I was awakened gently by a soft whisper from my husband,"Come with me, you have to see this! " Not sensing any anxiety from his voice that would have preceded bad news about children or grandkids, I padded behind him down the hall to the sun room.
With a soft gasp , I tried to make an intelligent interpretation of the sight before me.
Almost like a Disney production, a shimmering, undulating blanket of soft blining lights hovered just above the tall grasses in the empty lot beside our house. Not just in one or two areas but the ENTIRE field was alive with light. And movement! Being an amateur photographer, my first impulse should have been to grab my camera and take a once in a lifetime picture of this ... but I was frozen in awe as was my husband. Our eyes shone with tears of wonder!
Of, course we knew what it was, a huge "meet and greet for lightning bugs" but actually seeing it up close , this size, the moment paralized us both and for the longest time we simply stood and soaked up the wonder in childish amazement of the magical gift!
We never said a word but eventually went back to bed smiling and wrapped in the awareness we had truly witnessed a magical monent meant just for us!
We punched holes in the lid and added grass and a twig or two for climbing in our jars. Western Pennsylvania children caught lightening bugs with our bare hands. The technique was to keep one’s hands cupped so as not to squish the lightening bug inadvertently. Then carefully encourage the tiny captive to drop into their temporary habitat.
Another delightful story retrieved from the fertile mind and memory of Sean of the South. Writing down the stories of one’s youth keeps them alive. No air holes needed.
After a busy farm day with supper dishes washed and put away we’d retire to the front porch. It was cooler there due to three large maples, sometimes we’d catch a breeze. Excited shouts broke the silence at sight of the harbinger of summer, the lightning bug.
The first robin of spring, the slightest tinge of leaves announcing fall, the first flake of snow: the kid in me still thrills at these sights.
You’ve GOT to plan and come to the Mississippi Arts and Crafts Center in mid May next year. In a small area there lives a species of lightening bugs that flash in synchronous (I had to look up the spelling!) So spellbinding. Nature continues to awe…..
Hmm. Lightning bugs. I’d no sooner read those words than a slow motion film began playing in my mind. It’s 1968. I’m soon to turn five. There are skinny, barefoot cousins dancing around in my grandmother’s yard. We carefully work together, using small hands to gently grasp the illuminated insects, while awkwardly maneuvering the lid and jar to capture the glowing bugs. This film is set in the Judson Mill village, just a few miles from downtown Greenville, SC. I grew up in Atlanta, so I felt like I was going to the country when I spent my summers there with my grandparents, cousins, aunt and uncle. I’m soon to turn 60 and those days were so special to me that I always yearned for a more laid back lifestyle when I lived in Atlanta. I’ve been in the north Georgia mountains now for almost 25 years and I read an article this past fall that suggested we not rake or bag our leaves, but leave them on the ground throughout the fall and winter and mulch them in the spring. There were many benefits that were listed, but one in particular was that insects lived in between and under these leaves and were able to reproduce at a greater rate if they had these tiny homes in which to reside. How true this is! This year my yard has been lit up like the surface of the sun with lightning bugs. I’m not telling a southern tale when I claim the number of golden lights in my yard has at the very least quadrupled since last year. Is it because I left the leaves on the ground? I suspect it is. But I’m going with the idea that they’ve shown up for my 60th summer.
We call fireflies as 'Jugnu.' They certainly had fascinated us.When there was darkness all around after sun set in most part of town these Jugnu reminded us about the beautiful world god has created for us.Although they had light not enough to thwart the darkness they certainly lighted our moods and spirits.
Believe it or not, a couple of years ago, I had an opportunity to talk with a few of my grands friends about lightning bugs. I was appalled by the fact that these born and raised young'ns didn't have a clue at to lightning bugs or fireflies. They had never seen or even heard of these beautiful creatures. What is this world coming to?!?! God Bless lightning bugs for sweet summer childhood memories! God Bless Sean for calling them lightning bugs! All of this reminds me of "sweet milk." I was in a New York City restaurant years ago and asked my server for a glass of sweet milk. At the time, I thought the server looked a little perplexed. When he came back with a glass of chocolate milk, I was perplexed. I said, "I'm sorry, but I just wanted sweet milk." His reply was "Chocolate milk is sweet!" Needless to say, I just drank the chocolate milk!
