Summer Big & Summer Small

During my inspection of the Fleet today I noted that some of the toadlets are much smaller than others.  If I didn't know better I would think there has been a little undetected hanky-panky going on in the pond.  I have no idea why they aren't all the same size or at least close... maybe my eyes are going fast in my old age and what I'm seeing are snails... naw, snails don't have little legs and tails and propel these guys around the pond like a bunch of black sperm in search of the prize.  I'm going to chalk it up to another of Mother Nature's tricks. 

I saw one Typhoon Class Submarine look'n guy with legs about 1/2 inch long and a head comparable to the size of my pinkie (if you have no idea what the size of my pinkie is then come on over and take a look).  The little ones are about half-pinkie size.  The typhoon class guys are in the majority and if your patient you can see a plethora of them in deeper parts of the pond.

It won't be long before we start finding little toads in the flower beds.  I love it when we see them as they are so cute and just miniature adults.  I hope I can get a few pictures of the babies after they start to come ashore from their submarine duty.  Here is a link to some of last years baby pictures.

With August just around the corner the algae is coming on strong.  We need that Woodhouse's Toad couple to come back for another romantic weekend so we will have more algae eaters trying to stay up with August Algae (a wicked green wench).

Teeny Tiny Toes

The toadpoles are growing almost as fast as the algae.  I was eye-balling the fleet today and thought I saw the beginnings of their hind legs.  It was difficult to tell as the water is getting murky and the toadlets are afraid of anything that moves.  I finally captured one in a mason jar and got an up-close and personal view of the appendage area.  Sure enough there are itsy-bitsy-teeny-weenie legs growing.  I mean to tell you these legs are really small but there is no doubt they are legs.

These toadlets were just new eggs on July 9, only 17 days ago.  With the growth of legs they also start changing in many other areas.  Their mouths will start to change from round to that wide grin that toads and frogs are known.  They will change their insides to be able to digest bugs and such versus only eating algae and detritus now.  Their lungs will develop and they will slowly loose their gills.  There are so many changes going on with these guys it's amazing.  Amazing about the changes and amazing about how fast they come about.

Love this mother nature stuff.

Whoohoo!

Growing Old in Toadlet Pond

We went on a heat retreat to Ourey, Colorado and enjoyed the sites and ambiance not to mention my granddaughters 10th birthday.  Upon our return I prepared for a trip to Denver.  I left for Denver then next day to check on #1 son.  I'm now home, safe and sound, securely entrenched in my well worn rut.  Comfortable it is.

Of course this has nothing to do with toads or the pond.  I'm work'n up to it... some of these things take a little time.

I was out this morning checking on the toadpoles and was briefly alarmed as there was nary a toad yet a fleet!  I soon discovered that in my absence these little guys have discovered that moving things are scary and toadlets should hide if movement is observed.  I had moved and they hid.  They hid good enough that I couldn't see them(amazing huh).  I was still for a short time and they came out of hiding and resumed their routine of eating algae and eating algae.

My oh my have they grown and in the past 5 or 6 days.  At least doubling in size.  That equates to being a half-inch long or a little more and growing a fat body with a small tail.  It's been 13 days since they were "born" or "deposited" or "purged" or "laid" from/by momma toad.  So much change in so little time.

Here is a picture:

Whoohoo!

They're Everywhere!

I can't believe how fast things are changing in the toadlet arena.  When I checked on the "fleet" this morning I find they have spread out to every pond.  That means dozens have taken the wild ride through the skimmer and pump to be spit out of the water pipe into the bio-falls.  While there are still about half stick'n close to their birth-rock the rest have ventured to all points of the compass.

Whoohoo!

Growing Fast

What a change we've see in just one day.  Some of the toadpoles have moved as far as the bridge to the west and Humpty Dumpty Falls to the east.  There are a few swimming in the middle of the bridge pond.  In the area where the eggs were laid much of the algae has been eaten and is cleaner than it was just yesterday.  Even with a thousand or more of these little algae eaters I doubt if we will run out of food for them.

Once again I offer pictures of the "fleet."  While it is very similar to yesterdays pictures these creatures are actually a day older than they were... so there.

This shows the toadlets more dispursed than they were one day ago.

The red rock is the same one in yesterdays post but the toadpoles have bigger heads.  Pictures by Becca.

There are a few tadpoles in this picture.  This is the area were the eggs were laid.  I thought it was a
pretty neat picture with the reflection so decided to share.

Whoohoo!

Toadpole 2010 Update

It was only a few days ago, Sunday to be specific, when we saw some tails sticking out of a few eggs.  They would swish back and forth and then rest.  From my perspective it appeared they were trying to get out of their egg.  On Monday we could see many individual tadpoles with more on the way.   Here it is Tuesday and ALL the eggs have hatched and there are hundreds if not a thousand of these little toadpoles hang'n around their birth-rock.  It seems to take them a couple of days to get going as they haven't strayed very far from home.  I assume they are still developing and figuring out how they are going to eat all that algae in the pond.  They can have it all as far as I'm concerned.

I took some pictures to give y'all a better idea of what is happening in a toadlets world.  Their length is approximately an eighth of an inch from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail.  In a few days they will have dispersed throughout the ponds.  If you go to last years posts about the toadlets you'll find that they survived going in the skimmer, through the pump and being spit out into the bio-falls.  They are tough little guys.

I wonder if we will have another batch this year... never satisfied I guess.

Whoohoo!!

Tons of Toad Eggs Just Appeared!

Whooooohoooooo... I'm going to be a Toad-Daddy again!!!

Today started out just like any other day.  I awoke too early but couldn't go back to sleep; I made coffee; I fed the birds.  Then, the first bump in my mundane daily routine on Red Tail Ridge.  Our silent resident toad was sitting on the patio by the steps that go into the house.  I stopped to talk with s/he but the toad had nothing to say so I went into the house.  Looking out the window I watched the toad hop along the patio and disappear under my wooden box that stores everything I hold dear except for what's in the garage.

When Ginger got home from the gym she went out to water and I was telling her there may be a toad under the wooden box.  A few minutes later Ginger told me the toad was not under the wooden box but in the "spa" with another toad on her back.  Then she added the fantastic news that there were "a ton of eggs" in the pond.  That was enough to almost make me choke on my peanut butter and dill pickle sandwich.

The whispering of sweet nothings, the special look, the raised eyebrow, the tempting smile and then the wink, was all it took and then, just then, the big geewhiz began.  Sometime between 8:00 AM this morning and noon the female's eggs were expelled, immediately fertilized by the male, to fall onto the rock as pictured below.  Oh the heat, the passion.  You don't think I should rate this post XXX do you?

Working on the assumption the male is a fertile guy... uno, no major accidents riding his bike when he was a kid or exposed to too much radiation when hang'n in the womb...  we will have toadlets, tadpoles or toadpoles.  By what name you refer to these creatures makes no difference.  Mother Nature at work just makes me excited.

So here are a few pictures:

Can you find the toads in this picture?  Not near as easy as looking for an insect on a daisy!  If you can't find them
let me know (via comment if you like) and I'll give you a hint.

As you can see, the male is much smaller than the female.  I just love the way he "hugs" her.  If I could only hear and understand what he's saying to her... bet it sounds a lot like Peppy LePew of Loony Tunes origin.

I'm wondering if the reason the toad was so silent was the male wasn't around and it was the female we kept seeing.  The females don't croak as it's the males job to be aggressively pursuing her and fending off other suitors.

 Just below the feet of the toads pictured above and in the next couple of photos you see the "ton" of eggs. 

Last year it took 5 or 6 days for the eggs to hatch into toadpoles... very small toadpoles.  I expect it to be about the same amount of time this year.  It's the temperature of the water that is the main item in determining gestation of the eggs.

All this is very exciting for me.  Probably making my fan yawn just reading all this drivel. 

More pictures of future toadlets.

Do you remember the difference between toad eggs and frog eggs?  If you don't know the difference you need to re-read this blog.  

This is your Toad-Daddy signing off!







Whoohoo!!!

Daisy! It's the 4th of July...

I believe it was the TV show "Duke's of Hazard" that had the Daisy that I couldn't stop goggling.  That show started back in 1979.  So let's do a little math... take 2010 and subtract 1979 from that you get... let's see now... damn can't even figure it out with my shoes off... OH! I think that would be 31 years ago.  An interesting fortuity is I would have been that same age... 31 that is. 

I was briefly tempted to post a picture of Ms. Daisy Mae Duke but must admit that fire has diminished somewhat and the picture, mental picture, doesn't do for me what it once did.  Maybe I should post a picture of the "Over the Hill Gang!"

So this 4th of July I present to you, my loyal fan, with this beauty of the day.  The daisy's pictured below were digitized just this morning.  I think they are glorious flowers that seem to worship the summer day.  A fitting flower for the 4th of July.

Can you find the insect in this picture?  Yea, it wasn't that hard was it?

Whoohoo!

Vegtable Toad

The silent toad was gone for 4 or 5 days but has returned.  This guy reminds me of a pickle.  He is green, bumpy and doesn't do much.  Have you ever seen a pickle do anything?  I sure haven't and that's exactly what this toad is doing... nothing. 

Unless his brother who lives at the Playboy Mansion comes by and gives his pickle look'n sibling a few pointers we can just forget any toadlets blessing the pond this season.

Maybe he's got a trick or two up his green sleeves (they should make a song titled that) to entice a green damsel to let him have his way with her but the enticement will have to be on a par of put'n a man on the moon.

Maybe I can order some toadlets on the internet...  now that's a thought.  Not a very good one, but a thought.

Whoohoo

Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow, Hypertufa-Wow-Wow

"Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" is a 1962 novelty nonsensical doo-wop song by The Rivingtons. If you don't know what doo-wap is then your probably very young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Right, sure, anything you say 'ol man. OK I admit 1962 was 48 years ago... To me that seems like just last week. I was about 14 and invincible, had my first job at $0.93/hr, ready to move up a grade in school. Life was sweet (I can't help myself but to say, if I only knew then what I know now).

