I vividly remember the first time I ever dug one of them up in the backyard as a little girl. I was completely mesmerized to find the sweetest, sleekest, most gentle little creature. A few years ago, I saw one in an aquarium at a nature preserve and I’ve prayed for one ever since.
So, I ran outside as fast as I could, grabbed a ladder and took on the adventure of claiming those salamanders as my very own. However, as soon as I looked down into this hole, I remembered one terribly, horrible thing. There are spiders down there.
I’m afraid the intensity to which I fear spiders exceeds the intensity to which I love salamanders. And this fear often turns into violent rampage-like behavior. My body goes into these convulsions, and I become a brutal tyrant while nothing is safe within smacking distance. (Just ask Brent.) So, I quickly ran to the door and called for Brent to come out and offer me some moral support. He so sweetly came. He’s such a good husband for me.
Much to my exhilaration, I found SEVEN salamanders! They were all wadded up into this big mass and I actually thought it was a snake at first. So, I yelled up to Brent, “I need you to ENCOURAGE me! I’m scared!!!” He stood there and laughed. And then he pretended like there was a spider about to get me. And then I yelled at him. And then I proceeded to gather up my salamanders and frogs, because I’m really weird like that.
I decided to kindly release the frogs into the wild.
However, I kept two salamanders. And I named them.
Hi Sally! Hi Mander! Hi Sally-Mander!
Mander has the coolest yellow spots. He enjoys cruising, snorkling and making google eyes at Sally.
Oh, and he likes eating centipedes and rolley-pollies.
This dude showed up as I was looking for bugs for my new found friends. Good thing he was too big for them to eat.
So, I asked Gideon which he liked better, frogs or salamanders?
He said frogs, and I asked him why?
To which he responded, “Because they eat like this!”
lol
:D
Love the pictures!
Josh will love your last post about marriage...I'll have to read it to him!
Hope you are all doing well. :)
Blessings,
Heather
Hello sweet Maggie!
I know this is an older post, but I just read it today and it made me think of a way I can bless you in return for the blessings I get when I read your blog. I hope your love for all things salamander is still strong!
:-)
I go to church with your adorable sister (gosh, we love that family like crazy!!), and I hear you will be coming for a visit soon. Looking forward to a chance to meet you and your beautiful family.
Linda
Hi there, dear Linda! Yes, I still very much love salamanders!!! And I'm pretty sure we'll go to your church on Sunday. So I hope we get to meet you! Or you can always come on over while we're at Ginny's. We'll get there on Friday night and leave probably on Monday night.
Thank you for your sweet thoughtfulness!