He was always an inside turtle, content to sit by his larger
turtle friend under the entertainment center. Secretly however, deep in his being, he longed
for the life on the other side of the just visible window across the room.
Late in the morning some months past, he made a break for the front door. By midafternoon he made the tall metal flower tower just southeast of the porch light.
Weeks Passed Unseen.
Occasionally discovered in the main flower garden under the Periwinkles
and deemed in good spirits, he was left to what turtles like to do best.
Three weeks ago I found him in the open between a Swamp Lilly
and the Bird of Paradise, the left side of his fragile shell crushed by assailants
unknown.
First Aide
I recalled the electricians had left a large bag of Plaster
of Paris behind after their last visit.
The remaining shell was too thin to support a repaired
structure, therefore I elected to fill him with this plaster.
Why electricians needed a bag of plaster and what they used it
for I’d rather not ponder.
The Surgery Delicate, Tense and Ugly
Photography and videography was not attempted during the operation
due to the nature of the procedure and the state of mind of the caregiver.
Do you know how long it takes for that much plaster to dry? Neither do I. It’s been a weeks and he is still wet to the touch. However, using my wood carving instruments, I was able to restore his plates and remove the spilled plaster from numerous areas of his being.
When he finally dries I’ll contact the Paint Wasters Society specialist in Plaster Turtle Revival.
Then the fun begins.......
