Chasing Butterflies

Chasing butterflies ,back in 2009 when things were so much easier. Today makes 3 months since Rich died. As I said before, it seems much longer. My aunt told me this evening that some of her worse times were more recent than when she first lost my uncle, which has been years since Uncle John died. I don`t think mine can get any worse really.
I`ve been whacking weeds left & right ,working the ground like a fool. When I finally get the little part of our yard that is not woods into shape, I need to get at the bedroom & start painting it & getting rid of his clothes, which are still laying haphazardly about the dresser ,mainly on top, as he could never ever find anything ,he used all of the dressers but kept the clothes he wore everyday on the top of 1 dresser.He had 3 dressers, me just 1, I had mine in totes & cramped in the closet. I think it was because he kept changing jean sizes he had to have so much room.
My son came out today & cooked me supper. He revamped the bird gym my brother built for me. I thought the gym would be fine, but Melissa the macaw kept getting down somehow. She horribly bit through Elvis,the African gray Timneh`s ,cage through the cage bar & bit his toenail off. He bled for 2 days. I felt as though it was all my fault. When we first got him  about 25 years ago, he was already missing the top of a toe on the same foot to another macaw. So, I have put him & Zeba back out on my enclosed porch. I believe the gym is fixed so she can`t get down now. Jerry was down once, but she may have pushed him down. They both go to the vet next week for nail, beak,& wing grooming. I was to take them 6 months ago & couldn`t. Melissa has been this way since Rich died. She was his bird, though he hadn`t spent much time with her before he died. She may be going into a " I wanna breed now mode" too since they are both open & free together. I will consult with the vet.
Taking it day to day, I know my future, I know it is all good for God takes care of me.

Toad,Butterflies,& Flowers,oh my!

Butterflies

Butterflies

The joe pye weed & milkweeds are just beginning to bloom,the butterfly bushes are all blooming with the exception of the yellow one,the butterflies are just now emerging,I believe we have have many again this year.

More Colorful Butterflies

After a storm today,I noticed more butterflies were on the butterfly bushes.Their colors fascinate me,I would love to try to paint sometime.

Butterflies

The Joe Pye Weed is beginning to bloom & so is the milkweed,so butterflies are starting to appear more.
I buy wildflower seeds from a place in Texas,called wildflower seeds.They sell in bulk,I have alot of luck with just scattering them in the spring.I want to create a place filled with grasses & wildflowers that I won`t mow.I had begun that,but when I got the goats,that pretty much fell through as they like to browse.I do fully intend to still do that though.

Butterflies

Butterflies are getting more numerous.I noticed some of their wings look a little tattered,possibly the cat birds trying to catch them to eat.
With more bounty from the garden,I had to work inside all day,processing the cukes & onions for freezer pickles I`ll make up tomorrow afternoon,I made MORE zuchinni bread,I will have to freeze some loaves of it,thought I must admit I had a whole loaf myself today,& I froze the rest of the gold zuchinni after I shredded it.So,am caught up,for now.I`ve already given the neighbors & family loaves of bread & squash.No one seems tired of it yet.

Hawk and Chasing Butterfies

A hawk is hunting here.It looks to be a red-tailed,but I`m not sure.I think he`s too big to be a coopers hawk.
I hate it,he disrupts the tranquility of the forest.The robins especially are in an uproar,I believe he may have gotten one of their babies as they are making those sad sounds,CHRIP,chrip,chrip,chrip,CHIRP.It is nerveracking to me,but he is awesome to see up close.I did get some photos on Sun.afternoon.If you click on his photo,you can make it larger & see just how big he really is.
The butterfly is drinking so deeply from this daylily that his wings are covered with pollen.I`m wondering if this is why my daylilies are all becoming the orange wild ones as I planted many kinds but every year it seems they are disappearing & becoming all orange.