Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Butterflies and Bunny Counts

It is springtime in July around here and this girl who is already longing for fall is LOVING it.  Some mornings (like today) it is the only thing that gets me out of bed, out the door, and down the road with my running shoes on.  Lovely, lovely weather.

Yesterday on my morning run I saw the most GLORIOUS sunrise.  I'm talking amazing.  Hot pink, orange, purple, and a few shades of blue all over the place.  I changed my route in order to be able to look at it longer.  It was beautiful.  Then I came home and checked on my caterpillars.  I have four in a butterfly house.  I posted a picture on Facebook of one eating my cilantro, and I left him to it because he was pretty. 

Well a friend and butterfly enthusiast quickly wrote that it was a Black Eastern Swallowtail and that I should keep him.  He also said my caterpillar might have pals and how to spot them.  Sure enough, there were 3 others on my plant.  I borrowed my sister's butterfly house and put them all in it with plenty of cilantro and parsley, refreshing it as they ate.

I named them Fred, Wilma, Pebbles and Bam Bam, and yesterday morning Wilma had cocooned (called a chrysalis).  It was so cool to see!  What was once this brightly colored BIG caterpillar was now this small brown blob (the cocoons look way too small to me to house the fat caterpillar that makes it).  

I have no idea how long they will stay in there, but this morning I checked and Fred was a cocoon as well.  I put more cilantro in the house for Pebbles and Bam Bam, and Bam stuck his horns out at me.  Bright orange things that come out of their heads.  They also release a scent but I couldn't smell anything. 

As I admired the critters in the butterfly house in amazement, I heard a noise behind me and turned to see a humming bird inspecting one of my flowering plants.  I love humming birds.  And I have so enjoyed these few days of cool temps, beautiful sunrises, and God's creation.  I'm currently at a 15 bunny sighting record for my runs (I keep count in the mornings), and that always makes me smile. No matter how many of them I see and how often I see them, it is fun every single time. 

I know all of this isn't just for me but sometimes when I am running alone in the quiet morning, it seems like it might be.  Like God is saying, "Good morning, child.  Look what I made today."  And I respond with how much I like it and how beautiful it is and thank you for sharing it with me. 

In other news, my baby girl (my most FAVORITE of God's creations) is turning 1 year old this week.  HOW it is already here, I have no idea.  She has one tooth and is starting to walk!  She loves swimming and playing in the tub and animals.  I'm planning a farm-themed birthday party and... about 20 people are coming.  Ha!  But it has consumed me most of this week so far and I love it.  I think I might be sad when it is over.

I've read some really good articles lately that I've wanted to post here (if I can find them), and I want to talk about the book I am reading (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World), and how I am drinking in all things Dr. James Dobson right now in prep for the strong will of my baby girl, which is already making itself known. But that will have to wait.  For now, it is back to party planning and preparation.

May God show you BEAUTIFUL things today, my friends, and may you have your eyes open to see it when He does. 

3 comments:

  1. Sounds like some amazingly beautiful runs!! God is so good and all of his creation is good!! Happy Birthday to your baby girl Eloise!! My baby girl has a strong will but I've realized its great when directed well, she's almost 2 1/2 now and it has flown by.

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  2. I'm ready for fall too. The weather here has been too nice this summer. Happy Birthday to your little one!

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