Thursday, August 30, 2007

A Cricket in the Kitchen (with haiku)

Last night while my husband was barbecuing at the grill out our back door, a cricket managed to sneak into our kitchen, where it laid low until about 7:00 this morning.

I generally like the sound of crickets chirping (or whatever it is they do). I like hearing it when I'm outside, when I'm out enjoying the evening breeze. Then it's a pleasant, relaxing sound. Musical, almost, with many crickets joining in, their chorus loud yet perfectly diffused somehow by the vast space around them.

But one cricket in the kitchen, alone, chirping and echoing loudly off the walls is nothing short of annoying. Like a constant ringing in your ears. I actually woke up when it started up it's little symphony, because it sounded like something was gravely wrong with my air conditioner. It was like that screeching metal sound of a motor that is going bad. Or a fan belt problem in the car. Or a household fire alarm that won't go off even when the smoke has cleared.

:: ::

Make it stop! The sound is still going strong in my kitchen at 8 am! It brings to mind that verse, If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. Proverbs 27:14 NIV

Cricket don't you know
loud sound in morning will be
taken as a curse?

The wedding cakes can wait. I've got to find that cricket. No matter which way I turn, the ear closest to the cricket is assaulted with the loud, screeching sound, and I'm going berzerk! I think it's behind my stove. Maybe turning the oven on to bake the rest of my cakes will chase it out from it's hiding place.

Cricket make your song
out of doors where you belong
in house you will die

:: ::

Last night a thunderstorm swept through our area. Rumbling and growling in the sky, and flashing angry lights on us. This morning I could see rain off in the distance towards the East. I hope we get some of it here. It will help cut down on the dust, and will bring some blessed relief to us in this stifling heat. It didn't cool off last night until after 9:00. This morning, it was already hot and close when I woke up at 7:00. Hot weather makes me cranky. I think it's going to be a long, long day.

:: ::

He's baaaaaaack. We had some blessed quiet for about an hour, but it's 11:27 and he's at it again. Stridulating. That's what it is called when the cricket makes their sound.

And this is a lovely little bit of trivia, it's usually the sound they make to attract a mate.

That's all I need in my kitchen right now.

As if one cricket isn't enough.

1 comment:

Jenster said...

I despise crickets. They're huge and numerous in Arkansas! And I think they're aggressive. Todd thinks I'm crazy, but, well, whatever.

I'm so ready for fall. I want my highs in the 60's and my lows in the 40's. I want to have to wear sweats and socks and cuddle up with a blanket.

I wish summer gone
No more heat and sweaty days
Cool temps bring me joy

Okay. There was my attempt at a haiku. lol