I have loved our pollinator friendly garden ever since we started it many years ago. It’s so much fun to see all the butterflies and bees it brings to the yard. We finally had a butterfly chrysalis survive.
Jerry happened to notice it on the bottom of the gate to the front porch. It seemed like a very odd place, but reading more about them, it isn’t. They can attach anywhere and to any hard surface. We left the gate open to keep it from moving to often and getting knocked off.
Monarch butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle and through four generations in one year. The four stages of the monarch butterfly life cycle are the egg, the larvae (caterpillar), the pupa (chrysalis), and the adult butterfly.
While waiting patiently for that last stage we saw this in the chrysalis.
It was so interesting to see this so close up.
We also now have a carpenter bee making a hole to lay her eggs in our ‘guardian of the deck’ gate in the driveway. It’s a carved wood African tribal figure we bought in Quartzite back when we went every year. It’s supposed to protect your property from evil spirits. I think it works since we have had no evil spirits come in. Yet.
We were stumped when we sawdust ⬆️ keep showing up in the driveway. That is one days work. It lasted over a week. So Google to the rescue to tell us what it was.
This is the hole we found. It’s so precise, like a drill had done it. Jerry has seen the bee only once so far.
And the neighborhood scrub jay family that Jerry has been giving peanuts to for years have now discovered Midas’s cat food and help themselves to it. He doesn’t mind.
I finished my Mother’s Day puzzle💗Utah is in it six times?
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I have some very sad news. We lost our beloved cousin and dear friend Ray to cancer. He fought a hard battle and frequently got encouraging reports. But it wasn’t to be. The disease had gotten a foothold before treatment began. We are all going to miss him terribly 😢
I mention this here because of how sad it will be without him in our lives. Not only of the joy and laughter he brought us, but we were in our fourth season, of eight, of the Castle series reruns. Shame on you for leaving us, it won’t be the same without you 😟. But I know you want us to carry on with Martha, so we will.
It also means I will no longer have his witty, sometimes cryptic, comments here on the blog. I will miss that 😭if it weren’t for him I never would have found this way to share our travels. I have thanked him profusely for that.
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Once in awhile-now and again-this is us 
Thank you Jilly. This is a lovely tribute to Ray. It made me smile and cry just a little. Ray treasured your friendship. I can’t be as witty as him but I was here in the room when your blog was born and I heard him praise the way you grew it into a delightful version of a family memoir and a tribute to an extraordinary neighborhood of friends. In the words of my dear husband Ray, “Well done Jilly”.
Very sweet comment, Marty. I was blessed to be in the room too.
That picture of Ray is so great – it shows his wonderful spirit, his sense of humor and love.
You have made your home a beautiful and peaceful place, Jill. Even the insects seem happy!! -Sharon
Love the glimpses of nature from the yard. Was it a carpenter bee or bumble bee that hung out by our clothesline on 33rd? Also love the picture of Ray you used. Really communicates his spirit – just how he appears in my memories. He will be missed and remembered fondly by so many. My love to Martha, the Cousins, the family, and to all those impacted by his departure.
So wonderful and educational on the monarchs. You have exciting pictures here, worthy of publication.
Frank and I offer deep condolences for the loss of your dear cousin Ray. He seems to have been a loving man with lots of interests to go with that big heart. We hope your memories of him and your surviving circle of loved ones provide some comfort to you, darling Jilly
Our hearts go out to Martha and her family for the loss of her dear husband. May all wonderful memories of Ray comfort Martha, family, relatives and friends during this difficult time.
It was cool to see your butterfly when it came out of its chrysalis. It probably will be back to your garden to lay eggs next year and you might have a ton of Monarch butterflies on Mother’s Day!
Thuy
Beautiful, Jill. Thank you.
I am sad that Ray is gone and even more sad about the pain and emptiness that Martha must be feeling. I hope it’s never more than she can bear and that it softens over time. To all who knew Ray, I send my love and wishes for peace and comfort. I always admired Ray for his brutal honesty, transparency, and introspection. I believe he was a spiritual man, so one thing that brightens my heart is knowing that he is now in communion with the light on the other side.
Thank you, Tony. That was very moving for me. Ray always admired you.
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I’m so sorry for your loss Grandma and Grandpa. I never really got to know Ray, but he seemed like someone who always brought smiles to the room. I know you guys had so many memories with him and those are forever. I am sending all my love to you both as well as Martha. ❤
❤ Amy
i love the pictures of the butterfly. i’m glad we got to see it hatch when we were over at your house. i’m sorry for your loss. i didn’t know ray well but i always enjoyed the gifts he would give me and amy. i hope his soul is put to rest and his memories are kept alive. i love you and with you the best.
💗emily