So here in the north suburbs of Chicago we are enjoying the seventeen year cicadas. (These are bugs that live underground and come out only once every seventeen years to mate.) Since I didn’t live in Chicago seventeen years ago, this is my first Cicada adventure. I was all set to be plagued by these critters in a biblical way, you know? Because, most experiences are cool at least once.
However, even though I practically live in the middle of a forest–I really do, it’s nearly illegal to cut down trees in my town–i’ve barely seen a single bug. Nor are my ears vibrating from the cicada’s incessant hum. While only a mile away, driveways are coated with these purportedly excellent sources of protein and neigbors are going deaf in their din.
I can’t help but wonder, was is something I did? Did word travel through the underground about my evil treatment of cicadas’ fourth cousins twice removed, the mosquitos? Ah. I feel left out.
However, soon I will be leaving my town and traveling to New York. (For the day, but still…) There I will have lunch with my editor! Possibly even meeting other wonderful people at FSG. Possibly even discussing revisions of GIRL IN WAITING, which should begin sometime mid-summer.
Then I will meet my agent! (Who I am really looking forward to getting to know!) I recently sent her book number three, a middle-grade comedy about a fourth grade boy.
Now I’m going to get back to book number four. (Which I just started, so the only thing I can tell you about it is that it’s written with words.)
May your day be purple!
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Love your blog. And congrats on the book deals! I remember the Cicada thing too…back when I lived in Maryland. Creepy!
Like you, I also went to high school in the 80’s, wore skirts and flashy patterned tights (I thought I looked pretty bitchen’, man!) and baked a cake (not a pie) for a boy I liked. Unfortunately, I couldn’t follow baking directions properly, and the entire middle was uncooked, so I filled it with frosting. Needless to say, he got violently ill after eating uncooked cake, and…do I really need to tell you the rest? Ahh, memories!
Consider yourself tagged for the Mememe!
Eve
(DM #3)
Tag…you’re it!
– Jay
Hey, Jenny –
Here in a cicada-quiet part of Wilmette (two blocks away, it’s not so quiet!)I wonder what the big deal is…We’ve had cicadas every year since we’ve lived here, practically. What’s so special about this year’s crop? Why are people covering their baby trees when they didn’t in years past? Why are we – as Brenda notes – baking with these high-protein, low-fat buggies? I practically forgot about them until I was driving through Glenview and thought my car sounded funny, like it was going to take off, or the engine was going to explode or something. Then I opened the windows…
Have a great NY visit!
Carol
Jenny,
1)I can’t believe you don’t have cicadas by you!
2)That picture of the cicada covered car is crazy!
3)On the last day of school, a kid in Sammy’s class brought in cicada cookies and chocolate covered cicadas. I am not kidding you.
4)Have so much fun in NY! Tell Beverly and Michelle I say hey.
I went through the Cicada thing twice in Virginia. Back in 1987 and then again in 2004. Weird. Weird. Weird. How do they know when 17 years is up? Certainly there’s a story here somewhere.