Thursday

 The morning was pretty quiet.  I checked on the caterpillars and they seem to be OK.  Some of the munchers have moved on to the sleep stage that happens just before the butterfly stage.  That's a good thing.  A few zinnias lost a few flowers.  The morning included a good rain for quite a while.  That's a good thing.  I can ignore watering the tomatoes.  No new lettuce has appeared, but I'll keep checking. Another huge tomato was added to the collection on the counter. I noticed one sunflower up.  Now where are the others?  The TV news is horrible with more children involved.  That's way to close to my memory of children in the classroom. A little news goes a long way these days. I spent some time doing some church needlework.  Little by little, the cross will fill with color.

            This will be one of a kind for sure.  There will be many more steps taken to finish this project. 

Another pretty pink surprise was waiting just outside the patio door.  The deer haven't found this.  While on my walk around the block, the deer triplets with their mother crossed the road in front of me.  I must admit I counted two babies and then  Johnny come lately appeared, trailing on behind.

    Much to my surprise...Queen of the Parie.  I usually see it in the spring, but I'll take it any time.

I decided it was split pea soup weather so that happened with some basil added along with garlic and onions.  We should be smelling nicely although a bit mixed up.  I'll add warm corn bread before supper.

                                        Today was another fall feeling day.  Soup time happened. 

I failed to mention while on the walk, the rain returned. I've never heard of one melting in the rain, so I just trudged on home, none the worse for wear.  It was one of those...I'm walking in the rain things.

I spent some time looking through the latest collection of garden library books.  And then Doug came in with a sprig of dill that had six Swallowtail caterpillars munching away.  Yikes. I wonder if I can get fresh dill at Meijers.  I have some for now but not enough for these new munchers. Fresh Market might have some.  Their store name makes me think so. Fresh dill?

 

                                    It's a little late in the year for growing Swallowtail caterpillars.                            This afternoon I counted 9 soon to be butterflies in various stages in the cage.  Now add 6 more.  The nursery is full.  How many butterflies can get along together?  

For many reasons, this week has been a bit heavy.  I'm excited that tomorrow is bloodwork morning.  I'm hopeful that Zisqali might be coming back to me.  I should know by noon, in less than 24 hours!  Yes, I'm excited to learn that blood count numbers have improved.