Time flies. 2020-21 has not been my favorite year, with too many sad family events. Covid-19 has been a tragedy for millions.
Enforced sheltering behind masks to try and keep safe through the ravages of a pandemic has caused life to change for so many folks. All this makes you realize the importance of time in our lives. It becomes a marker to celebrate or mourn. |
It’s good though to find at some point though, you realize it’s time to deal with whatever bothers you.
If you’re lucky enough your humour remains intact.
If you’re mobile enough you can find lots of interesting virtual travel opportunities and exercises to satisfy you.
If you’re an artist you can grab what remains of your resolution and start creating again.
And if you put your mind to it you can always enjoy nature in some way. Because It’s just time.
I woke really early this morning, and for a few minutes was quite startled at the silence. No wind, no...anything. It just seemed like something was missing. Then I remembered!
Seems strange, but crickets can be quite important in the scheme of things. I've suddenly recalled some folklore about crickets. Each year they cause me to have a faintly disturbed feeling, as though I’m missing out on something.
Crickets start their lives as eggs, laid by a momma cricket. Within days of hatching they become quite cute little creatures, although unlike most babies they aren’t ever cuddly. Baby crickets are called nymphs.
They grow by shedding their skin, each time becoming more mature, and of course, more cricket-like. Only the males develop the ability to chirp though. Adults live their lives in the fast lane, as they only live for about 100 days, and obviously need to make the most of their time.
Crickets chirp at different rates depending on their species and the temperature of their environment. Most species chirp at higher rates the higher the temperature is (about 62 chirps a minute at 13 °C (55 °F) in one common species; each species has its own rate). The relationship between temperature and the rate of chirping is known as Dolbear's law. According to this law, counting the number of chirps produced in 14 seconds by the snowy tree cricket, common in the United States, and adding 40 will approximate the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
Cricket chirps seem to go on and on forever once they start. No “off” button for them. Maybe this is why they make some folks truly dislike them. But there are several positives about these relatives of the grasshopper, and it’s important to recognize them, even as we gather up a flashlight and weapons of destruction to deal with nighttime chirping.
There's nothing like the start of a chirping cricket outside my window to give me a thrill of delight. I'm overcome with joy, and, I must admit, with a certain amount of pure greed. You see, if you hear one really close by it means you will come into money!
On the strength of this, I’ve just bought a BC Children’s Hospital lottery ticket. After all, I know two lovely kids who’ve benefited from that incredibly wonderful place, so it’s not like throwing money away. It’s a donation.
Note: just after writing this my dearly beloved won $1000.00 on a lottery ticket! Maybe there is some cricket truth here!
This summer one is very insistent. He seems to be located right outside the open bedroom window. The mystery is, I can’t even say for sure where the chirp is coming from, let alone what cricket colour he is. I'm trying to keep calm about it, but I'm still secretly hoping this is a grey one, because they are the money ones. There's no time limit specified, so the summer one could also theoretically bring you some coin in time for your Christmas shopping.
Crickets are popular pets in China. They have cricket fights there. Lots of money changes hands, buying, selling, training, feeding,betting. And all that care comes to a crashing end, as crickets only live for about 100 days.
Here's a short but interesting video, depicting the importance of this sport. And no, crickets don’t die or get injured during their fights. The loser just walks away, making its proud owner lose a lot of face. You’ll note there aren't any women to be seen...not sure what that means...
The cricket farmers in China make sure their food crickets are given the best food, so reptile fanciers and farmers can be assured their animals are healthy. This is referred to in the trade as "gut loading." Some crickets are even given a light coating of mineral supplement before they are mailed off.
Entertaining with snacks and fine wine? Nothing like some crispy cricket snacks as conversation starters. Be sure to leave the packs where guests can see and enjoy them. You can get a great selection, and again all you have to do is go to Amazon and order online.
So you see, crickets are big money. And that's why they're said to inspire would-be entrepreneurs. You have to decide if you’d like to become a cricketeur, and what form that would take.
Maybe the folklore is absolutely on the money.
At the same time remember, be forewarned. They can be very annoying with their repetitive, endless chirping. But it's only for 100 days!
Agave Salmiana var Ferox
Nevertheless, it is so beautifully shaped that people are amazed each time they see it. It is native to Mexico, but seems to overwinter just fine here on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.