Amphibiana - Goddess of the Frog. Or toad. Whatever.

*** continued from previous post ***

Mom is now wandering around the grounds, lost in a euphoric trance celebrating the natural splendor of thousands of tiny frogs. Or toads. Whatever. There is a twinkle in her eye. A faraway look that comes from deep concentration. I know that look, and it scares the Bee-Jeebus out of me. She's thinking that we need to find someplace to buy a couple of tons of bugs to feed these little darlings.

I must get her out of here. Time is short. I've lost her to the squirrels. I've become second banana to the birds. I'll be damned if these froggy-toads are going to replace me in her heart. I turn to talk to her and she's gone. She's all over the place. How can she move so fast? One minute she's down by the lake's edge. Next I see her over by a concrete curb that separates the parking area from the grass, squealing with delight. It's quite obvious. She's been possessed by Amphibiana - Goddess of the Frog. Or toad. Whatever.

"Aren't these the cutest things you've ever seen?"

I must admit, although not aloud, and not to her, that while not the cutest thing I've ever seen, they are certainly right up there on the scale of adorablility.

"They are amazing", I agree. But you know sweetie, it's getting late. We've got about 300 miles to go. Probably should be heading back on the road."

Thoroughly enchanted, Mom feigns deafness.

Another car comes into the rest area. Vegan folk-singer-latte-sipper girl makes a run to get the car to stop but too late - another hippity of toads has met it's fate. Don't look at me that way, a 'hippity of toads' is an actual term describing a grouping of toads. Or frogs. Whatever. It's like a 'herd of elephants', or a 'murder of crows', or a 'retch of Republicans'.

What . . . you doubt me? Look it up on Wikipedia.

Wait . . . give me a minute . . . . . . . . and done.

It's on Wikipedia now so you know it's real.


*** the journey continues tomorrow ***