Fourth of July Hangover

Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow. ~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros

I'm exhausted. I had a great day yesterday, and it ended with my neighbors setting off what was pretty much a professional fireworks display (that lasted around 45 mins -- absolutely incredible). Dakota (who is oddly unafraid of fireworks) and I sat on the front steps and watched them. But, there were fireworks going off until almost eleven, and I don't get to sleep in (between the cat, the dog and the fact I have to load up the day's pages for the LASR/WC/Aurora site).

So... **YAWN**.

How was your weekend?

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In Pillar Place: Swallowtail, things are STILL very quiet and none of the pupae are getting dark yet (which means they'll hatch). I'm beginning to worry that all ten or so are going to overwinter.

In Pillar Place: Monarch, Xi is growing like a weed -- he's probably 1/2" now. Rho and Pi are no longer microscopic and Omicron's egg has disappeared (which should mean he's hatched) but I can't find a pillar anywhere. I'm beyond puzzled.

Tomorrow, DD and I will probably go on another monarch egg hunt at the library to see about increasing our numbers.

As a side note, I got an email from a gardener out in California who works at a public garden and is creating a monarch garden there. He asked me for lots of milkweed seeds (as I've noted, mine is common milkweed, which is pretty much indigenous all over the country). I'm just tickled pink. In California, especially, there is a need -- they have MASSIVE migrations there and the butterflies need all the help they can get.

And, again, I have thousands of seeds every year, so if anyone wants any, email me at authormariannearkins AT gmail DOT com.

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I got some writing done yesterday -- about 700 words -- on one of my sequels. I intend for it to be as long as the first story (about 20,000 words), so if I can do 700 words a day it should be done (first draft anyway) in less than a month.

I really need to get something completed.

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DH is off this week, which means my days will be full and completely outside routine. Will make life interesting. We're taking my car in for repair tomorrow as well, which means I'll either be driving HIS car or the truck for a week. I hate driving his vehicles ... he's very particular about things. Ah well, at least we're blessed enough to have a spare vehicle and I'm not stranded.

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You Are Red

You are a highly passionate person, and you'd stand up and fight for anything you believe in. You're a lot like the founders of the United States. You are a bit of a revolutionary. Like most modern Americans, you are have things you love and hate about the USA ... and you're not afraid to say what they are. Keep expressing your opinion and acting to fix what's wrong. People like you are what makes the USA great.

Are You Red, White, or Blue?

I'm thinking that should have been yesterday's quiz... and it's pretty much right. You don't see it a lot here, but I'm passionate about politics.

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This and That

What do you suppose?
A bee sat on my nose.
Then what do you think?
He gave me a wink
And said, "I beg your pardon,
I thought you were the garden."
~English Rhyme

Feeling better today. I think I was just flat out exhausted yesterday. Thankfully, no more dizziness today.. that's the worst!

Things at Pillar Place: Swallowtail are still quiet, but that should change very soon.

In Pillar Place: Monarch -- Xi is eating like a pig, and Rho and Pi both hatched yesterday. They're nearly microscopic and difficult to see. When they first hatch, they're opaque in color and blend (a good move for their safety, but makes it hard for me!).

I found some great videos about the hatching and their growth. If you're interested, they're here embedding is disabled):

Monarch Egg Hatching (0:43)

Monarch Caterpillar's growth (2:20)

Monarch turns into a chrysalis (1:23)

Monarch transformation into a butterfly (0:52)

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Was serenaded yesterday evening by the sounds of fireworks (the people had a particular fondness for bombs that were loud enough to shake my house) and dirt bikes. It was such a joy.

I imagine tonight will be even more noisy.

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Your Style is Natural

You prefer things that aren't overly fussy or ornate. For you, simple is best. If possible, you like a more natural look - or at least a look that was inspired by nature. You are turned off by wild colors and too much flair. You don't think style needs to be complicated. You know that less is often more. You strive to live a simpler life than most.

What's Your Personal Style?

That's about right.