As I described last week in two blog posts (here and here), I’ve been working on reducing the power of a toxic person in my life by reimagining them as a less powerful entity — transforming them in my imagination from a dragon to a little yappy dog.
Yesterday, I discovered that it also helped to think of this person as an “odd duck” — an image that I reinforced by taking pictures of the various ducks I encountered during the day.
Using this online definition of “odd duck” ….
Noun
odd duck (plural odd ducks)(idiomatic) An unusual person, especially an individual with an idiosyncratic personality or peculiar behavioral characteristics.
Synonyms
odd fish, strange bird, weirdo; see also Thesaurus:strange person
… do you see any evidence of odd ducks in my other photos from yesterday?
Sting (whose birthday it was yesterday) does not have a song titled “Odd Duck”, but Björk does.
I’m wondering how many odd comments I’ll get about this “Odd Duck” post.
Duck! Here comes an odd number of thank you’s to all who helped me create today’s odd-numbered blog post, including YOU!
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
what a great strategy. you can’t change them, but you can change how you see them and how they impact you. proactive instead of reactive.
Thank you, beth, for this perfectly ducky comment!
I like the poolscapes.
I like the ducks at the Public Gardens in Boston, Derrick, and I like your comments.
In cricket, being dismissed for 0 is termed “Getting out for a duck.”
The term “duck” originates from the “duck’s egg”. The egg has the shape of 0 and hence a nought is commonly called “duck”. … On July 17, 1866, when the Prince of Wales got out for a blob, a newspaper carried out a piece stating that “the prince had retired to the royal pavilion on a duck’s egg”.
It generates all sorts of images in my mind!
“Duck” or “Me duck” is also used as a term of endearment in many parts of the UK, thought to have originated from “duke”.
I think that all cricketers will have had the odd duck, me duck!
This comment is completely ducky, Peter.
duck·y
/ˈdəkē/
INFORMAL
noun BRITISH
darling; dear (used as a form of address).
“come and sit down, ducky”
adjective NORTH AMERICAN
charming; delightful.
“everything here is just ducky”
Oh how I love the make way for ducklings sculpture!!
Oh how I love when you comment, Lisa!
That title 🙂 And yay, especially to the ducks
Yay, especially to YOU.
I’m glad that the dog and duck calm your dragon, Ann!
I’m glad for your calming comments, Mark!
It must be tough to live in the skin/feathers of this odd duck, with all that judgement and criticism aimed at others and themselves. The harshest critics of us are often even harder on themselves. I like to remember its their issue, not mine. I am the catalyst. They have the problem.
Hugs to you for finding a way to make this work with humor and a light heart.
As always, Val, I appreciate your empathy. Hugs to YOU for making everything lighter.
Several people have called me an odd duck, which I always take as a compliment. I think I am a bit of a quackpot.
I think you are totally ducky, Chris, and you quack me up.
I think wee all odd ducks in our own ways, but doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re toxic. I love the pictures of the ducks in the water. Have a nice day, Ann
Thank you for this very nice comment!
I know a few “odd ducks” too… and I just have to remember that I “Thank God for Uniqueness” everyday… and those “odd ducks” are each unique. Life would be much less interesting without them I just need to let their sometimes ruffly remarks roll off my duck feathers! I’m sure I am “odd” to some folks, too.
I love your kind of oddness, Jan. Thanks for your wonderful uniqueness.
You need to remember not to take anything personal Ann. This isn’t about you, but only about that person, who feel so very terrible with him/herself.
Thank you for another memorable comment, my friend.
I love the Robert McCloskey ducks! I’m glad to see them. My husband has referred to “odd ducks” for a long time, and that tag often softens otherwise more irritating aspects of “irregular” people in our lives. I have remembered your suggestion to downsize the dragon to a little happy dog and that has already proven useful to me! 🙂
As always, your comments are lovely and useful, Debra!
Beautiful collection of images.
Thank you! I apologize for taking so many odd days to respond to your beautiful comment.