Milkweed

This is the milkweed plant we planted from a local nursery. I'm not sure if monarch butterflies will want to use it as their own "nursery" for eggs, but the yellow flowers are pretty and will go well in our butterfly/herb garden. From reading around on the the Internet, it seems that monarchs may prefer certain types of milkweed, and there are hundreds of varieties. One site says that this type is a preferred host for monarchs. We'll see. This is a variety called Asclepias Curassvica or "Silky Gold Butterfly Flower." Even if it doesn't attract future generations of eggs and caterpillars, it will be used as a nectaring source for numerous butterfly species.

Our four caterpillars at home have all turned into chrysalises. My daughter's caterpillar at school is a chrysalis. My son's caterpillar at school was in a "J" formation when he left on Friday. The first graders at St. Therese have one chrysalis, one about to be a chrysalis, and one still eating. My friends who gathered eggs with us that beautiful Saturday have many chrysalises and large caterpillars just waiting for their own transformations.

Throughout this butterfly project, connections and intersections have been made in so many ways-- with books, poetry, research on the Internet, science, nature, plants, friends, students, photography, e-mail conversations and sharing--and wonder. I'm loving it.

From Above

I love these photos my daughter took over the weekend. I've been so busy lately with end-of-school "stuff," that I didn't have many photos from which to choose and about which to write. When I downloaded these from the camera, I claimed them for a few thoughts. Bailey is looking out the front window in his favorite spot. Charlie is in the kitchen looking like he might want to pounce down upon the laptop cords. "Is it a snake or a mouse with a really long tail?"

If someone--God-- were looking down on me right now, I'm afraid I would not look as peaceful. I have my irons in too many fires. Work, schools, home. Tomorrow, I play "Mother Goose" for a special first grade program, and I'm pulling together the last pieces for a family arts festival. Whew. After this weekend, I will breathe a sigh of relief.

When I'm busy, my family feels it. The house gets cluttered. The laundry piles up. My patience is short. I need more forgiveness than usual.

I slept with our last caterpillar assuming the "J position" on the bedside table last night. I knew he or she was close to transforming into a chrysalis, and I really wanted to see it. I tried to stay awake, but I needed sleep just as much as I wanted to see the metamorphosis. Finally, I turned out the light and trusted that the transformation would happen even without my eyes-- and that someone else might be watching even while I was sleeping.

I hope that there is someone above, below, around, or in us watching all of us-- people and caterpillars and more-- in our daily transformations. Even so, there was another chrysalis to behold this morning--green, gold, and still-- and this is something for which to be thankful.

Metamorphosis

I started out looking for a video about butterfly metamorphosis-- particularly a monarch caterpillar pupating. This morning, I missed seeing this "live" because I was on the computer. It happened in about one and a half hours. Buddy was in a "J" position at 6:30 am. He was a full chrysalis at 7:45 am. My daughter blogged about it and took photos here.

So, I searched my best friend, YouTube, for videos knowing that others have caught the mysterious and miraculous process on film and pixels. I wasn't disappointed.

Here is a short video of the process from egg to butterfly:



You can find many others by searching for "monarch butterfly" or "pupa" or "metamorphosis." It is truly remarkable. When I was a child, this was not possible. I would have been lucky if my local public library had a book with photos of the life cycle of a monarch butterfly. Now, the world is at our desktop or laptop. I love it.

Winslow is now in the "J" position.

Sharing Nature

On Monday, I took Winslow to St. Therese Catholic School to share with all of my students from 4 years old through 6th grade. I pulled a few books about butterflies before the classes came downstairs. Mondays are primarily days to return old books and find new books, so there is not much time for a lesson. However, all classes were fascinated to observe Winslow eating his milkweed leaves and leaving his frass (caterpillar poop) around the container. In the photo above, 5th grade students read Winslow a book by Lois Ehlert titled Waiting for Wings. Apparently, he needs to know what next steps he might take as a caterpillar.

I am moved by seeing how much Winslow grows each day. I am equally moved by watching others of all ages encounter Winslow.

Happy Earth Day!

Two and One

Two girls.

Two friends.
Two butterfly dresses.
Two pairs of white shoes
on two pairs of feet.
Two hands.

Two leaves,
but
only
one
tulip
flower.

Note: I took these photos this morning after church. The flowers were in my friend's yard, and she thinks they are from a sycamore tree. Are they flowers? Are they fruit? Please correct me if I am wrong. In any case, they are beautiful-- especially against the turquoise dress.

From 4/21/09-- My friend Jennifer discovered that this is not a sycamore tree. It is a yellow poplar or tulip tree. Thank you so much!

Tending to Nature

Meet Winslow and Helen. Along with Buddy, Tiny, Slinky, Hidey 1, and Hidey 2, my family is rescuing a few monarch butterflies and watching their journey from egg to butterfly. I'm having a blast. My kids are, too. In just one week, little white eggs hatched into tiny caterpillars. One caterpillar, Buddy, is already 2 and 1/2 centimeters and growing.

I bought a milkweed plant from the nursery today to plant in our backyard butterfly garden. The milkweed on which we found the eggs is a different variety and was in a large pasture. We'll see if this nursery plant will attract the next generation of eggs. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the butterflies we release lay their eggs on our new milkweed plant so that we can watch the process all over again?

Among the Trees

When I am Among the Trees

by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine."

From Thirst. Poems by Mary Oliver published by Beacon Press, Boston, 2006.

This is one of my favorite poems-- ever. I have a lot of favorite poems by Mary Oliver. Her words and images resonate with my experiences and crystallize them in beautiful, prayerful ways. I love poetry as much as I love trees and leaves. April is National Poetry Month, so I indulge in poetry's words a little more than usual.