Cicadas on the dot

It's hard to believe this tiny insect is the one making the biggest noise at night. But here's something even odder. Did you know ... cicadas live for either 13 or 17 years? Exactly. On the dot. But how? And why? No one knows. Why do they live only in prime numbers–(numbers divisible only by themselves and the number 1.) (I knew that) How do they know their time is up? Is it up to them? Scientists have got some guesses of course. They're very complicated so you'd better read them for yourself in this clever article. But something about this makes me feel joyous and calm. There is an order and a pattern and a plan. Down to the tiniest detail. Even for teeniest tiniest insect.

music and sounds

The genius jazz trumpeter and composer, Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) said, "I don't care too much about music. What I like is sounds."

The lost art of reading aloud

Great Editorial in NYT by VERLYN KLINKENBORG. (Though Children's books I would add to poetry as the other realm where reading aloud has not died out. And I trust it never will.)