It was a perfect evening. Stars were just starting to twinkle in the sky. There was cool soft grass under our feet and it was peaceful and quiet as the birds were settling in for the night. Normally I don't walk into the yard in the near darkness, but I was out there with Todd and Charlie so I felt safe enough.
We were out there to see something that I look forward to each year and is the true sign that summer is arriving. As darkness fell, I began to see them. Lightning bugs (or fireflies). Longtime readers of my blog know that in the summer, I enjoy being outside as nightfall begins and lightning bugs start blinking all over the yard, in the flower beds, in the grass and against the dark sky. Some will say that it's silly that at my age I find something so small and perhaps even trivial to be both captivating and hypnotic. Perhaps it is... But lightning bugs remind me of a childhood filled with magic, curiosity, and joy. Lightning bugs meant staying up late and running barefoot through cool grass. While I dread the growing numbers of mosquitoes nipping at my skin and humidity soaking my clothing, I will graciously thank Summer for the gift of lightning bugs -- Not just because they mark a new season, but also because they remind me of a simpler, more innocent time. Every adult spirit needs a bit of that now and again, don't you think?
We all strive for a more innocent and simple time. I, and those that I want to associate with, believe we should be captivated by the beauty and wonder of God's creation. I believe that the appreciation you show for what appears to be something so small is reflected in a larger way by the love and compassion you show for your wonderful animals.
ReplyDeleteSo, Kim, how delightful, that we get to share through your eyes the wonder of creation.
Gus' Mom
Many kids won't know about lightening bugs because they're not around a lot of places because of the "progress".
ReplyDeleteI had not seen many lightening bugs in my 47 years of life, but the times I have, I am worse than a small child at a candy shop. I get all excited and smile from ear to ear. They do bring out the child in us and the good times. TFS. ana
ReplyDeleteI must admit I do envy you this sight...we don't have fireflies here, so miss seeing this event each summer. So glad you shared it.
ReplyDeleteOh, Ma misses lightning bugs. They are hard to come by down here in Florida. They were always so magical!
ReplyDeletewe're still waiting for our first lightning bugs in Philadelphia
ReplyDeleteWoofs
Nadine & goldens Neeli & Elle
i totally agree. just reading your post made me smile!
ReplyDeleteOh I had to smile at this post cause I feel the same way all though our lightning bugs aren't out yet we are just dealing with hundreds of June bugs lol ! Glad to hear all is good with you and your clan ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !
ReplyDeleteI saw lightning bugs for the first time in DC a few years back. I almost walked into a car. I hope to live somewhere one day that has them.
ReplyDeleteMonty and Harlow
Fire flies! We saw the first ones of the season this weekend, here in Tulsa. There's nothing quite like it. Enjoy your twilights! They make the long days worth it. :)
ReplyDeletewww.dogtreatweb.com
Well jealous, I have to turm the garden lights on and off to get the same effect here in the U.K. :)
ReplyDeleteI too love watching the lightening bugs light up our yard. We never had them around when I was a kid but since we live in a more country setting I look forward to their arrival every summer. They are somewhat magical.
ReplyDeleteCindy
That brings back fond memories of my childhood. Mason jar full on my night stand
ReplyDeleteI saw the first ones of the summer here in SC a few weeks ago, and was so happy :) We would see them in the small Louisiana town I grew up in when I was young, but they had disappeared from there for some reason by the time I left for college :(
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, This is just what I needed to read today. I have such fond memories of going to an uncles farm, when our girls were little, in Tennessee. Love the fireflies-it was so very fun. I think it brings out the child in all of us. So glad you got to enjoy them. So tell me why you don't go out in the yard at night? I know it's fenced, do you all have snakes in your area? I'm so cautious now at our new home because we have coyotes in the area and I can hear them. Just don't want them to think Hunter is dessert.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Noreen
Fireflies, Todd and Charlie as watchful companions. And tomorrow it will be sunny all day with just enough of a breeze!
ReplyDeleteThey haven't arrived here yet, Kim as it has been chilly at night. But I too am anxious to see them!...:)JP
ReplyDeletemy memories of fireflies....
ReplyDeletenatural bridge virginia...
mother and daddy dancing on the screened in porch...
tiny lights of the tails of bugs... magic. total magic.
i think you're not silly at all. or trivial.
if you are...
then i am too.
and i am not! LOLOL.
xo♥
SHE remembers those summer evenings catching lightning bugs. Has only seen them ONCE in the last 40 years. Enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Bella Roxy & Dui
I love their arrival too {and dislike the mosquito's arrival as well} and adore watching Oliver try to chase and catch them in his mouth. :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up with lightning bugs but there are none out here in the west. Last year, I went to Minnesota, and I was thrilled beyond words to see them for the first time in many years. Wonderful! I agree...
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so sad. Last year we only had a handful of fireflies and so far this year I haven't seen any. We used to look forward to them twinkling in the grass and the trees.
ReplyDeleteOh Kim, I love to sit in the dark of a summer night and watch the fireflies too. I adore your pictures, so beautiful. I can't wait to watch them out at the lake on a hot summers Eve, Hugs Francine.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen fireflies and that is a darn shame...I do think it would be so magical. I will be content with the cries of loons and cranes for that is my evening magic.
ReplyDeleteThe mosquitoes I know a lot about. I have to spray myself before I go out, esp at night. The little buggers LOVE me.
Enjoy the magic with your beloved dogs my friend...this is what life is about!
Summer nights are just the best!
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky! I don't remember ever seeing lightning bugs growing up in Michigan.
ReplyDeleteNeat!
Have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend! ♥
My son and I still have contests for who will see the first lightning bugs of the season. Since we moved back to NC, I always win.
ReplyDeleteGosh - I would love to see some lightening bugs! I don't even know if we have those in Saskatchewan. I know we have humongous mosquitoes though. Not as fun as lightening bugs I don't think. :(
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
love the lightening bugs. Last year mom caught one and made my fur glow. At first I was like, yuck bug guts, but it made my peeps laugh so I was okays with it.
ReplyDeleteAroo to you,
Sully
Like you, I love to see the fireflies of summer.
ReplyDeleteHi Y'all!
ReplyDeleteWe all deserve time to just "smell the roses".
Y'all hurry back now!
Hawk aka BrownDog
I love them too:
ReplyDeleteCause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they try to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth, turns, slowly
I remember the lightening bugs from when I lived in the New Jersey country side. We don't have them in Sweden, nor do we have them here, and to me, they were always pure magic. I am glad you had a nice and relaxing evening.
ReplyDeletethank you Kim for sharing the lightning bugs with us!! Pure magic!
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles
We won't see lightening bugs until later in the summer around here. You are lucky to get them so early!
ReplyDeleteI have to totally agree that fireflys are THE BEST! I grew up with them as did my children and then we moved to a more "desert" type area and they weren't seen...we are now back in the humidity and fireflies abound. I can't wait..looked the other night but don't see them yet..Shouldn't be too long!
ReplyDelete