Illinois...

[SnootyHen]

I'll be out in it too. Blech! We cut swim practice short to try and beat the worst of it but because of covid, we're having to drive out to Willlow Springs and Westmont for practice instead of our home pool. It's really getting obnoxious and I am hoping it will be over soon but keeping these kids in the water so we spend time, money and energy finding water wherever we can.

 

[Faraday40]

I'll be out in it too. Blech! We cut swim practice short to try and beat the worst of it but because of covid, we're having to drive out to Willlow Springs and Westmont for practice instead of our home pool. It's really getting obnoxious and I am hoping it will be over soon but keeping these kids in the water so we spend time, money and energy finding water wherever we can.

..... So does Covid avoid Westmont & Willowsprings? That's good to know, because that's my area!

 

[SnootyHen]

..... So does Covid avoid Westmont & Willowsprings? That's good to know, because that's my area!

Maybe! LOL!! We normally practice at a high school 5 minutes from me. The district has taken a strict "no renters" policy in order to keep the students in person. As the mother of a HS student, I am happy that they are so committed to in person school. As the president of a swim club that is paying out the nose to rent lanes elsewhere, I wish they'd reconsider our long-standing commitment and financial contribution to the district. The pools where we practice now are owned by swim clubs and not under the restrictions of a school -- but hella expensive and much farther for our families to drive. All summer we rented lanes at an outdoor pool in Oak Lawn that wasn't allowed to open to the public and decided to make up their losses by letting swim teams rent the lanes. But we couldn't stay there once it got cold. I spend more time with my unpaid full time volunteer position than I do my job that actually pays but it's a passion and all 3 of my boys are competitive swimmers so it's kind of our life.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

I think this is supposed to be our big cicada year. That will be cool

 

[Molpet]

I think this is supposed to be our big cicada year. That will be cool

Not in all parts of the state
https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/News-Events/The-Buzz/17-year-cidada-swarm-hype-summer-2021

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

Anyone have any hatching eggs (of any sort) close to the mattoon/Charleston Illinois area?

If you are ever near Plainfield or joliet I'll gladly give you a dozen.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

Not in all parts of the state
https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/News-Events/The-Buzz/17-year-cidada-swarm-hype-summer-2021

I was excited for a minute ☹ . Maybe we'll get some here. The big event is so cool though hard to sleep with the windows open with the noise.

 

[Faraday40]

I'll never forget 2007! We couldn't walk through the grass without stepping on hundreds of them.

Every bit of tree and bush and vines were simply coated with them!

We had to literally brush ourselves off to prevent bringing them into the house.

DD was only 2. She enjoyed "catching" them by letting them crawl onto a stick.

We couldn't prevent our puppy from eating ciccadas. (Flying, buzzing snacks) He was so sick and gassy that month! The vet said it was extra protein and we'd save a little on dog food.

Fun times!
Of course it wasn't limited to outside. We made peanut butter play dough to make our own edible cicadas.

Even if my kids will be too old to play with cicadas, I'm looking forward to 2024's brood!

 

[Molpet]

Now they are saying closer to a ft.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=154341816496860&id=1445956365637026

 

[BReeder!]

I think this is supposed to be our big cicada year. That will be cool

No! No! No! I want peaches this year. I've waited long enough. This is our third season and I see flower buds. I cannot have creepy big-eyed aliens flying around and damaging my peach tree. I will not have it!