Slice of fallen nightlife in Schwenksville circa respite against August dog days

Upon this September 25th night two thousand nineteen, a indistinct inaudible humming/rumbling vibration sensed (but not so much heard) below decibels of audibility more so felt thru cells of flesh and blood. This incessantly sustained barely detected tremble mystified me. Impossible mission to pinpoint location, but predicated upon natural deductive intuitive reasoning, I surmised the source generated said sound quite some distance away. Hours elapsed with no discernible change emanated such signal. Constant low pitched characteristic bespoke/aawoke analogy to machine such as generator. Unlike shrill noises which tend to induce aural discomfort, thee bass sic hum gave rise to contraption gently massaged the body. Rather than stay awake all night, or dare venture into the inky blackness, yours truly opted to snuggle under blankets (careful not to disrupt the missus) experiencing, luxuriating, and venerating nocturnal orchestra. The every now and again sonic pulsations punctuating symphony amidst nocturnal organisms served analogous to timed primal drumbeat. These tires eyes closed. A noticeably, profoundly, and readily increased fatigue courtesy myopia. This nearsightedness naturally required, nudged, and imposed more effort (plus stress and strain) as this healthy threescore year old corporeal complex edifice aged. Though the following comment a non sequitur, an instantaneous wish to afford lasik surgery (without spectacles vision identified as 20/200) qualifying this garden variety wordsmith for expensive non invasive laser surgery, which Medicare would deem as cosmetic versus lifesaving. Once comfortably numb beneath a light blanket crisp autumn wee hours of next day, the silence (punctuated with gamut of nature's electric light orchestra) waft into bedroom thru open window. Invariably an onset of achingly, blustery, chilly.., temperatures would decree window fan removed and energy efficient airtight one bedroom apartment b44 if that makes any difference. At debut of curmudgeonly old man winter kick starting snowballing effect will designate anniversary regarding our third winter at this residence. Chronological arrival yet undetermined, said near future pluperfect time might also necessitate activating central heat. Whence greensward (housing Highland Manor apartments amidst a postage size swath of nature) becomes snow covered tract will definitely issue decree to shutter tight both reinforced glass pains. Despite fracas regarding global warming, no doubt bitterly cold temperatures produced by forces at large will impose injunction. Enigma i.e. regarding distant rumbling sound never satisfactorily deduced before nodding off to sleep. I experienced what could only be vaguely described as a surreal dream. Once mine body, mind, and immersed within nebulous dreamy state, a distinct (albeit unconscious) awareness recollected unfamiliar out of this world (i.e. alien) sensation. Cilia of me to flinch at lightly ticklish tactile feeling. This would be analogous as bristle of unused paint brush ever so faintly touching skin surface. I immediately thought faint touch most likely could be explained away by fingertips property of spouse. Upon peering at established other side of bed she occupied (resembling masked aquaint cherub, especially donned with CPAP breathing contraption. Said facial appurtenance/paraphernalia scuba diving like gear supposedly minimized risk associated with sleep apnea. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a hose and mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure. Common problems with

CPAP include a leaky mask, trouble falling asleep, stuffy nose and a dry mouth. Neither her left nor right hand close enough to make contact. While within partial sleep/wake state, an illogical ridiculous notion occurred. Earlier that same day, I while reading weekly issue of The Nation (volume 309, number 7, September 30, 2019) eyes espied an intelligent centipede (yepper every last leg counted at a glance) nonchalantly noiselessly moseyed, inched..., ambled along the wall housing central air conditioning and/or heating. Although I slightly flinched when getting closer look, nothing atypical about critter prolonged initial attention. A magnifying glass lens if accessible would definitely give this scrivener reason to pause, and easily trigger further telltale intrigue. Nonetheless, upon resuming getting engrossed with newsworthy information across this country, no further thoughts distracted my attention. Unsure why such bizarre association arose within fifty shades of hazy, gauzy, or fuzzy gray matter. Darkness invariably always plays havoc with an overactive imagination of mine in tandem when spectacles removed, particularly when getting shut eye. Night blindness in tandem with minus wearing bifocals, which mainly worn to correct severe myopia. Thus while feeling doozy simultaneously between slaking necessary zzz's (times bajillion), yet semi conscious about immediate environment. Though two disparate, distinct phenomena (attuned to hearing and seeing respectively) the former became linkedin with exaggeration scaring the bejesus out of yours truly, especially as eyelids imperceptibly opened up to scary sight that found me slack jawed and panting like a dog.

Foreign forbidding terrestrial realm teemed, prevailed, loomed... with none other than huge

Scutigera coleoptrata. Matter of fact yours truly transformed into same species. My entire body resembled outsize critters. Rather than being human, the former slovenly, paunchy, dumpy... body (I never did accept my disproportionate physique) closely matched yellowish-grey entity of fellow myriapods. Three dark dorsal stripes extended down integument length; multitudinous legs also scored with dark stripes. Synonymous with other compatriot Scutigera coleoptrata, a morphological accouterment developed automimicry, whereat tail-like hind legs presented appearance of antennae. When this Homo sapien sized centipede at rest, I quickly realized, a predator could not easily

distinguish front from my back. Very helpful when confronted with birds and foragers such as hedgehogs, badgers, shrews etc. Yes, quite an adjustment to adapt livingsocial among said unsung heros. New found pals rolled out Harris Tweed Scottish welcome mat within their damp areas awash dwellings. The grand tour given included skittering under leaves, stones, boards, tree bark, or in mulch around outdoor plantings. After a hardy walkabout, yours truly got famished. We feasted on catered buffet comprising spiders, bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other household arthropods. If crunchy, juicy, tasty..., morsels still appeared to exhibit life, they got administered dollop of venom through forcipules. Wow! What delicacies proffered to satiate this famished house centipede! Spiders, bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other household arthropods

tastefully detected prey through antennae. In fact, us centipedes don't even have eyes. I hated to sport bifocals, which lenses constantly became coated with filmy detritus courtesy purportedly (actually gross) fresh air.