just for laughs

enjoy:


While adding recycling to my bin this AM, I found a beautiful brilliant green tree frog-- an extra large one with elegant yellow racing stripes-- clinging to the inside wall of the bin, just under the lid, facing upward. He'd gotten in, even with the lid closed tight. I gently lifted him from below, and he leaped safely out onto the camellias.

I know we're worried about a different sort of intruder these days in our neighborhood, but I
hope neighbors will please keep an eye out for these wonderful little insect-eaters-- I hate to
think of them getting buried in a recycling or garbage truck and getting "processed"--


The above note is true. In fact, I get several similar notes via e-mail each week on various silly subjects such as migrating birds, microchipping pets, and most recently burglaries and baby raccoons. Thank you neighborhood e-mail list. Oh, wait, I just got a typical response in my inbox. Here's what it's like when the neighborhood hens start clucking...

I have a gigantic toad that lives beneath the rock on my waterfall. He must be several years old by now and ugly as ugly comes! I have tried to make him welcome with his own home, but he prefers the one he chose on his own and that is good too! Snickers isn't interested in him one whit but even so he rarely makes a public appearance. We usually catch a glimpse of him when something has caused the pump to act up and Paul is sloshing around out there disturbing his peace!

ps we also have a great many Skinks or I think they are called Blue Racers? They are poisonous to cats or so I have heard...

And there you have it. These are the e-mails that have Lane and I in stitches and leave us utterly concerned as to why they are concerned about such things. A select few neighbors sit in front of their computer each day waiting to send out a mass e-mail on whatever strikes their fancy, seriously. And the looney ones are anxiously awaiting to respond. Albeit, the e-mails are 1 out of 50 times useful but then they turn sour. For example, when my beloved Fern bolted out my front door upon the arrival of my landlord who was meeting the painter at my house one morning. I got the call and drove frantically home to search for her. Meanwhile sweet Lane sends on an e-mail on behalf of me to the 'hood including a precious little picture of Fern trotting through the grass. I don't know what kind of responses I was expecting but to my surprise the few who responded tried to accuse me of not microchipping Fern {she is microchipped!} and then specifically gave us all a soapbox on the importance of microchipping...and then they compared my missing dog to a missing soccer ball. How rude!

Anyway, long story not-so-short these are my eccentric neighbors and you see where their priorities are...the welfare of animals. Which don't get me wrong I'm all for. But beware they are not fond of human beings. If they see an unfamiliar face perusing our neighborhood by any means of transportation they will most likely call the police and report you as a suspicious person. They are just that sweet. They are stationed in front of a window a la Gladys Cravets ready to report at a moment's notice.

And what I've shared is only the half of it...you should read the other hundred of e-mails I get weekly. As Mr. Rogers would say, Won't you be my neighbor?