Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Snail Who Thought He Was A Cat

 
Who is this snail and why is he on a fancy green glass plate? Well, A few days after I came home from the hospital, my friend called me. It was late evening and I was exhausted and ready for bed, but she told me she had something for me. What could it be? She had found a snail on her porch! Knowing that I love to take pictures of unusual things, she brought the snail inside. Oh, did I mention that my friend feeds the stray cats in the neighborhood, and this snail was on a paper plate eating the cat food? Well, she carried him in, but he seemed to be stuck on the paper plate, so she got her shiny green glass plate, put a few drops of water on it for him to slide on, and waited for Phil to run to her house and get him. Needless to say, I was energized. When I saw him, I put the plate on the kitchen table, and he stuck his neck way out and peered at me, traveling around the rim of the plate. So cute! Can you find his eyes? They are on the very tip of his long antenna! Nowadays I am a lot like my friend the snail, I must move at a snail's pace. The world may not tell us to slow down, only to rush. But slow can be a really good thing. James says that we should be slow to speak, giving us time to think first. And God is very slow to anger. I also see many more things than people who are rushing around, both the good and the bad, the sorrowful and the joyful. So let me stand back while others rush past, that's alright. If they would slow down a bit like me, they would be amazed by what they see.


"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Psalm 103:8,12

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ginny, That is a beautiful Bible verse and the photos are amazing. Too cute about the snail eating the cat's food! Hope you have a restful night.

Karin said...

What a lovely coloring that snail has! A snail's pace is much more to my liking than the rat race! Thank you for that Scripture passage! I love that one so much!

SquirrelQueen said...

That is too cute, I'll bet the snail was enjoying the fancy dish. I wonder if snails think they are moving slowly, I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

Dawning Inspiration said...

Do I say this?? That snail is beautiful!! I've never seen one so luminous before...

And great post - slow down.
God and I were having a chat about that just a few minutes ago!

Hugs!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh My Goodness... Your friend posted dead gardenias and now you are posting snails. What is happening to my special blog friends??? They are entering a new world entirely.... ha ha

Well---I'll get you both back. Just wait 'til you read my blog tomorrow.... har har har

Not too crazy about snails (they make me chill just looking at them) ---but I do love the Bible verse.

Take care and get well.
Hugs,
Betsy--the third part of the Rat Pack!!!!

S. Etole said...

what a curious little visitor ... so glad you are up to entertaining!

Joanne said...

I love the way you see the world Ginny...It's beautiful! Thank You for giving us a glimpse. Blessings, Joanne

Annie Jeffries said...

Ginny, this snail is just so pretty. My garden snails are just plain old brown and gray (sort of like the birds in our area too). So, what's up with that anyway? Pretty snails and pretty birds all back east. I live in the wrong state. **sigh**

DawnTreader said...

Not too fond of snails and certainly not on a plate (lol) but I like the shells... You have a good friend though if she collected the snail just for you to take photographs of! :) As for the slow pace life I know all about it. Well - something at least! Left the highway for the footpath years ago...

aspiritofsimplicity said...

great post. You have even managed to make a snail look cool.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

How sweet of your neighbor to bring him in for you! I love the snail on the plate pics!

Melanie said...

What amazing pictures you got, Ginny!
I agree with you, when you slow down, it's amazing the things you might find.
Hope you're feeling much better, my friend.♥

MadSnapper said...

ok, now i am soooo filled with envy i can't type. these are super duper shots. love love love it. even green with envy i can see his eyes and those beautiful stripes on his shell. our snails here are ugly but this one is very attractive. what a great neighbor to save it for you. and on a green plate. did you get to keep the pretty plate? perfect post today

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I came via one of my followers and oh so glad I did. So true, take time, slow down and see all of what the lord created. Its the simple things in life and walking with the lord that we feel joy and calm. I Love this post and reference to GOD and how he is slow to anger.

Stephanie V said...

Fabulous photos! The transparent green plate makes a perfect setting for this delicate-looking creature.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, Love that Scripture! No, you are braver than I. Where I used to live we had several citrus trees in the backyard and plenty of snails. It got so bad (snails eat citrus leaves with great happiness) that we got some predator snails to deal with the problem. Have an excellent day today!

srp said...

He/she is beautiful! What a lovely shell!
Normally ours are small and dark... this one is just great!

Velvet Over Steel said...

Oh how Cute he is!! & clever for eating cat food.. would not have expected that.

Glad you are home from the hospital and very sorry that I missed your post and didn't know. So busy and stressed.. but no excuse. I am off to read back post so I can catch up.

Take care of yourself, Ginny!!
Big Hug,
Coreen XOXO

George said...

