Come out of your shell.

That is easier said than done if you are a bivalve. Bivalves are two-shelled animals that live in marine and fresh water environments. The word bivalve connotes “two leaves of a door,” which refers to its two-sided, or double-shelled, form.

It is a shore thing.

For certain, you will find this crab in Vineyard waters, and once you know more, you will be even surer that you don’t want it here.

It is easy to spice up your life.

A simple walk through a wetland or along a stream or marsh may just do the trick. Breathe deeply and enjoy the fragrant, spicy scent of swamp azalea. Blooming swamp azaleas provide an awakening for your nose, but not a taste for your tongue.

It was without a doubt the best Father’s Day bouquet that I had ever seen.

Elegant in its simplicity, this gift was clearly created with love and affection. It was made of found objects and plants collected in the yard. The vase was an empty Guinness beer can, well-rinsed and shined up, with the top of the can removed. A few flowers and grasses from the yard were cut and put into this special container. It was perfect.

Turtles could teach us a thing or two.

These shelled oracles have inspired much advice. Australian athlete Bill Copeland advised us to “Try to be like the turtle — at ease in your own shell.” Wise Dr. Seuss observed that “All the turtles are free – As turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.” And a Jamaican proverb rightly notes that “Sleepy turtles never catch the sunrise.”