It feels good to be writing again. This pandemic sapped my energy and creativity. I’m glad I took some time off to work on projects around the house. It helped me to settle into this new normalcy.
Last week, we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary, and last Saturday was my birthday. Life feels more precious now, and some days I’m overwhelmed with gratitude at the time we’ve been allowed to spend together. How treasured these days are.
Ron and I spent the day together working in the garden, planting seeds, barbecuing, and enjoying the cooler temperatures for this time of year. I even ate gluten-free chocolate cake!
Later in the evening, I watched a concert special on television with my best friend, Debby Gies, both of us on a chat-link, chattering away to each other on Messenger. We had some great laughs and a few tears over the more emotional songs.
My daughter, Amy, who lives in Florida, sent me a most precious photo-gift. She’s an avid gardener who works for a gardening center. Amy grows plants that attract the butterflies. Saving the butterflies has become her lifelong ambition.
Three monarch butterflies (all females) were born on my birthday! The number three has always held special significance to me: Past, Present, and Future… Three is also a magical number. My three wishes have been granted. The mother goddess blesses us in wonderful ways.
Did you know that like all butterflies, monarchs lay their eggs on “host plants.” These plants are the only plants their caterpillars can eat, and for monarchs, milkweed is their only host plant. (blognwf.com)
Amy grows milkweed by the bucket loads, even sharing it with her neighbors so the butterflies have a place to propagate.
In Arizona and Florida, we call it butterfly weed, but there are many kinds of milkweed. Check out the Twelve Native Milkweeds for Monarchs HERE.
This pandemic has taught me to redefine the areas in my life where I can control the outcomes. For this crisis is a wake-up call. We must take care of where we live, and who we are. We must care for the plants, animals, insects, and humans that dwell on our planet. We must learn to think as one. We are the butterflies, and our planet is the milkweed.
plant milkweed today—
save the monarch butterfly
safeguard our future
©2020 Colleen M. Chesebro
This awful pandemic will change our world, hopefully for the better.
I hope so. A large portion of America still doesn’t get it. Let’s hope they figure it out soon!
Soon would be very good, Colleen…
What a heart-warming post <3 Happy belated birthday <3 Love, love, love the butterfly gift you received. <3
Thank you, Alethea. I was so tickled at the butterfly births. Made my day. <3
Happy belated birthday and anniversary, Colleen. And thanks for sharing the beautiful pics and reflections. Keep safe.
Thank you, Olga. We’re safe and enjoying the scenery. <3
A lovely message and photos. Those blooms on the cactus are beautiful.
I’m so glad you had a wonderful birthday.
Earlier today we bought some milkweed and a couple of other native plants that are bee/bird friendly from a local place that a friend recommended.
Excellent. I have to get some as well. Actually, my daughter sent me seeds from her plants. I hope to get them planted. After the move, I have to buy dirt and pots all over again.
You are so right, Colleen! This pandemic should be seen as an important reflective moment for us all.
Monarch butterflies are beautiful! Your daughter is doing great work.
Happy belated birthday and anniversary. I have never done gardening, but I bet it must be relaxing.
Cendrine, thanks for your lovely comments. Gardening and connecting with nature is a sort of poetic meditation. I’m always thrilled when my seeds germinate into a strong plant. This year, we planted some green beans, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. I have some green onions coming in, as well. I find my inspiration in the garden. <3
I bet!
Lovely to hear you’ve been making the most of this strange time in your house and garden – that’s exactly what we are doing too. It seems like a wonderful opportunity to reset our defaults and change perspective on what is truly important in our lives.
This is a once in a generation chance for the human race to do this as a species, and we can only hope and pray that enough people make the changes that perhaps will save our planet. It has certainly been a blatant wake up call.
Stay well, stay safe, and keep supporting nature <3
Thank so much for your lovely comments, Deborah. I really feel like we have a reached some sort of pinnacle. We are being forced to let go of the old ways of thinking and doing. Please stay safe, as well. <3
You are such an inspiration! <3 Love you to the moon and back
Awww, Sis. Thank you so much. You inspire me every day. I love you, dear friend. <3
Beautiful post, Colleen! Glad you had a great time in your birthday! Happy belated Birthday! The butterflies are really lovely, such a great gift from nature to you!
Thanks, Elizabeth. It was a perfect day. <3
How precious to share your birthday with three monarchs! I love the image of you and Debby sharing moments, laughter, tears and a concert digitally. Many blessings to you and our sweet, one Earth.
