History professor Juan Cole over at Informed Comment has written a short, but gripping piece on what America would look like if it were improving in the same way that Iraq is reported to be improving. It’s well worth the few minutes it takes to read it.

#1 Son walked out the front door last night on an errand. He was soon back, and calling, “Mom, mom… come here!” So I hurried over to see what was up.

And there on the side of the house was a little froggy visitor. He was poised under the light by the front door. I imagine it was probably a great place to catch bugs. Probably warmer than the rest of the garden, too. It’s been chilly at night.

I think it’s the little frog that’s been croaking in the butterfly bush all summer. I don’t mind. In the summer we always have frogs croaking and owls hooting up the mountain. Far from keeping me awake, instead I sleep well listening to the non-urban sounds I grew up with.

But I haven’t heard the little frog for a couple of weeks — not since the weather got cooler. I thought he was gone for the year. But there he was! Catching bugs by the front door. You go, frog!