Even on the worst of days the universe smiles at you. In the days leading up to this photo I’d been thinking about things from my past, like my childhood room and one of my childhood cats, and I was sad because these things that I had loved had suddenly and[…]
When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other. ~ Chinese Proverb Flowers at Butchart Gardens, Victoria B.C. – July 2014
I’ve been doing a little exploring this year. You’ll be disappointed if you think I’m digging for fossils, gold, or lost coins buried in the sand on the beach. But I hope you’ll keep reading. I’m exploring that self-actualization level on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, taking stock, re-acquainting myself with myself,[…]
One of the most courageous decisions you'll ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul.
Brigitte Nicole
Today I am inspired to continue my butterfly journey. This last generation suffered so many losses I was ready to call it quits, to shut down the sanctuary. Why am I even raising butterflies and writing about it? There’s much that can be said here about perseverance and failure. I[…]
Life is the art of drawing without an eraser
John Gardner
I’m mourning the loss of 7 chrysalises due to a predator previously unknown to me. My tendency is to photograph and write only about the wonders of the butterfly’s development because it’s the beauty of change that inspires me. But this morning as I gathered the infected chrysalises in a bag I realized that[…]
Everything is quiet due to the sudden absence of caterpillars. It’s been a buzz of activity this past week with upwards to 40 caterpillars in my atrium. I step out and there’s a feeling of energy in the air. I move in for a better look and find the insect version of[…]
I currently have an abundance of Milkweed in my atrium and, as you know, lots of seedlings that I and my friend MC are growing to add to my Milkweed garden. You’d think the seedlings would go unnoticed they are so small. Why bother to lay an egg on one when[…]
Let’s recap my plight earlier this year — warm winter, tons of caterpillars, not enough Milkweed, too early in the season to buy plants at the nursery, starvation. And the plight of the Monarch population in general? In decline. Solution? More Milkweed. My book club read Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver the[…]
Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth.
Mark Twain
What comes first, the butterfly or the egg? Well, for the sake of my documentation and the likelihood of not being able to capture Monarchs mating on film, the egg. And this is my first photographed egg. The egg is laid on the underside of a Milkweed leaf and hatches in[…]
A friend of mine lost his battle with cancer this week. The day he passed a female butterfly arrived in my atrium laying eggs on my recently regenerated Milkweed plants. The butterflies have symbolized life and death from the beginning. Not just within their own life cycle but also in relationship[…]
I’m taking an art journaling eCourse by Brené Brown who is the author of The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. The eCourse uses art and journaling to contemplate and apply the Guideposts in the book, an example of[…]
My atrium has Monarchs, my backyard has Mourning Cloaks. This butterfly has been flitting around my yard for a couple of days now. My hammock appears to be its favorite resting place. It was kind enough to let me take its photograph. So this is a Mourning Cloak. I am[…]
The population of Monarch butterflies has shrunk to record lows. One possible reason is agriculture. Herbicide resistant crops are expanding in the midwest, where most Milkweed is grown. Herbicides are used to kill unwanted plants. Milkweed is a weed and therefore unwanted. Milkweed is important to the Monarch butterfly life[…]
If nothing ever changed there'd be no butterflies.
Author Unknown
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
Neale Donald Walsch
Except for the migrating generation Monarch’s live a very short life – 2 to 6 weeks. So there is no wasting time; 3 days after the female Monarch graces us with her presence she is ready to reproduce. During her life she lays hundreds of eggs, a very small percentage[…]
I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day
E.B. White
Stillness is not about focusing on nothingness; it’s about creating a clearing. It’s opening up an emotionally clutter free space and allowing ourselves to feel and think and dream and question. — Brené Brown, author of The Gifts of Imperfection
I’ve become Scrooge. Well, maybe not a cold-hearted miser who hates Christmas. But definitely someone who, in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, broken families and a full time job; has lost the magic and meaning of Christmas. That is until last year. Determined not to decorate another tree[…]
Peace begins with a smile
Mother Teresa
A year ago today I was in Urbina Bay on Isla Isabela in the Galapagos Islands having my picture taken with 2 Giant Tortoises. You know the moral of Aesop’s fable The Tortoise and the Hare? Slow and steady wins the race. A more current translation of this moral is[…]
This is quite early for a birthday gift I realize but I felt time was of the essence. I wanted this blog to be a tool by which you can explore the beauty in your life and the lives of others…reporting your findings however large or small. Let your Sanctuary[…]
