Dragonflies, butterflies and birds

I left some chamomile for the butterflies.
The Checkered White is new to my backyard.

The Dainty Sulphurs are also new this year.
Usually I harvest all the chamomile but
I have plenty drying this year for my winter tea.

Harris Sparrow is keeping the bugs out of the lettuces.

Mocking Bird has figured out the grapes.
 He just stabs them with his beak.

It was too hot for me to be outside this afternoon.
It is too hot for April.

I read my book. I dreamed of embroidery.
 I am smitten with the dragons and the damsels.

My daughter helped me design a piece of fabric
using one of my damselfly photographs.

It is pretty but the yellow is too bright for curtains.
I will try again.

My friend sent me a book of postcards.
These are butterfly prints representing the
 work of Edward Donovan (1768-1837).
His exquisite watercolor paintings take me to far away places.

I am smitten with the dragonflies.
I am smitten with the birds,
yet I dance with the butterflies.
My friend knows me so very well.

Bards

It is the anniversary of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.

"Listen my children and you will hear
of the midnight ride of Paul Revere."
http://poetry.eserver.org/paul-revere.html
It is my poem today.
The American Revolution began on April 18, 1775, and ended 8 years later on April 18, 1783.

The Dutchman's Pipevine is blooming.

It is the host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail.

I love seeing holes in the leaves!

The Wild Ginger is in bloom.
The blooms lay on the ground making pollination
by ground crawlers easy to do.

Wild Columbine is in bloom.
I enjoy the native flowers.

The Painted Daisies are in bud.
They are for my pleasure.
I cut them for my table.

The Kale continues to feed the bees and
 provides leaves for our salads and stir fries.

History told by the bards and gardens for the bees, butterflies
and the gardeners.
Life is sweet.

Tending the gardens

The temperatures are lovely. High today was 59 degrees.
I was outside tending the flowers beds. I wore a sweater
while working in the sun. This is how April should be.

We made carrot cake cupcakes.
Wonderful for breakfast.

My inner artist is having fun!