out walking in my neighborhood
when the 100+ degree day
finally cools down
seeing people out
doing what it’s too hot to do
under the blazing sun of the day
as dusk falls
gardeners are digging
pets are walking
people are strolling
neighbors are talking
fireflies are flashing
the town is quietly abuzz.
—
‘life is like butter, when it cools down, it can be reshaped.’
-alan sheinwald
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We don’t have fireflies in Britain, so it’s interesting to see them.
Best wishes, Pete.
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really hard to take a picture of them, but so magical to see in person –
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It sounds very hot 🫠
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pretty extreme –
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I’ve only ever seen fireflies once, in the summer of 2021, with T and they were mesmerizing. Such an awesome sight to have experienced together.
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they are absolutely magical, but hard to capture with a camera. yes, it was nice seeing some many people out –
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Life is like butter! I’ve never heard that before. And I’m laughing out loud.
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it really does make sense as crazy as it sounds )
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Even though the heat warnings are gone, it is still a warm morning here in northern Illinois. 74 at 545. Even the birds are taking it slow. All things in moderation!
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yes, that’s the way to be when the weather is excessive
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A wonderful quote, Beth
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thanks, Ivor, it really seemed to fit
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What a relief that it cools down in the evenings for you. The heat can be so exhausting.
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yes, it was clear that everyone was feeling it –
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Looks like I did another ‘Anonymous post.’ It still hot in the early morning at 74 degrees, but it feels different than the 78 and 79 of the last two days. Even the birds are laying low and taking it slow. We can take a hint from them. Good to get back out, great post Beth.
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thanks, clay –
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Beth, your poem feels like a breath of relief after a sweltering day. I love how you captured the quiet, communal magic of a town exhaling at dusk.
Much love,
David
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I was so pleasantly surprised to see this whole other life ,when the town came out at night, safe from the heat
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A lovely imagery of a beautiful evening.
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thanks –
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You’re welcome Beth
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Love it when it is so warm!
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it was so hot that everyone had to wait a bit to be outside –
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There’s something about a firefly that is truly magical. I find them mesmerizing.
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oh, I so feel the same. you simply can’t stop watching them, and children see the magic in them
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Nice photo. It’s hard to capture them. Another day of heat. Hang in there.
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yes, this should be the last extreme one for a while
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I’m so glad it’s finally summer. I’m enjoying this heat. :)
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It’s pretty extreme here , with a number of days in a row over 100, but I’d still rather be hot than cold )
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Me, too! :)
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Life is like butter….fattening!
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And messy!)
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I LOVE that quote! And yes, it’s hot hot hot now, and butter would sizzle on the sidewalk. But it will cool down, eventually, and be re-shaped in some manner. xo
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Exactly!
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I wish we had fireflies over here. I have never seen one in my life. So, thank you very much for sharing this photo!
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it’s absolutely magical but very hard to catch in a photo unless you have a good camera
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I am so glad you did it, Beht! I imagine a field with fireflies. It must be magical indeed!
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it really is so cool
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😍
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ohhhh! Fireflies! I need to be on the lookout….xo, Beth! 🥰
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they just started coming out again !
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Summer!!!! ☀️☀️☀️
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I attended my niece’s outdoor wedding last Saturday in Minnesota. It was 99, but it still turned out to be a beautiful event.
We don’t have fireflies, so I get more excited than the average person when we visit somewhere that does.
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glad it all went well, and weddings are beautiful no matter what the weather has to say about it. I still love fireflies, it never gets old –
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I sat out on the patio the other evening, listening to a baseball game and surrounded by little floating blinks.
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Nice!
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Love your poem and quote, Beth. We’ve had great weather in the last few weeks that makes me wish the summer would be the same. Stay cool! 💕
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thank you, Lauren
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❤️
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You mean lightning bugs. :)
They are the one saving grace to all the heat and humidity. Definitely out in full force now!
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potato, potahto. yes, they out in droves, and hard to photograph because they are magic )
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Nice, and a perfect quote. Stay cool!
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Thanks!
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😀
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I’m happy you were out at all. I haven’t been walking for far too long waiting for it to cool down, but I think I’ve waited long enough. Love your words and fireflies.
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thanks!
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Love this picture. We don’t have fireflies out West so this is so fun to see. I hear your heat wave is breaking – hope it’s feeling better. Although the nighttime activity sounds fun!
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it was so fun seeing everyone outside, going about their day, and it is breaking a bit today –
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Nice to see those little guys are still around. Someplace. I haven’t seen one since I left OK in 2005. As kids we called them lightning bugs, collected them in jars, and took them inside to be nightlights in our bedrooms.
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oh, we used to do that too!
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Great shot, I had one in the house a week ago.
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ooh
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