Donner and Blitzen

The thunder and lightening are crashing outside. Donner and Blitzen, my Grandpa used to say. The familiar reindeer of Santa's, also the German words for these powerful makers of storms. But the crickets are louder. Because they live here. Sometimes they suddenly stop, all at once. And I wonder if I should be listening for something else. But really-- the wind, rain, thunder, cricket combined is just as lovely as a fading summer sound gets.