It’s Cricket time: from my backyard to yours (2019)

Time flies. 2019 has not been my favorite year, with too many sad family events. All this makes you realize the importance of time in our lives. It becomes a marker to celebrate or mourn.

At some time though you realize it’s time to deal with whatever bothers you. If you’re lucky enough your humor remains intact.

​If you’re mobile enough you can find lots of interesting travel opportunities and exercises to satisfy you.

If you’re an artist you can grab what remains of your resolution and start creating again.

And if you put your mind to it you can always enjoy nature in some way. It’s time.

Some cricket mystery

I awoke really early this morning, and for a few minutes was quite startled at the silence. No wind, no…anything. It just seemed like something was missing. Then I remembered! Over the summer and even into the fall, I’d got used to the sound of a lonely, maybe lovelorn cricket out there somewhere. I started thinking about him..

Seems strange, but crickets can be quite important in the scheme of things. I’ve suddenly recalled some folklore about crickets. Each year they cause me to have a faintly disturbed feeling, as though I’m missing out on something.

Crickets start their lives as eggs, laid by a momma cricket. Within days of hatching they become quite cute little creatures, although unlike most babies they aren’t ever cuddly. Baby crickets are called nymphs.

They grow by shedding their skin, each time becoming more mature, and of course, more cricket-like. Only the males develop the ability to chirp though.

There’s nothing like the start of a chirping cricket outside my window to give me a thrill of delight. I’m overcome with joy, and, I must admit, with a certain amount of pure greed. You see, if you hear one it means you will come into money!

My summer one was very insistent. I’m trying to keep calm about it, but I’m still secretly hoping this was a grey one, because they are the money ones. There’s no time limit specified, so the summer one could theoretically bring you some coin in time for your Christmas shopping.

You do get black ones too, but they’re sort of mean, and they tell you that you can expect to get ill, so they aren’t popular. And if they come into your house, that is crossing the line big time, and you’re entitled to kill them if you can find them.

Crickets are popular pets in China. They have cricket fights there. Lots of money changes hands, buying, selling, training, feeding,betting. And all that care comes to a crashing end, as crickets only live for about 100 days.

Here’s a short but interesting video, depicting the importance of this sport. And no, crickets don’t die or get injured during their fights. The loser just walks away, making its proud owner lose a lot of face. You’ll note there aren’t any women to be seen…not sure what that means…

Money where your mouths are!

In some countries, crickets are enjoyed as deep fried snacks. But those food crickets have all bases covered, because reptile pet owners order them online as raw food snacks for their cuties! Yep, these ones with free shipping are sized for you, and perfect for those cuddly reptile pets. You can buy 1000 for around $25.00, so they’re a worthwhile treat.

The cricket farmers in China make sure their food crickets are given the best food, so reptile fanciers and farmers can be assured their animals are healthy. This is referred to in the trade as “gut loading.” Some crickets are even given a light coating of mineral supplement before they are mailed off.

Entertaining with snacks and fine wine? Nothing like some crispy cricket snacks as conversation starters. Be sure to leave the packs where guests can see and enjoy them. You can get a great selection, and again all you have to do is go to Amazon and order online.

Chirping for money

So you see, crickets are big money. And that’s why they’re said to inspire would-be entrepreneurs. You have to decide if you’d like to become a cricketeur, and what form that would take.

Maybe the folklore is absolutely on the money.

At the same time remember, be forewarned. They can be very annoying with their repetitive, endless chirping. But it’s only for 100 days!