The Unexpected Thing That Came Out of the Blue (Yes, It Had Claws)

Out of the blue, our Sunday hike have turned into little adventures—and lately, we've been finding the most unusual things.

First, we saw a tiny “Bambi” while hiking a few weeks ago—hopeless and alone. That quiet morning walk quickly turned into a rescue mission. A few days later, we spotted a full-grown deer casually strolling across our front yard like he owned the place. But nothing could have prepared me for what we found next a "crab".

Yes, you read that right. A real, live "crab" in Lonsdale.

Morning walk....

It’s been over two weeks now since I started taking early morning walks, usually before the kids are even awake. It’s become a sacred little pocket of peace for me—just the birds singing and the soft wind brushing past. This past week, my husband joined me. He’s been so supportive, encouraging me to keep this new rhythm going. His presence has made these mornings even more special.

When I walk alone, I power walk—it’s quick and energizing. But with my husband, our pace slows, and I soak in the calm. It’s also been freezing cold these last couple of mornings, so I’ve pulled out my winter coat again—yes, in June! I bundle up so I can enjoy the moment without turning into an icicle.

We were walking, on the walkway to our elementary school, when I glanced at the ground—and there it was.

“Honey, it’s a crab!!” I shouted, shocked and excited.

“It’s alive! It’s moving!”

A real, live lobster in Lonsdale!!!

He calmly corrected me. “Honey, it’s a lobster, not a crab.”

And sure enough, it was. A tiny lobster, claws and all, right there on the walking path.  When he gently moved his foot closer, the lobster raised its claws, ready to protect itself. It was wild—a tiny creature standing its ground, completely out of place but full of spirit.

We decided not to disturb it. We gave him space and continued our walk, curious about what else might be growing in the fields around the neighborhood. On our way back, we looked for the little guy again—but he had vanished. Where did he come from? No clue. There’s no saltwater anywhere nearby—just fields, a quiet swamp, and neighborhood homes.

And then a thought crossed —this lobster moment wasn’t so different from running a business.

ready to protect

As a small business owner, especially in bookkeeping, I see it all the time—and live it myself. You think you’ve seen everything, and then bam, something unusual pops up right in the middle of your usual path. It might be an unexpected client, a client who suddenly needs last year’s books cleaned up, or a system glitch right before a big deadline. Sometimes, it’s even a pleasant surprise—like a client referral out of nowhere or finding you’re ahead on your quarterly goals.

Just like our lobster encounter, these business surprises can catch you off guard. They can challenge your instincts, test your patience, or make you pause and reassess. But they also remind you to stay alert, flexible, and curious. You don’t always need to have all the answers. Sometimes, like we did with our little lobster, you simply give it space, respect the unknown, and keep moving forward—wiser and a little more amazed.

That’s the beauty of both life and business: you never know what’s around the corner. And honestly? I kind of love it that way.

Now I can’t help but wonder: what will we find next?