The lightening bugs we had growing up were hardshelled beetles with little round lights on the back corners of their heads. They were clicker or snapper beetles. If they were on their backs they'd snap their heads back to flip upright, usually taking a few tries.
These lightening bugs had slower flashes. You could see the individual lights as they dimmed down.
I used to call those beetles lightening bugs; the ones with glowing rumps were fireflies. My childish reasoning was they were softer and more easily damaged like flies, so that's how I differentiated them. I always preferred to catch lightning bugs:)
We were camping at Ft Davis State Park in west Texas a few. Years ago. Our spot backed up to a creek and the first night we were there thousands of lightning bugs came out and surrounded our camper! Zorra our dog went nuts and I thought we would have to give her a sedative to calm her down!
Lightnin’ bugs 💡❣️ We caught ‘em in jars with holes punched in the top……then before we went inside for the night, we had a releasing ceremony! Thanks for this memory, Sean💓
I was awakened gently by a soft whisper from my husband,"Come with me, you have to see this! " Not sensing any anxiety from his voice that would have preceded bad news about children or grandkids, I padded behind him down the hall to the sun room.
With a soft gasp , I tried to make an intelligent interpretation of the sight before me.
Almost like a Disney production, a shimmering, undulating blanket of soft blining lights hovered just above the tall grasses in the empty lot beside our house. Not just in one or two areas but the ENTIRE field was alive with light. And movement! Being an amateur photographer, my first impulse should have been to grab my camera and take a once in a lifetime picture of this ... but I was frozen in awe as was my husband. Our eyes shone with tears of wonder!
Of, course we knew what it was, a huge "meet and greet for lightning bugs" but actually seeing it up close , this size, the moment paralized us both and for the longest time we simply stood and soaked up the wonder in childish amazement of the magical gift!
We never said a word but eventually went back to bed smiling and wrapped in the awareness we had truly witnessed a magical monent meant just for us!
Sue, Your post was beautifully written. I enjoyed imagining what you experienced.
Wow, Sue! So cool.....and sweet.
Beautifully written memoir. Thanks for sharing.
Such a beautiful story. 🩶🩷🩵
We always poked holes in the lids to keep them alive!
And put some grass in the bottom.
We punched holes in the lid and added grass and a twig or two for climbing in our jars. Western Pennsylvania children caught lightening bugs with our bare hands. The technique was to keep one’s hands cupped so as not to squish the lightening bug inadvertently. Then carefully encourage the tiny captive to drop into their temporary habitat.
Cherished memories never to be forgotten.
We did too
Another delightful story retrieved from the fertile mind and memory of Sean of the South. Writing down the stories of one’s youth keeps them alive. No air holes needed.
After a busy farm day with supper dishes washed and put away we’d retire to the front porch. It was cooler there due to three large maples, sometimes we’d catch a breeze. Excited shouts broke the silence at sight of the harbinger of summer, the lightning bug.
The first robin of spring, the slightest tinge of leaves announcing fall, the first flake of snow: the kid in me still thrills at these sights.
Sean,
You’ve GOT to plan and come to the Mississippi Arts and Crafts Center in mid May next year. In a small area there lives a species of lightening bugs that flash in synchronous (I had to look up the spelling!) So spellbinding. Nature continues to awe…..
Thanks for the info. Loved our time in Mississippi. Synchronous lightening bugs is now on my bucket list!
Where in Mississippi is the Arts and Crafts Center that you are referring to in this post?
The event called “Snappy Sync” Fireflies is at the Bill Waller Craft Center In Ridgeland, MS each May.
It isn't summer until I see a lightning bug and it is always a sign of beauty to me when it lights up.
Peace and Love to All from Birmingham🙏💞🌟
Happy First Day of Summer from Valdosta!
Hope you see a lightning bug tonight!
