Intensities

The dog hurt his knee while running around wildly, leaping, and barking at the dogs next door (who spend their time barking yo mama jokes at him until he can’t take it anymore).  Now he’s supposed to be resting while he heals.  Only he doesn’t know that.  He thinks I’ve gone lame, and not in… Continue reading Intensities

Cicadas and Safe Places

According to a Michigan State University entymologist, Washtenaw County is the favored Michigan location for Brood X seventeen-year cicadas.  Throughout our neighborhood, we have cicada emergence holes, exoskeletons, and cacophonous jubilation.  People have mixed feelings about all this.        One neighbor in particular is less than thrilled.  Her yard is like other yards.  In… Continue reading Cicadas and Safe Places

Beginnings

Brood X, our batch of seventeen-year cicadas, is getting easier to find, especially in Cherry Hill Nature Preserve.   This 160-acre park owned by Superior Township is heavily populated by Brood X and people there to see and photograph Brood X.  Sue and Tesla and I went walking there yesterday—Sue and Tesla’s second visit this week. … Continue reading Beginnings

Contact

Small, tender trees near us are sporting costumes of fine white mesh, secured around the trunk.  They look like not-very-scary-sized alien life forms.  In fact, the netting is to protect them from nearly-alien life forms.  The 17-year cicadas called Brood X are beginning to emerge.  They’re pretty benign as invaders go, but can be tough… Continue reading Contact