A little summer magic

When I was a child hot summer nights meant playing outside until bedtime, catching lightening bugs, playing tag, and always being reluctant to go inside for bed.  We had no air conditioning.  But the memories of summer nights are almost all good, as are the memories of summer meals on the screened porch, when we were allowed to drink sweet tea instead of milk.  There was corn on the cob and cantaloupe, fresh green beans and watermelon.  Grilled hamburgers with baked beans.

Lightening bugs bring back all those memories.  I "googled" lightening bugs tonight, curious to know what they eat - whether they're considered beneficial insects.  It appears that they're fairly harmless beetles, eating slugs and snails and drinking nectar.  For more about them, click here.  Or if you'd like to help with firefly research,  check out this article in the New York Times.
I think I'll just enjoy the magic they bring to a hot summer evening.