An Australian Bearded Dragon lives in our house named Jim.  He’s over a foot long and hangs out in a big tank in our living room.  While I never thought I could have warm feelings toward a reptile, here we are, I love him.

Jim has a heat lamp on during the day to help him get warm and toasty and perky.  When it turns off at 7:00 p.m. he starts to cool off and he crashes for the night.  When Jim crashes, he is dead-to-the-world.  He probably couldn’t wake up if he tried.

Jim’s a veggie most days, but sometimes we get him a treat of live crickets.  Then he gets to be Wild Jim chasing them around his tank filling his belly with tasty insects. 

The other night we were heading to bed at 10 and heard an insect sound.  It’s been about a month since Jim’s had crickets, but isn’t there one by himself, singing, while Jim is nose-in-the-dirt asleep in the corner.

This wily little cricket has been hiding out in the branch where Jim lounges, during the day.  Then he sneaks out at night and sings his little heart out.  He probably snacks on Jim’s lettuce and carrots too. 

Every night he’s been at it. He’s lived another day.  And he’s thrilled to bits. 

Boy doesn’t that put things in perspective?