We recently experienced the emergence of the 17-year cicadas. They have left us now but will come again in 17 years. Their egg-laying has affected the trees, leaving orange or brown leaves. But the trees (at least the mature ones) will not be permanently damaged. The annual cicadas have now returned, but not in such numbers and without the intense humming. They will not affect the trees. Handel’s aria “Ombra mia fu” celebrates a beautiful tree.
My earliest memories of my father, Charles Dolby, are of him building things. He expanded the house I grew up in and built a lake cottage that we spent time in every summer. He was a city fireman, which meant rushing into burning buildings, and he once broke his foot in the line of duty. He had a kind of quite courage that showed itself most clearly toward the end of his life—when he was forced to endure the debilitating effects of a stroke. As I’ve gotten older, I have appreciated how hard that was on him. Just to stay alive was an act of courage. Thanks, Dad.
My paternal grandmother was born on February 13, 1879. I always remembered her birthday as the day between Lincoln’s birthday and Valentine’s Day. She shared many wonderful books with me as I was growing up. This song reflects some images from one of them.