WHERE HAVE ALL THE CICADAS GONE?

(Note: the ongoing series on the Odyssey will resume Monday.)

If you were around my neck of the woods a few months ago, you would have heard something that sounded like the Mother Ship from the Crab Nebula hovering overhead. That would have been the sound of a bunch of horny cicadas who rolled into town like sailors on shore leave after a 17 year cruise.

I kind of liked it.

After an apparently zesty bout of Aphrodite's game, they passed on. It was over pretty quick. I hope it was worth it for them.



However, another crop is on the way. If you pay attention, you'll notice a lot of little new tree branches on the ground. Apparently, the little buggers lay eggs on these new growths and the cicadas-to-be bore their way in, causing the tip of the branch to break off and die. Once on the ground, they bore under and begin their 17 year underground apprenticeship.

I don't know if I'll be around to hear their sex-crazed singing next time around but it's good to know they'll be there.

GOAT ROPE ADVISORY LEVEL: ELEVATED