Last night we had another "wildlife" encounter to round out the day with finding baby turtles. I had moved inside 2 tomato plants (huge ones) and 2 jasmine vines as severe weather was predicted. Since the prediction was for tornadoes, moving them inside would not have really helped, but I did it anyway. I will skip the part of the story when the tv and radios were saying tornado on ground 2 streets over - take immediate cover (scary, scary). Anyway, crossing the kitchen I saw a tiny green tree frog sitting on the floor. He must have come in on one of those plants and was apparently under the washing machine at some point as I heard noises there (maybe jumping up and hitting the bottom?) and Charlie was over there barking at something. With the concern about whether we should move to the storm shelter, I had ignored the noises and barking. Now there was the little fellow (gal?) sitting there, blinking. I put a clear plastic jug over him (her?) and then carried him (her?) out to the porch. Ran back in quickly as it was lightning and rumbling. He (she?) quickly hopped into the shadows - apparently glad to be outside even with a tornado threat This little creature seemed to ease the tension among the grownups as the grandchildren oohed and fussed over it before we put it out and gave us something to talk about besides where are the flashlights, everyone put on stout shoes, move the sleeping bags to the shelter, etc. Now we talked about the frog! Finally the threat disappeared (for today anyway).
