Relaxation? & my Butterflies!!!

[troubleinohio]

I know we touched base on another thread about hobbies and such. Some people here still can do their favorite hobbies, others have had to give them up entirely and some are sort of in between. I just wondered what activities relax you and help your pain (other than medicine i mean)? My gardening definitely calms me and I enjoy the quiet peacefulness it brings when out in nature and "living off the land". Hearing the birds sing, squirrels scold, crickets chirp, frogs singing etc brings me great peace. Also about 2 weeks ago, my 5 yr old son found a monarch caterpillar. We put it in a jar w/holes in the lid and studied up on it (found out they only eat milkweed leaves or else they will die! Monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on milkweed plants for this reason- how in the world a little butterfly is smart enough to know this is beyond me, its fascinating!) Anyways this caterpillar finally formed into his chyrsalis a few days ago (he did it while I was out running errands, in less than 2 hours!! I was shocked and mad i didnt get to see that transformation, lol). Anyways, today I was out in the garden and saw a female monarch butterfly laying eggs on the bottoms of milkweed today and grabbed the camera! I hope I got some good shots of it, not sure, havent UL'd them yet. IT was so cool to see though, and then we also found more baby monarch caterpillars! So looks like we'll have a regular butterfly farm going on here soon! Im putting them in a fish aquriam now - getting too many to fit in a little salsa jar now, LOL.  My 7 yr old and 5 yr old will watch the new eggs outside everyday to see how long it takes to hatch, and when those cats are bigger we will put them in the tank as well. They are so exicted to see this, and Im thrilled they are getting such a fun, hands-on education on nature and life cycles this way! Its a fun thing for the whole family. I cant wait to see all the butterflies we'll have soon! (yes this sort of got a lil off topic, but not too far did it? lol)

[namnam46]

You painted such a BEAUTIFUL picture with your words!!

Thank You! You put a SMILE on my face as I pictured you and Your Sweet Children watching the Butterfilies and the Baby Caterpillars!!

I appreciate what you said, Dear Friend.....Sherry

[melissaky]

That is so cool about the butterflies! I also love getting out in the garden and getting my hands in the dirt and communing with nature .It's the best therapy for me .When my son was younger we had chickens and cows here on the farm .Me and him used to watch the eggs hatch and the cows give birth .He was just fascinated by it all as was I .Nature is the most beautiful thing .We live back in the woods and it is so lovely .I love sitting outside and watching all the activity . I went out and sat on the porch last night and listened to the cicadas and crickets and all the other sounds .It was so peaceful . I can't wait to see your pictures .I think it's great you are helping educate your kids about nature this way .Take care Melissa