Thanks, Charli. Debby and I really connected after trump was elected. Almost every night of the last three plus years of his presidency, we meet online. Normally, we watch MSNBC. There’s a 3 hour time difference between Debby in Toronto and me in Buckeye, AZ. How she stays up so late I don’t know. LOL! That camaraderie is rare to find. She is a real gem to put up with me. LOL! <3
Curious… as to how to grow milkweed. I’ve some wild in my yard. But I’ve got friends who can’t seem to grow it. My Monarchs also like Butterfly Bushes… I think there actually are other plants Monarchs will eat if milkweed isn’t around.
Some folks grow the caterpillars when they find them. I haven’t had success with that. But I know others who have. They find the single tiny pearl egg on the underside of the milkweed and bring it in… there are sites dedicated to the ‘how to of it all’.
I have some photos of the Monarchs in my yard… If I can find them I’ll send you one or two 🙂
Thanks, Jules, that would be lovely. In the UK, it says Swamp Milkweed grows the best. Here’s a link and where you can buy the seed: https://www.glorious-butterfly.com/swamp-milkweed.html <3
I’m sure seeds can be bought here… but since I’ve got some… it’s just that person – but I think they may have gotten some from the birds last year 😉
LOL! Sometimes that works. I’m sure there are many versions of milkweed, as well.
Lovely post. Thank you.
You’re welcome. <3
Quite a different garden where you live now, I’m sure! We too have cacti with beautiful blooms–not quite yet this year. Except for this little tiny one, about fist sized, that blooms almost continuously these little tiny white flowers the size of those push-pins with a plastic knob top.
Have seen no Monarchs at our place, but I do have an interesting childhood memory. I might have been eight or nine when I brought home the caterpillar. I put it in a jar, probably an empty peanut butter one. Punched holes in the lid and put in some vegetative matter. Can’t be sure now whether it was milkweed, but we had it in Minnesota. In a few days a shiny green chrysalis hung from the lid. Some time later a butterfly emerged. As I opened the lid, the Monarch climbed onto my finger and uncurled it’s long tongue, touching my hand. After sharing it briefly with my mother, I let it go outside.
What a splendid gift, John! That’s a marvelous memory! It’s quite a bit warmer here in western Arizona with temperatures forecast to reach 100 degrees this week. I walk early in the morning, so I miss the worst of the heat.
Yes, too hot for us. Supposed to hit 80 later this week. I’m guessing agave will be a little later this year than last, with a mid-May start.
This western side of the greater Phoenix area stays cooler than the city. I do love the desert. <3
I do too. 🙂
What a lovely memory! Monarch butterflies were very special to me as a child, too. Whenever I see one now, I always think of my mother.
What a great thing–remembrance of your mother.
Yes, it is. Chickadees bring those same fond remembrances.
Happy birthday and anniversary to you, Colleen. It seems like many people have the same dragging feeling over this pandemic. So wonderful to hear you and Ron planting seeds and caring the garden. I started doing that also once the rain stopped. Thank you for the link for the butterfly Milkweed. I’ll follow up on several that grow in California.
Happy Earth Day. Stay safe and well. <3
Happy birthday and anniversary, Colleen. Thank you for sharing the update, the photos and the link for butterfly Milkweed.
Thank you, Miriam. I’m sure you get tons of butterflies in your garden. Any new baby hummingbirds yet?
Yes, there’s a new baby but I don’t know when and where he was born, but there are four hummingbirds coming to the feeders and the new baby still has the down at his bottom.
So cute. Once my trees get taller, I hope they will nest in them. I love those hummingbirds. <3
I hope so, Colleen. I’ve nests in my friend’s less likely places. 💖
That’s fabulous! ❤️
<3 <3
Happy birthday and Anniversary xo I love three Monarchs hatched on your birthday. What a gift and beautiful picture! I’m just getting back into writing. I am able to write about nature again and ideas are starting to flow. It was definitely an adjustment phase for all of us. Sending hugs!
Thanks, Denise. We’re all having a hard time with the writing projects right now. I saw let it flow naturally. We’re all intuitive writers. ❤️
Wow, such a beautiful post and analogies about the butterflies Sis. Yes, we are the butterflies and our planet is our milkweed. Beautifully done. And loved the birthday concert <3
Thanks for being there. You made my day quite special. ❤️
Sistahs! <3
Sisters! ❤️
Oh, forgot to say happy earth day. And the garden is gorgeous <3
Thanks, Sis. Happy Earth Day. 😍
Happy EarthDay. And I know the earth was smiling <3
She’s feeling some relief! ❤️
<3
Your photographs are so beautiful! It’s one of life’s great pleasures to be surrounded by Nature’s treasures.
Thanks, Liz. Nature is a gift, for sure. ❤️
I consider myself very fortunate to have that gift available to me every day.
