Thanksgiving

 Hard to believe the year is almost over.  The church I attend has a community dinner so I am picking up mom and we are going there.  I can not eat with her at her facility and I am not cooking for just the two of us so why not and she can visit with her friends.

My dad was the one all into the holidays, me not so much, they are so commercialized these days and the stores think as soon as Memorial day is over we need to jump on the Christmas band wagon.  I am just tired of all the pushing of holidays months before the actual day and all the begging for me to spend money with them.

I know the ladies at church cooking so am looking forward to the meal as it will be beyond yummy.

My dad never cared if he got much except his pecan pie. I remember one year we were in OKC when he was attending a school at the FAA Academy.  Dad actually let us go out to eat which was a treat when I was a kid.  He had the flu (not the stomach kind) and so he was not really hungry.  So we all ate and all dad wanted his piece of pecan pie.  I am sure grandma made him a pecan pie today so he can have his favorite.  I imagine the table spread in heaven with his family all there now but one step brother.  My step aunt joined them a month ago.

I hope you have a day of eating, memories and remember all the things we are privileged still to have in this country for now.

Postcards from D27 and D36

 Last we shared their travels, D36 was wandering East Central Minnesota and D27 had returned to Decorah.  D36 is currently vacationing in the Wanamingo, Minnesota area, while D27 is spending time near Spillville, Iowa along the Little Turkey River. D27 appears to be making a tour of the river bluffs and uplands. Although she’s tended to stay close to home during the winter, she would end up about six miles south of Eagle Valley if she followed the Turkey SSE to its meeting with the Mississippi River.

Both eagles are within sight of the Mississippi River. D36 can see Lake Pepin – a very popular spot for migrating and wintering eagles – while D27 can just see it as a thin line on the horizon. Where will they go next? This year has been a bit of an outlier, but if they follow last year’s pattern, both of them will probably spend Thanksgiving in the Decorah area. 

Soar high and be safe.

The Perfect Gift

 One of my good friends and I have 2 days between our birthday, so we always plan a special day and celebrate them together.  This year she found the perfect gift for me.  She went on a weekend trip to Arkansas and found this in a shop.  It is made of quilled paper and just beautiful.  She could not have found a better gift. How beautiful is this?

Asters

 I have never grown Asters before.  I bought a package of seeds and the green stuff came up and filled the planter and never bloomed.  Ok it was pretty but I will not buy them again, I wanted flowers.  All of a sudden around Labor Day I saw what looked like buds, is it really going to produce some flowers.  I have white, pink, and a few purple ones, and they have lasted all month. I did not realize they were late bloomers and they are very pretty. I take back that I wont buy them again because I will and just remember they are late bloomers.

This is so Me

 

Postcards from D27 and D36

From RRP:

Where are D27 and D36? We got a postcard from both of them earlier this week!

As you might recall, D27 left for Canada on July 16 - about the time that we were thinking she might be looking for a place to settle down! She's tended to migrate north between mid-to-late May and early June, although she's drifted later as she's aged. Still, her mid-July departure caught us by surprise! Whatever the reason - severe drought, reduced fishing opportunities, or a change of heart - she didn't stay in Canada very long. Between August 17 and August 29, she flew 653 miles south, arriving back in the Decorah area on August 31.

D36 is taking a more leisurely route south as he spends a little time in East Central Minnesota, about 80 miles or so northeast of the Twin Cities. This area is filled with trees, lakes, and rivers, including the Kettle River and St. Croix flyway, and is teeming with fish and small game. It's also near one of my favorite state parks, so I'm really hoping for a chance to look for him in early October!

It's a Boy

 9 boys and 2 girls for me this year.  I set #11 free yesterday.  I wonder if there will be more or I need to wait til next year.  It has been a wonderful journey with all of them and so sad to let them go.  The house feels empty every time I set one free.  

Round 3 #11

 

D36 taking a vacation

 

Where Did You Come From

 My Vinca has really grown despite almost being gone this past Winter.  I went out to feed the feral and birds this morning and hey what is this?  A white bloom, how did that happen.  It is pretty though.

Flowers Around the Yard

 This pack of marigolds really took off, I love the splash of color they provide. I know many don't like the smell, but i love them.  I am going to save the seeds and see if I can get them to grow next year in a bigger pot.

This is the 4th year for the Vinca plant. When I put it out this Spring it barely had a leaf on it but I thought let's see, well it is doing great but then it loves the heat.  Will it make it another year?

I only have one Naked Lady this year, not sure why, I had all the green leaves they filled the area, but just one pink flower this year, hmmmm.

Another Life Saved

 This morning I noticed when i got up #10 was black so figured soon it would pop out. Nope so here I go again helping this one out of it's shell.  I really thought it was a goner cos when i got part of the shell  off there was no movement, nothing.  As I was pulling the rest of the shell I noticed movement.  Ok quick get this baby out.  I  was surprised when it came out and grabbed on my hand for dear life.  I thought I had a mini butterfly and what was I going to do with it, it could not fly.  I know there is a place in town that would take it.  As I was looking up the address I see the wings have unfolded and voila it is a real butterfly afterall.

I have sure enjoyed this season of successfully having 10 butterflies.  Thank you Lord for allowing me to participate in the miracle of life.

Miracle

 I feel like I participated in a miracle this morning. Last night when I went to bed I noticed that #9 was turning black meaning it would soon be a butterfly.  This morning it was all black but nothing, it was not wet and soggy so no parasite but yet why was it still not out?  I figured it had died so left it until I let #8 go.  A couple hours as I was going to let #8 sit in the cage outside for a bit I noticed I saw a wing.  OK but still after a while nothing. I looked up online that it should be out in 15 minutes and if not I could help it out.  

I kind of freaked out a bit, what if I hurt it, all these questions going through my mind, but I asked God to help me.  I pulled the cocoon off the top of the cage and got a straight pin and started pulling the shell off. I felt movement and saw it wiggling around and pretty soon the wings were free. I pulled the shell of and set it upright and pretty soon it was climbing up the walls of the cage.  I put it in a cage by itself so I could let #8 out.  It is a boy and while it looked smaller and somewhat deformed I think it will be ok.

He will go out tomorrow morning.