Dear Reader:
It is the day before Halloween and Boo is revealing her mask for the big day. In tribute to my garden (which brings me such joy) I am the “lost” monarch butterfly….who is running late getting to Mexico by the first of November… in time for the two special festivals occurring.
The first monarchs arrive at their winter home in Mexico each fall by the first of November. Two events are taking place in Mexico when the butterflies appear. One is a seasonal event and the other a cultural event – natives connect the arrival of the monarchs with these events:
Monarchs and Corn Harvest:
People in the region have noticed the arrival of monarchs since pre-Hispanic times. In the language of the native Purepecha Indians, the monarch butterfly is known as the “harvest butterfly.” The monarchs appear each year when it is time to harvest the corn.
Monarchs and the Day of the Dead
The Mexican holiday Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) also occurs when the monarchs appear. According to traditional belief, the monarchs are the souls of ancestors who are returning to Earth for their annual visit.
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I decided to write a quick “Dingle Jingle” to explain why my monarch butterfly is celebrating Halloween in Charleston instead of going on to Mexico for “The Day of the Dead.
“The Lost Monarch”
I’m just a little monarch
Who was trying to get home
But every time I stopped
I forgot to leave and roam
Gardeners took snapshots of me…
And compliments came galore
Until one day I realized
My time was gone…no more.
So to heck with all that dead stuff
I’d rather trick or treat
And eat lots and lots of “candy” corn
It has the “Mexi-Corn Harvest” beat!
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A couple of more “sneak peeks”- on-going preparations -which will appear tomorrow night!
The wagon is getting decorated for the kids to ride in and the newest Turner purchase…a giant spider with glowing eyes…patiently waiting in the garage for its moment of fame!
So until tomorrow….anticipation and excitement in the eyes of little ones make the world turn just a little brighter…..
“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh
A big Day Before Halloween Shout-out to Anne whose birthday is today. Have a great one- with lots of “Boo-ti-ful friends.“
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ichaseferalcats
John Turner
Legally Ohm
Becky Dingle
Love your mask and the story behind it. The monarch butterflies have been beautiful this year. For some reason I didn’t get anything after the birthday wish to Anne except the paragraph on Monarchs and the Day of the Dead. I wondered if it is just my antique computer again or if anyone else experienced these blank spots. Happy Birthday, Anne. Hope it is filled with much joy and many laughs.
That is strange…will check around…After all it is Halloween!