Here in the South, they’re lightning bugs.
You don’t remember a lot about when you were a kid, but I remember being 4 or 5 and staying out late to catch lightning bugs. Dad said he used to catch lightning bugs when he was a kid and put them in a jar, and that’s how he had enough light to read at night. I’m pretty sure he was kidding.
Anyway, I saw my first lightning bug of the year last night. It was the perfect start to the long Memorial Day weekend and a sign that, no matter what the calendar says, it’s summertime.
Todd Pack 
Fireflies, though that’s mostly in memory of the greatest TV show ever made – Firefly.
I grew up in New York state. We called them both. I would never deliberately keep them in my bedroom. A couple times, one got in by accident. Try to sleep with your bedroom lighting up like the noon sun is overhead every five seconds! And then when you turn the light on to try to find the bug and get it out, it somehow manages to disappear …
I know they live in the south, but I don’t think I’ve seen one since I moved here!
We didn’t see any when we lived in Florida. I missed them.
I uses them interchangeably, but I think I use Lightening bug the most. That’s probably because my mo is from Kentucky, so that’s what she called them.
Lightning bugs… and I love seeing the 1st one of the summer. It makes me smile and feel like a kid again.
Btw, I really love the picture at the top of your blog. My granny and pa had a set of green chairs and glider like those. I miss them so much and kick myself for not keeping them after they passed.
My granny did, too. Yellow ones.
Most of the pictures here are mine, but I found this one in the Library of Congress’ photo archives. It was shot at the Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona, by Carol Highsmith, and according to the LOC’s website, there are no known restrictions on publication. Here’s the link, if you’re interested: http://bit.ly/9wIiKK
Lighting bugs all the way! Reminds me of the many days of summer camp trying to catch them in clear mason jars..hah
Lightning bugs! I live in Knoxville, TN. Growing up here my sisters & I spent many Summers catching them in pickle (or jam) jars, poking holes in the lids, hoping to keep them as long as possible… they never lived long, sadly. Now my husband & I love to watch them dance in the grass & the trees in our backyard on these warm, humid Summer nights & reminisce about being kids in the South.
Lovely memories. 🙂