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{SFTH} *The Summer of Hmmm...* 8/24/01
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The Summer of Hmmmmm...
By Dee Ann L. Horvath
My fourteen year old daughter Katie asked me again last
night, as she did every summer, if this was the summer "they"
would come. Every year around this time in middle to late
June when the weather in northeastern Illinois gets warm
and sultry the memory of the summer of 1990 floods the
minds of many people in the Chicago suburbs. It made a
lasting impression on my Katie even though she was only
three years old at the time. She felt that "they" were
singing to her and only her. To adults it was annoying and
a nuisance however to Katie it was sheer magic.
The area newspapers tried to predict what villages and
towns would be hit the worse but it was next to impossible
to foretell. The public was informed that "they" weren't
dangerous and that the only thing that would cause
distress would be the calling cards "they" left behind.
millions to possibly billions of empty miniature shields
of armor would be every where only to be swept up
and disposed of, leaving nothing behind but the haunting
echoes of their reverberating love songs in the tall lush
green trees of our quaint quiet sweet little town of Glen
Ellyn, Ill. It seemed that we were blessed far more than
many other communities in the Chicago area and thus
Katie's real life fairy tale began.
It appeared that in the older towns where the ground had
not been disturbed for many, many years were the areas that
had the highest rate of infestation. The heart of Glen Ellyn
established way before the turn of the 1900th century and
was a fitting place for Katie's fairies to return too. "Their"
haven became the gentle rolling hills leading to Lake Ellyn
and the giant trees the guarded it like soldiers. To us adults
they were katydids, cicadas, locusts or gigantic flies but
in the young eyes of my daughter they were pixies here
to sing their primitive song to her. To Katie the cicadas
were not odd-looking insects but in contrast they were
unique and therefore should be exalted.
She began collecting them in any way she could. Katie
was so mesmerized with the 17-year cicadas that I did
anything I could to help capture them. Not realizing that
their life span was short Katie wanted them to live and live
and live. So therefore our house became full of their
"hmmmmm..." When the poor souls passed we had to
find more. Their empty shells became pins on my sweaters.
Jewelry to a mother's soul as she hung them on my clothes
like an ornament or a badge of honor.
Katie gave me something precious that extraordinary
summer of 1990. She allowed me to be a child again and
view the world through a little girl's eyes. I was again able
to see how amazing nature and the world around us is. It
opened me up and reminded me again what life is truly all
about. Now that Katie is a teenager and our relationship
between mother and daughter is strained at times, it helps
to revisit those special moments in our lives. Sharing the
golden memory of the "Summer Of The Hmmmmm"
warms our hearts and rejuvenates the wonderful bond
we developed long ago. A tie that will never dissipate but
will continue to grow and survive. I must also remember
that like those ugly bugs that emerged and become fairies
that teenagers also emerge to one day become the
remarkable human beings we always knew they would be.
Dee Ann E. L. Horvath
Ambereye3@aol.com
Write Dee Ann and let her know what you thought of her story!
For more information on Cicadas:
http://www.cicadamania.com/
or
http://encarta.msn.com/index/conciseindex/68/068A0000.htm?z=1&pg=2&br=1
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Born in Chicago Illinois in 1955. Raised partially in Wisconsin
and then returned to the Chicago suburbs in 1965 where I
have remained ever since. Married to my high school
sweetheart for over 26 years and we have three wonderful
daughters together. I enjoy life and meeting people. To me
every person is a novel waiting to be read. Some are better
reading than others are but there is always something to be
learned. I have always been a creative and artistic individual.
Recently I have found writing poetry and short stories to be my
passion. I find it is a wonderful fulfilling way to express myself
and relieve stress. Best of all it leaves a lasting impression.
I have been published on line and in hard copy. I enjoy
sharing my works with friends, family and acquaintances,
many of which have inspired my writings and have given
me the encouragement to realize my potential. I only hope
you enjoy my writings half as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Lake Of Dreams
The Starlite Cafe
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From the Guestbook!
This is one of the greatest sites in the on-line system. I send copies of stories
to our branch network in the bank.
ROLAND S. ROJAS
rsrojas@devbankphil.com.ph
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Thanks for the daily e-mail we really enjoy it. I post a Thought For The Day on the bulletin board at work, most of the time it's one of yours.
In Christ,
Craig and Betty
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WOW Michael, how exciting. Thank you for sending such wonderful stories everyday and a big thanks to the other writers who contribute. You all have made me feel like writing again although my writings are slow, soon I will be sending a few in. Typing has been real hard, but just wanting to write again after a couple of years of nothing is a big step for me. God has truly blessed me with your stories, Kristi's stories, and other people's stories. I feel like I know the Power's family so well. Again thank you. Sorry for rambling, I am half asleep. Just had to stop in before bed. God Bless you, Kristi, and your precious boys.
Peace In Christ,
Debbie
DHAngelGirl72@aol.com
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Hi Michael and Kristi,
I always enjoy "Straight from the Heart", so it
is nice to know I can come and browse the
archives for a cheer-up when it is desired
(or perhaps necessary!)
In Love, Light and Rainbows,
Lauree White
elanbee@ihug.co.nz
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Thought For The Day:
"Pennies do not come from heaven - they have to be
earned here on earth."--Margaret Thatcher
Verse for the Day:
"From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him."
Proverbs 12:14
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"If it's in your way, climb over it."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"There are three ways to get something done: do it yourself,
hire someone, or forbid your kids to do it."--Monta Crane
Coach's Thought For The Day
"History has demonstrated many times that WILL is the
magic word that turns a pumpkin into a golden coach."
Deep Thought For The Day:
"I used to go fishing until one day it struck me: you
can buy fish. What am I doing in a boat at 4:30 in the
morning? If I want a hamburger, I don't track cattle down!"
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_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
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Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business.)
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch
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Within thirty seconds my mom was crying and my
dad did too. They said it was the best Christmas gift
we could have given them!! You did such a beautiful
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really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to
make it so special to us all. My mom mentioned how
the songs were perfect for the video too!
Thanks again!"
Kelli-- College Station, TX
Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
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