Day 5040: Switch, Freeze, Go! & Last Generation to See Fireflies?

 

"Expert": junk papers collage.

                                                                       

  

Want music?

    Click: Portugal, the Man, Feel It Still.

2GN2S

Switch, Freeze, Go!

Years ago when I was still teaching Karate, 

and for 33 years, I had a game, named as above. 

The game was part of warmups and involved circling 

the class space with running, at their own pace. 

When switch was called, they turned quickly 

to go the opposite direction, careful to not run in to others.

 When freeze was called, they had to stop immediately, 

with not even an extra step or a blink of the eye. 

Go is self-explanatory, except it could be called while 

they were already running, so often cause a hesitation 

They would sit down in the center if they had a mistake

 or even if they felt tired, knowing it would cost them 

a quick 10 push-ups counted by the 5 winners at the end. 

Even push-ups were to make them stronger. 

They came to love this game, and I told them I was 

glad they had fun, but really it was for me. 

I remember saying to them 

"I can't teach you until you can really listen."

Scientists warn that we could be the very last generation to see fireflies. The nostalgic magic of catching fireflies on warm summer nights may soon belong only to history. Scientists warn that humanity could be the last generation to witness the glowing courtship displays of these beloved beetles. Across the globe, firefly populations are experiencing rapid declines. This quiet ecological crisis is primarily driven by habitat destruction, pesticide use, rising global temperatures, and light pollution, which disrupts the dark environments they depend on to reproduce and thrive.

As crucial predators of pests and vital indicators of environmental health, the fading presence of fireflies signals a broader threat to our ecosystems. To prevent their complete disappearance, conservationists are urging immediate action, including restoring wetlands, reducing artificial nighttime lighting, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Without these steps, future generations may only experience the mesmerizing dance of these living stars through stories and digital screens.

source: National Geographic. Fireflies are vanishing—but you can help protect them. National Geographic

 

  

 

A 2+ minute cute video, This Side Up,  here.

 

 

Just because ...

Yellow Wattled Lapwing

Friday's Smiles ... 

 

Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.