BUGS

A few weeks ago, I walked outside, and heard this very strange noise. It sort of sounded like crickets, but louder. Maybe some strange bird noise coming from the trees. I just ignored it, and went about my business. But that night it was still there, and the next day, and the next day.

Chris and I were going out, and I asked "What's that noise? Is it birds?" He says, "I think its insects." I did a little investigating, and turns out they're cicadas! The funny thing is, they 'rev' up, it sounds like a motor, going from slow to fast, and then they slow down to stop! It's the weirdest noise I've heard. And it's a sort of constant noise here like crickets, getting louder in the evenings. After moving, I came home one day, and what do you think I saw sitting on the ground? You guessed it! They're kinda ugly, but I was fascinated! Here's the picture I took.

It's funny, after writing about the thunderstorms, a friend says, I can't wait until you see your first firefly! I got all excited, and ran to tell Chris, "Tracy says she can't wait til I see a firefly!" He says "WHAT?!?! You've never seen a firefly?" I said "nope!" He informs me that he just saw one out back the night before, and he was sure I'd see one. Just as we were talking about it, I saw one! lol I was like a little kid, all excited. We don't have them in CA, and was just tickled to see what so many kids here grow up catching, and possibly not even noticing as adults. The next couple of nights I saw more, and am still tickled. Chris says they're slow moving and easy to catch. He ran off after one the other night, and actually CAUGHT it! I saw one up close and personal, but it didn't light up for me. It's ok. I just like knowing they're out there! Maybe I'll get a jar at some point.

There are LOTS of bugs here. I had been warned too. "Palmetto bugs" they call the cockroaches. Spiders o'plenty, and lots of gnats and flies. Then there's dragonflies, carpenter bees, black wasps, red wasps, mud daubers, and beetles. I guess thats what you get with such lush surroundings. All that rain, and all those trees, keeps a nice home for all kinds of critters.
Including me! :)
Ooh! I forgot to mention the frogs! Tons of small frogs that make a whole lot of noise! 'bout the size of an egg and beige colored, Chris and I make up what we think they are saying. hehe

Stormy Weather

Another one of the different things I'm experiencing here in the South are the Thunderstorms.

We've had a few since I've been here, but none like the one this past Wednesday. I have to say it was my first MAJOR thunderstorm. Oh, I've seen lightning, and I've heard thunder, but Good Lord! This was scary! lol

Now, in California, it seems to me that in the summer the hottest part of the day is between 12 and 3 or 4, and then it cools down as the sun sets. Well, not here. Here the day gets hotter between 4 and 7, and that heat can (according to the link) produce a Thunderstorm in only 20 minutes. This last week a storm came in the likes of which I have never seen. The big pines out back were bending and swaying under the force of turbulent winds, as the lightning show started. Off in the near distance, I saw a bolt come down that shone red around the body! Followed by that loud CRRRAAAACCCKKKK!! With this Chris turns to me, and says: "NOW you see why I unplug the computers during a thunderstorm?". (One year lightning struck a tree just outside his apartment that hit the building, and fried his computer) That's when the torrential rain came down, and I heard the loudest thunder in my life. It sounded like someone smashing metal trashcans together as hard as they could INSIDE MY HEAD. It scared me to say the least, and I'm not usually scared by storms, but it was right on top of us. Chris informs me this is still mild compared to some he's seen. WOW. Well, it was a big one for me. Mother Nature is one powerful force. I felt very small and vulnerable. (Tho the lightning show was really pretty cool to watch.)

The good thing about these storms? My car gets washed weekly. :)

People had told me about the humidity, but I had no idea what that was. Now I do. It's just as bad as they say. It's oppressive, and gross. Apparently, I still have a good month and a half of summer to go. Well, at least we have the ICE PALACE as a refuge!

Happy 4th!

Greetings from the Ice Palace!
That's what we're calling our new apartment, because it's FREEZING in here compared to our old place.
We've been in now for 6 days, and it's awesome! Like night and day. It's clean and new, light and airy, cool and open, and and and! There is a lot more open space here as far as the whole complex goes. The last place was older and wood, and the trees were so close it was a bit claustrophobic. I felt like I was in a cabin in the mountains.
We've been out walking around the complex after dinner, and it's so nice to see everything neat and clean. There is a vine covered bridge over the lake that feels romantic, and some benches scattered around the lake inviting you to sit and rest. Anyway, it's very nice to come home, and we just keep being amazed at how COOL it is in here!

Today is the 4th of July, my least favorite holiday. Not for the significance of the day, but for the moronic behavior people seem to exhibit when playing with fire. I like the big, professional shows where you go ooooh and ahhhh, but I now live in a state where fireworks are legal, and there are Fireworks Stores here open year round. So, you can imagine I am particularly happy that it is raining at the moment. (8:30 pm local time)
The Thunder storms here are a pretty cool thing. Another blog perhaps....

I am really happy to have the day off from BOTH jobs today, and actually slept in, went for a walk, took a nap, and am still in my jammies. :) Life is good. Not to mention COLD.

Hope you all have a "safe and sane" 4th of July!