SUMMER!

There are rabbit holes in my backyard at the base of a massive maple on the far side of the property line.

Where there are rabbit HOLES, there ARE rabbits - it would seem obvious, but these are the joys and trials of living in the suburbs.

This came into perfect focus as I thought how eager Emmy Lou has been to get into the backyard whenever possible for the last month. Tonight I saw the rabbit through the top screen of the storm door, grazing away on my lawn. The chase would be on as soon as the door was open.......aaaaannnnnnddddd....... she was OFF! As quick as Em is, she doesn't quite have the HOLE concept down and looks around to where the white tail has disappeared.

While that was all well and good, I turned off the flood lights and saw the indisputable evidence of summer...fireflies. Slowly they rose from the grass - winking and disappearing, only to reappear in a different formation, all with flashing behinds that sometimes were in sync and other times flickered at will in one section of the yard or the other, taking turns. Loud or barely visible, they were all signalling " Pick ME!" to a mate that might come by or be charmed by their amazing luminescence.

I simply sigh and say 'summer at last........aaahhhhh'. What marvels of ingenuity, adaptation, beauty and ability we are.... each a part of a dream of God that became creation. What diversity! I had to go out on the back steps and soak it in...briefly. I retreated for an application of mosquito repellent and all was well. Em had her shout to the ground in happy pursuit of the elusive. I had my eyes upward to see the twinkling ground light show that will take place for several weeks - and glanced to the heavens beyond that we stars that we will still be able to see for our lifetimes (at least). And with some green stewardship on our part, may it be so for generations to come!