The Buzz

A choir of billions

The Midwest is getting ready for a horde of cicadas, which are expected to emerge soon. (http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/07/05/21/100wir_a2cicada001.cfm?refresh=yes)

In preparation for an event of biblical proportions, here are a few facts about cicadas:

  • Cicadas are sometimes attracted by the sound of a weedwhacker or lawnmower.

  • These cicadas spent 17 years underground.

  • Cicadas lay 400 to 600 eggs.

  • American Indians consider cicadas a delicacy. But people who have a shellfish allergy shouldn’t risk eating them. Neither should people with common sense, if you ask us.

    But it’s the incredible range of their voice — a half mile — that’s most impressive. If only we had that skill. Some things you could do with such a powerful voice:

  • Call the kids home.

  • Berate spouses, kids or pets for their most recent rule-breaking.

  • Call any event, including a Harley Davidson rally, to order.

  • Let that jerk who cut you off on the highway know exactly how you feel.

  • Become a pro hog caller.

    And, probably the best option for a fog-horn quality voice:

  • Go into politics.

    If you’d like to hear what the cicadas sound like, that’s what the Internet is for. http://www.nwf.org/kidzone/kzPage.cfm?siteId=3&departmentId=186&articleId=750

    Britain will soon begin issuing Harry Potter postage. (http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/07/05/21/100wir_a2stamps001.cfm?refresh=yes) No word on whether the stamps will be valid for owl post.

    — Jessi Loerch, Herald staff

    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

    • More in Opinion

    toon
    Editorial cartoons for Monday, Jan. 13

    A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

    Participants in Northwest WA Civic Circle's discussion among city council members and state lawmakers (clockwise from left) Mountlake Terrace City Council member Dr. Steve Woodard, Stanwood Mayor Sid Roberts, Edmonds City Council member Susan Paine, Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek; Herald Opinion editor Jon Bauer, Mountlake Terrace City Council member Erin Murray, Edmonds City Council member Neil Tibbott, Civic Circle founder Alica Crank, and Rep. Shelly Kolba, D-Kenmore.
    Editorial: State, local leaders chew on budget, policy needs

    Civic Circle, a new nonprofit, invites the public into a discussion of local government needs, taxes and tools.

    toon
    Editorial: News media must brave chill that some threaten

    And readers should stand against moves by media owners and editors to placate President-elect Trump.

    FILE - The afternoon sun illuminates the Legislative Building, left, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., Oct. 9, 2018. Three conservative-backed initiatives that would give police greater ability to pursue people in vehicles, declare a series of rights for parents of public-school students and bar an income tax were approved by the Washington state Legislature on Monday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
    Editorial: Legislation that deserves another look in Olympia

    Along with resolving budgets, state lawmakers should reconsider bills that warrant further review.

    Comment: Blaming everything but climate change for wildfires

    To listen to Trump and others, the disasters’ fault lies with a smelt, DEI and government space lasers.

    Gessen: Film ‘Queendom’ shows performer’s transformative power

    The documentary portrays a trans woman’s life, journey and protests inside Russia and out.

    Comment: 5 questions Democrats must answer in 2025

    The party needs to evaluate its leaders and check them against what the electorate truly supports.

    FILE - Old-growth Douglas fir trees stand along the Salmon River Trail, June 25, 2004, in Mt. Hood National Forest outside Zigzag, Ore. The results in early 2023 from the government’s first-ever national inventory of mature and old-growth forests identified more than 175,000 square miles of the forests on U.S. government lands. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
    Comment: The struggle over the Department of Everything Else

    The Secretary of Interior leads an agency tasked with managing public lands, resources and Tribal affairs.

    Orca calf’s death argues for four dams’ removal

    In “Encounters with the Archdruid,” his narration of David Brower’s battles with… Continue reading

    Comment: King’s call to fulfill dream still ours to heed

    Join in a two-day celebration and commitment to service with events in Everett on Jan. 19 and 20.

    Stephens: Among successes, much will weigh on Biden’s legacy

    Illusions and deceptions, chief among them that he was up to defeating Trump, won’t serve his reputation.

    Harrop: Mamas, don’t let your baby boys grow up to be sponges

    There may be many reasons young men are failing to leave home. But moms may not be helping much.

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.