Beating the Heat

A couple weeks ago while on one of my Daily Woodland Zen Walks, I came across a Spotted Turtle in the forest. Strange, I thought, that this small, dark-colored turtle with tiny yellow spots on its carapace was far from the water, its natural habitat. It was well past nesting time, so digging in the sandy soil to lay eggs was not the reason for hanging out on land.

I later learned that these types of turtles aestivate - entering into short periods of dormancy in cooler areas like vernal pools and other shaded places to avoid high temperatures, then return to the swamp on less hot days. And here in the northeast we have recently had long stretches of brutally hot weather. My Spotted Turtle friend was just getting past a rough spot in its life, chilling out somewhere else quietly doing what needed to be done with no need to explain, apologize, or justify.

So, my august friends, when you, too, are feeling the heat, both literally and figuratively, it’s okay to hang out and chill somewhere else until you’re ready to come back. You don’t need to justify your absence to anyone but yourself.