Rob had taken an evening trip to Wenatchee (2 hours away) and I was home alone with the boys. I sat watching a movie in the basement when I heard a distinct rustling noise outside the window. Thinking it was the breeze stirring the dry, dead leaves, I didn't give it much thought and went on with my night.
Days pass....the noise continues. Each time I'm in the basement in the evening I hear this rustling. I'm baffled and maybe even a little bit scared. What could it be?
Most of the time I'm on my own. Rob's not home to be my hero. Besides, Rob thinks I'm crazy. He's never heard anything out of the ordinary. But I know there is something out there. I just know it.
Then the weather warms up and the windows are, more often than not, closed against the heat of the summers day. I forget all about the mysterious noises.
Then fall weather hits. The days and nights are pleasantly cool. We open up the windows to enjoy the crispness in the air and, once again, are plagued by "the noise".
Now Rob believes me. He hears it too. Something just HAS TO be out there.
I do several daytime investigations of the window well. Nothing but rocks and a few leaves. Nothing.
Then a few nights ago I had a "girls night" with some friends. We were watching a movie and the, now familiar, rustlings starts up again. "Did you hear that?" I say, and continue on to explain the mysterious situation. "What do you think it could be?"
We start brainstorming.
Cat? Maybe. A large spider? Probably not. Squirrel? Hmmmmm. Mouse? Most likely!
Sick! I HATE MICE.
Every time the noise sounds, both myself and another one of the ladies glance towards the window with trepidation. Okay, maybe I can't speak for her, and why she kept looking at the window, but I was completely disgusted by now. I mean, what if it chews it's way through the screen.
My friends go home. I tell Rob my theory and we talk about setting a traps, regardless of the lack of evidence (as in droppings) that it was, indeed, a mouse.
It just never happened.
I become increasingly unsettled about spending time in the basement , which really puts a damper on night time couch snuggling with El Jefe.
Something just had to be done. I was determined to take care of this problem.
So...last night, Roberto and I were just sitting down to a show when it starts. The dreaded leaf crunching.
"That's it," I declare, "I'm going out there."
After a few minutes of sleuthful strategizing (aka I stood really still against the fence waiting for the culprit to make another move) I gave up and crept closer. Leaning over, ever so slightly, to peer inside the window well, my eyes roam around until they settle on this......
"It's a FROG", I exclaimed loud enough for Rob to hear through the open window. Then I may have let out a gleeful giggle followed with a "It's SO CUTE".
My mind was VERY relieved to discover our little hopper friend instead of a mouse. VERY RELIEVED! I just love little froggies.
He seemed so intent on coming into visit with us. See how pleading his little buggy eyes are. "Please let me in. We could be good friends."
After solving the case, our night continued as planned. Plenty of snuggling.
Each time I heard the "noise of mystery", instead of feeling scared and worried, a smile came to my face.
I took this shot just before we headed to bed. Isn't he sweet?
We told the boys about him this morning. They were so excited. "Can we catch him and keep him in the house?" we heard (to which the answer was no). But I took them out to see him instead. Much to my sorrow, the results of this search proved to be the same as every other daytime investigation.
He was nowhere to be found.
Sad.
But we'll see/hear him again. Of that I am sure.
I wonder where our little nocturnal friend goes during the day?
