The Wonder of the Monarch Butterfly

This is the fourth year we have raised monarch butterflies. The first year we got the caterpillars from the Dalhem Center, but since then we have just gone out to our pond and found them on milkweed.

We have raised and successfully released 5 or 6 butterflies, but we have also lost them at all different stages. This year one of the caterpillars went into the “J” position but never formed its cocoon and died; one formed the cocoon but it dried out and died; one emerged from the cocoon but its wing was damaged and died.

This year Allie let the butterfly climb on her. I wanted to take photos, so I asked Allie to carry the newly emerged butterfly to the plant. She hates bugs so I was very surprised she agreed to “help” me this way. I've learned that by asking kids to help me, I can get them to do try something that may be uncomfortable. Allie was surprised at how the butterfly clung to her finger, she said that it even tickled.

Being spiritual is the ability to be constantly amazed. I can’t think of anything more amazing than observing the total transformation of a little worm like-creature into a beautiful, graceful butterfly.

Garden Therapy

I told my husband the other day I was nesting. I quickly reassured him that I was not pregnant! Seriously though I do feel like I am nesting. Over the last couple of weeks I've froze a bushel of corn, about 10 cups of zucchini, 20 pounds of Michigan blueberries and 10 pounds of "ripe" bananas.

While I have worked in the kitchen preparing this food for my family, I have felt a deep satisification by providing healthy food for them. I realize that my garden is spiritual experience at many levels. From preparing the earth, planting the seeds and now harvesting the produce.

The provisions of Mother Earth nurture my body, soul and spirit.

Love my garden & my friends

Through the wonders of the internet, I have once again connected with my soul mate/friend, Caitlin. We worked and served together at Ginghamsburg Church, working together on the first issues of Len Sweet's SoulCafe magazine. We've made homemade pickle relish one summer and batches of Christmas cookies later in the year. She and her husband were part of our home group.

She's a learner with degrees in literature and a law degree (highest scores ever received from the University of Dayton). She's a gardener and adventurer. There is nothing she would not try.

I am blessed to have friends like Caitlin. Plus she shares her gardening secrets like this marinara sauce which consists of roasted tomatoes, basil, oregano, onions, garlic and olive oil. Yummy, yummy. The house smells fabulous!

Garden Therapy?

I’ve been gardening about 10 years now. Most gardeners will tell you that gardening is therapeutic. That it is good for their soul and mental health. I love to immerse myself into a gardening project. To play in the dirt, to create new beds, to move plants around, to get dirty and sweaty but feel satisfied with my gardening endeavors at the end of the day.

Recently Len Sweet twittered about the hidden benefits of gardening. It seems that common “bacterium in soil was discovered to act as serotonin-boosting antidepressant.” Sweet said wellbrutin or wheel barrow? Prozac or pick-axe? So getting your hands dirty can impact your mood? I’ll buy that theory! Come to think of it, we didn’t used to hear about a lot of farmers who were depressed? – another topic for another day.

How do you refer to your garden? Is it soil or earth or dirt? Maybe it’s something different each time you enter the garden.

Sometimes I need to work in the dirt. To do the hard work of creating new beds to invest my energy in. I need dirt and I get dirty and gross as I work off frustration, anger or whatever energy I may have.

Sometimes I need to work in Mother Earth. To smell the richness of her bounty and immerse myself into her life-giving womb, called Earth. She feeds my soul without words but with memories and sensations. I feel connected and one with my Creator God.

Sometimes I need to work in the soil. To lovingly prepare the soil to receive new life, seeds and tender plants that will grow strong and healthy and produce food for my family.

Gardening is really therapeutic! It is sacred space and time for my soul to touch the Creator’s heart. Nothing feeds my soul like a couple of hours of playing in dirt.

Grieving III:

Grief manifest itself in various ways. I am tired, I am kinda unmotivated and not creative. Even my family meals are boring! I can’t figure out what to cook! I am soooo looking forward to spring.

I am ready for the winter/death season to be over and I long for spring and new life. Every time I hear a bird sing I know that spring and new life are coming. I can’t wait to see the first blub peep through the ground. Every extra minute I have I’m looking at my gardening magazines, not really reading, just looking at the beauty of the garden creations.

I expect that Easter will be particularly meaningful this year.