The Most Curious Butterfly
With it being another Sunday morning, the first duty I had, was to head to my quiet corner to get my contemplative session completed. It was definitely another fulfilling experience where I was able to wash away all the spiritual nasties which I'd absorbed over this past week. Once my session was completed, I drove over to an early church Service, which ended up being the frosting on the cake of my earlier spiritual session, because after getting seated in my favorite out-of-the-way section of that church, I was able to continue on with some additional deep prayer.
Upon return to office, I changed my clothes and headed out to get some serious yard and garden work done, which lasted a good four hours until I finally had to call it quits due to the rising temperatures. I continue to thank myself for purchasing that face netting which slides over my Panama hat, because those gnats would've driven me back indoors in less than a half hour. I still don't understand where those devils are coming from, because I don't remember being pestered by such annoying insects until just this past year, but this season, they're even worse. I always make sure to wear high-top boots, long pants, and a long-sleeved tightly-woven cotton shirt. Yes, I sweat a little more when having that many clothes on, but it sure beats being eaten alive by biting insects.
My handsome strawberry patch is looking the best ever, and it appears I'll be getting a bumper crop on them starting this week. I ate several which had already ripened, and without a doubt, they're twice as flavorful and juicy than those we find in the stores. The black raspberries I planted last year, are getting ready to bear as well, but I'm gonna stay hopeful the birds will keep their distance from them. I'm really looking forward to making a small batch of black raspberry jam, which is my most favorite. Of course the strawberry jam I made last year from my all natural strawberry bed, were right up there in taste.
I took in a late lunch, and then headed over to my on-going project, just to continue working at getting that five-paneled door fully stripped. After another near three hours of fighting with it, I decided that first layer of paint which was placed on that door back in the 1920's, had to be milk paint, which is the absolute worst when it comes to getting it off a surface. To date, I've had three separate experiences with milk paint over these many years, and each time, it ended up being a daunting project. When I have some free time, I'm gonna go searching for videos on YouTube, just to see if someone has come up with another way of getting it stripped off.
While thinking about YouTube today, I'm nearly convinced a person can find informational videos on just about any do-it-yourself subject. I don't know how many times over these past several years, I've heard people out of the general public giving high reviews over videos they'd found which helped them get thru some home projects which would've required a contractor's expertise, so if you're wondering how to fix something yourselves, pay YouTube a visit before calling for help.
The photo I posted for tonight, is of the most curious butterfly which arrived on the scene while I as taking a small water break after working in my garden. The more I watched it, the more I was amazed at its coloring and wing structure, and only because after I got a closer look, it appeared to be one of those insects which has wing coloring and shape, which makes it look upside down to where its real head looks like its tail, and visa-versa. It didn't seem the least bit fearful of me getting close enough to take a photo of it while feeding on a dandelion.
If you want to see additional photos I took of what's now remaining of the Kirk Apartments, just click on tonight's photo and a small slide-show will start. I took those photos this morning before heading out to my garden. That company's workers will likely be there early tomorrow morning, to start filling up that giant hole.
I've been getting a number of people asking if I knew what was going to be built there, which I always have to say I'm about as much in the dark as they are. Let's just hope that company who's building those ticky-tacky apartments down on Willow Creek, don't get their hand on it, and only because I'd rather not have to look and a building which appears to be stacked shoe boxes. With our interest rates climbing, and our City's population having dropped, I'd say it's gonna be a vacant lot for quite some time.
What I would love to see, is Mayo Clinic build a state-of-the-art clinic in our City, and only because I've heard nothing but rave reviews over their medical services. Their research and development is light years ahead of all others. I couldn't count how many health care professionals I've known who ended up getting jobs at Mayo Clinic or St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Just these past several years, I've also heard high reviews over Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics which are sprouting up all over North Iowa. Their two hospitals are located in Clarion and Belmond, with clinics as close as Rockwell, Clear Lake and Garner. Considering how fast they're growing, I'd say they must be doing something right.
While out in my garden today, I noticed the garlic is starting to send out flower shoots, so as soon as they're at half-mast, I'll be cutting them off and cooking with them. Thank goodness I noticed the carrots are finally starting to come up, because I was starting to get a little worried about them. Oh, and I forgot to tell you about those baby magnolias I transplanted last Fall. All but one made it, so they're now on their way to becoming quite the landscape specimens.
Tonight's One-liner is: The need for love and intimacy is a fundamental human need, as primal as the need for food, water and air.
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