A few nights ago, my husband and I sat on the porch enjoying the cool breeze. As we talked, the thought registered in my head that the welding shop behind us was working late, because I saw the flash of a spark. Then my husband murmured, “Firefly.”
A firefly! Yes, it was and it was in our yard! All alone, he flitted back and forth flashing his light. I was so amazed that I went to the edge of the porch to watch him flicker on and off around my yard. Then, he was gone.
Do y’all have fireflies? I didn’t think we did! I haven’t seen a firefly since my children were young, and that’s been about twenty-five years. But, I remember the awe they inspired when I was a child.
At the end of the street where we lived in Grapevine, Texas there was a “huge jungle.” That’s how I picture it in my mind, but you may have experienced seeing some place from your youth and realizing it wasn’t as grand as your memories. This area was probably half the size of a normal home’s lot. It was lush with trees and undergrowth. Vines twined through the trees making it look like Tarzan’s jungle. The carpet of fallen leaves was thick beneath the trees. Even on the hottest summer day, it seemed cool in our little hideaway.
All of the kids went there to play. In the middle of our jungle was a “crawdad hole.” It was a tiny, muddy pond (not much bigger than a large hot tub) formed around a natural spring that seeped to the surface there. Crawdaddies thrived in the mud at the edge of the water. We often came there with bits of bacon on a string to entice them out of their holes. Yes, that was our favorite place to play on a summer day.
At night, our jungle was transformed into an enchanted forest! Thousand of fireflies glimmered in the trees making them look as if they were decorated with tiny twinkling Christmas lights. Have you ever stood in the darkness with thousands of fireflies twinkling all around you? It feels like standing in a magical fairyland.
This isn’t our crawdad hole; it’s a picture from Wikimedia Commons of fireflies in a forest in Germany. If you have never seen fireflies, this only gives you a bit of the feel of our “jungle.” I want you to see it in your head.
Each night in the summer, that enchanted forest beckoned us. We slipped through the screen doors into the night while our parents played cards at the kitchen tables. Armed with canning jars, with holes poked in the lids, we went to the crawdad hole to capture jars full of fireflies and marvel as they winked at us. When their lights began to fade, we set them free to be captured on another magical night. Do y’all remember doing that?
The fireflies are gone now; at least they are around town. They are victims of the poison that we spray for mosquitoes. But, I had one lonely firefly blinking on and off in my back yard, calling for his kind. The next night there were two! Maybe before summers end, he will find many of his kind.
Thinking about my firefly, I couldn’t help but remember the first few weeks when I began this blog. Y’all know exactly what I mean. I just kept writing, blinking my lights and calling for “my kind.” All bloggers are like that firefly, we just have to keep on blinking, and “our kind” will come around.
Fortunately, I’ve found you! I’m so glad you are here. Later today, if my stats don’t drop, I will celebrate my 20,000th unique visitor since April 2nd (with more than 226,000 “hits,” whatever that means). Thank you all for visiting. You give me the inspiration to keep blinking.
MY 20,000th visitor was ArkieMama! No prizes, but BIG THANKS!
Some bloggers don’t have any trouble finding “their kind!” Their light is so bright that readers are drawn to them like moths to a flame (how’s that for an incongruous segue?). Jessica the Rock Chick is one of those bloggers. She’s witty, funny, intelligent, and just tons of fun. She belongs on the A-list! But, Technorati is messing with her “authority” and her rank!
Technorati makes my blood boil. And, I want the Rock Chick on the A-list (because there are perks from having “famous” friends—like maybe if I go to Chicago I can sleep on her couch!). I’ve got a little raffle going on to see if I can get you to link to her and help take her to the top. It’s called the
Go read about it at my Thursday Thirteen and enter! It’s your chance to mess with Technorati! You know that Technorati messes with you!
Here are some of the people who have have linked or commented(as of last night). If there is a number, that’s how many raffle tickets they have. Those without numbers were those who commented (and since I know they will want to link to her, I’m being generous and giving them a link). All of these people will be on my blogroll and in my Technorati Favorites, and Jessica will add them, too. A BIG thanks to you all for playing along!:
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Good morning!
Am out and about checking blogs before doing some housework, uck…I just wrote a post and included a mention of The Rock Chick..Kind of a tongue in cheek post for me.
In June we had a week of lots of fireflies, it was so cool to see so many. Just like you, it brought back memories of being a kid again. Have a great day, good luck with the squares.
I really miss seeing all the fireflies, but you know, kids wouldn’t be able to go out and wander alone in “enchanted forests” the way we did. If you get through with your housework, you can come do mine! I loved your post, by the way! Too funny!~skt
What a lovely post, I haven’t thought of fireflies for years. We don’t have any where I live, not because they’ve been poisoned, just because they aren’t here. As a child I lived in NJ for three years. I recall the wonder of catching a firefly and holding it in my hands as it would blink its magical light. You’re right, it is like being in an enchanted forest.
Now about this party… four times a year I hold a sale. I send out post cards and emails. I tell everyone who comes into my shop and then the night before I start to worry that no one will come. In 12 years, that has never happened. They come, we have fun and I make a few bucks. I guess what I’m saying is… relax.
Strange that those little insects hold such magic. About that party…if it doesn’t come off as planned, everybody is going to have to hold my hands!~skt
*Squee* You’re awesome…thanks! Man, I want that birdie! I’ve even named her
she’s Miss Heather No-Feather a rare and beautiful creature.
