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   The bug zapper hanging on the porch works wonderfully well. I must clean it daily as it gets filled with gnats, mosquitoes, and assorted other flying insects each night. When the electrodes get too full, the efficiency is decreased. Keeping it in top performing condition has made a noticeable difference in the number of bugs flying around to annoy us.

   One added benefit of the zapper is it serves as an automatic feeder for birds, tree frogs and toads. In the mornings when I go to the porch for my morning coffee, bluebirds and fox sparrows are hopping around enjoying the freshly zapped insects from the night before. Near dusk, a couple of tree frogs climb up the porch railing and snack on the insects as they drop. During the night, a fat old toad hops up under the zapper and happily feasts on the bugs raining down.

   The toad is slightly larger than my fist. I first discovered him when I saw Billie, the poodle, messing with something just around the corner from where I was sitting. It was dark so I could not immediately make out what he was after. He would poke with his paw and jump back when he got a reaction. I finally was able to get close enough to see what it was. It was not easy getting close as Billie was trying to keep me away by blocking me with his body. I am not sure if he was trying to protect me from the dangerous invader or was concerned, I might take it away. A couple of times, he put his mouth on it like he wanted to carry the toad away, but it must have tasted bad. He resorted to just poking it enough with his paw to make it hop. After a bit, I was finally able to convince the dog to quit harassing the toad and let him go back to eating bugs.

   As Billie and I sat watching the toad enjoy his meal, I started wondering where it lived. There are flower beds at the end of the porch, but they are a long way from the bug zapper. It was hard to imagine the fat toad hopping all the way from the flower bed, up the ramp, and the full length of the porch twice each day as he came and went. It was possible, but I thought it more likely he was spending time during daylight hours hiding somewhere on the porch.

   Yesterday morning, as is my usual routine, Billie and I went to the porch, me to have my coffee and Billie to do what dogs do first thing in the morning. My old shoes are right beside the door, handy in case I need to leave the porch for any reason. It was almost light out when I decided to slip on my old shoes and go get something out of my truck. I only glanced down at my shoes and slipped my right foot in, or almost in. As I pushed my foot in, something pushed back, squirming vigorously. It is quite a start to have a toad trying to fight his way out of a shoe at the end of your bare foot. Needless to say, I jumped back with a start. Billie saw my reaction and immediately jumped in to protect me. It took a bit to convince the dog I was in no danger. I carried my shoe and toad to the flower bed where I deposited him in the shade of the plants. I now know where the toad prefers to spend the daylight hours, and I will always check before slipping my foot into a shoe that has been outside all night.

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