The residents of Building 12 have new neighbors these days. Some can be seen hopping along on their merry ways while others, less fortunate, have been reduced to mere sidewalk squishes, dotting the concrete between the "lake" and our homes. This stagnant pond (i.e., the "lake") is their breeding ground and it turns out that most of the thousands of tadpoles did in fact live to become frogs. But at least their population explosion is in complete adherence to the By-Laws of Essex House which forbids the raising of livestock or reptiles. Cleverly, nothing was ever said about amphibians.

Now don't misunderstand; I'm not sure I'm complaining. These little guys are quite cute (about the size of a nickel) and in small numbers it's relatively amusing. Yet on those days when the weather is just right and the mood suits them, literally hundreds of these creatures invade our grounds. It's impossible not to step on some and I can't help but drift off to morbid thoughts of the 1972 Ray Milland thriller "Frogs" (which I have on videotape if anyone is interested in learning of our potential demise). Curious children and mad scientists are even starting to come to our sump to collect these abundant critters; one day soon we may have entire science classes taking field trips to Manchester Lakes or this becoming a stop on the Tourmobile route.

So if you're ever strolling the acreage over here and aren't overwhelmed by these little inhabitants, take an extra peek in the grass and you're sure to see at least a handful. And if it happens to be on one of those days when they're out in full force, please be careful where you step. The next one you trample might just be my Prince.

Copyright 1986, Donna Leiber