Wildlife encounters for the week:

• Had to slam on my breaks to allow a decent sized lizard to cross the road. Apparently the signs warning of such things aren’t kidding.
• Found Chick-fil-a waffle fry-sized roach in kitchen sink first thing in the morning. Allowed husband to deal with it.
• Waited a good 45 seconds for 4 ducks to follow each other, single file, across the main road heading toward the grocery store.
• Saw a large flying something come down from upstairs into the living room. Husband was in shower and unable to assist. Proceeded to hide in closed bedroom. Did not hear from husband for 7+ minutes after he set out to investigate large flying something. Called out, fearing the worst. Husband replied that large flying something was dead and seemed to not want to explain further for fear of losing his wife to the next American Airlines flight to Miami. Lessons learned: 1) Giant roaches can fly and are even more terrifying than originally perceived. 2) Husband will understand if I need to return to Raleigh sooner than he does.
• Near simultaneous salamander scares. Entered master bathroom which, admittedly, is Sammy the Salamander’s territory. Frightened Sammy, who fell off the ceiling, landing directly in the trash can. Would have been hilarious, but I was too busy screaming due to previous scary encounters with cucarachas. Upon hearing my scream, husband ran upstairs to see what he needed to kill. Upon arrival, admitted that he too had just been startled by another Sammy the Salamander (yes, they are all named Sammy) who ran up the wall behind his desk as he sat down at his computer.
• Rocco is still a hilarious bulldog who does not seem to have mastered the art of breathing properly. He did, however, have a bath and looks years younger. During our most recent encounter with him, he claimed Eric as his own, as his owner Itzick is out of town and Eric has been known to scratch his rear for him (Rocco’s rear, not Eric’s).