Fireflies are here!

From the top, it looks like a one-eyed insect, larger than a lady bug but smaller than a grasshopper. The red, upper crown with the single "black eye" and searching antennae, along with the black body sprouting spindly legs is nothing special to look at, until the sun starts to set and the winged critter begins to fly among the trees and bushes of the front or back lawn. You see, this is a unique creature that has an extraordinary ability to illuminate the evening sky with dedicated "light organs" in its abdomen.

This paper clip-sized beetle is the delight of young and old as the start of summer approaches. I felt an ease and pleasure as I saw my first fireflies of the season last night. Its a special time of year for me, because I have so many fond memories of playing with them and catching them as a child. We would carry around a mayonnaise or mason jar, and place some grass and picked wildflowers in it, as lightening bugs enjoy feasting on pollen. When we saw the intermittent flashing of the abdomen, the brother, sister or friend, without the jar, would chase after it and capture it in his or her hands and throw it in the jar. The poor thing would have to flutter about the container with holes punched in the metal top without a friend, until one of us was able to catch another. What fun it was to watch them glow together.

The emotional impression of fireflies that I have is the knowledge that summer is beginning. With children, this means I can sleep in a little every morning, and have a long afternoon involved in a project without school activity interruptions. In central Texas, it means long summer evenings with light in the sky until 10 pm in late June. It means warm nights. I feel the ease of hanging out with friends on the back porch, playing darts, gatherings with family with young children, barbecues, boats and beaches. With summer, I have rest, friendship and fun. Welcome fireflies!