tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post8274147251493315794..comments2024-03-12T14:02:09.820-04:00Comments on Riverdaze…: LUNCH TOADGrizz…………http://www.blogger.com/profile/04828454689578685330noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-35519621455900447092010-09-21T17:16:51.457-04:002010-09-21T17:16:51.457-04:00Rusty…
That's a wonderful memory and unique s...Rusty…<br /><br />That's a wonderful memory and unique story, and I thank you so much for sharing it here. I'd love to have witnessed such a near-magical thing myself. By the way, I've only been though them a few times, but I love the Laurentians—they are quite lovely and intriguing, and I keep hoping to get back there one of these days and actually spend some time rambling about the area.Grizz…………https://www.blogger.com/profile/04828454689578685330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-41780422562222875572010-09-21T11:03:46.210-04:002010-09-21T11:03:46.210-04:00The toad that loved oatmeal was at my grandparents...The toad that loved oatmeal was at my grandparents place, deep in the Laurentians. One day I watched this big toad hop up on the gallery and head right for the cats breakfast. I told my grandmother and she came out to watch this event - the cat was also sitting back watching his breakfast vanish. My grandmother told me she had been wondering why the cat was always asking for more oatmeal. From then on she put two dishes of oatmeal out. This toad returned for the next three summers- then vanished without a trace.Rustyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15016141887399309190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-88367270631041410592010-09-13T07:58:04.117-04:002010-09-13T07:58:04.117-04:00Tramp…
I expect the toad was a bit frustrated abo...Tramp…<br /><br />I expect the toad was a bit frustrated about not being able to explore—and possibly settle in—the great room…but doubtless happy about how quickly he caught a couple dozen tasty lunch bugs. <br /><br />Moon the dog is 12 years old, and like most seniors, would rather laze and snooze in the sun than get too actively involved in domestic dramas. <br /><br />And Myladylove…well, she spent several years living on an island in Alaska where both black and grizzly bears were a daily consideration, plus she's put up with me and my redneck ways for some time—so while toad feeding was new to her, I don't believe she ever felt incapable of handling the situation, if it came to that, by removing the invading toad, punishing the negligent husband, and soothing the disturbed dog. <br /><br />I love the "light lunch" line re. feeding toads fireflies and watching their bellies twinkle! And I plan on stealing and using it should I write about this small bit of old-time rural mischief again. <br /><br />Hope the back is improving…Grizz…………https://www.blogger.com/profile/04828454689578685330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-79865574325314407052010-09-13T03:47:53.913-04:002010-09-13T03:47:53.913-04:00Griz
Having heard what you have to say about what ...Griz<br />Having heard what you have to say about what happened I wonder how others in this tale view events. You give us enough information to guess that yourladylove, the toad and Moon the dog could provide us with different explanations... but you got there first!<br /><br />Does the consumption of fireflies constitute a light snack?<br /><br />...TrampTramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10367405984066895755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-67428689920745688742010-09-12T08:57:03.892-04:002010-09-12T08:57:03.892-04:00Bernie…
Well, in spite of that toad's desires...Bernie…<br /><br />Well, in spite of that toad's desires to move in, our house was no place for him. Under the deck, alongside the planting beds, any other place on this acre of riverbank property—yes…but not inside the house.<br /><br />Thank you for asking…and I'm happy to report that for whatever reason, our several days of working on the walk—digging, moving gravel, placing stones—did not leave me near-incapacitated with back pain. In fact, I had not a hint of soreness afterwards, though my hands were a bit swollen and stiff.Grizz…………https://www.blogger.com/profile/04828454689578685330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-80331540724069981462010-09-12T01:20:30.559-04:002010-09-12T01:20:30.559-04:00I enjoyed reading about your day Grizz.....and at ...I enjoyed reading about your day Grizz.....and at my house there would be a sign at the door saying "no toads allowed".<br />Hope your back is okay after your hard work, have a great weekend.<br />....:-) HugsBerniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03024565921761129108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-6536038739257638802010-09-11T21:48:37.549-04:002010-09-11T21:48:37.549-04:00Rusty…
Now that's the first time I ever heard...Rusty…<br /><br />Now that's the first time I ever heard of a toad eating oatmeal—though I imagine they will eat anything that suits their fancy. I wonder how your grandmother discovered this—or whether it could be something lots of folks knew about and practiced. Sp much of the old ways, old skills, old knowledge disappears with each passing generation…<br /><br />I don't think jet fuel—small amounts of not—can possibly be a do thing for local wildlife, particularly amphibians who absorb them directly. I do have lots of toads around here, though—and always enjoy seeing them as I putter about the yard. (Not going to enjoy it too much if my wife finds one in the living room, however.)Grizz…………https://www.blogger.com/profile/04828454689578685330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-36132972556846357952010-09-11T21:38:39.228-04:002010-09-11T21:38:39.228-04:00Great - now you do't need a flashlight, just l...Great - now you do't need a flashlight, just look for a glow-in-the-dark toad. Love the idea. I still remember my gradmother placing a second dish of oatmeal every morning - one plate for her cat, and one for the toad that came up on the gallery every morning.<br /><br />Sad to say I have not seen any toads or frogs in the area of the retreat for years. We used to have all sorts of them - but perhaps the proximity of a big airport has something to do with it. There always seems to be a very tiny amount of unburned jet fuel floating down. Though very small amounts over the years it can't be good.Rustyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15016141887399309190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-41063700876450242192010-09-11T21:36:19.446-04:002010-09-11T21:36:19.446-04:00George…
