Frogs Are Cool!

  Frogs are cool!  Disagree?  Well, think about it for a minute.  We are in the midst of our hottest part of summer.  Each day, the temperatures rise to the high nineties or even hit triple digits here on the Bayou.  Most days it feels like it is hotter than a slab of salt pork sizzling in an iron skillet.  We sweat, change shirts a dozen times a day and try to find ways of beating the heat.  At times like this, there is nothing better than an ice cold glass of water from the well!  But, still, it is HOT!  That is where the frogs are a lot smarter than us!  They are cool!

  This afternoon, I had a bout of pity for the tomato plants in the garden. Even with the nigh on daily afternoon thunderstorms, the plants are withering.  The sad looking plants looked as if they needed a good dousing with the water hose.  As I sat about doing just that, I could hear a lot of splashing and croaking coming from the Frog Pond.  Time to investigate!  

  Even the water level in the pond was showing the effects of the heat and the water lilies were "burnt to a crisp" from the hot sun. Those frogs, however, were having a joyous time!  I do believe they were actually playing!  One would climb up on the hollow stump that sits in one corner of the pond and start to croak victoriously.  As soon as the others heard the cacophony, one would leap from the pond edge or from a lily pad into the water and swim to the stump.  That frog would start to climb up the side of the stump.  As soon as it would get to the top, the "King of the Hill" frog would leapfrog over the top of the newcomer and into the water.  The new guy then took the position on top of the stump. His croaking would immediately draw the attention of another frog and the game would progress.  It was a never ending game of leapfrog!

  While I stood there watching (water hose in hand), the frogs all enjoyed a shower.  They never even slowed their game as I sprayed the cooling water on them.  What fun!  Yep, frogs are cool!