We
all experiences noises specific to where we live. Everything from
a squeaky floor to traffic outside. Often, they become so much
a part of our regular life, we filter them out. Barely even hear
them.
The
heat starting and turning off. A washing machine. Look, you know
the ideas. In every corner of your home, there is probably something
that can generate a sound unique to your property. They are the
things you don’t notice that probably keep your guests awake.
The
other morning, I was sitting with Terry in our living room, and
without much warning we both heard a new and different sound.
It had a bit of a metallic edge to it. Maybe a pipe. Perhaps a
pan. But there didn’t seem to be any reason for it, since there
would have to be something striking it.
Moving
around to gather some morning items, like juice and toast, a game
began. It was as if I was playing a round of hot and cold. Heading
to the fridge, sound louder, getting warmer. Open the garage door,
sound softer, getting colder.
Eventually
I needed something from the basement, and heading down the steps
I was red hot. Bang bang bang. But the source still wasn’t clear.
I checked some of the possible culprits, but everything from the
dehumidifier to the furnace were fine. And while literally spinning
around to consider the possibilities, eventually the timing of
a round of beeps and the way I was facing brought a resolution
to the mystery.
It
was a smoke detector.
But
it didn’t have one of those beeps we all usually associate with
smoke detectors. As the title would suggest, it was much closer
to a metal rapping of a dinner demand than a reminder to replace
batteries. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Phones haven’t
sounded like phones for years.
A
long time ago, I lived in a place that was somewhat in the middle
of nowhere. That isn’t completely true. The ice cream wouldn’t
have been close to melting by the time you arrived home from the
store. That would be nowhere. Still, close enough.
The
area ran emergency services off of one of those loud, booming
fire alarms. You probably understand what that means. The horn-like
ongoing siren that sounds like it’s dropping down from above and
hangs in the air like an electric charge for minutes after it
has actually stopped.
Fortunately,
we were a bit further away from the location of the siren than
most in that community. We could hear it pretty clearly whenever
we were outside. But if we were asleep, or watching television,
we might not even notice it.
Every
location has its sounds.
Terry
and I were outside a few weeks ago. Twilight was still more toward
daylight at the time, and we were discussing some of the sounds
echoing around the brush and woods that surround our neighborhood.
One of the things we both thought was funny was that neither of
us could remember hearing a cricket in a really long time. As
in, three residences and more than twenty years. Probably had
heard one. Just had no memory of it.
Growing
up, I remember hearing crickets all the time. During the summer
months, we’d often see them hopping around the yard. Of course,
I also seem to recall being outside a lot more in those days.
About
a week after our conversation, we headed to our hometown and were
visiting with family. You probably guessed that the very first
night there was a cricket camped outside our bedroom window. Thing
paid a visit for a few hours each evening of our stay. We actually
enjoyed it. Brought more than a few smiles to our faces.
Got
back home, and a day or two later, I happened to be doing some
yard work late in the afternoon. Spotted a couple of crickets
while walking around. That raised an eyebrow for me.
Now,
we haven’t been overrun by crickets. Nor have we heard any. But
the sounds around here definitely have their own personality.
I
know people that can sleep with car horns blaring, people yelling,
and the occasional blast of a police car, fire truck or ambulance
passing. I know others that treat the overnight trains echoing
only marginally in the distance as a soothing lullaby. Normal
absolutely is what you’re used to.
All
that understood, if you are trying to get some rest, you might
want to reconsider what you’re doing with the bird feeders. Or,
at least don’t leave anything around for the squirrels to use.
That, and change the batteries on your smoke detector.