It is never too late to begin one's h...George…<br /><br />It is never too late to begin one's higher education. :-D<br /><br />(And if I've discerned anything of your nature and personality via these blogs and comments, it's that you'll enjoy the twinkling toad experiment as much as your grandson.)Grizz…………https://www.blogger.com/profile/04828454689578685330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-84258399261256651342010-09-11T16:59:09.354-04:002010-09-11T16:59:09.354-04:00I apologize, Grizz, for the factual mix-up. My ab...I apologize, Grizz, for the factual mix-up. My ability to get the facts straight was undoubtedly compromised by my laughter.<br /><br />I want to thank you, nonetheless, for filling what was apparently a very large gap in my cultural education. As I've said before, I come to your site to learn something new, as well as to laugh. The real beneficiary of the lesson, however, will be my grandson.Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03959953035812596907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-56131423333940035972010-09-11T15:33:51.544-04:002010-09-11T15:33:51.544-04:00Weaver…
I hope so, too—but I'll confess that ...Weaver…<br /><br />I hope so, too—but I'll confess that I'm not entirely certain. That first night, I even took a long look around by flashlight sometime in the wee hours, while my Mydaylove blissfully slept. That I didn't find a skulking toad was encouraging, but no proof…as it's the sort of negative that's near-impossible to prove.<br /><br />I suppose only time will tell…Grizz…………https://www.blogger.com/profile/04828454689578685330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-21848667100302115882010-09-11T15:26:56.121-04:002010-09-11T15:26:56.121-04:00George…
My friend, I can see that what I'm su...George…<br /><br />My friend, I can see that what I'm sure is a sterling formal education, lacks a few points along the practical—and possibly cultural—lines. <br /><br />But first I must correct one small erroneous detail evidenced in your comment. I did not gather a supply of small invertebrates which were subsequently fed to the lunch-seeking toad AFTER Myladylove's departure, but BEFORE; she watched and got a kick seeing the toad eagerly accept my proffered handouts.<br /><br />Now…while any seasoned raconteur will never be bound by the constriction of factual reporting, the practice of feeding fireflies to toads until they become twinkling nightlights is as old as the hills, and has been embraced by generations of country youngins in days of yore, before Twitter and Facebook and MTV and video games, before micro-chips and computers and TV! Huck and Tom would have know about this little amusement. I learned it from my father who learned it from his father who learned it from his father…and you could probably track it all the way through my direct antecedents of the Civil War soldiers, those who followed Boone down the Appalachians spine and died with his son, Israel at the Battle of Blue Licks, kin who fought in the Revolutionary War, and before that lived on a farm in Virginia near that of the Washingtons, with whose son, George (whom you've probably heard about) my great-grandfather-X-8, played…and no doubt the two fed fireflies to hungry toads.<br /><br />I can't speak for it efficacy with all species of toads, but on plain old American toads, Bufo americanus, their belly skin is thin and translucent enough that you you can indeed see the lightning bug's flashes.<br /><br />Your grandson will be delighted.Grizz…………https://www.blogger.com/profile/04828454689578685330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-6809632196887931182010-09-11T14:04:30.570-04:002010-09-11T14:04:30.570-04:00Seems to me that your Ladylove has got your measur...Seems to me that your Ladylove has got your measure Jim - do hope the toad had gone on his way. Lovely story, beautifully told.The Weaver of Grasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947971556343746883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3322683719539438825.post-61400633112860338162010-09-11T13:56:01.245-04:002010-09-11T13:56:01.245-04:00This was one funny post, Grizz! I have never seen...This was one funny post, Grizz! I have never seen a toad receive this much attention in my life. The fact that you foraged for the toad's lunch, following your ladylove's abrupt departure, shows that your generosity is matched only by your courage.<br /><br />I suspect that, like me, you would never sacrifice a perfectly good story by slavish adherence to the facts. Nonetheless, I am compelled to press you on one issue: Is it true that a toad's belly will light up after being fed fireflies? If this is a fact, I have great plans for my grandson, who has a pet toad and loves to catch fireflies on summer evenings.<br /><br />Sorry that you didn't have time to snare that small-mouthed bass, but heeding the call of a woman with a shovel is always a good idea, especially when there is a prospect that the woman will return to her house later only to discover that toad security has been breached once again as a result of the perceived — and I must stress "perceived' — negligence of her mate.Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03959953035812596907noreply@blogger.com