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James Lord's avatar

The level of work undertaken here is hugely impressive. My fledgling efforts are small by comparison, but still rewarding. I work alone in the garden, unless I count the two lizards that sometimes startle me by zipping through leaves or items on the porch. I've dubbed them Ick and Yuck.

I recently spotted Yuck with a mouthful of beetle. The size of the beetle relative to Yuck, in terms of scale, was akin to me swallowing a whole turkey without chewing. Impressed, I said, "Yuck, we may have had our differences in the past, but it's undeniable that you're doing some good pest control work here, so you and Ick are welcome to stay. Yard only, though, Ok? If you come in the house, I'll make a belt out of you."

Yuck regarded me pensively, bobbed his head up and down a couple of times, which I took to be assent. So you see, I don't have to be compelled by One Health to live in harmony with surrounding creatures. I'm establishing eco-friendly, cooperative relationships on a local, decentralized, voluntary basis.

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D D's avatar

I resonate to talking to animals of all sizes and shapes, James. There is intelligence in the nature world, including some of the Devas and Fairies that have been relegated to fantasy. I have seen a few and I know they know me. It is part of respecting the Earth and all her glory.

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Dianne Stoess's avatar

Love your story and your way of telling it, James.

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LINDA's avatar

I can totally relate, I live in Kihei, Maui....hot and dry and thousands of lizards, some geckos but mostly lizards. I cannot walk in my yard without having to stop and give the right a way to a lizard. There are too many to name, but I stop and chat with them as our paths crossed.

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Don Reed's avatar

04/02/25: Those aren't lizards. They're Bidens.

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