I've been quite fortunate this summer.
My writing has been productive.
My days have been leisurely.
My gardens have been fruitful....We actually had enough strawberries from all the rain to allow me to make a batch of strawberry jam. That is the first time that has happened in 20 years. So yummy!
And our family vacation was fun.
This is also the first summer in a long time where projects from teaching haven't interfered with my days, so I've actually been able to feel what it means to relax and turn my attention to my creative work--writing--without distraction. The goals I set for spring are being met, with numerous new picture book manuscripts completed and my MG is half-way done. Hooray!
One of my activities in summer is to help raise Monarch butterflies that I bring in as caterpillars. Raising them inside in enclosures ensures so that they won't be eaten by other predators and beetles that visit their home among the milkweed plants.
A couple days ago I saw a butterfly flitting around the milkweed that grows along the rock wall of my garden. Thinking it was a Monarch that had finally returned from Mexico or California, I grabbed my camera to take a picture.
Alas, as I got closer I realized it wasn't a Monarch. It was a Swallowtail visiting the showy flowers in bloom for their nectar. But still beautiful.
I've heard the Monarchs have been slow to return to our area this year. Until then, the milkweed awaits and nourishes other butterflies that visit.
My writing has been productive.
My days have been leisurely.
My gardens have been fruitful....We actually had enough strawberries from all the rain to allow me to make a batch of strawberry jam. That is the first time that has happened in 20 years. So yummy!
And our family vacation was fun.
This is also the first summer in a long time where projects from teaching haven't interfered with my days, so I've actually been able to feel what it means to relax and turn my attention to my creative work--writing--without distraction. The goals I set for spring are being met, with numerous new picture book manuscripts completed and my MG is half-way done. Hooray!
One of my activities in summer is to help raise Monarch butterflies that I bring in as caterpillars. Raising them inside in enclosures ensures so that they won't be eaten by other predators and beetles that visit their home among the milkweed plants.A couple days ago I saw a butterfly flitting around the milkweed that grows along the rock wall of my garden. Thinking it was a Monarch that had finally returned from Mexico or California, I grabbed my camera to take a picture.
Alas, as I got closer I realized it wasn't a Monarch. It was a Swallowtail visiting the showy flowers in bloom for their nectar. But still beautiful.
I've heard the Monarchs have been slow to return to our area this year. Until then, the milkweed awaits and nourishes other butterflies that visit.
