Sunday 15 March 2009

Scary Moments in the Garden

After a week when I've been a little sore thanks to a minor op that I didn't blog about because I knew S might look at the post while she was away and worry. Then Grumpy was so unwell that he had to be carted off to the vet three times, eventually being kept in under observation, and only allowed home after various injections, so that he now resembles a particularly fluffy pin-cushion. Sas is now back from her ski trip (she had a ball) and so I feel I can post about my traumatic week.

Grumps and I are perfectly fine and so pleased to be back to normal (well, nearly) that we both joined R in the garden for several hours today. I can't believe it was so cold and icy so recently, and that I wasn't cold despite only wearing a vest top and cut off trousers today. Bliss.

I was cheerfully minding my own business, pulling leaves and weeds from one particular flowerbed, when something soft moved in my hand. Naturally, I dropped it instantly, and being the utter drip that I am, I screamed so loudly, I'm surprised you didn't hear me from where you live.

Poor R, no doubt thinking that I was being attacked or had done myself a dreadful damaged, raced around the house, eyes wide with horror, shouting, "What's the matter?"
"Frog," I breathed back, doing a sort of tribal dance, and pointing down at the ground.
"It can't be a frog," said Mastermind. "We don't get them over here. It must be a toad."
"TOAD then!"

He picked it up gently and took it over to the hedge near the field where there's a pond and they obviously must come from. "Poor little thing wouldn't have hurt you."
Yeah well, it certainly gave me a damn fright. Ewww.

Right, I'd better get on. Still have ironing to do and guess what else? Yup, more editing.

22 comments:

HelenMWalters said...

Glad to hear you and Grumpy are both on the mend. Sounds like you've had a bit of a trying time.

Jayne said...

Glad you're feeling better - and Grumpy too! Poor you with the toad - I must admit to a little giggle though!

Troy said...

I did hear you - made me quite jump. But then we are only about 120 miles away so that's no surprise is it?
I suspect you quite shocked the toad too.

Karen said...

I think I did hear you scream actually - gave me quite a turn! (I would have done the same ...)

Glad you and Grumpy are feeling better now :o)

DJ Kirkby said...

Glad you are both on the mend! Grumplestiltskin catcvhes frogs and brings them home! Eeeeeeekkkk! It was quite warm to day too. Glad S has an amazing time.

Chris Stovell said...

Hi Debs, I go away for five minutes and return to find that both you and Grumpy have been in the wars. Glad to read you are both feeling better.

Cait O'Connor said...

I would have screamed too!

Michelle said...

Hope you and Grumpy are feeling much better. It was glorious today! I actually quite like our amphibious friends although I would have jumped higher than it could if it sneaked up on me like that!
However if it had been a spider of those proportions you would have heard me in Jersey, screaming from Cornwall!!
Michelle
x

Pat Posner said...

Poor you and Grumpy! Glad you're both well on the mend now.
As for the toad, you probably scared him almost out of his skin. He could have been a prince; you should have kissed it!

Jenny Beattie said...

Debs, I heard you HERE, m'dear. When something lands in your hands and scares your heart into stopping, why are men so pedantic about about what breed, genus, species it is?

Melissa Amateis said...

I would have done the same little dance if I'd picked up a toad! Glad you're feeling better. :-)

Liane Spicer said...

A toad in the hand... deserves a good scream! Actually, when I read your post title I immediately thought: snake! Our gardening dramas always involve one or more of those.

Amanda said...

Glad you and Grumpy are feeling well now!

I remember my mum telling me that when she was young a frog jumped down her blouse - so watch out! Ha!

Flowerpot said...

Glad you're both recovering - look after yourselves! I quite like frogs but not too close!

Phillipa said...

Glad you and Grumpy are on the mend. P x

Lane Mathias said...

So that was what the dogs were barking at yesterday!:-)

Glad you and Grumps are both feeling better. x

Unknown said...

Poor you and Grumps. So glad to hear you're both on the mend.

Frogs, toads - yuk. I would still be screaming now.

claire p said...

Ah so that was what the noise was!
Poor you, poor Grumpy, poor toad! What a week.

Leigh Russell said...

So much to reply to. I have this real problem, that by the time I manage to find my way to this box for comments, I've forgotten what I came here to say. Does anyone else have that problem? Talk about senior moments! Glad to hear you've recovered from the unmentionable procedure - I've been off work myself for a few weeks but won't mention that either. Also fine now. As for the reaction-to-toad - how do you know we didn't hear you scream? Seriously, though, I'm so glad to hear that you and Grumpy are fine. Keep day dreaming!

Annieye said...

Poor Grumpy. It's awful when pets are ill isn't it. I'm glad you are both recovering, and I hope the toad was grateful!

Anonymous said...

Happy to both seem to be on the mend. I've got my op soon for ears...again!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Thanks so much for the good wishes. I'm certainly on the mend, Grumps has had his ups and downs, and the frog has made the most of R and made his escape from the garden.