Otter

By Henry Burt Stevens

My wife Patricia and I live in Alligator Mobile Home Park which is on the South end and East side of Taylor Road in Punta Gorda, Florida. Whenever we go out in the car and drive North on Taylor Road we cross Acline Road which is to the West of Taylor Road and terminates at Taylor Road, while the same road to the East is called South Jones Loop Road and begins right there.  I tell you all this because this little story is about over here and over there and more specifically that the grass is always greener on the other side of the road.

The other morning bright and early-for us, but the sun had been up for two hours-we were driving North on Taylor Road.  We passed Acline ending and South Jones Loop beginning and crossed the bridge over Alligator Creek.  We were headed for the curve flanked on both sides by Australian Pines when a large Otter headed across the road right in front of us.  I thought for sure it was going to be an accident, but Otter stopped after crossing the yellow line, wheeled and headed back West.  I swerved East and we missed each other by a good two feet.  I was very, very happy because running over an Otter in the early morning would have spoiled my whole day.  I’ve spent many happy moments watching Otters here in Florida.

As we started into the curve flanked by Australian Pines I began a rant about why would the Otter, who knew better, risk crossing the road right there.  He was leaving Alligator Creek flowing West on down into Charlotte Harbor, getting larger all the way and providing a wealth of food, places to explore and good swimming. 

By crossing the road he was heading Easterly upstream on Alligator Creek, above the dam, and towards higher land where the Creek gets smaller and smaller as it winds through pasture and pineland.  This is not really a good place for a smart Otter to spend its time. Food gets scarce, swimming becomes very limited, and there are houses. Many of the houses have DOGS which can mostly out run Otters, and enjoy doing it.

Patricia knew I was just warming up, and sure enough I started on people who do the exact thing we’d just seen Otter attempting; heading for the greener grass. Having been a person who married once and moved very little it is very easy for me to notice when others jump around.  For years I received a monthly business and real estate newsletter from Jim Napier of Chipley, Florida. His constant advice was for people to first make a plan for not starting over. And though I’ve changed course over the years, I’ve never started over.

Although there is a popular myth that good results can come quickly and easily, the truth more often is that steadfast effort produced the success we see in others which we would like to enjoy for ourselves.  There is a certain progress that is simply time related.  It can’t be hurried.  And starting over is just that: starting over.

As for Otter, if he really wants to leave fat land for skinny land, he otter look both ways before he tries to cross the road.

Henry Burt Stevens