Sunday, November 8, 2009

Toad Frogging

In my life, I've been fortunate enough to go 'toad frogging' with two wonderful girls.
The first time was in 1955....I was 7 years old and so was she. I was spending the weekend at my Grandma's house and a friend dropped by. She had her granddaughter with her.
Her name was Ginny.
Ginny and I squirmed and avoided eye contact until my Grandma told to go outside to play.
It was dark by then, but we took my Papa's good flashlight and hit the yard. Kid's could do that in the fifties... sadly, today it never could happen.
We walked around the yard and got comfortable with each other. There wasn't a lot do see or do at night, but there were a lot of toad frogs croaking. It had come a big rain that day and they were in a mating frenzy They were everywhere. Ginny and I got a large bucket and began to collect them, chasing them until Papa's flashlight went out. We eventually poured them out so they could resume their croaking.
Ginny was beautiful. Her family moved to Louisiana a year later, but not before I got my first kiss. By that time, I was in love as much as I knew how to be. I never saw her again.
My toad frog hunting was on hold for the next 45 years. I had built a goldfish pond in my back yard. After a big rain, my back yard would fill with toad frogs courting. The lay their eggs in water and their tadpoles thrive. Goldfish won't eat them.
By a stoke of luck, one of my grand daughters, age 7, and her family were visiting. The frogs were in full voice, calling out to each other.
My grand daughter and I decided to get a bucket and catch some. We got a flashlight and chased toad frogs untill we were tired. We had over 50, it was a great night. I released them the next day.
I hope somewhere that my Ginny from so many years ago gets a chance to go 'toad frogging' with her grandson and maybe she will remember that night in 1955 and get to relive that feeling too.
Thanks for reading.

1 comment:

  1. Another great read!!! But, after reading this, your wife may help you find Ginny......

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