Weather today in the Tries (Richland, Kennewick, Pasco): 

currently 21 and snowing, humidity is 100% (which makes it colder than a well-digger’s bottom), wind chill brings it down to 25. Under Hazardous weather conditions until noon. High today expected to be 30. See pictures at end of post.

Homesickness is coming:

One of the absolute bestest things about the time I lived in Florida was Swarm X of the cicadas. My first summer there, Swarm X emerged. OMG. I loved it. There were loud, but wonderful. I slept most nights with my window open just to hear them.

Swarm X is the largest of the swarms, and it will emerge again this year. And oh, boy, do I feel a homesick coming on. Frankly, if I spent 17 years underground and finally came out, I think I’d be pretty loud, too! Whoopeeee. Free at last. Free at last!!!

I’m no expert, but I believe all cicadas are underground for that period of time, fortunately, they are on different cycles so those fortunate enough to live in cicada country get to hear their mating songs every year, just not in the same numbers.

If any of you live in Swarm X country, send me a tape of their singing, will you? Please. Pretty please.

There are lots of things I miss about Florida. All the friends I made, and all the wildlife. Cicadas, birds (fortunately, we have several same or similar birds here on the Columbia River), even the reptiles—especially the alligators. The spiders, not so much. I wasn’t at all tempted to bring any of them back. 😉

Atlas Obscura, one of my favorite sites, has a short article on The 17-year Cicada Swarms of Brood X here.

Speaking of a homesick coming on, I realize I’m remiss in keeping the Entertainment Section current and up-to-date. I just know at least one of you cares. Don’t you?

Addendum to last week’s post: This past week, I was offered $40.00—again—and begged to delete or the poor thing is going to be fired by her boss in this time of covid. Last week she made it sound like she was one of the owners. Alas, I have not heart strings for her to pull. Actually, I’ve been told I have no heart. I contacted Amazon and filed another complaint and was assured they would be investigated. I wasn’t sure the first complaint went through, but one of my Amazonian friends checked, and this one went through.

Entertainment:

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. Yes, I like some of them. And I tumbled to a new, to me, Gourmet Detectiveepisode the other night. I actually like most of the mystery series they have except the one about the flower shop. And the reruns of old network shows. I don’t care for most of those, now that Columbo and Perry Mason are off the schedule.

Books: Please go to Rainy Day Reads for more complete reviews.

River Hoard —by Neil Leadbeater. Poems of Scotland. A mini vacation to Scotland.

The Cup (The Moroccan Empire Book 1) —by Melissa Addey. This is a fascinating novella to lead us into the series I have not yet read but intend to. An excellent historical adventure.

The Consorts (Forbidden City Book 1) —by Melissa Addey. Another novella to lead us into another historical adventure of the Forbidden City in the 1700s. I can hardly wait to read the rest.

Death Retires (Death Retired Mysteries Book 1) —by Cate Lawley. What a hoot! One of the deaths (who knew there was/is more than one?) retires to a nice, quiet neighborhood with his ‘pet’ bobcat, Clarence who steals every scene he’s in. Laughed all the way through it.

The Cooking Gene —by Michael W. Twitty. Second read, second review. That should tell you something, eh?

Cozy Up to Death: a novel about a bookstore, a cat, knitting, and blood (The Cozy Up Series Book 1) —by Colin Conway. All I can say is to buckle up, Buttercup. This ain’t your standard Granny-owns-a-bookstore cozy! A one-sit read and I’ll get the rest in the series. (First clue it’s different: the author is male!)

Twenty Poems That Could Save America and other essays —by Tony Hoagland. A collection of 12 of Mr. Hoagland’s essays about poets and poetry. Loved it!

Other stuff

I ain’t goin’ out any more than the dog demands! Fortunately, he isn’t very demanding 😉 We got another few inches last night, and it’s still coming down.

We’ve been in the midst of a cold spell, really cold. Here are a few snaps I took to give you an idea of how cold. By the time Tuesday (tomorrow) rolls around, I believe it will be a week of never getting above freezing.

I subscribe to Rafael Jesús González blog. He is bi-lingual and writes in both Spanish and English. His post of yesterday was on Valentine’s Day, and it is here for your enjoyment.

Auntie Lenora and Sammy Brave Dog want you to stay safe, stay warm, and keep wearing yur mask, even after you get your vaccination!

Auntie Lenora and Sammy Brave Dog (who sees no socially redeeming quality to snow!) want you to stay safe, stay warm, and keep wearing your masks even after you get your vaccination!