I had a day off when John and our grandsons went to Tennessee for a train club meeting. What does a retired person do with a day off? Nothing much, but I loved drifting idly through the day. I walked to the creek, read the newspaper, worked the crossword puzzle, did the monthly backup of the computer, busted some dust from the kitchen, read email, rearranged my desk, played the piano, and mixed up some cookie dough.
Because I was eating alone on the porch, I noticed movement in the new pond John installed. He and grandson Nathaniel are still in the process of building a waterfall for me, since we had to leave our big one behind in New York. I immediately thought of the first death the other day. John said he fished a dead animal out of the water. I hurried outside to see what might need a rescue. It was a frog, frog being a general term, since I’ve forgotten all I ever knew about amphibians. The little critter was swimming frantically at the edge, trying to get out. I scooped him up with the shovel lying there and dumped him on the ground. He seemed stunned to be on land again. A bit later he disappeared, hopefully to live happily ever after unless a spoiled princess kisses him. For the record, I wasn’t tempted.
My question is, do we need a ladder? We didn’t have a problem with animals getting in the raised pool at our former home. This one, set in the ground, is evidently tempting. If you have a solution for our dilemma, please let me know.
Mehrling Muse 
Perhaps you could have a large rock that sticks out of the water at one end just enough for the frogs and things to escape. The trouble is, if it works, you might not know because the frogs will have long since made use of the rock to escape before you’ve had a chance to notice them.
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Hmmm. Surely you are not hinting that we need a motion activated app tied to husband’s smartphone!!! No, you of all people wouldn’t suggest such a cruel thing. We’ll have to rig a rock for rescue.
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I think the latter idea is the best one. Incidentally, “rig a rock” sounds like either a great name for a very noisy band or possibly a Viking apocalypse tainted by bribery allegations.
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Who knows what great twist the story might have had if you had managed to kiss the frog? :p
More seriously, your description of this place seems like one in which you’re very much at one with nature… That can only be a good thing… Thanks for sharing as always.
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Truthfully, I would come nearer kissing a frog than touching a spider. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Any plant that falls over the edge would help. Also putting a submerged pot with a water plant. Building up stones will work too. Anything they can climb up. When I clean my pond which has a slippery rubber lining, I put the frogs on the side. They hop back in but without the water can’t get out until it’s refilled. The perimeter of our pond has a ring of submerged stones and they use that to climb out.
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Excellent! Thank you, Kate.
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You are the heroine in this story! Do take Kate Crimmins’ advice. I believe she is an expert on ponds (and coffee) too. 🙂
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Yes, we will take Kate’s advice. I’ve been following her and read about her expertise with ponds. I don’t think I’ve seen comments about coffee yet. That’s something to look forward to.
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