If I walk into the kitchen, he either looks at me as if to say "bug off' or he now has the habit of turning his back on me and pouting in the corner. What did I do??
First he was taking a bath. A few minutes later he attempting the great climb onto his basking log from the most impossible climbing point. Okay, we know he loves to challenge himself. Look how proud he looks! Next, he was doing jungle gym playtime on the wine rack across the room. During Brian's next trip downstairs, Nemo was standing by the dishwasher (an area of the kitchen he is seldom SEEN in--which means he may visit anytime he's alone or thinks he's alone or Brian is there. Not long afterwards he was back on the other side of the room perched on his intersection. Basically, he was all over the place within the time span of one half hour. Some of his photos are at Flickr. Some I may use for a future video. A few are here for your enjoyment.

The New Favorite Hang-Out

This morning, Nemo (who had gone to sleep by his igloo) was happily lounging inside the wine rack. I find it interesting that he seemed to struggle to get through the holes from both directions in the past few days as shown in other blog photos. In these two, he's just chillin'. Maybe he was testing the inner sanctum's security first? He's been there ALL day. Usually he's at least visited two of his four hang outs by now. Possibly he's staking his claim because Iggy and the stuffed animal turtle also "reside" by the wine rack now. Maybe they are best buds. In any event, Nemo is still being Nemo.

Afternoon Nap with "Pillow"

Nemo has adopted this lump of mat covering one of the wrought iron curly cues of his basking lamp table. He seems to love resting his chin on lumps of blankets. This is the first really good look I had at seeing how he stretches his head out to rest it on a "pillow" of blanket or rug. Doesn't he look so peaceful?

I still think it is odd that he will curl up in as much of a circle as he can like a cat to sleep. My assumption would have been that turtles would pull into their shells to sleep. Guess he wants to see what's going on.

On your mark, get set...

Possibly Nemo would win this race.

Un-Notes Featuring the Un-Turtle

Okay. I goofed. I had just completed my 2008 Nemo calendar at kodakgallery.com and was ready to order when I decided to check out other products I could make with his photos. I loved the idea of the accordian fold note card. I was so excited to pick out and arrange the photos and place my order for six of the cards.

The cards arrived and look GREAT! Then I went to send one to my friend and realized I had forgotten to leave a blank spot to write a note! I did send the notecard with another notecard that was actually made to write notes. Go figure. Too funny. Still laughing at myself. Yesterday I was forcing a friend to watch Nemo videos, look at the 2008 Nemo calendar, see the blog, and view the notecard which I spontaneously called the "un-note". So here it is, THE one and only Nemo the Un-Turtle Un-Note card.

New ones have been ordered allowing for writing space; but they won't be as much fun. I wonder what the people printing my card thought. Maybe, "Hey, we got another one doing that." lol. They may possibly have lots of duplicate orders because, unless you figure out that there are other layouts besides one side all photos, I'm sure un-note cards happen.

Nemo Goes From Grumpy to Comfy

One area where Nemo is very turtle (although many humans fall into this category) is he detests when you move his stuff around. Turtles are very sensory and learn their territories by sight and smell and touch. It disorients them if something is moved. I did rearrange some of his area to better accommodate for chiller weather. He was mad at me for a day. He pouted the next day but poked his head out when I was around. Yesterday was wine rack jungle gym time so he was getting over that change. Today he found a comfy place to lounge at the base of the wrought iron table used as an attractive place to clamp his basking lamp.

If you have seen Cirque du Soleil Nemo balanced on the wrought iron curly cue base, the green blanket in the photo is a cushion for those things. He does like to perch himself on those...heaven only knows why.

Low Shell Clearance

The wine rack and Nemo's hay and greens feeding area.

Nemo determined to fit through one of the bottle openings:

Look at that foot shoving off under Iggy's foot.

Pushing off Iggy might be better leverage.

Determination from both sides before exiting left over the stuffed animal turtle which is the side entrance with plenty of clearance.

Nemo typically does this when he comes to any enclosure. "The grass is always greener..." must be his motto. After taking the photos, I wanted to make sure he was not in distress. I tapped my fingers to the left making a clicking sound I use for his attention. He reluctantly gave up going through the bottle opening and practically jumped over the turtle to exit. He knew exactly how to get out! And was probably annoyed I ruined his fun. Silly me.

Nemo As Focused Goalie

Nemo's expressions are priceless. He sure looks like he's determined to make sure no one enters HIS space! Also reminded me of a goalie preparing for that puck to coming flying from any direction or watching that soccer team run down the field and the goalie knows "I gotta stop that ball!" Nemo is ready. Wonder if they make little iceskates or goalie padding for turtles?