Granny buys waders

[Nancy]

Well, it's that time of year again when I have to muck out our pond. It's been neglected for a couple of years and it's really yucky. It never was a pristine pond, but rather a pond filled with frogs, tadpoles, and the like. But it is in a wooded area and has to be cleaned out regularly. The pond it up to my hip area at the deepest part, and my old leg type wading boots are shot.

So off I go to the local sport's store to get some new waders, the kind that need suspenders.

They really don't stock women's sizes in them, but up in the attic storage area they found some with men's smaller shoe sizes.

Only hitch was that I had to try them on to make sure they fit.

The try-on area is right in the middle of the store on a raised bench. So I put on the waders and they were made for a 6 foot tall man, I swear. I'm not that tall so the top of the things came under my armpits. It caused several of the good ole boys who were in the store buying fishing stuff to come walking by. They told me how attractive I looked , laughing.

Yes, it surely was a fashion statement. Got me my laugh for the day.

Now have to go wading in yucky frog (and who knows what else) heaven.

 

[Ross]

Hmm, well I suppose it should be done now and then. If it were me though, I'd leave the thing to nature and let it take it's natural course.

I can picture you getting stuck in the middle of the thing, unable to move and making the news.

 

[Nancy]

My biggest fear is slipping and having the waders fill up with water. There is a warning about that inside the waders. So it says to draw the belt tight. But I'll also wear suspenders.

The pond is very pretty, but not with a ton of decaying leaves. And we do have a ton of frogs. They are something to listen to in the spring during mating season. Our neighbor thought we had a flock of wild turkeys inside the fence. He's a hunter. So he was using his turkey call from across the street.

 

[EVELYN]

Nancy

I'm still laughing at the picture I have of you in your pond with these waders on......especially with all the frogs around you---they're probably laughing, too.

Wasn't it John Denver who said: "THANK GOD, I'M A COUNTRY GIRL!!!" I hope you play his music while you're cleaning.....I'm sure Joe is laughing, too.

Ev

 

[PJmomrunner]

This is one of those instances where a picture is required in order to be fully appreciated.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Nancy -

Be sure to have Joe or somebody standing by with a rope, life preserver... and CAMERA

'AL Capshaw'

 

[RandyL]

 

[Andrew'sMom]

Funny story, Nancy!! I hope your pond-cleaning adventure went well!

I have a small pond in the front of my house ... we have about half-dozen goldfish in it and the boys keep it well stocked with frogs all summer (I don't know how they keep finding more frogs!). The other day we were out front and saw a snake with half of a frog in its mouth -- YUCK! The frog was still alive ... the kids were all SCREAMING!! ... I got a stone and threw it at the snake. It startled him enough to unclench his jaw and the frog hopped away. Haven't been able to find the snake again though, but I think he is still around as we have seen ZERO frogs in our pond this week!

 

[Nancy]

I have heard that snakes like to hunt frogs. So far haven't seen any snakes. But our dog patrols the yard very well, and maybe scared the snakes away.

I hope I don't find any snakes. We have a very wooded area with lots of groundcover, so good hiding for a snake.

We do also have the neighborhood cats who like to go fishing in the pond. For some reason, our own cats don't care much for it.

 

[Nan]

Ribbit, gribbit, ribbet! Stay dry! Cute story.

 

[geebee]

I actually like the sound of frogs - somewhat comforting.

We neglected our Ohio in-ground pool when we were living in California. When we came back, it had years of muck, frogs, etc. I am actually suprised we hadn't been cited by the township. Anyway, it took days to clear things up and we thought we might have to drain the pool and start over. It became a challenge to clean it out without draining. We also used waders, long gloves (concerned about snakes also), leaf rakes, etc. Never want to go through that again so now we have a pool service for upkeep. We did make a few frog families relocate so, also our neighbors might have been happy (not that you could see the pool from other yeards), our frog neighbors were very sad. I even wrote a short story about the frog that lived in the skimmer.

Love to see some pictures.

 

[Mary]

It's unanimous Nancy; we all want a picture!

 

[Yaps]

Oh my I get visions lol..

 

[Ross]

I actually like the sound of frogs - somewhat comforting.

I do too. In fact, I like them so well that I have a cassette with nothing but frogs and toad calls. Very relaxing and comes in handy during winter when there are none to be heard.

 

[Wise]

You did paint a pretty funny picture, I have to say. Enjoyed the story.

So, how did it go?

 

[Nancy]

It's been either raining or way too hot to be wearing heavy rubber waders. So the frogs are enjoying their mucky home for a while yet. But then they love it that way. As soon as we have a break in the weather, I'll be out there, glub, glub, glub.

 

[Dennis S]

Caution

Caution

Hello Nancy, I just came across this humorus thread. I am very familiar with chest waders, having done a lot of duck hunting. They can be really dangerous if you happen to fall and they begin to fill with water. If you trip and fall and the water starts to come in the waders they become terribly heavy, it can be very difficult to get back up-especially if the bottom of the pond is soft & mucky. I had an experience as a young man falling in a swamp/pond that I probably wouldn't have survived at my present age. So, I would have someone capable & ready to help if I were you.