Me, as well. I love my wild desert. <3
Wonderful words and photos. Happy Earth Day! (K)
Happy Earth Day! Thanks, Kerfe. <3
I remember gathering milkweed to feed the caterpillars we put in a blueberry net to watch them escape from chrysalises. They were safe from birds (mostly) under there until we let them off to the south! Wonderful piece of nostalgia you brought on.
Excellent to have such great butterfly memories. I love it!
Happy Anniversary to you and Ron and Happy Birthday, Colleen. I love that you and Debby shared the concert and the pictures of your garden, especially the Monarchs. Nature is a precious gift. <3 to you Colleen, always. <3
Thank you so much Jane. You’ve made my day. Hugs back. <3
<3 <3
Happy belated everything Colleen 🌼🌼💛 birthday and anniversary
LOL! Thanks, Jude! 😂❤️
A beautiful post Colleen. Belated happy birthday and anniversary.
Many thanks, Brigit. ❤️
Sounds like you’re having a good week, despite the cauldron of uncertainty outside our doors. I like your take-away. If only humans would keep that in mind after this is all behind us. Photos of clear skies over normally smoggy cities, urban wildlife, and all the rest that nature is trying to show us.
I couldn’t agree more, Craig. Now if those in power would wake up. ❤️
I love your new garden, Colleen. I don’t know why, but it reminded me of a Mediterranean garden. Those cool temperatures sound ideal for me.
I’m so pleased that Ron and you have settled into your new home. Now the painting work is done, I hope you can both rest a little.
If there is one thing I am thankful for at the moment, it is the fact that mother nature is healing our earth. Carbon emissions are down, and other animals seem to be making great use of our empty towns and cities.
Wishing you belated Happy Birthday and wedding anniversary.
Take care and stay safe.
Hugs.
Thanks so much Hugh. I find these lovely gardens on my morning walks. Mine is coming along. I’m thinking about adding some cactus to our garden this fall when the heat won’t burn them up. I do love it here in Arizona. The heat has arrived and summer is here. 🥵
Thoughts of caterpillars always brings me back to childhood. I forgot what that tree/ bush was. But they loved it. I got to see the whole lifecycle happen. More than once. Such daydreaming and wonder went on with this. Fun times! Happy birthday, Al lovely gift from your daughter. Now I want to go find milkweed and get going with helping their propogation.😊.
That’s fabulous, Pat. Thanks so much. I hope to do the same thing. Such great memories you have. ❤️
It is amazing how we adjust to a new normal within a relatively short period, Colleen. I have also adjusted and am carrying on very much as normal. Your daughter has a lovely job.
Thanks, Robbie. We’re survivors! We just muster on. ❤️❤️❤️
Happy anniversary and birthday Colleen and wishing you much happiness and laughter in the many years to come. Love the photographs and your daughter’s work on behalf of butterflies is inspiring.. I have plants that our species are enjoying and I love sitting in the sunshine and watching them at work… thanks for sharing. ♥
Thanks so much, Sally. It was a lovely weekend. We’ve gone from 70 degrees F. to the high 90’s this week. Summer has arrived!
I envy you.. I am still wrapping up to sit in the garden at the moment only about 50 degrees F at the moment but a bit of sunshine…hugsx
The heat came on with a vengeance! It was 65 degrees this morning when I walked at 6:30 am! I carry you and Debby in my pocket. You’ll feel the warmth tomorrow morning. LOL! <3
Ahh.. thanks Colleen…hugsxx♥♥
Belated happy Earth Day, congratulations on 35 years of marriage, I’m glad you had a wonderful birthday despite the current situation, and that’s great news about the birth of the butterflies.
I’ve struggled with creativity over the past few weeks too. I’m starting to feel like I can turn to my writing again now though. I hope you can say the same. *hugs*
Thank you for your lovely comments, Tori. I am getting back to my writing, although it’s been slow. I think this virus will be around for a long while, so we have to move forward and continue to live. We’re still taking precautions, nonetheless. Hope all is well with you. <3
Things are about as good as the situation will allow for with me. I’m still struggling with some anxiety-related issues, but not as badly as I was at first, and I’m starting to feel like I can be creative and productive again, like I said. I agree this isn’t going away any time soon… I just needed time to adjust to the new normal. When things change again, I dare say I’ll need time to adjust to that too. But I’ll deal with that when the time comes.
I totally agree, Tori. We’re survivors… we just roll with the punches and keep moving forward. <3
Happy Birthday and Anniversary! Glad that it was memorable, and I love the cactus garden.
Thanks, Barbara. I find these cactus in my neighborhood. I do have plans to add some this fall in my back garden. It was a great weekend. <3