Crickets are loud...

I have been listening to them this morning. Now as I start to type they have stopped...mid chirp...what the heck! Where did they go? Most of the time I don't even notice them. But today...they are loud.

According to Wikipedia only the male crickets chirp. Crickets chirp at different rates depending on their species and the temperature of their environment. Most species chirp at higher rates the higher the temperature is (approximately 62 chirps a minute at 13°C in one common species; each species has its own rate). The relationship between temperature and the rate of chirping is known as Dolbear's Law. Using this law it is possible to calculate the temperature in Fahrenheit by adding 40 to the number of chirps produced in 14 seconds by the snowy tree cricket common in the United States.

Come on crickets, chirp! Oh here they go....trying to count...it's not easy...the chirps are running together. My best guess..52 chirps in 14 seconds, add 40 = 92 degrees outside.

Did you know that Crickets were kept as pets in ancient China and Japan for their beautiful melodies? They were prized as singing insects. Some crickets were kept in beautiful gold cages that only the rich could afford. Crickets were put in boxes in the bedchamber so the owner could hear a nighttime serenade. For people who couldn't afford golden cages, wooden ones were made from trees and bamboo.

"Beautiful melody"...seriously??? Can you imagine being serenaded by crickets in your bedroom? Hmmm...maybe it works better than counting sheep. I don't have a beautiful gold cage...or even a cage for that matter. I have a shoe box (lots of them) and perhaps I might try this. I've got to catch one first!

Happy Wonderful Wednesday with no complaints. A beautiful melody...or an annoying tone...it's all how we perceive it that makes a difference!