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Missing a Blue-Tongued FriendThe Circle of (Garden) Life Missing a Blue-Tongued Friend
(5 days later)
Australia Diary collects reader stories reflecting Australia’s unique character. We’d love to hear your story too. Email nytaustralia@nytimes.com and click here for more information.Australia Diary collects reader stories reflecting Australia’s unique character. We’d love to hear your story too. Email nytaustralia@nytimes.com and click here for more information.
AdelaideAdelaide
By Natalie ParlettaBy Natalie Parletta
The garden is my husband’s refuge.The garden is my husband’s refuge.
When he’s not at work there are few things he enjoys more than planting seeds and nurturing them into edible beans, tomatoes, corn, spinach, eggplant; sweat dripping, hands immersed in rich Adelaide foothills soil, left in peace.When he’s not at work there are few things he enjoys more than planting seeds and nurturing them into edible beans, tomatoes, corn, spinach, eggplant; sweat dripping, hands immersed in rich Adelaide foothills soil, left in peace.
So I was surprised when one evening, a couple of months ago, he left the garden to eat dinner and snapped at me for no apparent reason. “You’re irritable,” I said.So I was surprised when one evening, a couple of months ago, he left the garden to eat dinner and snapped at me for no apparent reason. “You’re irritable,” I said.
“You want to know why?” he retorted. “My lizard died.”“You want to know why?” he retorted. “My lizard died.”
Blue tongue lizards are one of Australia’s favorite backyard buddies, and it turns out my husband had quietly enjoyed the companionship of one who called our garden home.Blue tongue lizards are one of Australia’s favorite backyard buddies, and it turns out my husband had quietly enjoyed the companionship of one who called our garden home.
But then today my puppy was inquisitively checking something out by our back door. She had stopped in her tracks.But then today my puppy was inquisitively checking something out by our back door. She had stopped in her tracks.
I walked over, and there it was — another lizard basking in the sun, lazily flicking her bright blue tongue.I walked over, and there it was — another lizard basking in the sun, lazily flicking her bright blue tongue.
She was pregnant.She was pregnant.
Want more Australia Diary? Join us for tales of nude beaches, music and road trips, curious lifeguards, death, and kindness, plus, poetry and #metoo on the work site.Want more Australia Diary? Join us for tales of nude beaches, music and road trips, curious lifeguards, death, and kindness, plus, poetry and #metoo on the work site.
And don’t forget: Send us your story of Australian life, whether it’s an anecdote, or unforgettable video, illustration, poem, or photo. Here’s our Australia Diary collection for guidance and inspiration.And don’t forget: Send us your story of Australian life, whether it’s an anecdote, or unforgettable video, illustration, poem, or photo. Here’s our Australia Diary collection for guidance and inspiration.