Duck, Duck, Alligator

Several years ago two ducks suddenly appeared in our backyard.  The mallards, one male, one female, seemed to think our swimming pool was their vacation home.  We thought they were cute, we tolerated the intrusion, and we even named them Frick and Frack.

Frick and Frack showed up just about every year.  One season, Frack, the female, built a nest and laid eggs, but none of the ducklings survived.  Some years the two flew into the yard often, other years we’d rarely see them.  But this year, Frick and Frack moved in.  Maybe they were sheltering-in-place in our yard?  Another male showed up.  So the squatters, Frick, Frack and Frank dominated the pool area.

This seemed innocent enough until our grandkids noticed an increasing amount of duck poop on the deck beside the pool.  Not cool! 

My wife, Lori began to casually shoo the ducks away whenever she saw them.  One time, as she was chasing one off, Lori saw Frick (or maybe it was Frank) poop right in the pool.  Definitely not cool!  

Operation “Duck-Be-Gone” was now under way!  Lori was more determined than ever to rid our lives from these mallard menaces.  So, she consulted an experienced swimming pool service technician for advice.

The pool man had three suggestions:

1.      There is a chemical one can put in a swimming pool that deters ducks.  It is actually called, “Duck Off.”  Our pool man reported that our pool chemicals are pretty well balanced, so he suggested we try something else.  Evidently our PH-level is fine and our POOP-level is low!

2.     Owls are natural predators of ducks, so the pool expert mentioned getting some metal owls with swivel heads to scare off the mallards.  We were not sure where to purchase a bobble-head owl, so Lori landed on the third tip:

3.      Find an inflatable alligator toy to put in the pool.  Ducks do not like prowler-infested waters.  

Lori secured a blow-up alligator.  It was the cheapest option, and even if it didn’t work, the kids can play on it.

 The alligator is in the pool.

No more ducks.

This whole duck-umentary deal reminds me of temptation and sin.  When temptation emerges, it seems pretty cute, and maybe even harmless.  But if we let it hang around, we may find ourselves stepping in to, well, poop.

 James put it this way:

But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:14-15 (NIV)

 We can tolerate sin, but that will leave a mess.  We need to be as determined as Lori to rid our lives of iniquity and evil. Maybe we need to consult a pool man, or pastor or counselor for tips.  But we can’t allow sin to hijack our lives. 

We need to obtain an alligator!

Unfortunately, this story is not over.  One of the male mallards showed up again yesterday.  Once the ducks learn that the floating thing is not a real threat, they can come back.

Battling ducks - and temptation is a life-long struggle.  I wonder how much that “Duck Off” stuff costs?