Present-day Miracles

Observation of a nearly complete life cycle, beginning with a Monarch caterpillar that traveled from a milkweed leaf in my yard, to my grandson's yard, and back to my yard! "Around the World" (From a mature caterpillar to butterfly) in 10 days.

Our Monarch caterpillar... eating, eating, eating... just prior to being housed in a mason jar with part of a pantyhose leg under a jar ring on Thursday, August 10.

The chrysalis that was formed in the jar on Friday, August 11.

The empty chrysalis we found in the jar this morning... Sunday, August 19.

The Monarch butterfly in the jar!A transfer to Daddy's hands.

Wonderment...

... and letting go.

I visited my daughter, my son-in-law, and my two grandchildren in their home this past week. Here we have "the sleeping prince."
And his (sister) princess wakening him with a smooooch!
It was time for a dip in the pool.
Enjoyed by all!
And this is the bigger and smaller of part of the story!

Today Is Barb's Birthday

My sister would be celebrating her birthday today. August 1. And I should have made plans to "travel north" today. Perhaps within this next week.

She was killed October 16, 2006 by a hit-and-run driver.

She was a super gardener, too! And a super sister.

We miss her.

We're Back Home Again!

I spent 4 hours in the yard today... watering, weeding, pampering and preening. It felt good to be home again.

We had a Very Nice Time with our Michigan family! We enjoyed walks, picnic-ing, and accompanying them as our 3 1/2 yr old and 1 3/4 yr old granddaughters took a little ride "on the range." "Grandpa" held the baby (6 weeks) while I took this mini video. (I had a much better video (longer!) but after waiting an hour with it still not being uploaded, I used this tiny one instead.)
Their Dad & Mom walked alongside the girls.



And, here's our new "little fellow!"Don't let anyone fool you. It's quite the special privilege to be grandparents. We look forward to our next visit!

And, now that we're home again... I'll take a little advice from the grandson and hang out in the shade!