Saturday, August 2, 2008

Invaders From The North

When we were kids, we lived in a house with a front porch. Loved that porch. That porch was used for everything, from just sitting quietly on the swing, using it as a hiding place (it had solid sides up to the railing) having all the kids in the neighborhood just hanging out, sitting around, talking, laughing.

And once a year it was used as a meeting place for the invaders from the north. I don't know what their real name is, but we called them Canadian Soldiers. They would come by the hundreds and meet on our front porch. Covered that porch. We would come outside one day, and there they were. We could pick them up by their large wings and set them on our arms. They didn't bite and they didn't try to fly away, they would just sit there, tired after their long journey. And soon they would die. Don't know what their purpose was but they enjoyed our front porch for a few days just as we did.

Took this picture yesterday. These were the only ones that showed up on my back wall. Maybe more would have come if I had a front porch.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey I remember them. We had a few a couple of weeks ago and I was telling the grandkids what we called them and that they only live for a short time, maybe 24 hrs. Don't know why were not swarmed with them now. Maybe the midges eat them. Ha Ha. Or maybe theyre one of the same but a smaller version. Middle sis

flydragon said...

Poor little soldiers. I always liked them. Never did any biting or damage to plants. Just showed up and then died.

Anonymous said...

See. I'm so glad I have sisters who remember EVERYTHING! I don't remember being on that porch at all, let alone the swing. The only thing I remember about the porch was the burning curtains being thrown out there when the livingroom was on fire because dad was fixing something in there. Do I have this right at all??? BUT I definitely remember the Canadian Soldiers and do wonder why there aren't very many down here in WV. Figured it was because I was too far south:-)

And what are midges? Never heard of these.

SisterNan

Anonymous said...

...again, I love this photo.

flydragon said...

I only vaguely remember something about curtains on fire. Dad was probable sticking a screwdriver in the socket for some reason. Being an electrician he often did that and I remember him getting shocked more than once. As for the soldiers and midges, I think they are definitely a lake thing. Midges look a lot like mosquitoes only a little bit bigger and they don't bite, but they cover EVERYTHING when they arrive. Doors, windows, spider webs are just loaded with them. They only live for a day and their dead bodies litter the concrete by my back and front doors. Some years are worse than others, don't know why, and this year didn't seem to be as bad.

laurent Debordes said...

magnifique image

flydragon said...

Thanks Laubaine
I stopped by your blog and talk about magnifique images, yours are terrific!!!! Wish I could understand french.