When will it stop? When will it stop?

[mogal]

The cicadas are about to drive me crazy.  We usually have a few each year but this year with 2 species emerging at once, the noise is deafening and their little "shells" for lack of better word are on everything.  This morning I walked past a lilac bush in the yard and those things just exploded from it.  I'm sure I could save a boatload of money on chicken feed while they are still active if I dared let my hens loose but we have too many varmints around here.  I catch the adults by the wings and feed them to the chickens and they love 'em.

Anybody have the same problem?  Anybody have an idea when they'll just go away?  

[Woodpecker]

They usually arrive here in late summer, none yet. I don't mind their noise, but they are ugly little guys. Years ago we had a neighbor who hated them. We were in our yard talking to the neighbors. The wife was deathly afraid of all insects. My X put the cicada shell on her shoulder and when she saw it, I swear I thought she was going to keel over. That was not nice!!!

[mogal]

Not nice indeed, woodpecker! That's how I was introduced to hamsters--had one put down my back. I get along with them just fine when they are over there. I can tolerate a snake more easily than hamsters.

My mother was deathly afraid of insects and it took me quite a while to desensitize myself from her influence. Hers started when she got a praying mantis on her dress as a little girl. Nobody put it on her, it was just there. Rather than showing her the creature was harmless, her uncle tried to calm her by making the bug seem evil and wicked, letting her cry hysterically. Oh, well.

[Woodpecker]

I always thought praying Mantises were meant to bring good luck. We never would hurt a Praying Mantis, which brings to mind I haven’t seen one in 10 years. That was at my daughters home on the screen to a living room window.

Now if anyone put a hamster or any little critter, down my shirt in back mogal,, I’d probably Keel over!!!

Today is Megan’s Butterfly Birthday🎉 the Monarchs are on the couch. They arrived yesterday, first year the enclosed ice pack was warm! I wrote to Michigan Butterfly where I purchase them to let them know that, in case they all don’t make it. That would make me very mad! Let’s see if one or two land directly on me as usual. 🥰

It’s 87 here today and sunny. Perfect weather for a live butterfly release for my girl♥️