Thursday, May 26, 2022

Fireflies


 Each night I look out the window before I go to bed.  I savor the full moon rising like a balloon over the mountains.  The stars twinkle as diamonds on black velvet.

But lately I've been amazed at dozens of lights flashing in the trees.  It's like Christmas ornaments in late May and early June.

The fireflies put on a night show.  People flock to the Great Smoky Mountains to behold this wonder for two weeks every year.

The fireflies light up and go dark at the same time.  The National Park Service holds an eight-day event for visitors to view this beautiful display.

When I was a child, our family sat on the front porch and watched the fireflies.  We called them lightning bugs.  My brother and I chased the insects and caught them in Mason  jars.  They were our lanterns, but we always released them unharmed.

It's an amazing show watching  the fireflies flashing.  How they synchronize their glow is another example of God's wonderful works!




7 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

These bugs are truly one of God's marvels of creation. They are fascinating to watch.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

My sister and I had those same mason jar lanterns on Summer nights. I miss the lightning bugs. They are never seen in this urban environment. Thank you for sweet memories!

Hootin Anni said...

You instilled a memory of my youth! We used to capture them too. Reading your post was a beautiful treasure of words.

Donna said...

My family use to do the same thing...porch watching. So peaceful...
hughugs
Donna

Ginny Hartzler said...

We used to call them Lightening Bugs as well. You are wonderful writer. We are surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains on one side, and the Blue Ridge on the other. So now I am wondering what state you live in. Did you take the firefly photo? It is amazing!

Ginny Hartzler said...

My brother-in-law lives in Hickory, North Carolina. We are in Waynesboro, Virginia. It is about an hour and a half from Richmond. Thank you for your kind words!!

janet smart said...

I love lightning bugs! I love watching them as evening sets on.