SPC: friend of the cicada
07.18.2006
When time is generous to me...or rather, when I give myself the time to tend to my creative whims, I participate in the very provocative art community project called Self Portrait Challenge.
This month's theme is SELF PORTRAIT AS...{fill in the blank}
This summer has felt like a ginormous playdate, for my kids. Roller skating, playing in various waters and schlepping from one park to another. I'm honestly going a little batty. Packing snacks and water bottles and extra clothes in case of accidents. Pushing little one on the swing and saying, "You're flying like a little bird!" Making small talk with parents who are clearly uninterested in making new friends and wishing I could just settle into a book or get something 'done.'
It is a miniscule and silly complaint. I'm aware of that ;) And yesterday, whilst hanging out at a lovely park with several friends, I found an opportunity to goof off with the the shed pupae exoskeleton of a cicada, an insect I have very fond memories of and whose summer song makes living in the south, where we have our very own special "wet" heat , bearable.
And here's a photo I took a year or so ago of a cicada emerging from its pupae. I 'm posting it here because it is relevant and because my new friend, Kelley, requested it. When I found this little lady, she was quivering and I remarked to my son that we would have plenty of time to observe her because her wings appeared to be made of a thin green gelatinous substance that I thought would surely need time to strengthen before flight would be possible. Within minutes that amazing little newborn creature was gone!



Reader Comments (7)
Warriorwife
i hope you are staying cool in the heat!
xo
I love your comments about mothering in the summer. Ahhh... Enjoy. They are fleetingt years.
Julie