One of the many things I like about memoir writing is that I get to do research play Nancy Drew. I sometimes need to verify names and/or dates with my siblings, for instance, or track down tiny but important facts. Oh, the lovely places I’ve gone, and the fascinating people I’ve met!
I’d like to introduce you to my newest gumshoe partner. I reached out to him after a blog conversation made me second-guess the location of one of my favorite childhood memories—the magical night we danced with fireflies in the desert. My Google search (key words: fireflies and Tucson) eventually led me to the University of Arizona’s Entomology Department website. If you have questions, the web page suggested, “Start with the Bug Man.” And so I did. And the Bug Man, aka Carl, wrote me right back!
He gave me the answer I was looking for, but our communications also revealed something special about the Bug Man himself. He obviously loves his job—and life. I wish I could collect in a jar some of his child-like sense of wonder and joy, and then release that lightness of being into the universe for everyone to see! I can’t, of course, but I thought I’d share some of the Bug Man’s magic with you.*
Hi Melody,
Oh indeed we do have fireflies, usually not in the populations that people remember in grass yards back in Midwest, but certainly we have them and still do today, but maybe a bit more restricted. A friend of mine has data all along the Santa Cruz River (wash!!) corridor so it is very possible you observed such a moment around Tucson. I hope this is enough to verify your memory. What a great story to write. Would love to see it when done because people need that delight again.
Thanks for sharing,
Carl A. Olson, Associate Curator
Dept. of Entomology
University of Arizona
e-mail bugman@ag.arizona.edu
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
*I’m reprinting Carl’s email with his permission. Image credit here. I also found this sad but enlightening article about fireflies: Lights Out! Experts Fear Fireflies are Dwindling.
How lovely! And what a nice tag line to his email. 🙂
Yes, yes! I noticed that right away. It’s a lovely email, through and through. 🙂
That’s really interesting. I’ve only seen them in Michigan before…but now I’ll have to be on the lookout for those critters in AZ 🙂
Did you read the linked article on fireflies? Seems they’re scarcer and scarcer all the time. Very sad.
I’ve noticed that we have fewer and fewer of them here,too. I wonder if what is killing all the bees is hitting the fireflies?
Yes, it’s very sad as there is nothing like going outside on a warm summer evening at ‘witching hour'(midnight) and running barefoot across the lawn among the fireflies.
I went to the University of Arizona and I remember specifically thinking how much I missed seeing fireflies. Hm, I guess I wasn’t looking in the right places.
I’m so glad your research is going well!
Wow, I guess they’re all the more precious because the sightings are increasingly rare.
Thanks for the encouragement. My writing progress is much smoother and faster now, too. YAY!
What a cool letter. I like the bug man!!
I’m a huge Bug Man fangrrl now. He seems like somebody I’d really enjoy talking to in person.
How cool! My CP is writing a memoir now. I’ll have to send her to your LJ!
Oh yes, please do! I’d love to “talk” with someone else who’s going through the same things.
I can’t tell you how much I admire your willingness to face your memories and fact-check them for accuracy. Memories being so tied to emotions makes that a really brave thing.
Oh, V. Thank you so much for recognizing–and saying–that! xo
Since this was a very happy memory, writing it down was a very nice (read: welcome) emotional respite.
I can only imagine…
By following the progress of your memoir experiences has caused me to look back at some of my own demons memories that I’d rather not face. But to consider checking them out for accuracy really makes the prospect daunting.
I have some relatively ‘minor’ memories that my siblings and parents have insisted happened other than the way I remember them. Having been so much younger at the time the incidents occurred I’ve felt the need to yield to their recollections as being more accurate than my own. There are some, however, that I can’t bare to hold up for scrutiny, because they are so emotional for me. I don’t know whether I could endure others remembering them differently.
Thank YOU for exhibiting such courage. (I know ‘this one’ was a pleasant memory – but I also know you have faced and are facing others that are not.)
OOPs – wrong code. Should have been demons.
I look to outside sources for confirmation of specific details, but the memories themselves…they’re all mine.
If I were to include everyone’s perspectives, I’d be telling a far different story, as each of us sees and remembers things through a unique lens. And while we can and do benefit from hearing one another’s viewpoints, I also feel strongly that each of us has the right (and the responsibility) to give voice to our own.
The story of the Blind Men and the Elephant is a great metaphor for memoirists, don’t you think? xo
Carl the bug man sounds like a cool guy. My DH loves fireflies, and luckily we have them here in NY, so he gets to see them in the summer.
Have fun sluething Nancy Drew!
You’re among the lucky ones. I hope someday to see them again.
The Bug Man is uber-cool, isn’t he? I feel very fortunate to have met so many wonderful people on this journey.
What an interesting journey this memoir has sent you on. You’re discovering the coolest things!
Yes, absolutely! I’m constantly reminded of that Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” How lucky can a girl get? 🙂