I have no earthly clue why you want that thang, but if it’s your heart’s desire I’ll try to help you get it. If you don’t win, I’ll go to Wal Mart and buy a badminton set, get a hot glue gun and go to work.:lol:~skt
There were hundreds of fireflies at my grandmother’s. They captivated all of us — me, my sisters, my cousins — even when we were teenagers.
I remember summer visits there, running barefoot through the yard, chasing those little insects, grabbing at them just as their lights went out …
We saw some a few months ago, at a friend’s house. Watching my daughter chase them was one of the most precious moments I’ve witnessed.
Watching the wonder on a child’s face as they chase fireflies is definitely a Kodak moment. When I was little, I got so upset if I accidentally hurt one. They aren’t so pretty in the daylight, but oh I love the lights.~skt
I’m such a dork. I read right over my own name, never noticing that I am No. 20,000 until Shelly notified me by email.
(Two seconds ago, the above sentence referred to “No. 200,000.” So I’m not only blind, but also a poor typist. But hey, way to up the stats, eh?!)
Anyway — can you believe my totally impeccable timing?!!
You didn’t miss it…it was an update. Thanks for being 20,000!~skt
We have quite a few fireflies here on summer evenings…only we call the “lightning bugs” here in Chicago. I remember chasing them all around and putting them in jars like you did. The only thing I didn’t like about them is that they made your hands smell funny! yuck!!!!!
Ahhhh, maybe for old times sake, I’ll run around and catch a few tonight–i’ll let you know how it goes
Jessica The “26 away from the A List” Rock Chick!!
Hope you are closer to the A-list now! And, I hope you caught some fireflies. We sometimes called ‘em lightning bugs, too. I forgot to talk “Texan”
~skt
Girl, you couldn’t have described the blogging community any better! I love the firefly analogy! And speaking of, here in Georgia I’ve seen quite a lot of fireflies, so maybe I can bring a few with me to Texas!
Don’t worry about bringing fireflies (they’d get poisoned anyway). Just bring your sweet lil ole self
~skt
what a beautiful post Shelly, it made me want to come over to your place and have coffee with you while sitting on the porch. We don’t have porches here in the city. All you get is the noise of the traffic and pollution. I saw some fireflies a long time ago, reminded me of tinkerbell
Well come on down! We probably won’t see many fireflies, but we can drink a lot of coffee and watch the squirrels eat the bird food!
~skt
I think the coffee house thing will work out perfect. Whoever shows is supposed to. Besides, you know you will be telling everyone who walks in too! I am sure the day will prove to be a success. Enjoy!
You are right, Rosemarie. Even if I’m sitting there alone I will get a lot done. Thanks for the encouragement~skt
happy Saturday
Thanks for stopping by, Shelby. It was a crazy Saturday getting ready for this Share A Square Day. I didn’t get to visit you, but you are high on the list for tomorrow.~skt
I love the analogy you used—fireflies and bloggers–just beautiful—I am so pleased I found your blog.
I have linked Jessica and lister her in my Technorati Favorites as well.
Best of luck Sunday—hope it is a very big success.
I’m so pleased you found it too, Vickie. That way I found YOU! I appreciate you linking Jessica. You were already on my blogroll, but I will add you to Technorati faves and put you in the raffle. Thanks for your good wishes. I’m packing the car in a few minutes~skt
Absolutely love your fireflies. When I was a child it was the tiny tree frogs that seemed to almost coat the trees they were so plentiful near the San Joaquin River. The trees moved in the moonlight and made soft croaking sounds. Now most of the black oaks near where they lived are gone in favor of housing developments. The frogs are depleted and deformed. Tell me again that civilization is a good thing.
Don’t ask me questions, and I won’t tell you lies! I can’t tell you civilization is good. I just wish people would act civilized! The setting you describe in the moonlight sounds like pure magic. I’ve only seen a few tree frogs in my lifetime (I think they need more dampness than we have here). I would have been trying to love on every one of them.~skt
Hi Shelly, I got another link for Jessica and there is a meme involved, but I didn’t tag you…but if you want, you know you can always do it. I figured it was another way to get Jessica out there!
How did it go today?
I’ll update either later today or in the morning (I’m rat killing today—gotta lotta thank yous to write). I skipped over for a minute last night, but was too tired to comment. I must be getting old, or something! I’ll drop in again today to read when my eyes can focus
~skt
We have TONS of fireflys! I have completely overlooked them this year though. I’ll have to sit out on my porch tonight just to watch the fireflys!
I’m not going to be able to make it to your Share A Square Day in Denton (since I’m in WV), but I’ll sit and crochet squares during that time anyway!
Good luck!!
I know you are there in WV crocheting, Stephanie! I just got back from the mailbox this morning and found a package from WV that I believe is yours. Haven’t had the chance to open it yet, but can’t wait to see the beautiful squares tumbling out. Thank you! Watch some fireflies for me, will you?~skt
Ok, I didnt read the date on the firefly post (and I didn’t check the original post), but I WAS crocheting squares for Share A Square on Saturday while I was on vacation in the Poconos!
I was just trying to confuse you, because I was jealous that you were in the Poconos!
~skt
Shelly, you are one hell of a friend. Know that?
Oh, I’d like to be Susan, but I fall down on the job all too often
~skt