Egyptian Plagues and Exodus

When the ground appears to be moving, and I can't walk across the yard without massacring several tiny toads, two things occur to me. First, I wonder how long I can stay in the house before I absolutely have to go out, then I think about the plagues sent to Egypt to convince Pharaoh to release the Children of Israel.

According to Wikipedia, there were ten plagues. So far this year it feels like we have had about half of them.

The first, making the Nile river turn red with blood, we can skip. The resultant fish kill, however, is similar to a little incident that happened in Kelowna last week. End of the world predictors love that kind of thing.

The second,  hoards of frogs, well that's how this story started. So far we have only had to shoo a few out of the garage and the shop, and they seem to be moving towards some destination across highway 20, much to the consternation of people travelling down the highway when they come upon a 100 yard stretch of road covered with black gravel, that moves. Let's hope this plague is almost over for this year.

Lice, the third plague, we have avoided so far this year. And that is no mean feat, given how much time we spend with our animals, and how much time they spend outside.

Flies that cause harm to animals and people, the fourth plague, we have in droves. Tiny flies that torment the horses, horse flies that take chunks out of places like the middle of the back, mosquitoes that wait till dark to attack people and animals alike,  and deer flies that light and bite, leaving an itchy spot that drives you mad.  Yes, we have plague number four.

The fifth, livestock deaths, may not have happened in plague proportions, but the loss of two out of four horses in inexplicable circumstances, feels like a plague.

The sixth is boils, and you  can't appreciate how wonderful it is to not have boils unless you have had them. I have, but that was many years ago, and I really hope I will never have them again.

Hail (mixed with fire, just to make a point) is number seven. We have had some hail, but not enough to do damage. We are surrounded by fires, but  so far the hail/fire mix has missed us.

The locusts, number eight, will likely miss us too, although the flying grasshoppers have become really big and numerous during the drought. When one hits you in the face, you feel it. If they eat my garden I will be mad.

Number nine was three days of darkness. Does a week of smokey twilight count? If Yahweh had thought of that one he might not have needed number ten, the death of all first born children.

The Israelites had their Exodus - will the lonely potter have his? The Internet makes it possible to take a look at the other side of the fence,or several other fences, and when the grass on your side of the fence is looking dead and brown, it sure can be attractive over there. Thoughts of moving somewhere with a more pleasant climate, fewer biting flies, and more access to the finer things of life have been growing for the past while. Will these thoughts bear results? Stranger things have happened.

Where the toads came from? The pond at the bottom of our yard.