Platypus

 

 

Where I live college football is all about Ducks and Beavers. We’ve recently had some pretty big games going on which has brought the subject of whether you are a duck or a beaver somewhat more to the forefront of conversations. The school I just transferred to houses both universities and so calls itself a platypus. You know, both.

*Platypus – A small, aquatic, egg-laying mammal,

Ornithorhynchus anatinus, of Eastern Australia,

having webbed feet, a tail like that of a beaver

and a sensitive bill resembling that of a duck.

I am coming to relate very strongly to the platypus. I’m sure we all remember the platypus as a bit of an anomaly. It’s a mammal, but it lays eggs? It’s like a beaver, but it’s also like a duck. Having characteristics of both, but belonging with neither. It’s probably hard for a platypus to find a place to fit in. As a matter of fact, I just did a search for what to call a group of platypus and got this response: there is no collective word for platypus. The platypus is a solitary animal which does not form social or family groups so there has been no need for such a word. Well, okay then.

For me, I think I would modify that to: does not form social or family groups easily.

I don’t open up to people very easily. It’s probably due, in large part, to the fact that I’ve moved around a lot in my life. When I last counted, it was around 30 times so far. Which doesn’t include summers with my dad in another state and any traveling I’ve had the good fortune to do. So, basically, I’m a nomad. Which means that often you are the new girl who doesn’t know anyone and doesn’t know “the ropes.”

So, it takes a bit to settle in and get adjusted. But, I’m weird. I have weird parents (don’t argue- you know you are.) Thanks to my nomadic existence, I’ve been exposed to a variety of people and places and views that most people I meet haven’t.  Oh, wait, I forgot: I’m not weird, I’m unique or different. Which makes me a bit guarded, I suppose.

And brings me back to the point. Which is that while I can mingle and get along great with all you ducks and beavers, I really am a platypus searching out other platypi. Luckily, I have found a few. ♥