So why bring up doo-wap and that dopey titled song? Because, grasshopper (another reference to times of pre-gray hair) I wanted to tell about my new hypertufa pot, not trough, and was trying to be a little entertaining. Can you say that again? I didn't quite hear you. I said, little is right... very little in the entertainment genre.

OK, I'll quit B.S.'n and just put up the pictures.

Note the face and the little guy seems to be wearing a hat.

From this angle you can see he also has rocks in his head.

I was trying to explain to my granddaughter that you can't always get things right the first time you try to make something.  Sometimes you have go keep trying and then you will get better and better each time you try.  She gave me the look!

My next hypertufa creation will be in color...  Stay tuned boys and girls.

Whoohoo!

Maybe He Is Confused...Mosquito Control Visit

Who may be confused you ask... I'm referring to the toad that moved in. 

He appeared to have the manner of the strong, silent type in that he could be seen, hard to scare and very quiet.  I was thinking that maybe he was a juvenile and too young to mate and too stupid to hide (probably never heard of blue herons).  Of course it's really hard to mate when there is only one of you.  God knows I've had my turn in that situation... but this isn't the forum for that story.  Anyway, this toad was silent. 

Then all of a sudden at dusk he started croaking and color me orange like the great pumpkin if he didn't croak all night.  Yea... that's more like it, I thought.  Call those sweet green darlings to your wet haven.  He croaked for 3 nights in a row, starting at dusk and only stopping when the horizon got light and then back to the silent treatment.

We haven't seen any potential mates or any other toads at all.  I guess on top of being the strong, silent type he is also a loner.  So while I was really thinking we would have a batch of toadlets this year it's not looking so good now.  There is still time!  I know there's a pony in here somewhere.  If you know any homeless toads... send 'em on over.

An interesting aside:  The Grand River Mosquito Control lady came to my door on Monday... actually it was my garage door as I was futzing in the garage.  She asked if I would allow her to check out my pond for mosquito's.  I told her if she could put up with my stories about having a pond she was welcome to come and look, sit, check, have coffee any 'ol time she wanted.  She passed on the coffee and having a seat but was stuck listening to me.  She did scoop some water into her official white cup-on-a-stick and inspected and detected.  I have been officially declared a mosquito free zone.

I'm here to tell you those damn skeeters might not be growing up in my pond but they sure are stopping buy for meals as my arms, legs and neck can attest.

So that's the latest from Red Tail Ridge...  Whoohoo

Beauty... In the Eye of the Beholder

They are beautiful to me.   Of course I'm a bit prejudice since it was my idea to add some color.  OK, a lot prejudice.

I'm referring to the diamond shaped  "windows" with the stained glass panes (before you say it, yes, if turned 45 degrees they would be square windows).

When the sun shines upon them from the front or rear they will be even more beautiful, as if that's possible.  I realize, of course, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I not only made these stunning works of art I am also the beholder of same. 

I'm not sure how I came about the idea of hanging some stained glass in the pergola.  I like the way it looks.

Whoohoo!

Half a Toad Couple

Yesterday we were visited by a Woodhouse's Toad (AKA Rocky Mountain Toad).   I was thinking the toads were not going to show up this year... Whew!  Now we have half a couple.  I haven't heard any evening serenade's but since I've only spotted a single toad maybe there isn't anyone to try and woo or a rival to bluster.  I'll try and be patient.

This toad showed up about a month later than the toads did last year.  The reason might possibly be the very cold winter, the colder than usual spring or both.  Whatever the reason at least now we have a hope we may have toadlets by July or August.

Aren't y'all excited?

Whoohoo...

Hypertufa

Have you ever heard of hypertufa (pronounced hyper-toofa)? If you have then your ahead of most folks however for those of you who answered no or yes I'm going to tell you a little about it.

First, hypertufa is intended as a manufactured substitute for natural tufa, which is a slowly precipitated limestone rock; being very porous, it is favorable for plant growth. Got that jewel of information from wikipedia.

Now the common definition: It's a planter!  A planter that folks make by combining ingredients, mixing them up, putting them in a mold and then, after it's dry and mature, planting stuff in the planter.

It's easy. It's fun. It's like playing in the mud. The planters will last many years.

Last week I conned my granddaughter into making her first hypertufa planter. Well, actually she only made about half but she is only nine so I cut her a little slack and mixed up the stuff for her. Her job was to get her gloves all messy and decorate the edge with rocks.

This planter to the left was one of the first we built.  Actually the first we built is under this planter and we're using them for legs.  They are a bit on the small side once you calculate the walls of the "legs" are about 2 inches thick thus leaving a hole for the plants to be about 4 inches.  Way too small for the likes of these desert dwellers.

We don't call our hypertufa pots, pots.  We call them troughs because they look more like troughs than pots to us.  Seems reasonable don't you think?

The picture on the right is another hypertufa trough that you will be surprised to hear is sitting in a pile of rocks.  Never would have thought that would ya?  We placed the trough in the rocks because we couldn't think of a better place to put it.