I did! Thank you 😊
Hmm. Lightning bugs. I’d no sooner read those words than a slow motion film began playing in my mind. It’s 1968. I’m soon to turn five. There are skinny, barefoot cousins dancing around in my grandmother’s yard. We carefully work together, using small hands to gently grasp the illuminated insects, while awkwardly maneuvering the lid and jar to capture the glowing bugs. This film is set in the Judson Mill village, just a few miles from downtown Greenville, SC. I grew up in Atlanta, so I felt like I was going to the country when I spent my summers there with my grandparents, cousins, aunt and uncle. I’m soon to turn 60 and those days were so special to me that I always yearned for a more laid back lifestyle when I lived in Atlanta. I’ve been in the north Georgia mountains now for almost 25 years and I read an article this past fall that suggested we not rake or bag our leaves, but leave them on the ground throughout the fall and winter and mulch them in the spring. There were many benefits that were listed, but one in particular was that insects lived in between and under these leaves and were able to reproduce at a greater rate if they had these tiny homes in which to reside. How true this is! This year my yard has been lit up like the surface of the sun with lightning bugs. I’m not telling a southern tale when I claim the number of golden lights in my yard has at the very least quadrupled since last year. Is it because I left the leaves on the ground? I suspect it is. But I’m going with the idea that they’ve shown up for my 60th summer.
No doubt, Lisa. They're celebrating and thanking you for leaving the leaves lay!
We call fireflies as 'Jugnu.' They certainly had fascinated us.When there was darkness all around after sun set in most part of town these Jugnu reminded us about the beautiful world god has created for us.Although they had light not enough to thwart the darkness they certainly lighted our moods and spirits.
Jugnu or जुगनू – Hindi word for firefly.
Common humanity. One more thing we share that makes us smile appreciatively and brings back our childhood in a rush!
So true, they are beautiful👍. I ve seen lightning-bugs in countrysides. Haven't noticed them in big cities! BTW, the light to attract male!
Believe it or not, a couple of years ago, I had an opportunity to talk with a few of my grands friends about lightning bugs. I was appalled by the fact that these born and raised young'ns didn't have a clue at to lightning bugs or fireflies. They had never seen or even heard of these beautiful creatures. What is this world coming to?!?! God Bless lightning bugs for sweet summer childhood memories! God Bless Sean for calling them lightning bugs! All of this reminds me of "sweet milk." I was in a New York City restaurant years ago and asked my server for a glass of sweet milk. At the time, I thought the server looked a little perplexed. When he came back with a glass of chocolate milk, I was perplexed. I said, "I'm sorry, but I just wanted sweet milk." His reply was "Chocolate milk is sweet!" Needless to say, I just drank the chocolate milk!
Pls explain sweet milk. Thks
Susie S ~ sweet milk is regular milk as opposed to buttermilk, which is also delicious !!
Thanks, Gigi. I LOVE buttermilk, too! 🤗
Sweet milk means it's fresh, not soured.
The lightening bugs we had growing up were hardshelled beetles with little round lights on the back corners of their heads. They were clicker or snapper beetles. If they were on their backs they'd snap their heads back to flip upright, usually taking a few tries.
These lightening bugs had slower flashes. You could see the individual lights as they dimmed down.
I used to call those beetles lightening bugs; the ones with glowing rumps were fireflies. My childish reasoning was they were softer and more easily damaged like flies, so that's how I differentiated them. I always preferred to catch lightning bugs:)
Thanks, Lynn, for explaining sweet milk. 🤗
We were camping at Ft Davis State Park in west Texas a few. Years ago. Our spot backed up to a creek and the first night we were there thousands of lightning bugs came out and surrounded our camper! Zorra our dog went nuts and I thought we would have to give her a sedative to calm her down!
Well that was a blast from the past.
Now I help the grandkids catch them.
Peace
❤️💕
Come on y’all! I can’t be the only one here who would pinch their hind ends off and smear the glow on my arms and legs!! 😂
Brandi I did make a ring of one but felt so guilty I never again. 🌟
I did the ring thing too. Once only!
Lightnin’ bugs 💡❣️ We caught ‘em in jars with holes punched in the top……then before we went inside for the night, we had a releasing ceremony! Thanks for this memory, Sean💓