In the third Tortoise Spotlight, I'd like to introduce Marina Tortoise!

Here's a background story...when Dean and I first started dating, we realized that there were many parallels in our lives. Our childhoods were somewhat similar...we had similar interests and goals, and we both love adventure and experiencing new things. There were also more specific, weird similarities...like, when we were much younger, we had each chosen the same favorite name for a daughter. That name is Marina.

And this tortoise came to us seemingly destined for that name! Notice the large 'M' on her head?

Marina is usually found hanging out in Torti Tavern, although she occasionally hides out among the oyster plants.

Marina is the Tort on the right (if you look closely, you can see lots of torts in this hide).

Marina loves to hide among the oyster plants (the large tortoise on the far left is a ceramic decoration).

Marina joined my creep on July 30, 2020. Her previous owner moved to the states, leaving 9 tortoises with a friend of mine. I ended up with the 5 females of that group.

Marina is the tort in the bottom left of this pic. I originally picked up 4 of the 9 tortoises from my friend. Marley is in the top right. I mentioned him in Cupid's spotlight...I ended up trading him for 2 females.

Now that you've gotten to know Marina a little bit better...can you pick her out of the picture below?

Click here to see if you were correct!

In our next Tortoise Spotlight, I'll introduce you to another tortoise in this pic - Lucky Tortoise! 

Stay tuned for more Tales from Torti Town!

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. ~Lao Tzu

I mentioned in another blog post (Lesson Two: Things Do Not Have to be Perfect to be Ideal) that tortoises can feel the vibrations. And when they feel my vibrations, they come out of their hides to see what good stuff I have brought for them. The tortoises have learned that the vibrations of human footsteps bring good things (usually a buffet of salad goodness).

Mixed in with the salad buffet are the special, favorite things hidden underneath (mushrooms, carambola, papaya, etc). Although sometimes I hold a little of the good stuff back for the latecomers, on most days it all gets put out at once. This means, the ones who respond first to the vibrations, get the good stuff.

When I was thinking about this, it made me think about other good vibrations - music! 

“Music is powerful. As people listen to it, they can be affected. They respond.” ~ Ray Charles

I make it a practice to listen to music that is uplifting to me; energizing sounds. I choose music that increases my happiness level.

There was a time that I listened to a darker sound, including goth metal. 

And, while I like the sound of Peter Steele's voice, from Type O Negative (I compare it to dark, melted chocolate...it's deep, smooth, and rich), I found that it was having a negative impact on my mood. My happiness level was going down...And so, I gave up listening to that vibration.

"A great song should lift your heart, warm the soul and make you feel good.” ~ Colbie Caillat

What do I spend my time listening to now? Some people are frustrated (annoyed?) by my absolute insistence that I listen to and watch only positive, happy things. For some, this seems limiting...even shallow. I'm ok with that. Life brings me serious, dark things sometimes...I'm not going to bring it to myself by choice.

I choose to listen to music with a positive message. Songs with a happy beat. This is my vibration of choice.

When the music changes, so does the dance. ~African Proverb

My current favorite is Michael Franti & SpearHead's new CD: Work Hard & Be Nice (in fact, I'm listening to it as I write this).

This is a vibration that motivates me to come out and "get the good stuff!" If Lao Tzu was correct (and really, who I am to argue?) and music in the soul can be heard by the universe...this is the vibration I choose to send out for the universe to hear!

Stay tuned for more tales from Torti Town.