Below is our granddaughters creation.  It is in the curing stage and won't be mature for at least a month. 

So how do I build a hypertufa creation of my own the lady with the red hair asked.  I'm so glad you asked.

First gather the pieces and parts you'll need.  Those are:

• 1 part Portland cement, 1 1/2 parts peat moss, 1 1/2 parts vermiculite.
• A container like a 5 gallon bucket to mix up the mud.
• Water... but not too much or too little.  Not soup but more like cake dough if your into cakes or engine sludge if your a backyard mechanic.
• Something to actually mix up the mud... I use a 1/2 inch drill with a stirring attachment, if you don't have that then get a brawny guy and a wheel barrow.
• A mold.  This could be a cardboard box lined with plastic or a wood mold you make yourself with a release agent on the wood so the mixture doesn't stick to the wood.  In the picture we used 2 cardboard boxes, the larger for the mud and the smaller for the planter.

Put it all together by mixing the mud and pouring it into the mold.  We poured the bottom and then placed the inner cardboard box on top of that and then poured in the rest of the mud around that box.

You want the walls and bottom to be thick enough so they don't break when being moved.  Experimenting is good but common sense is the best I can suggest.  If you make something really big and heavy it will need to be thicker than if it's just a dainty little thing.

We then cover the whole thing in plastic so it won't dry too fast.  The one pictured has been in the mold since Wednesday and I expect to leave it in the mold probably until a week from Monday (tomorrow).  When I cover it with plastic I don't make it real tight but let it breath a little so it will eventually dry.  I was told that having it dry slowly will make it much stronger... I don't know if they knew what they were talking about but I certainly don't, so I'm passing it on.

Once it's out of the mold just leave it sit outside in the weather for a while.  The cement has lime in it and if you plant something before the lime is gone or cured or what ever happens to it your plants will protest by playing dead only they won't be playing.

There are a number of places on the internet with variations to the above directions.  There is a plethora of different things you can make as well as examples of very ornate and complicated masterpieces.  There are also different recipes for the mud.  Some folks are really creative so do take a look before you jump into your first project.  There are books on how to do all this too.  Heck, even our local nursery has classes on hypertufa projects.

You'll find that the finished product, be it a rough trough or a dazzling masterpiece, is a great planter.  With the peat moss and vermiculite in the mix it will hold water and also still breath.  One of our first attempts at making a pot had walls that were a bit thin so the hold water thing didn't work very well but it's still around doing duty as a leg.

Give it a try... if you want, call me and I'll come over and help you the first time around.

Whoohoo!

Frick and Frack

I've decided to name this spitter, shown first in March of this year, Frick and Frack.  Frick, on left facing, reminds me of Kermit the Frog with some of his famous quotes jumping into my mind like: "Time's fun when your having flies."  Frack, on the other hand, is more of a joker and definitely not a worrier. 

The term Frick and Frack has taken on more of a meaning than just the "rolls off your tongue nice" name for a couple of performers.  Let me express it like this:  If you have only one person who is a real sap, he could be called a Bozo.  If you have three fatheads they could be called the Three Stooges.  With two goofballs who are best friends they can affectionately be called Frick and Frack (as in "The Odd Couple").

Frick and Frack were actually performers on ice who were famous for funny tricks and just great entertainment.  Frack had some moves on the ice that most can't duplicate today 70 +/- years later.  You can see a short clip of their show by clicking here. 

Welcome to the pond ya goof balls! 

Have you noticed the rock is wet... hmmmm

Whoohoo!

"Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly.

Let me introduce the "Long-jawed Orb Weaver" spider.  This interesting spider made his home under the lid of the ponds skimmer.  They are NOT poisonous to man nor pet... but I wouldn't want to be an insect that blundered into it's nearly horizontal orb spun web.  This spider is not rare and found all over the northern hemisphere, however, I don't recall ever seeing one before.  They live near water and normally can be found on plants. 

This creature gets it's name because of their large chelicerae (fangs would be the technical term for chelicerae).  Some orb weavers have fangs longer than the front half of it's 2 part body (called a cephalothorax for you spider nerds).  They have 8 eyes and can walk on water.  They hatch from eggs and look like miniature adults.  As they grow they shed their skin.

They normally live for a season, hatching in the spring, mate at summers end, lay eggs and starting the whole process over in the spring.

The design on her back is interesting to me but I haven't found any information concerning which tattoo parlor was offering that piece of body art.

Since they eat mosquito's and other small insects they are automatically my friend.  So after taking the photograph I replaced the skimmer lid with Miss LJOW patiently tending her orb. 

The Spider and the Fly

    By: Mary Howitt

"Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,

"'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;

The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,

And I've a many curious things to show when you are there."

"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,

For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;

Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.

"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,

And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"

"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,

They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, " Dear friend what can I do,

To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you?

I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;

I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice?"

"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind Sir, that cannot be,

I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise,

How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!

I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,

If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you 're pleased to say,

And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,

For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:

So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,

And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,

"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;

Your robes are green and purple -- there's a crest upon your head;

Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,

Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;

With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,

Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue --

Thinking only of her crested head -- poor foolish thing! At last,

Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,

Within his little parlour -- but she ne'er came out again!

