I had the Heeler out after dark Thursday night, and when we came in, I neglected to turn off the porch light. Back outside at wake-up time, before sunrise, we disturbed several cicadas that had congregated around the stoop, apparently attracted to the light.
Ozarkansas isn’t under assault by periodical cicadas this summer, those much-talked-about broods that make life miserable for humans when they emerge by the trillions every 13 or 17 years. The critters gathered near my front door yesterday were annual cicadas, sometimes called “dog-day cicadas.”
Specifically, according to Seek and other references, these (pictured) were the Robinson’s Annual Cicada (Neotibicen robinsonianus). To my eyes, they’re good-lookin’ bugs — colorful, intricately figured, fascinating.
They’re also bigger than their periodical cousins — twice as big, in fact. The cicadas in these images are about two-and-a-half inches long.
Somewhere along the line, I found myself enjoying the sight of a vulture soaring on the wind as much as I did the blur of a hummingbird. And so I appreciate the beauty of these cicadas no less than that of a vivid butterfly.
The northwest corner of Arkansas, including The Mountain, didn’t get quite as hot as the rest of the state on Friday. There were just enough clouds to keep the heat index under 105°F.
For the second day in a row, the cabin was a true refuge from the heat.
Obviously, running that second air conditioner will affect my monthly electric bill. And while it’s a price I’m glad to pay, I don’t want to consume any more power than necessary. I’ll fiddle with the AC units’ settings and adjust the placement and strategic use of box fans (which are still required in order to circulate air in the space), in search of The Sweet Spot.
I didn’t accomplish much yesterday beyond regular housekeeping chores. It’s a pleasure living in a clean, orderly place, though, so I guess that’s no small thing.
Kicking back for a while as morning turned to afternoon, I got to thinking about happiness. More to the point, I considered that I don’t wait for a reason to be happy.
I am my own reason.
For most people, happiness is conditional. It depends on other people, material things, external events.
What are you waiting for? Stop relying on something or someone to make you happy and be your own reason.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable