Changing seasons signal new nighttime sounds

Each season has its own unique and beautiful features; a glistening white snow in winter, colorful flowers of spring, a bright summer sun and the red, yellow and orange leaves of fall. But each season also brings with it its unique sounds, especially at night.

It appears that summer has finally arrived.. Those early warm days in March turned out to be just a tease for a season that eventually arrived, and arrive it did with an over-abundance of raining days and cool nights.

But there is another way to know that summer has arrived. I know its summertime, not only by the flowers in the garden or the need to cut the lawn almost daily, but by the sounds of the nighttime.

As the sun sets and evening settles in, the birds sing their last song for the day. The frogs and toads begin their nightly chorus. It seems that one frog starts and soon others join in to the rhythmic melody. More frogs and toads from a nearby pond, not to be outdone, get into the mix and while it's not the soundtrack from “The Sound of Music,”it is fun to listen as they try to out do each other.

Then, as quickly as it starts, it stops! Silence. Not a single croak. But soon it starts again and lasts well into the night. (Now if I can just keep the neighbor's cat away.)

But there are some nighttime sounds not quite so entertaining. Settling in for a good night's sleep, the peacefulness and calm is interrupted by the buzzing of a pesty mosquito. Left ear? Right ear? I slap my forehead. Missed!

The room is dark. I can't see it, but I sure do hear it. It makes another pass. Has it landed on my hand? Slap. Missed again.

I know! I'll stick my head under the pillow. Maybe it will go away. But now I can't breathe.

From the other side of the bed come the words...” just get up, turn on the light and kill it?”

That would be too easy. This had turned into war now. If I can't outwit a little old mosquito...

The battle continues to rage. I listen. No buzzing. The frogs continue to sing in the background. Without notice the mosquito lands on my nose. Sneak attack. Swat. Missed again. Ouch!

“Turn on the light!!!” This time the suggestion is a bit more forceful.

Even thought it would signal defeat, I turn on the light and within several minutes, the deed is done.

“Keep me awake, will you! Take that.” Splat.

Lights out and peace and quiet returns, except for the frogs as they cheerfully continue their”froggy refrains”. Suddenly there are a series of splashes and I know the neighbor's cat is probably close by.

All of a sudden, out of the darkness come that annoying sound,.. another one?

Yes, summer is truly here again. Sleep well.