I'm also hoping that my ears deceived me this evening when I thought I heard a frog croak a few times in my back yard. A frog wouldn't last long with all the feral cats I've got around here. It probably wouldn't be so good for the cat, either, if one of them ate the frog. Reptiles and amphibians don't agree with kitty digestive systems. I'm not sure a frog would have traveled this far from the water, anyway, the nearest stream being about four hundred feet east of here. But it sure sounded like a frog.
The frogs that are still in the stream are still croaking in the darkness. It is very dark tonight. The clouds are hanging around, rarely thinning enough to allow the light of one or two stars to pass for a moment or two. The trees to the north and west are invisible, though there is enough light from the valley towns reflecting off the clouds to the east and south that I can make out the silhouettes of the pines in that direction. There is one less pine to be silhouetted than there used to be, though, as another one was removed from the yard at the end of the block a couple of days ago. A broader view is gradually opening up in that direction. The view is nice, but I think I'd rather keep the remaining trees, thanks.
I bought a bottle of wine at the store today, but just realized that I haven't seen my corkscrew in ages. I went looking for it but can't find it. The wine will probably have to age another week before I can get a new corkscrew and open the bottle. I'm sure the wine will be fine. I, however, will spend a week being disappointed in myself. How could I forget that I don't know where my corkscrew is? One as stupid as I am only deserves wine in a box. I guess that's what I'll buy next time.
Sunday Verse
Ten Ways to Avoid Lending Your Wheelbarrow to Anybody
by Adrian Mitchell
1 PATRIOTIC
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
I didn't lay down my life in World War II
so that you could borrow my wheelbarrow.
2 SNOBBISH
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
Unfortunately Lord Goodman is using it.
3 OVERWEENING
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
It is too mighty a conveyance to be wielded
by any mortal save myself.
4 PIOUS
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
My wheelbarrow is reserved for religious ceremonies.
5 MELODRAMATIC
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
I would sooner be broken on its wheel
and buried in its barrow.
6 PATHETIC
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
I am dying of schizophrenia
and all you can talk about is wheelbarrows.
7 DEFENSIVE
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
Do you think I'm made of wheelbarrows?
8 SINISTER
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
It is full of blood.
9 LECHEROUS
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
Only if I can fuck your wife in it.
10 PHILOSOPHICAL
May I borrow your wheelbarrow?
What is a wheelbarrow?