Garden Joy

 The garden is a peaceful and calming place.  Masses of yellow and orange lilies and  purple echinacea are about to be joined by floods of black-eyed Susans.  Somehow the aged brick walk still harbors soft green moss even with the staggering July heat.  Though I've yet to spot a monarch, I have seen many Viceroy and tiger swallowtail butterflies.  The milkweed has a sweet smell even to this human nose.  I can only imagine how the aroma must entice lepidoptera.  

A garden is a blessing from the Creator as pleasing to me as music.

Consumed by a Desire to Make Terrariums

For about a month now, I have been consumed with the overpowering desire to make terrariums.  Not just regular terrariums but unique tiny worlds with figures, rocks, and props.  What started all of this was a book I borrowed from the library called,"Tiny World Terrariums" by Michelle Inciarrano and Katy Maslow.  Here's a link to the Amazon listing for it:  Tiny World Terrariums.  Mine aren't as wonderful as the ones in the book.  I need some tiny people and better miniatures. But I had a blast making them and more will follow. 

Monarch Caterpillar!!!!!!

I've been waiting all summer to see a monarch caterpillar and here is a nice big one!!  As one of my former students pointed out, "They are Steelers' colors".  Maybe this is why I love them so much?? Though I've seen adult butterflies off and on, this is the first caterpillar on my milkweed.  I sure hope I see lots more.  I have some type of red beetle and an invasive looking yellow jacket on much of my milkweed.  I believe these invasives have hurt the monarch population by interfering with their food supply.