My girls burst through the door after piano lessons today, exclaiming, "Mom, there's hundreds of snails outside!!!" One said, "Really! Millions!"
And then, the question I knew was coming, "May we PLEASE get some for pets?" I momentarily struggled. Snails are just slimey. Oozey. Was it a snail I once poured salt on, or a slug? And, as I was preparing dinner at that very moment, I also thought, but didn't explain, how escargot is made. And then I thought of my mom letting me bring home a kitten one day to live with us. I always said I wanted to be cool about things like she was. "Ok. But you'll need to read up on the internet how to care for them."
And so they each brought home a massive sampling. They already had names. Rascal. Yagmur. ("Rain" in Turkish.) The little snails are having to share a very small space (an ice cream container) with each other.
I went online and I found out the following:
1. They devour strawberries with relish.
2. They can get sick from tap water. (I have to buy them bottled?!)
3. They like cooler temperatures (should be happy in my house).
4. Do not overcrowd snails. They will get sick and die. (Note: make girls put some back tomorrow.)
And finally...5. Slugs and snails are hermaphrodites, meaning that each slug has both male and female parts. Because of this, any pair can breed. Some slugs and snails will act as a male one time and then a female the next time they mate. Other times, both will play both rolls at once and fertilize each other simultaneously (which makes for a lot of babies). Many species can even reproduce when alone, and even if you keep only one slug or snail, you may be surprised by eggs!
Well then.
So, the middlers came into Firstborn's room and we began snipping a plastic wrap lid with airholes. I casually explained point number 5. One of my daughters, I won't detail which one, had a HORRIFIED look on her face. The other burst into laughter and said, "We thought they were kissing!" I don't guess I'd looked at them closely enough at this point to realize that perhaps mating among the little colony may have already begun.
Firstborn immediately decided to cull based on the information I shared. She chose two to be returned to the wet sidewalks of Ankara. Now, as I type this, CC informed me that while I was on the phone earlier, the middlers came downstairs, promptly donned their rain boots (with pajamas) and returned ALL their snails to the wet outdoors. I guess the thought of mating snails with a not-so-secure lid creeped them out. (Creeped Out was their exact word.) They said they'd never be able to sleep, thinking of them escaping and slugging around all over them while they slept.
I know Firstborn, though. (I sometimes call her Templeton.) She'll keep them, study how to raise them, and give it her best shot. And perhaps if they continue in their hermaphroditic ways, I'll give escargot my best shot.
We met a young man, clearly skipping school. To do what? Catch birds in his hand.
These kinds of homes are being torn down and replaced by apartment buildings. I'll miss them.
As I see this photo, I am thinking it might have been easier to buy pumpkin seeds from this guy rather than the straining them from the pumpkin which I plan to do tonight.
Ancient street, still inhabited.
Our teachers work very, very hard for very, very little. All I have to say is that their crowns may topple from the weight of the jewels.
This is the classroom where I teach two afternoons a week.
More on this tomorrow!
Seems this little host wanted to head straight for the basketball court.
We are proud of our school and it is fun to show it off!
More tomorrow on their visit.
My orthodontist can't understand why I don't bring all my children to each appointment. He has two girls and wanted many more. I try to explain what my son would be like in a dental clinic, and he just laughs and says, "Just bring him. We'll watch him for you." What do you think? Should I try it? There's an awful lot of buzzy machines/tools in there....
In addition to our busy week, some of us have taken a little time out to sleep as well.
We have just one more weekend with our visiting friends, so we plan to take them to Cappedocia! Have a great weekend.
And then, the question I knew was coming, "May we PLEASE get some for pets?" I momentarily struggled. Snails are just slimey. Oozey. Was it a snail I once poured salt on, or a slug? And, as I was preparing dinner at that very moment, I also thought, but didn't explain, how escargot is made. And then I thought of my mom letting me bring home a kitten one day to live with us. I always said I wanted to be cool about things like she was. "Ok. But you'll need to read up on the internet how to care for them."
When we got home, my older girls commented, "Oh yea, we saw those. Did you look underneath?" I had not. They added, "They are really ugly underneath." I guess anything, or anyone, can be beautiful on the outside, but not so beautiful on the inside. I think the inside is more important.
Anyone out there reading this ever tried to take a family photo of more than 2 kids? It's challenging. See if you can follow a theme here. Hint: check out the girl on the bottom left.
Sweet Cheeks
