We haven't heard them yet, but saw dozens on the sidewalks of Old Town Alexandria... apparently they are into expresso, ice cream, art and antique shops (although there was a pretty good concentration outside the Gap Outlet).
This is my first exposure to the emerging crop. Even primitive insects know it's too hot to live in South Georgia in June (OK, except for gnats and cockroaches, but if I only got to hang out every 17 years I wouldn't waste any of it in South Georgia).
The winged Rip Van Winkles ask you to reconsider time. Seventeen years ago I was married to a man who has no relation to my present life other than the wonderful child we created. Seventeen years before that I was 10-year-old book geek trying to make the akward transition from city to country life. If I had limited windows to my world, those would not be the ones I'd reopen.
But then again if I had a hard shell body , huge wings and hairy legs, I might see things differently.
Anne and I are on Day Two of the Great Eastern Excursion (or so I just named it, what's an adventure without hype). We're staying in a wonderful carriage house in Alexandria preparing to go into Washington DC for the day.
We are still laughing together after 11 hours in a closed car yesterday. This is a good sign.
We learned the hard way that American ingenuity and French passion are no match for a bottle of wine with a plastic cork when you have no corkscrew. Pictures exist proving that it can't be done with the hammer and screwdriver. They are not pretty.
But, the moon over the river was beautiful last night, as was the cello music on the dock and the gentle enthusiasm of the men at the Seaport Foundation showing us their boat building.
And the cicadas are a subtle reminder to enjoy this time around.



Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs