Fireflies are disappearing, apparently. As with many species, human encroachment and the loss of habitat as well as light pollution have disrupted the reproductive cycle of the Lampyridae. Mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile and Zika, among others, has prompted more communities to spray pesticides in the evening hours right when the “lightning bugs” take flight in their mating ritual dance, thus decreasing their numbers dramatically. Fireflies like longer grass so cutting your lawn too short might decrease their numbers. There are natural influences on this entertaining insect, as well. Moist, temperate climates are preferred over hot and dry. The increasing warmth of the earth is causing a shift in the populations of many species. Even earthworms (which, by the way, are not native to North America) have had an effect on the decline of firefly numbers.

I have been waiting for the dance of the firefly with great anticipation. The familiar rising glow symbolizes summer to those of us who grew up catching them in jars or in chubby, little-girl hands. They are synonymous with watermelon and moon baths and bare feet in the grass. I always brought my girls home in the summer so they could experience those time-honored traditions that I enjoyed as a child. They still remember those trips.

I sat on the porch yesterday with my coffee, writing this post, and was struck with the cacophony of sound that met me. From the neighbor down the road mowing to the carpenter bees trying to make their way to my trap to the raucous calls and tapping of the woodpeckers in the dead tree out by the road, summer is fast encroaching on the farm. There are so many layers of sound now. The recent addition of flying insects has added to the complex symphony I enjoy with my morning reverie. The sudden appearance of a red tailed hawk or a crow being chased by robins adds to the entertainment. Old Mama Kitty lays at my feet, occasionally jumping at a curious hummingbird or passing butterfly. I saw my first grasshopper of the season as I typed this. This isn’t a bad life.

I’m preparing for another adventure this week. A really BIG road trip! I’m leaving for Florida this weekend. I’m not taking TOW-Wanda on this trip. I have another opportunity to use a condo on the beach. I am so grateful! I am available for speaking engagements as I travel so if you have a church or civic group that would like to host me, let me know. I will be speaking at a church in Crescent City, Florida on June 1st.

I think I’ll wash the sheets and dry them in the sunshine today. Won’t that be lovely? ❤️

““ ‘All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you. There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭11:20-23‬ ‭NIV

Photo Credit: stevendavidjohnson.com