While visiting my daughter and her family in California this month, I joined them on a hike in a large park. Rivulets of water ran down some trails; waterfalls and bright green grass sparkled in the sun. It was a beautiful day. A ditch beside a gravel road brimmed with water from recent rains.
"Tadpoles," my daughter said. "There might be tadpoles." We stared into the water, but I thought it was too early, and this shallow ditch seemed too transient a place for frog eggs to develop into tadpoles. The dark leaves submerged underwater did remind me of the environment at the edge of the pond in Danvers where I had found tadpoles years ago.
Suddenly a ripple crossed the water. Something black had darted just below the surface. Then another, and another! That ditch was teaming with tadpoles! My four-year old grandson and I enjoyed watching them. I wished I had a pail to capture some, as we used to do in Danvers. What a fun springtime memory! I resolved to write my next column (for April) about watching tadpoles in Danvers.
[Note added later: I did write the column. Bringing tadpoles home was published online April 9, 2010.]
I enjoy writing about my memories of growing up in Danvers, Massachusetts. I began this weblog in 2007 in conjunction with the beginning of my series of monthly columns for the Danvers Herald. I have used the blog to post links to the published columns, and also to provide photos and supplementary information relevant to Danvers and my family. I invite comments from Danvers residents or others who have shared similar experiences.
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About Me
- Sandy
- I grew up in Danvers, attending Danvers Public Schools grades 1-10. I now live in western Massachusetts and enjoy writing. You can send me email via this form or add Comments to any of my posts.
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