Category: Oklahoma

Life Cycles

~ Crystle ~ 7 Comments

Hey Folks!

If you are easily frightened by prehistoric looking insects, turn back! That’s your fair warning.

If you’re fascinated by entomology like I am, then you too will be curious about the molting that Oklahoma Cicadas undertake. Franz Kafka was seriously onto something…

The life cycle of the cicada (or locust) is quite interesting. The females cut slits into the bark of trees where they deposit their eggs. When they hatch, nymphs drop to the ground where they burrow. Can you believe these insects go through a life cycle that’s 2-5 years? Some North American Cicadas can have a life cycle of up to 17 years! These guys live underground for most of their lives at depths of 1-8 feet. They eventually emerge and molt into adulthood. This is the stage we see here.

Truly fascinating how adulthood manifests in different species. They emerge in the summer to sing their beautiful songs and carry on their life cycle. Shouldn’t we as well?

And in case you were wondering what psuedo-plant these guys molted on, it was this deflated gnome-away-from-home. He had three separate cicadas molt on him this year!

I hope each and every one of us is developing into strong, cacophonous adults. Just like the cicadas.

If you’re interested in more, check out this NPR story!

Where the Sidewalk Never Ends

~ Crystle ~ 15 Comments

Hey Folks!

I thought I’d share a few images of the area I live in. My place is an old house in an old neighborhood. It was built in ’38 and originally had no electricity. Trust me, we could use some upgrades. What I really want to share with you is our surroundings. The photos articulate the serenity well, but you can’t hear the University bells and cicadas, or smell the cedar from them.

Coming from Bakersfield, CA (think tract homes and swimming pools) I didn’t know places like this really existed. The Adventures of Pete & Pete was a total farce. Tree lined streets? Homes built before the ’60s? No way!

But sure enough, here it is.

The sidewalk goes on forever.

Shade on a hot summer’s day is a must when dog walking.

I still live close to my Alma Mater, so I had to sneak in a picture of my old sorority house. We had a brief but memorable stint.

This little house is for sale, I can has?

Gentrify, gentrify, gentrify.

Historic homes warm my heart. Sigh.

Okie Noodling 2011

~ Crystle ~ 14 Comments

Hey Folks!

I hope everyone is familiar with a little Oklahoman tradition called Noodling, and for those of you who are not, I will explain. There exists a small portion of courageous Oklahomans who love the sport of barehanded cat fishing. That’s right, these folks like to wade the shorelines of creeks, rivers, and lakes to find large, unpretentious catfish. They are fearless.

The annual Okie Noodling Festival held in Pauls Valley, OK has accumulated quite the cult following. I for one have conflicted emotions about the treatment of the catfish, but I also get caught up in the quirkiness of the event. It’s the same way I feel about reality television.

Take a look to see what I mean:

I guess this year Pabst Blue Ribbon had quite the role in sponsoring the event.

This young man won fourth place for one of his fine catches. He looked like he was having way too much fun in the fish tank!

Guess what catfish? Noodling has now been legalized in Texas, warn your southern kinfolk!

Blossom wanted to get a picture with the Okie Noodling Queen. Ahh, look at us; brushing elbows with Oklahoma Royalty. Maybe one day you can get all hot and dusty and experience the catfish aroma of the Okie Noodling Festival!