Thursday, October 14, 2010

A Visit From Jack Frost

Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter. ~Carol Bishop Hipps

We had our first frost yesterday. It wasn't a hard frost, just pretty little shiny sparks of light on the grass when I turned the light on to let the dog out. It didn't even really kill anything (not even the milkweed aphids that have infested my milkweed stalks ... making it really messy to pull them up).

Something I'd forgotten to mention from our agility match over the weekend... on the wire fence surrounding the agility equipment, DD found a monarch chrysalis. It was gray, which meant it would hatch soon, but it was right in front and getting badly bumped -- so I pulled it off and brought it home (of course! Was there any doubt?).

The next morning, we welcomed Zia to the world.




We released her around lunch time and wished her well (with the very strong advice to FLY SOUTH IMMEDIATELY -- I hope she listened). It was a lovely way to say farewell to summer.

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I watched a movie over the weekend that I completely enjoyed. It's out on DVD, so some of you may already have watched it, but it made me laugh. A lot. I'd forgotten how much I liked Ryan Reynolds (I used to watch "A Guy, A Girl and a Pizza Place" many years ago). His facial expressions and timing are right on. And my DH even enjoyed it (commenting on how good Sandra Bullock looks ... I agree and, dang it, she's three years OLDER than me).



So, if you want something to make you smile, I recommend it. The end is a little cliched, but sweet and you know me -- all about the HEA!!

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You Are the Fairy



You are charming, cheerful, and a little bit magical. You make other people's lives better.

You are a bit eccentric at times, but you truly care about people in your own way.

You are hyper and restless. It drives you crazy to sit still, and you are usually the first to leave any event.

You are unpredictable and flighty. No one can guess what you'll be up to next ... or where you'll be!



About 75% right, lol!

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7 comments:

Ceri Hebert said...

I think my favorite part of the movie (besides Betty White) was the end just before the credits when the immigration guy was asking his questions. Loved Oscar (well, he plays Oscar in the Office), the jack of all trades, though his strip tease was decidedly disturbing-as I'm sure it was meant to be.

Best of luck to Zia. Hope she heads south to warmer weather.

Maria Zannini said...

Poor butterfly. Does she have time? Will the frost hurt her much?

Marianne Arkins said...

Ceri, I agree, it was so funny to see that guy show up all over in the movie!

Maria, as long as she hides in the trees at night (which she should), and gets her butt south, she'll be fine. I've considered tagging my monarchs to see if I can track them, but I'm so afraid of hurting them (there is information online about tagging and tracking them).

Dru said...

Marianne, that would be so cool if you could tag and then track their whereabouts.

re quiz: I'm a fairy and it's 50% accurate.

Brandy said...

Every time I see a butterfly I think of you and this year we've seen more than last year. I hope Zia heads our way.

I am a Fairy, too. And I have no clue how accurate it is.

I hope you're having a great day!

Tori Lennox said...

Wow, I hope Zia took your advice!

Andrea Allison said...

I hope Zia makes it to her destination, wherever that may be, safely.