A Bug Runs Through It – Summer of 1972 (Memories of Moving and Adaption)

/ Tracey

It’s been nearly a year since I’ve published a blog. We started planning our next move in January, which consumed most of the year. It distracted me from blogging, but not writing about some of my moving memories. I started a journal for Memories of Moving and Adaption. This was my first entry:

Summer of 1972: I’ve moved a lot in my life, often to warm places with weird bugs. My brother and I were born in Japan, but had no memory of it. Five moves later, when he was 10 and I was 12, we moved back. My parents enjoyed their first assignment there and we looked forward to a shared adventure. Initially, we lived in temporary housing – a “quonset hut” with AC, but not impervious to insect invasions. At night, lying in the twin beds of our shared room, we could hear skittering coming from the kitchen. Mom told us large roaches were living behind the stove and to “stay in bed.” My brother was not afraid. One night he tip toed out and turned on the lights to see them vaulting themselves into the corners of the kitchen. They also had the decency, or fear, to get out of our Mother’s way as she made morning coffee.

That was the first time I remember considering the sentiency of insects. Those roaches wanted to be around us, because we had good crumbs, but they didn’t want to be too close. One morning I snuck into the kitchen to see what I could see. In the morning light, I could see their shiny backs scouting around – until they saw me. Fear and self preservation kicked in. They were intelligent. To this day, I do not step on roaches. I respect them, and insects in general. They reward me by showing up in my memories.

I haven’t found many roaches in our new house, probably because it had been empty for a while. More on the move later. How do you react when you see a roach, or any insect unexpectedly?

9 thoughts on “A Bug Runs Through It – Summer of 1972 (Memories of Moving and Adaption)”

  1. Glad to see you back here Tracey. Lots of bloggers pulled out this year. Perhaps you will decide to run your memories series. I think it would be fascinating as I lived in the same place till I was 18. And since then only 5 moves.
    As to insects…well depends on whether or not they bite. 2 September’s ago I had a delayed anaphylateic reaction to a wasp bite. So I am pretty spooked about them. Not fond of ants either as I always seem to find the kind that bite. So yeah I am not super fond of creepy crawlies.

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  3. Hi Tracey, this is a great post to make a ‘comeback’ with. We have Palmetto bugs in Florida that routinely find their way inside. They are creepy, but not harmful, so we just help them find their way back outside. Now, roaches are another matter. The small German variety is a nuisance. Spot one of those, and it’s time for an exterminator. I’m looking forward to hearing about the move. Merry Christmas.

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    • Thanks Suzanne! Those roaches in Japan are as big as the Palmettos. I agree the smaller roaches are a bad sign. In any event, I like to expedite their way out, otherwise the cats will have their way with them. Merry Christmas to you too!

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    • Good to hear from you Lori. Much rain in Western Washington over the last week. Trust you are ok where you are located, but hope none of your friends and family are impacted.

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