I was in northern Kentucky last weekend and the Cicada attack was underway. There were millions and millions of ‘em, and the noise; one cicada is loud, but when they all start buzzing simultaneously, it’s deafening. The squealing progresses from low pitch to high pitch, a short pause and then repeats. This incessant buzzing can also be heard while driving 90 MPH with the windows down. Amazing.

It is said that a circular saw will really set 'em off...same pitch or something. I didn't try it, since the standard buzz was enough.

They fly in swarms, and when the wind blows, the dead (which are dried and crisp) fall from the trees and cover the ground, like a hailstorm.

Cicadas have a prehistoric look to them, so I guess that’s why children love ‘em so much. At least the kids in northern Kentucky do.

Anyway, I’ve known my wife for almost 14 years, been married to her for 10 of ‘em, and I’ve never, ever, heard her scream like I did on Sunday. One of ‘em dive-bombed her and became entangled in her hair; and when she brushed it off, it flew down her blouse and started flapping and squealing. She went ballistic. I’ve also never seen her rip off her shirt in her sister’s back yard. That was funny. Her family thought I was killing her.

It was a good trip; especially driving home through the mountains of West Virginia.

And speaking of West Virginia – “Daddy, get off me, you’re crushing my Marlboros.”