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Cindy Woodall: Meandering with My Mutt

Rambling to a symphony of cicadas

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Vast fields stretch to the sky as we begin our ramble at Schick Reserve in Hunterdon County, N.J. While still in the parking lot Jesse and I encounter fellow hikers, a woman accompanied by her dog, Jiminy. Aptly named, Jiminy is a petite golden brown pup, hopping here and there, sociable and eager to make friends, although he’s a bit overwhelmed by Jesse’s size and exuberant greeting.
Crossing the gravel road we came in on, we enter yet another lustrous field of golden-green wheat. Deer have created paths through the flowing grain, crisscrossing variations of alien crop circles. Startled, one of the creators darts across our path, disappearing with athletic grace into the forest.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention the ubiquitous presence of the 17-year cicadas. They whir and flutter around us and, being less than ace flyers, sometimes even collide into us. While they can be a bit of a nuisance - the high decibel cacophony that is the collective love song of the males, for instance - I find them nevertheless fascinating and rather resplendent with their bright red eyes and iridescent wings etched in orange. Certainly the birds find them alluring and heartily enjoy the feast they provide. Nevertheless, having ascended from their underground bunkers weeks ago, the cicadas are beginning to wear out their welcome, and we can only be thankful that they don’t appear at more frequent intervals.
From the edge of the field, we enter a trail through the woods, following the bright orange diamonds marking the way, eventually emerging into yet another expansive field, greeted by the intoxicating smell of Japanese honeysuckle vine. The flowers of this vine not only smell amazing, but are also edible for humans; in addition, hummingbirds, bees, and other wildlife love them for their delectable nectar. It may be an introduced, invasive plant, but it has its virtues.

Along the verges of the field grow clumps of oxe-eye daisy and horsenettle. Horsenettle gets its name from a combination of two factors: it grows in fields often occupied by horses, and it has nettle-like spines. It’s actually a member of the solanaceae family of plants and produces round, yellow-orange berries similar to cherry tomatoes. And indeed, tomatoes are fellow members of the solanaceae family but, unlike the tomato, eating horsenettle berries would be ill-advised, as they cause severe gastrointestinal distress.
Reentering the enclosed space of the forest, the symphony of cicadas becomes deafening, drowning out much of the surrounding bird chatter. Jesse appears unfazed by the clamor, his age-related hearing loss a blessing. Jesse has always prided himself on being the scout – leading the way, out in front – but he’s begun to slow his pace of late, and today he’s content to walk leisurely by my side, as always my devoted and treasured companion. Dean Koontz said it best, “Once you have a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.” I am blessed with a wonderful dog.
Cindy Woodall resides in Upper Black Eddy.


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