February 29, 2008 by Barbara.

I went to bed last Friday night feeling a bit dizzy (dizzier than usual, my husband would say ;+) but not too worried. By Saturday morning, the labrynthitis that I’ve been experiencing off and on since Reid was small was back with a vengeance. Reid, Ken and I hunted for the medication I’d been prescribed the second time I’d had trouble. I knew it was in my green belly bag but the bag wasn’t where it was supposed to be. Not only could I not find my prescription medication but I had to deal with the guilt of losing track of medication with a child in the house.

Ken had spent some time trying to remember where he’d last seen the green bag while I searched through likely places. Ken got up, went downstairs for just a moment and then returned with my bag. He works smarter, not harder, my husband.

After the medication had time to take effect, I felt bit woozy but well enough to take Reid to Kindermusik. Ken had hurried through his morning ritual and was ready to step into the breach. It was good, in retrospect, that he had the time to work while we were away for Kindermusik and lunch and also through naptime because Sunday turned out to be a bit of a write-off. Normally, Ken is all ours on the weekend but he had a killer deadline on a work project.

The vertigo I was experiencing was even worse of Sunday. Ken bathed Reid and she didn’t cry when he washed her hair, she seems to save the tears for when I’m doing it although I don’t believe I’m rough when it’s my turn. Ken took Reid off to get her picture taken at Loblaws. She delivered some pretty smiles and also a silly grin with her tongue sticking out. I may have to send him with her again. (Just kidding, Ken.) I managed to watch Reid for an hour while Ken got some work done before he had to take her to a birthday party.

Not just any birthday party but one for a girl turning 4, who chose the local indoor wave pool. One where the parents should be in the pool with their kids but weren’t always. Party rooms are echo-y places, small children move so quickly that they seem to multiply and the excitement of the party makes them loud. I was sad to have missed it. No, really.

During the swimming portion of the party, Reid spent much of her time playing with L, her best friend from daycare, but also with other daycare friends. In fact, Ken was in charge of 1 or more extra little girls for most of the afternoon as some parents, who have different opinion on such things and I try to respect these difference, had just dropped their kids off at the party. If I ruled the world of kids’ parties, I would require that children under 6 wear lifejackets when they were in the pool area at a party without their parent and it would still be recommended if their parent were there. Even Ken was knocked off balance by a wave at one point, fortunately when Reid was wearing a life jacket and he had only her to watch. There are many life guards around the pool but it’s just not a chance worth taking. Not that I’m saying that I would let Reid have a swimming party until after she was 6…

Are you wondering what it would be like if I were Ken for the weekend? I’d be cleaning the house, doing the laundry (the very idea would make Reid laugh) and maybe fixing something around the house, in addition to his daily tasks of clearing up after meals, cleaning litterboxes, etc. Ken keeps us out of total chaos, despite Reid’s and my efforts to the contrary.

Have a great weekend. I’m hoping for one filled with health and no dizziness.

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February 29, 2008 by Barbara.

I heard an interview on CBC radio this morning with a fellow who was explaining that 20-50% of the species of frogs in the world are threatened and 120 species have become extinct in recent years. International conservation organizations are taking advantage of the leap in “leap year” to publicize the plight of the frogs and have declared 2008 to be the Year of the Frog. Frog are threatened by habitat destruction, air and water pollution - aren’t they lucky that they live in both environments and so are threatened by both - and an epidemic caused by a fungus. I have so many memories of listening for frogs when camping, looking for them in the ditches near home and wishing I had the courage to touch one. I never did. I still want to and, most of all, I want Reid to have the same experiences listening and searching for frogs. She is much braver than I. I am quite sure she wouldn’t hesitate to reach out and touch one. (I hope that human touching doesn’t exacerbate the trouble frogs are in already.)

The global conservation community has responded with an action plan, including the creation of the Amphibian Ark, “in which select species that would otherwise go extinct will be maintained in captivity until they can be secured in the wild. Without immediate captive management as a stopgap component of an integrated conservation effort, hundreds of species could become extinct.”

 The Amphibian Ark offers 10 reasons to become involved. Here are the 3 that meant the most to me:

• Amphibian species are becoming extinct at a pace faster that anything we have experienced.
• Amphibians are indicators of environmental health, important components of ecosystems.
• Amphibians are contributors to human health they provide vital biomedicines, including compounds that are being refined for analgesics and antibiotics.

Julie Séguin, director of conservation at the Granby Zoo near Montreal, offered another reason in an interview, “If you want one less mosquito at your summer picnic, frogs are important because their diet of insects is just one way they help humans.”

 A few of the other reasons offered by the Amphibian Ark are specific to zoos and aquariums because they are a target of the campaign, as well as the general public. Sometimes zoos and aquariums are criticized by people who are opposed to holding animals in captivity but the Amphibian Ark argues that amphibians are suitable for captive breeding programs and if every zoo in the world rescues one species, the goal can be achieved. That’s a powerful argument for supporting a zoo or aquarium with a visit this year, I think.

 Happy Leap Year, everyone! Visit the Amphibian Ark and make a donation or visit a zoo or aquarium this year.

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