Blog Pox Allows Me To Talk About My Frog!

Suzanna has passed along some type of blogger virus to me, called “Eleven Facts About Me.” It seems less threatening than the pig flu virus and definitely more entertaining. I accept the affliction, which requires me to post eight random facts about myself here.

1) My only pet (aside from the many my family has) is a White’s Tree Frog named Herman. I got him while in college, and he could live at least another decade, making him a rather important household fixture. I adore frogs and toads, and I loved catching them when I was kid. The toads that live next to my mother’s pond once had hundreds, maybe thousands, of babies; they were the tiniest little things you’d ever see, all over the back yard. I wouldn’t let anyone walk anywhere near them for fear they would step on some of the pea-sized little guys. I have stopped my car to move frogs away from the road. Point is, I love the amphibious critters, which is why I think this story from last week is worth sharing:

A tiny frog that was sliced apart by a lawnmower has survived after extensive surgery in Australia.

Vet Stephen Cutter who admitted to having a 'soft spot for frogs,' saved the amphibian in a difficult 30-minute operation at the Ark Animal Hospital in the Northern Territory.

The female tree frog, which has been named Victoria after the Victa brand of lawnmowers, had the skin on her back cut off by the blades and had to be anesthetised then stitched up in the op…

'She has a very good chance of living a long and healthy life.'

2) There was a time when I was encouraged by an honors art instructor to study fashion illustration after high school. I considered it briefly. In fact, I wanted to be a fashion editor too. I realized both were not my destiny though, opting instead to study politics and pursue conservative causes. 

3) I think tomato sauce is really gross. I love tomatoes, just not in sauce. I’ll wash it off my pasta if I have to. It’s acceptable only on pizza, if it’s not chunky or excessive.

4) I have every Vogue magazine since 1998…every single one of them.

5) When I was in kindergarten, or maybe first grade, we were assigned to write down what we valued most and why and to draw a picture of it. I wrote, "Jesus, because He keeps me safe.” The teacher said they wouldn’t put it in the hallway with every one else’s assignments. They wanted a new one that didn’t include Jesus. I said no and told my mother. They put the Jesus one in the hall. This became a pattern for my life, though I didn’t need my mom to help for long. I became an activist at a very young age.

6) I admit that I recently developed into a complete Mac snob, and I’m not ashamed. Apple is superior.

7) I love snow, and I learned to snow ski when I was very little. My dad tied a rope around my waist and had me ski in front of him. 

8) I went to public school through 1^st grade, was homeschooled in 2^nd grade, went to a private Christian school for 3^rd through 10^th grade, and chose to go back to the huge public school for senior high.  I truly understand the differences between private and public school education.

I now pass along the blog pox to The Other McCain, because I’m sure he has some pretty random stuff to share. Let's see if he's willing to play. It seems most others have already been infected. Besides, I'm new. I don't know many bloggers well enough to sneeze on them like this.