Lightnin' Bugs

Growing up in the suburbs of Maryland, we always called them lightening bugs, not fireflies. A Northern thing? We'd catch them at dusk when it was easy to see before the black of night set in. So easy to catch, with just a cupped hand. And into a jar, with a lid Daddy would poke holes into with a small screwdriver. Some grass, a stick. And then once in bed, wearing clean cotton short-sleeved jammies and smelling of baby powder, with the windows open, we'd fall asleep with the best nightlight in the world.

I found this jar with batttery-operated fireflies in a catalog. They actually dim and then brighten, just like the real ones. I bought one for my girlfriend Ali; we had once talked about the joy of being a kid and catching them. And I couldn't help but get one for myself, into which I put some fake grass to make it feel like the real thing.

Today is not the official first day of summer, but it is the first day of no school, and in our book that's official enough. Happy Summer to all and to all a firefly-lit night!