And now dear little children, who may this story read,

To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:

Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,

And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

We have a front yard too.

Things are a little slow right now.  I've been just sit'n around waiting for the Woodhouse's Toads to arrive.  In fact, I'm starting to think they may be visiting their cousin Vinnie back east in place of coming to our inviting digs.

I was looking out the window this morning only it was our front yard for a change.  I thought it was looking pretty nice so I took a couple of pictures.  It was a challenge to get these pictures without getting the yard across the street in the photo as they apparently are auditioning for Desperate Landscapes as seen on TV.

I'm sorry to report that a lot of our flowers have been beat severely by the wind.  We've had high winds since last week and these poor beauties are tired of blow'n back and forth.  Thankfully today is the first day in quite a while with only a breeze.  I suppose if everyday was beautiful then we wouldn't appreciate these days near as much.

The Raven

I've often wondered what the difference was between a raven and a crow.  I've found that crows are smaller than ravens by about 4 to 6 inches depending on the species your comparing.  I've seen either the raven or crow flying around with smaller birds chasing and diving at the large black bird.  I now believe this large black bird to be a raven because of what I saw.

While driving home yesterday I noticed a single, large black bird that I believe is a raven in the highway medium.  The bird was surrounded by 20 to 30 smaller black birds about the size of starlings or common black birds.  Maybe a better way to describe them are about a quarter the size of the raven.  I slowed my truck to see what was going on.  I saw the raven fly into the air immediately followed by the smaller birds.  Then I saw something fall from the ravens mouth.  Holy cow, it was one of those smaller birds.  It fell the 20 or so feet to the ground like a rock.  The raven dipped and flew down to where it landed, picked it up and took off again, all the while being harassed by the other birds.  The raven didn't seem to care.

I haven't witnessed this behavior in all my years.  Surprised?  I was.  Now that I've had time to think about it I suppose I shouldn't be that surprised.  Think about why the smaller birds dive and harass this large predator/scavenger?  Yep, he eats their family members.

Why do I think this bird was a raven and not a crow?  According to my bird book the raven eats small animals.  The same book does not say that about the crow. 

So I thought I would share this event with my 2 blog regulars.  Not necessarily a backyard event or frog related but still interesting.

Whoohoo

He Even Believes What He Says!

The preceding post criticized the weather man for wishfully saying there were no more freezes this season.  I'm here today to report that he also planted his pepper plants and a few herbs within days of his prediction.  Within minutes, if not seconds, of planting the freeze descended on Grand Junction and his fragile plants were iced, zapped, done-in, 86ed, and just flat dead.

I tried to tell him when he said it.  I yelled at the TV... he wasn't listening.

Last night on the news he was showing off a present he received from a viewer... a freeze barrier called, "Wall of Water."  Ha!  A bit late don't ya think?

The moral here, it seems to me, is never say something is not going to happen when you aren't in control.  Or is it never say never?  I just can't keep up with myself.

BTW... we are now past any chance of freeze until the fall.

Very Scarry

Just when you thought it was safe to go out and this happens.  Tonight I was listening to the designated liar, the weather man, telling us all the freezing weather was behind us now until late fall.

What is wrong with that man.  He has just cursed us to hard freezes until the 4th of July or later!  The next time he even thinks about saying something like that someone had best get to him quick and slap his mouth shut.  We have toad batches to process and flowers to grow.  Not to even mention our tomato's and peppers. 

We are all doomed as sure as if the sun quit shinning.  Woe is me.  Woe is me.

Today We're Froze

To think it was 80 degrees just 3 days ago.  Next day the wind blew.  Yesterday the snow fell.  Today it's freezing the bejesus out of our plants.  Let's recap; wind blew, snow fell, winter is back and it's cold...

With the prediction of a hard freeze we didn't just lay on the floor doing the kicking and screaming tantrum thing.  We drained the irrigation lines, we hauled in potted plants, we covered what we couldn't move inside.  We were even creative in the covering arena as Ginger used the trash cans to cover the large pots that are too heavy to move.  If this cold spell doesn't get over itself pretty fast I'll have to buy more trash cans so we'll have a place for trash.

I hope the plants aren't put off by the social impact on their impressionable minds by being plunged into darkness by a smelly trash can.  I can hear the plant whining now... "Mommy, Mommy, it's dark in here and it smells tooooo."  Mommy Nature replies, "Shut up plant or I'll cover you with snow and burn you with freezing cold!"  Meekly the plant replies, "OK Mommy, I'll be quiet... but it does smell a little." 

Plants, you just can't make 'em happy.  The Lord knows we try.  But bust your buns day in and day out and all the plants do is complain... it's too dark... it's smelly in this trash can... there are bugs eating parts of me... ow, you stepped on me... you expect me to grow in THAT?... I'm thirsty... it just goes on and on and on.  I don't know how much longer we can keep this up.

