I was inspired by a blog post that artist Maria Wulf shared and the butterfly garden kit she was gifted. When I watched the video of her releasing the butterflies that were once caterpillars into her garden, the joy on her face and the excitement in her voice was contagious. I knew I had to have a butterfly kit of my own.
I felt like a little kid waiting for it to arrive and even more excited when I saw it on my doorstep yesterday.
The instructions said that the caterpillars will be small and inactive for 24-48 hours and to place them away from windows, drafts, and direct sunlight, and to also be sure to handle the Cup of Caterpillars gently.
I placed them on top of the woodstove in the living room which we don’t use this time of year. I was surprised when later in the afternoon I’d noticed they’d already begun to move around. Within 7-10 days they will make their way to the top of the cup and attach themselves to begin their transformation into chrysalides at which point they will need to be transferred to the butterfly garden habitat which is included in the kit. This whole process from caterpillars, to chrysalides, to butterflies, should happen within the next three weeks.
While I don’t know that they will stick around in my garden once I release them, I’m going to enjoy the process of nurturing them as they begin their metamorphosis. Also, a reader of Maria’s blog said that butterflies will lay eggs in the garden and those will hatch next year. So in a way, they will be back!
And just as I wrote that last paragraph I thought about how interesting it is that we don’t always nurture ourselves during times of change or uncertainty. Those times when we are in transition, we sometimes forget to be gentle with ourselves and enjoy the journey instead of worrying about what comes next.
I, for one, am going to enjoy this reminder. Thank you, Painted Lady Butterfly, I needed that little nudge.
xo,
Barbara