These are wonderful pictures of the snail. You did a great job getting these pictures, and you've given us a good perspective on the speed at which our life is moving.

Doris Sturm said...

What an unusual and pretty looking snail...I love its striped "home"...and it looks so pretty on that green glass plate... I feed the strays too and find all kinds of other critters partaking in the feast, like opossums, ants and who knows what else that I don't know about...even the ducks at the lake like cat food (LOL)
I agree with slowing down and smelling the roses, but unfortunately when you're young and restless, going fast comes naturally and having to slow down is only irritating, but as you age and learn that your body does not keep going like an EverReady Energizer Bunny and one is forced to slow down, that's when you learn to appreciate the simple things in life (like bending down to pick something up and coming back up without having popped your knee or back out) LOL
Also, the walking man sees more than the one in the car and it's sad how much people miss by driving everywhere...

Hope you are doing better, Ginny!

Ruth Hiebert said...

As snails go this one look pretty nice,especially on that green plate.Slowing down is often a good thing,and one I need to remind myself of.

Anonymous said...

Oh my! This one is pretty! And the green plate makes a lot of difference to the photos! We only get to see the brown ones here...not a pretty shell like that.

So true about the world rushing on. A snail's pace pace sounds sensible at certain times. Love the way you end your post from the verse. Everything just blends in so beautifully!

Tracy said...

Oh my goodness Ginny, I don't know if I like the Bible verse or the snail photos better! well, I like both! Youcertainly captured the essence of his importance and simplicity! He is truly remarkable, or shall I say your photos are truly remarkable and stunning! the green plate is perfect for displaying his beautiful coloring!
Thank you Ginny!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This snails details was captured by your picture taking talents!

Mary Bergfeld said...

That last is an amazing photo, Ginny. I also like the analogy. I hope all is well. Blessings...Mary

Ann said...

What a sweet thing for your friend to do. And what a great way to lift your spirits too. That is one awesome looking snail and your pictures are just great.
I wish I could slow down more often. Maybe one of these days.

LV said...

What a unique gift and story behind it. I am glad you explained it as I was having a hard time figuring out what this was all about. At least, she got your mind off your problems for just a few minutes.

Fred Alton said...

What a beautiful color scheme - the green plate with the snail on it. I like this picture. Also I like the Word that says God is slow to anger.

Fred Alton said...

What a beautiful color scheme - the green plate with the snail on it. I like this picture. Also I like the Word that says God is slow to anger.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue ้™ˆๆด้›ช said...

You gave me an idea to get the students to write about this.

The lime green glass is very beautiful.

Regina said...

Now that's a pretty snail and your right!! It is so much better to go slow. Why is it we have to be slowed down to learn this or appreciate it more often, but we do. Thanks for you thoughtful words!!
We have an African snail- also slugs over here which caused quite a stir.. there were a couple poeople hospitaized and many others ill (my niece and her son) (one lady was in a coma..maybe still) This is gross, but the snails and slugs get infected by ingesting the larvae in rat feces. These larvae mature in snails and slugs but do not become adult worms. The life cycle comes full circle when rats eat infected snails or slugs and the larvae further mature to become adult worms..but it effects the brain and spinal cord. Now this is more of a tropical thing so maybe you shouldn't worry..do as the French- Bon Appetit (you know I'm jesting). Are you sorry I didn't permanetly delete my blog (heh heh)
Even before learned about this, I wouldn't of touched escargo!! The farthest out I get is shell fish!

Unknown said...

Nice blogging my friend!

Shug said...

Beautiful pictures of the snail...Up close and clear!
I'm not a huge fan of snails...just something about them! But, this one has a lot of character...
So sweet of your friend to think of you. Isn't it amazing how the simplest of things can make for some great conversation....I enjoyed your pictures and your post...Still praying for you Ginny...
Take care...
shug

Chatty Crone said...

Okay beautiful pictures - but I don't think I like snails too much myself - I'm a wimp. Have to say it was beautiful and hope you are feeling much better.

Lynn said...

Ginny, Incredible picture of the snail out of his shell. I have never one come out and I live in Florida. Maybe up unto retirement I was just rushing too fast to wait on a snail. Your thoughts today are excellent on "rushing".
In fact, you gave me an idea for my blog. In your case, dear Ginny, recovery can be many things, among them the opportunity to have longer talks with the Lord or longer times of refreshment just abiding in Him. Savor that precious "slower" pace and take one day at a time so you recover fully. Blessings.

Deborah said...

Hi Ginny,
I love this post. The snail is rather cute!! You can buy them with decorated shells where I live!
xxoo
Deborah

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