Just the other day I had to give annual a good talking to.  That plant will never grow up to be like his brother perennial.  I swear annual is the runt of the litter and probably will only live to be a year old or so... just doesn't have what it takes to be like his big brother perennial.  And who gives you all the grief and costs you the most money?  Yep, it's annual every time.  If I had a nickle for every time annual whined about something I'd be a rich man today.  You don't hear much from perennial... that plant is a role model for the whole garden.

So where was I?  Oh yea, it froze last night.  The official forecast low temperature was shoot'n for 27 which would beat the record of 28 for this date and that record was set in 1909 as in 99 years ago today.  How 'bout that plant fans.  The big freeze didn't happen.  As I've said before, we call the weather man the designated liar.  The actual and now official low was 31.  As is usual, it was a bit warmer at our place as we live on a hill so the cold doesn't settle around our ankles it just slides on down the hill into the depths of the valley.  Our low temperature at Red Tail Ridge was a balmy 34. 

We aren't put out by the "unevent" as a hard freeze this late in the spring will devastate the local cherry, peach, apricot and pineapple crops. 

Maybe it will get down to 27 tonight so the designated liar can feel redeemed.  Nah!

Whoohoo

Today it Snow's

I was really being facetious when I suggested it might snow.   Well silly me.

Waking this morning to the sight of snow was a big surprise... not so much that it snowed but because the weatherman on TV predicted snow!  WOW... right once in a row!

The snow wasn't sticking to the rocks but the poor flowers and some of the new trees were not happy about this super wet spring snow.  The forecast for tomorrow morning is brrrr cold 27.  I'll be blowing out the sprinklers once again.  At least the wind has stopped... yep, I knew there was a pony in here somewhere.

Whoohoo

Today Blows!

It's another windy day in the Grand Valley.  In the video below I tired to catch the wind blowing the water around.  It doesn't show how hard the wind is actually blowing but if you close your eyes and watch the video, listen to the silence and imagine a wind storm blowing through an oasis in the desert while a herd of water buffalo stampede across the dunes you might, just might, get a feel for how hard the wind is blowing.

The wind is a precursor to the spring storm headed in from the Pacific coast. By Friday morning the low is forecast to be 27 degrees as it brrrr cold. The plants are going to be unhappy. Maybe we'll get snow!

Howdy! I'm from Dry Rock, Colorado

I am proud to report the number of fans of the Frog-Blog has doubled... I now have 2.  Both confirmed by comments.  I may actually have a 3rd fan but that person may have fat fingered this web address so I'll have to wait to see if they come back.  A one time read hardly counts as a fan.

Regardless of the number of fans, if it's 3 a majority of them have encouraged me to move on and leave poor Alejandro F. to deal with his privates business privately (for those of you from Lafayette, Colorado that means at least 2 fans want to move on).  I have taken their suggestions to heart and we are moving forward to other things.

Before I move to other topics that may just turn out to be interesting as well as exciting, leaving you with baited breath (frogs and toads love that smell) I've just one thing to say:

To quote our hero Alejandro F., "Howdy, I'm from Dry Rock, Colorado!"  I guess the radical hosectomy worked...

Lip~Lips... The Sign of Spring

There is no better sign of spring than when the lip-lips practically leap from the ground.  It is amazing how fast these colorful beauties appear and before you know it they are gone.  As the short lived lip-lip petals peel out from their buds it's like a call to the wind gods to crank-it-up.  When I was a youngster there used to be a saying about "March winds and April showers."  Where I'm living now that saying should read "March winds and April winds blow harder."  Each year some lip-lips lose their petals to the steely wind... a wind that would be called a gale or even a hurricane on the ocean shore.  So far the petals have hung on with only minor damage.  Since their days are numbered I thought I would share just a few pictures of the spring show-offs I call lip-lips.

Whoohoo!

Pot Trellis Replanted and Beautiful

I love it when a plan comes together.  When I built the pot trellis, my first and only so far, it was a complete success.  I introduced the pot trellis last year (click here to see that post).

 

 

We have also planted flowers, ground cover and various vines in the ground under the pot trellis.  The vines we hope will eventually grow and cover some of the yellow trellis but for some reason we have black thumbs when it comes to growing vines.  The flowers and ground cover will be a haven for this years batch of toads when they transition from legless toadlets to miniature clones of their parents.

I'm excited just thinking about it.

Stay tuned for some pictures of the lip-lips that are just beautiful too.

I hope my my friend Over-the-hill-Teri got around to building her pot trellis so we can compare.

Whoohoo!

Radical Hosectomy!Will it be the last of the season?

The "ectomy" to end all "ectomies" could have been the headline for this post.  The problem with doing that is one would then run the very real risk of having to eat their words of boast.  I'll tell you I like boast as good as the next guy but think the boasts taste better with butter or jam than with crow.

With luck, because skill obviously isn't present, Alejandro F. will once again have a dry rock to perch on while soaking in the rays before it's time for him to jump into action and fill the pond.  The latest "HOSEectomy" didn't last very long.  The hose split just like on previous occasions plus I'm getting a lot of practice in this arena.

