The Greenhouse Guardian

  If you are the least bit squeamish about lizards, never work in a greenhouse.  The critters love the place and are actually a grower's best friends.  Lizards keep the place pretty much insect-free and do no harm to the plants. I adore the lizards that dwell in my greenhouse.  Those, along with the family of wrens and numerous green tree frogs, keep the place interesting and also keep me from having to use any pesticides. Nice work!  My sweet sister, however, may never step foot inside my greenhouse as she has an aversion to lizards of any kind.  Let one make a mad leap onto her shoulder and I may just have a new doorway installed...the hard way.

  Today when I went out to give the plants a little drink, the feeling of someone (something) watching swept over me.  I stopped, sat down in the wicker chair and started searching the place for that one set of eyes that was glaring at me.  Sure enough, directly above my head, a green anole was lounging on one of the rafters.  The lizard watched my every move.  I guess it felt like I was some monster invading its domain and was a bit wary of letting itself be seen.   Satisfied that I had found my "watcher", I proceeded with my chores.  It was not long before the lizard moved down to get a sip of water dripping from one of the leaves of the lemongrass.

 With all of the critters moving into the greenhouse, I have to be careful where I step, sit or place things.  I have to be careful of watering the plants in case I douse baby wrens.  I have to be careful to not leave buckets, pots, or rooting jars in upright positions if they are empty. (Lizards get trapped inside and die of thirst.)  I just have to be careful that I keep the greenhouse a critter friendly spot as well as a plant friendly place.  The greenhouse guardian might frown at me from his rafter perch if I do not.