So as you’ve probably heard, the cicada invasion for this 17-year brood has started.

I took a few pictures to document their life cycle.

After spending 17 years underground, the cicada nymphs crawl from the ground and head toward the nearest tree.

In this pic you can see some of the many holes …

You could kind of say it was an old fashioned barn raising.

We wanted a barn critters would be happy in. Drawn to, even. Of the earth, and of nature.

Above: a view of one of our pastures in the early morning light.

Below: this week has been quite juicy, with the debacle over the TSA’s new security procedures, a neat new tool you can use to balance the budget yourself (since, evidently, no one else is willing), a few insights into why the …