I decided to give up on the F.S.P.M. and attack the problem using all the logic I could muster.  After a great deal of deliberation, forethought, circumspection and reflection I decided the hose had to go.  I believe if we keep messing with Alejandro F.'s SMAGSOT it too will wind up in the same trash bin as his BSTOT.

To this end I took the trek to the Lowe's Hosectomy Supply Store to find a replacement hose.  They didn't have what I wanted to I headed to Home Depot and they had just the thing, a black vinyl 3/8 ID hose and it was cheap too.  I bought it.

I'm happy to report this morning I performed the "radical hosectomy."  A new 10 foot length of hose, that is much more flexible than the previous tubing, has been implanted and clamped in place.  I believe the operation was a success since Alejandro F. didn't croak.

Of course it will take a few days of observation to confirm there are no leaks.

NICE JOB Dr. Watson!

Whoohoo...

Poor Alejandro F., He Lost His BSTOT!

It pains me to tell this story.

Our hero of the hour has again bared all for his third time on the now infamous "ECTOMY" table.  As reported a few days ago, Alejandro F. was once again leaking allover his rock.  It wasn't pretty to watch but bear in mind it wasn't his fault.  He couldn't control the way the hose was connected to his little sticky outie thingie. 

While I'm sure it bothered me much more than it bothered Alejandro F. I once again approached him from the rear to inspect the connection between his male part fitting into the female hose.  It didn't require an in-depth study to spot the problem.  The female hose part had split.  The hose had a slit right down the side allowing water to escape via that very same slit.

Since previous attempts to repair this problem using the tried and true "hosectomy" procedure, it was obvious that was not appropriate in this case.  Either Alejandro F.'s thingie was too big or the hose was too small. It's always something.  As mentioned in the previous post I was planning either a Modified Hosectomy or the much more drastic procedure, a Transplant.

After returning from the local Lowe's Hosectomy Supply Store with various couplings, reducers, brass fittings and various sized tubes I set about what I hoped was going to be the final and lasting repair to the now tender connection between Alejandro F.'s black stickie outie thingie (BSTOT) and the wayward hose that liked to split whenever the pressure was on.

After performing what has become the routine "hosectomy" I attached the various pieces and parts described above.  I slipped the new 1/2 inch hose over Alejandro F.'s BSTOT and slide the hose clamp into position.  I tightened the clamp.  And folks, this is the part I hate... this really hurts, Alejandro F.'s black male stickie outie thingie, his BSTOT I'm tell'n you, broke off his body?  OMG!  What have I done?  Just when I had invented a neat acronym.  Damn, I hate it when that happens.

Shown is the "ectomied" remains of Alejandro F.'s
BSTOT and the hose with split.

After having time to reflect, I realized that in one turn of the screwdriver I had moved from a modified hosectomy to a transplant.  I prefer to call it a circumcision or peritomy.  Heck, I didn't even know Alejandro F. was Jewish. 

Once his BSTOT was removed I then had a real Archimedes EUREKA moment.  The small greenish colored stickie outie thingie (SMAGSOT) that the BSTOT was glued to was exactly the right size of the hose prior to attaching all the various and sundry brass parts with reducers and couplings.

I set about removing all those recently assembled parts to restore the original hose to it's virgin state, so to speak.  Then I slipped the hose onto the SMAGSOT and it was a perfect fit.  Snug but not too tight... just the way I like it.

So Frog Blog Fans, once again I'm confident that Alejandro F. is repaired permanently and so far has performed his duties twice without leaking all over his rock.  It just doesn't get any better than this as I can now return my $8.80 purchase to Lowe's Hosectomy Supply Store for a full refund... oh yea, Alejandro is happy too.

Whoohoo!

A Couple of Old Friends Dropped In

It was May of 2009, as I recollect, when Daddy Duck and Mama Mallard first stopped by for a visit (posted here).  Their last visit, until now, was later in 2009 when I was cleaning out the skimmer pond, bent over and shoveling muck.  Just about the time I stood up was when they were about 10 feet from landing in Joe's Pond.  My sudden appearance scared the bejesus out of 'em and we never saw them again until just this morning.

They inspected the Bridge Pond, Joe's Pond and the Skimmer Pond before returning to the bridge pond for a refreshing bath and splash.  They took a leisurely swim around and then it was time to move on.

It was nice to renew an old aquantience... they were looking fit and ready for make'n more ducklings. 

If you recall (you have to read the blog to recall) it was this Mallard couple that prompted me to solve the age old question:  What came first, the duck or the egg.

Checking out the Skimmer Pond

Daddy Duck in Joe's Pond

Mama Mallard on Joe's Falls washing her feet (Warm hands, cold
heart, dirty feet, no sweetheart) ;-)

Just When You Thought It Was Safe

I am sorry to report that Alejandro F. hasn't seen the last of his "ectomies."  That's right ladies and gentlemen, the boy is leak'n all over his rock again.  For sure it isn't his fault but, none-the-less, that rock be very wet before Alejandro F. has just more than started his pond filling duties.

While I haven't decided on a specific remedy, it seems obvious that the basic hosectomy hasn't "cut it," so to speak.  I'm seriously considering a rather radical procedure this next time around. 

