This week brought us torrential rains and local flooding. And while we were fortunate not to experience any damage to the homefront, the pond did flood a bit and so did the yard. When that happens, the frogs start to travel--not knowing that their world didn't just suddenly turn into a giant pond, but in fact, it is a temporary water world, which quickly disappears. It is then that I usually lose frogs--and I did--my big beautiful male bullfrog. Homeboy hopped away.
So, now I lay in bed at night, trying not to be sad over the fact that I no longer have a frog to sing to me anymore--I only hear Joe snoring and a wee bit of the waterfall splashing in between snorts. It breaks my heart to see the pond empty of that big guy--his dotty chest and smiley face greeting me each day. I even miss the giant plop and splash when I went out to get a closer look. And try as I might to get over it, it just makes me sad.
The reptile store guy once told me "They have wee brains and big legs--not a good combination"--and how right he was. While I provide a great little pad (literally) for the frogs, they don't realize that life elsewhere isn't as good. There is lots of hot, dry concrete here and some fast-moving cars in which to get squished by. Add in the hungry raccoons, opossum, and a giant pterodactyl and there isn't much hope for survival for a little frog in this big city.
Sure there is a creek 2 blocks in either direction and a backyard pond or two on the way there, but the odds of getting there is sort of the odds of beating "Frogger" on your PlayStation. And there are no extra lives to win in the interim. So, while I can be optimistic about his destination, reality dictates that he's more than likely a Flat Stanley somewhere. Which just makes me even more sad.
Sigh. Life goes on, I'm sure of it. Currently, there are 2 tadpoles working on some legs and one little frog who is totally enjoying being King of the Pond for now. The snails are munching away on algae and Mr. Cuddles and his gang of minnows are having a field day darting about chasing each other. Life continues and it certainly moves on with no regard to former friends.
It's supposed to rain again this week and Joe thinks there's a chance he's coming home--but I know better. I'm gonna wait on those tadpoles to make me smile again.
24 comments:
So sorry about your missing frog Lin! Perhaps one of your tadpoles is his offspring. ;)
I hope you don't get too much rain!
xo Catherine
Awwwwwwwww I hope he comes home.
I got Alex Dr Dolittle-I can't take 5 billion more viewings of Polar Express after the first 5 billion-now I know I can't watch it cos when he tosses the seal back into the sea....
I am so sorry your frog ran away. That is so sad. Hopefully he has found a happy home in one of the creeks. I refuse to accept any other result.
When I saw that title, I thought you were writing about a couple of girls I went to school with. Should have known better. Huh?
There is a lot of wisdom in that first paragraph Lin. And good advice.
I bet that froggy will come home eventually. Maybe he is off looking for a mate and will bring her home. Glad you have some new life in the meantime. Love hearing about all the little creatures.
You can learn a lot from frogs. :) "Stay in the boat, stay in the boat..." I hope he comes back. Why on earth would he ever leave such a paradise, anyway?!
Glad to hear Mr. Cuddles is still kicking!
Thanks for your encouragement about my old house. Everyone tells me that new houses are no better and, in some cases, worse. I am grateful for the house. It sure beats living in a tent. Or a pond. As nice as some ponds can be. ;)
And wouldn't it be funny if he does show up?
Why do you do this to me? Since graduation I relate everything to my son leaving home. You are going to send me to an institution, woman. He does have big legs--let's hope his brain is larger than a frog.
Catherine--Nope. We've never been successful with the eggs/tadpoles yet. But I hear that is a mess anyway. Oh well, new tadpoles, new frogs. There is a reason I buy a bunch each year, right?
Helene--Any time you've got animals in a movie or in life, they end up breaking your heart. I'm thinking he got too far from the pond and somebody got him. :( It's so sad.
Anne--See above. I wish I could say that they all go to the creeks, but that is a long shot. I'm just realistic so I buy a couple tadpoles each spring. It's the circle of life.
Chuck--Hee! Hee! I think we all know girls like that! :) I don't name them--never have. It's part of my disconnect--or my attempt at it anyway.
Marg--We get random frogs every now and then, so you never know who is going to pop in. That said, I think he probably got too far from the pond and somebody got him. There is no escape unless there is water. Poor guy.
Rebecca--That wet grass fools them into thinking they are close to the water when they are not. It's not a good thing. They get out in the yard and there is no escaping cats, raccoons, opossum or pterodactyl. It's the circle of life, unfortunately.
Grace--KILL THE FATTED CALF! Sigh. I'm thinking somebody ate him, Grace. That is what breaks my heart. Silly frogs--can't convince them to stay near the water.
Betty--Oh, I think your son is safe from raccoons, opossum and random pterodactyl, Betty. He's too big to eat anyway!
The pond of life. Sad but a fact. For some reason the goats think the grass tastes better in the neighbor's yard.
Animals!
I have dozens of frogs, all kinds with and without spots. You can stop by on your way back from your vacation to missouri. You are going to come to Missouri for your vacation aren't you"
were you thinking of giving that frog a kiss in that picture? You know they really don't turn in to a prince :)
Sorry your frog took off. Maybe Joe is right though
oh I am so sorry. loving anything brings with it risk of heartache. I do hope your tadpoles grow quickly to sing :)
Oh that is so sad about Mr. Frog. :(
You never know...he may come back, after his wee brain tells him he had it good at Lins Pond.
Pricilla--I think anything with freedom sprinkled on top equals good, right? I'm kinda like that too, I guess.
Ozark Mtn cats--I guess I'm going to Missouri now! :)
Ann--That was one huge bullfrog that we had years ago. We had to release him at a forest preserve pond to be with other frogs because he was eating so many birds. I still miss that frog. Isn't he big?? I may not get my frog back, but I'm sure I'll get others passing through.
Tracy--Only the males croak, so it is the rare occasion that we get a singer. :( I just wait for the little frogs to grow so I can hear that sweet sound. I'm gonna miss it!
Hot Rocks--They typically get squished or eaten when they get too far from the water, so it is unlikely he's coming back. But, sometimes we get other frogs passing through. I hope so!
So sad. I found a flat turtle on the shoulder today, about the same size as the one which was in my yard a few weeks ago... Too many flat turtles and missing frogs in the world.
Sharkey--No kidding. Does your heart just break a little when you see that? Mine does. Sorry about the turtle, pally. Such a little life that left a big void. Sigh.
Aw, poor guy. Sure hope he's okay!
I envy you your pond and the frogs that live there. Maybe your big frog is making someone else happy now.
Jennifer--Me too! I swear I heard him in the pond next door, but it may have just been Joe snoring. Or wishful thinking.
Marilynne--I just hope he is safe and happily croaking somewhere other than the Rainbow Bridge.
Sad news! But maybe one of those tadpoles will be male?
I read your blog and sometimes want a pond so much and other times Im glad I just read about them.... Im a bit a weenie for the circle of life
Nancy--I sure hope so. For some reason, male bullfrogs are hard to come by here. And then it takes them a year or two to start the singing.
Tracy--It is a heartbreaker sometimes, pally. I will admit to getting too attached.
I think he made it to another pond.. I'm sure of it. :)
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