I held a cricket in the palm of my hand this morning. He woke me up at 5 AM from my family room. I knew he was in the house last night, when I was going to bed. I heard him once. But I think he was on the move after that point, from the front of the house to the back. They are quiet while on the move, I think. Then at 5AM his sound penetrated my slumbers, and I sought him out. I knew he was too noisy to allow a return to sleep.
The little buggers sneak in through the doors- they sit and wait for it to open, and then burst through- compelled in that direction by what? I have seen them make their break occasionally- though more often I don't see them. Only hear 'em when it is too late (like at 5 AM.)
Anyway, he was easy to catch this morning. I moved a box of my daughter's toys, and there he was, hunkered down on the carpet. He remained still and quiet in my hand as I carried him to the door, to fling him into the yard to rejoin his fellows. I fancied I heard him in the yard soon after that, a less futile call to lovers.