The catalpa tree is in bloom, which has nothing to do with this photograph, except for the fact that is so gloriously beautiful yet hard to capture in a photo. It’s huge, for one thing, and what the human eye sees as tons of white flowers doesn’t quite come across digitally. I keep trying, but this morning’s attempt was a failure.
Our huge spirea is full of pink flowers. It’s so lovely.
We have about 30 milkweed plants in the front of the house. They used to self-seed in the back forty, but I guess they decided to move front and center. Many are in the front garden bed near the spirea and the rose bushes (which I threaten to yank every year.) And the rest are on the far edge of the big garden bed near the driveway. I do my best to protect them, even mowing around the plants that are growing in the lawn. As long as I’ve been observing the milkweed plants, I’ve only seen the caterpillar that becomes the Monarch butterfly once. I’ve been looking and I see eggs on the underside of the leaves, so I’m crossing my fingers that we eventually get to the butterfly stage.
I’m very lucky they grow wild here. If they didn’t, I would plant some. I love Monarchs and we need to protect them.
Don’s playing his guitar while I write this. It’s stopped raining, thank goodness, and it’s a rather cloudy day with a strong breeze. Maybe we’ll mow a little today. It’s time to begin the three-day mowing process yet again. Don’t worry. We really like mowing!
Confession: I know what’s going on in the world. But I can no longer watch the news or MSNBC. I am rarely on Twitter. An activist by nature, I find I can’t completely engage any longer. Or at least for a while. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t step up if needed, for I despise the actions being taken by this administration. But my health and my sanity, as well as my inner peace, must be of paramount importance. I can no longer live in a state of rage, which is where I was living for much of the past two and a half years. It isn’t healthy. Even though I used to find it maddening when others would disengage, I understand it now. Don’t get me wrong, I will fight for what is right – but on my terms. Don says something that has a ring of truth in it: It’s time for the young people to take over this battle. I think he’s right. I feel like I’ve been battling for 50 years, starting with the War in Vietnam and the fight for Civil Rights. I need some peace now. I want a simple life.
Just my thoughts today on that particular subject. They’re subject to change.
Happy Friday.
