Day: May 2, 2025

Direction

What gives you direction in life?

I get direction in life from knowing the difference in what I want and what I need.

Creating a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Your Backyard

Monarch protective enclosure in my back yard

Monarch life cycle; egg, chrysalis: caterpillar, butterfly

For years I’ve planted butterfly weed hoping to attract monarch butterflies. Alas, none ever accepted my invitation. About two weeks ago, I was delighted to find two plants with caterpillars. I hurried home and put them in their protective cage.

I was just in the nick of time.They had pupated by the next morning, I’ve been anxiously watching their progress and was so excited this morning to find two incredible monarch butterflies in my enclosure. I opened the cage and they’d left within the hour. I am so in hopes monarchs will find their way back here in their fall migration.

Butterflies, Birds, and Berries: A Garden Guide

A strawberry patch sits in the middle of my flowerbed. I leave the luscious strawberries for the critters. I love it when this little guy comes to call.

Strawberries are in center of my bed. The white structure to the left had two monarch butterflies who hatched out and left today.

I have one flowerbed with dewberries that get the full attention of birds and squirrels. They also love my mulberry tree.