Can you say "transplant" boys and girls?  I'm thinking it's going to have to be something different than the twice tried hosectomy and the transplant was the first to come to mind.  Second thing on my mind is a modified hosectomy.

First the Modified Hosectomy (M.H.P.) idea:  This would be a procedure where I would take what I call a transition hose with a 1/2 inch inside diameter, insert that onto Alejandro F.'s sticky outie thing and then use a reducer to bridge the 1/2 inch diameter hose down to a 3/8 friendly connection which just happens to be the size of the plastic tubing. 

Of course the only issue I can think of that might be a show stopper for this procedure is the availability of the reducer.  I'm sure they make a size increaser from 3/8 to 1/2 inch but don't know if I can find a reducer from 1/2 inch to 3/8 inch.  You can be assured I will leave no stone unturned in my search for the reducer.

Now the Transplant Procedure idea:  The transplant procedure will require me to remove Alejandro F.'s sticky outie thing and a.) alter it to accept a 3/8 inch plastic tube or b.) replace it with a similar thingie that will work.  Not an elegant solution but one does not always know what options they will have to deliver an acceptable outcome.

I'll have to refer to the FSPM once again to see if the "modified hosectomy" is covered.  I expect I'll have to search the internet for a FSTPM (Frog Spitter Transplant Procedure Manual) if the M.H.P. reducer isn't available.

I'm currently on light duty as a result of some minor surgery to my hand so it will probably be a few days before anything of note happens.

Of course you can read about it in this very Frog Blog... soon. 

Whoohoo!

Proctologist vs. Urologist

In reference to the recent posts concerning Alejandro F.'s hosectomy; I've been told the type of doctor that takes care of prostate problems is a Urologist and not a Proctologist although I doubt if either would actually take on the disgusting job chronicled in these aforementioned posts.  I do believe the constructive criticism was accurate. 

I did take the time to re-educate myself on the area's of expertise in these areas of medicine.  Written in the sacred dictionary is the following:

Proctology:  The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the colon, rectum, and anus.

Urology: The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the urinary tract and urogenital system.

I guess the reason I got confused was the time I went to a Proctologist he put a thing called a sigmoidoscope right up there where the sun don't shine.  Then when I was at the Urologist I guess he couldn't find his sigmoidoscope so he just used his finger.  I can't imagine why I would get confused about who does what!  Heck, it's not like I can see what they're doing back there (thank my lucky stars).

So PLEASE accept my humble apology for using the wrong doctor to perform Alejandro F.'s hosectomy.  It wasn't intentional. 

Click for the: Proctologist Song         

By the way, the hosectomy and re-attachment procedure was a complete success.  Not a drop of water to be seen so far with 3 observation sessions to date.  I love it when a plan comes together.

De-hosed and Re-hosed

I was thinking that maybe Alejandro F. might appreciate a nickname.  Of course I'm anxious for input from my blog reader but just in case I don't get any suggestions I'll put forth one for consideration.  How does "Hoser" sound?

When I was a young and careless school kid calling someone Hoser could be considered a compliment or a put-down depending on who was saying it and the context the term referred.  Use your imagination if the use of the name doesn't just jump up and bit you in the... face.

Today was the hosectomy for Alejandro F.'s (aka Hoser) Andy Warhol moment.  There isn't a lot to say about the procedure as it is pretty straight forward.  Reminds me of when I went to the Samari Weight Loss Clinic and they asked, "How much you want lose?"  I told them and "WHACK," just like that I had lost 25 pounds... of course I've walked with a limp ever since.  Anyway, I studied the FSPM (Frog Spitter Proctologist's Manual) throughly until the wee hours of Saturday night.  I certainly don't want to this procedure to be required again as that would certainly cast dark shadows on the capabilities of the Frog Spitter Proctologist.

So with the following disclaimer I'll just present the pictures that are worth much more than a mere one-thousand words.

Disclaimer: Don't look Gertrude!  Oops, too late.

Prepped for surgery our patient rests peacefully in the
supine position.

The delicate portion of the hosectomy (in progress).

The hosectomy is almost complete.  Just the "stub" needs

to be removed and then re-hosing will commence.

Completely de-hosed Alejandro lies exposed.  Not to worry
though, he is not feeling a thing.

Just prior to the final step of re-hosing.  Note Alejandro

is now in the prone position so the hose will not be

kinked when rotated 180 degrees. 

The hosectomy and re-hosing procedures have now been
completed.  Once the sealant dries no one will be able to

tell that Alejandro has ever had a hosectomy.

With the hosectomy and re-hosing complete I can now turn my attentions to Easter Sunday.  I have hidden confetti eggs around the backyard in hopes that some kid will stop by to check if the Easter Bunny (still working... bong, bong, bong) left any eggs in our yard.  Wouldn't want to spoil anyones bunny beliefs.

The real fun about hiding Easter eggs is when you get old like my mind you can never find all of them.  Everyday is an Easter egg hunt.  Then of course there are the times I do find them all but just couldn't remember how many I hid.  Everyday is an Easter egg hunt.

Whoohoo!