22 Comments

It took me a while to catch on to the lizard's point of view. Traitors and court intrigue, I'm looking forward to the next installment. Geckos are the most common lizard here abouts. My dog dug up a desert turtle earlier this summer and brought it to me in her mouth. Didn't hurt it, but the dog wouldn't leave it alone. I tried relocating it to my neighbor's yard, but it returned to its nesting place among the Mexican Birds of Paradise bushes in my backyard. So I took it to a neighbor's yard down the block.

Expand full comment
author
Sep 16·edited Sep 16Author

Hi K.C. I should have suggested reading Part 1 first. That would probably help if readers hadn't read it. I'll have to think about another installment. Thanks for saying! Blue Belly lizards are local to us here in the Bay Area. Seems dogs, and cats, want to show us what they've been up to. What they fix on is entertaining - most of the time.

Expand full comment

I just read Part 1, very authentic royal voice and outlook. Well, you put the link there, didn't you? I should have clicked on it. You are correct about dogs and cats, that was what my dog was doing when it brought me the turtle; it was seeking praise. I have enjoyed reading about the Lizard King and will read additional installments if you write them.

Expand full comment

Whoa! Good luck in the battle zone!

The struggle is real, Ron. We have waved the white flag…they own us. My garden is now on my front porch.

Expand full comment
author

It is a battle for sure. They are relentless. I, too, have waved the white flag. "My garden is now on my front porch." - Pretty smart. BTW, re my gopher problem, Sharron B referred me to your Gopher Farm. : )

Expand full comment

Always fascinating James!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Jim!!

Expand full comment

Oh, that was awesome, James. Many battles and terrors, including The White (the most fearsome all I think) to handle and hold. No more veggies, only the precipice of war.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you very much Victor. I most appreciate it. "The White (the most fearsome all I think)" : )

Expand full comment

Oh, the drama in Lizard Land! I had no idea. I thought they just dozed on rocks in the sun and slept in the woodpile. As for gophers, you can go by The Gopher Farm in Santa Cruz and they will offer you a bounty to blow their nasty little heads off. It is the only sure solution. I like this plan: "The head(s) of the snake must be cut off. There cannot be peace in my Kingdom until the threat is removed. There is no other way." Gives me ideas...

Expand full comment
author

It is a War of the Worlds in our own backyards. I'll check out The Gopher Farm. Hope to hear your ideas in the near future!

Expand full comment

Here is the gopher farm. She is one of your subscribers

https://sharonhudson.substack.com/

Expand full comment
author

Ha! Well, I know of Sharon's Gopher Farm, but I thought you were talking about a real place down in S.C.?? Which was odd. I think "offer you a bounty" threw me off. Never heard of a gopher bounty before. Pretty funny. : )

Expand full comment

Sharon’s home in Porter Gulch is actually called Gopher Farm. Sometimes they put out a sign that says” Gopher Barbecue Saturday. You kill ‘em , we grill ‘em”. Sometimes there is a sign that says, “Gophers: Catch your own. $1 ea. We pay you.” You know, just to make their neighbors laugh.

Expand full comment
author

Porter Gulch rings a bell from somewhere long ago.

Expand full comment
Sep 14Liked by James Ron

Nicely done Ron. Intriguing narrative that drags you in by the scales. Hope you make it back from the night raid.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Bob! Yes, it is a dangerous mission. : )

Expand full comment

Dogs and ground squirrels. It’s God’s will.

Expand full comment
author

I think so!

Expand full comment

That gave "my scales a shake" too, James. As a fellow traveler from the lizard lattitudes, I enjoyed reading this tale of the quest for back yard territorial dominance. My money is on the cat.

Really enjoyed this, cowboy. Thanks for the smiles.

Expand full comment
author

Hi, Jim. Thank you very much. I know the iguanas are really a problem in some areas of Florida. Hope they aren't taking over in your area.

Expand full comment

We are co-existing for the moment. I send pictures of them to the grandchildren. They think they're cool.

Expand full comment