how to clean a turtle

Every now and then, a simple question turns an ordinary evening into something unforgettable.

It was a Friday night at a sports bar, just me, a couple of friends, and a plate of wings.

The conversation turned to cooking, one of my favorite topics.

Being Cajun, I’ve cooked a lot of “things.” So naturally, someone asked:

“What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever cooked?”

Without missing a beat, I rattled off a list.

Let’s just say it was far more colorful than theirs.

But then came the question that stopped everyone in their tracks:
“How do you clean a turtle?”

Now that’s a story.

Back to the Beginning

I learned how to clean a turtle when I was about ten years old.

Growing up, we had a camp in the Atchafalaya Basin, and every chance I got, I was in the woods.

No, I didn’t live in the swamp, but I knew how to live off the land.

Turtles were just part of that world.

And if you’ve ever picked one up, the first thing you notice is the shell. When you think about it, there are plenty of “cookable” things with shells—crabs, crawfish, shrimp, oysters… even armadillos.

So, at that dinner, I went all in.

Using chicken wings and a plate as props, I gave a full demonstration of how to clean a turtle.

Two friends, our waiter, and me.

Everyone was speechless.

I laid it on thick.

The story stuck.

Why It Matters?
Why am I sharing this today?

Because that dinner wasn’t just about turtle cleaning, it was about storytelling.

That moment created a memory that will live on in conversations, retold over future meals, and probably embellished along the way.

There’s a great book called Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath.

They explain what makes stories memorable.

The turtle story hits all the marks: it’s unexpected, vivid, and real.

Stories like this remind us of something important:

The best memories happen when we gather together.

Around a table.

Over a meal.

With laughter and conversation that last longer than the food.

The Takeaway

Life moves fast. Business weeks are long.

But the stories we share, the ones that make people stop, laugh, and lean in, those are what connect us.

So next time you’re at dinner with friends, share your own “turtle story.”

Create a moment that sticks.

Because at the end of the day, life isn’t about the hustle alone, it’s about the memories we make along the way.

Happy Friday, make this weekend memorable.