Butterfly Wings

“Are they done yet?” asked Maria eager to see the final product.

“Almost done, Dear.  Just hold still,” said Ophelia pushing her eye glasses back up.  This will be her greatest piece.  There can be no mistakes.  Everyone will see them during the festival.  She would retire after this.  Her paint brushes and paint will all be put away.  Her bags were packed and she was ready to leave the others. It was time to see what else was out there.  Her plans were to fly further south to the edge of the Andean mountains.

Since her migration into Mexico, she hadn’t left Michoacán.  It had become her home the last couple of months.  She knew she had very little time left and with so few of them coming in every year, there was worry that their kind would soon vanish. This is something she could not bear to witness.

“Oh, I just can’t wait.  I’ve told the others about our idea to transform into another butterfly.  I just can't believe no one has thought about it before. I’m going to be beautiful!” Maria said unable to keep her antennas from fluttering.  

"You are beautiful but this is definitely going to turn everyone's head for sure," Ophelia said.

“Just a couple more touches and we should be all done,” she said.  She felt guilty that she hadn't told Maria about her plans to leave.  She was like a daughter to her.

She added a few more strokes of red to Maria's new wings and put her brush down.  She took a step back and admired her work.  The wings were finally done.  She had transformed Maria into a new butterfly.  She no longer looked like the rest of The Monarchs.  

"There, all done. Now take a look," Ophelia said.  She handed Maria a mirror.  

Maria took one look and gasped. "I can't believe it! They're beautiful." She flew in a circle admiring every detail of her new wings.  They were fire red with glitter.  No longer black and orange.  Maria would be the talk of the festival.  Stories would be told of her and passed on from migration to migration.

"I must hurry and catch up with the others.  The welcoming ceremony of the new butterflies will start soon," Maria said.  "I love you Ophelia,  thank you!" She bent her antenna down and gave Ophelia a butterfly kiss.

"It was an honor.  Now, off you go!" Ophelia said.

Maria hurried out and headed straight to the ceremony.  Ophelia quickly gathered her bags and said goodbye to her home.  

She had done the right thing and given Maria a gift she will never forget.  A new set of butterfly wings.

participating in the july prompts for write alm

These Days

This past week has been pretty busy.  Right now, I'm writing this post in my underwear and shirt because I've changed 100x. Why? My boobs won't stop leaking.  And if you follow me on twitter or instagram, you are well aware of my leaking boobs but look at that face, he is so worth it.

We also hit the road to the Eastern Shore and it was great.  It was nice to get away and out of the same routine.  More pictures of our road trip soon.

We celebrated Wolf Rayne's 3rd birthday this week and it was awesome.  All the kids were so excited and so were we.  We visited the zoo, had family over, and had a pinata.  Wolf was over the moon and her smile spoke a thousand words.

I've been editing a story that I started writing last fall.  It's still not finished but I needed to send it off to my mentor to help me figure out what to do next.  Its a deep story and I haven't decided if I should share it or not.  If it should be a short story or be written and filed in a folder labeled Personal.  Not sure yet.  But, its a story that has made me cry and touched my heart.  It feels good to start working on it again and eventually finish it.

Speaking of writing, I have an idea for my first book! I'm excited to start the process of it.  I have no expectations though, I just want to do it.   The research has begun for it and I give so much credit for all the authors out there.  The amount of research that goes into a book is crazy.   But, I'm excited to share this adventure with you guys.

Have a fabulous weekend!

On The Road

On the road this beautiful Saturday! 

Keep Moving Forward

Even in our darkest day there's light.  A speck.  A small hope.  But, its our choice whether we want to continue to fight the madness, the evil, the hardships, the unknown.  To follow the light takes faith, courage and strength.

There is no easy road to get where your heart desires.  To get to a better place you must have a soul of a warrior.  You  must get up when you have fallen.  When you come to a crossroad dont take the path that looks the easiest.  You know, the quick fix route.  The one that guarantees in thirty days you will get there with no bumps on the road.

No, don’t take that one.  Take the one that will make you sweat. The one that you have to hike 5 miles up a steep hill and you have to keep moving forward.  The one that gives you bumps and scrapes.  The one that leaves you with a scar that later on you will have something to show for.  

We’ve all been there.  At the bottom of the abyss.  The darkest and saddest place in our lives.  It’s a pivotal point.  It makes us cry and tears us up inside.  Its a battle that no one in the world knows your are fighting except you.   No, we won’t show those pictures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter.  Those are pictures that are kept in a folder in our phones. Because those are real life.  

Where ever you are, whatever problem you have, what ever battle you are fighting, keep fighting. Put your combat outfit on and keep moving forward.  Because know, that I am fighting the same battle, one day at a time.  


participating in the July writing prompt from writealm.com

Hot Days & The AC

It's finally summer here in Maryland.  The winter was long and harsh.  The coldness of this past winter was like no other I have felt or that I remember.  The Polar Vortex lived up to it's name.  Many days spent inside staying warm and day dreaming of summer weather.

It took awhile for hot weather to come. But when it came, it was hot! Maryland is known for it's nasty humidity.  It's dreadful. And forget about having pretty hair during these months.  It's pointless.  All day I felt like I was living near the equator or I was in my own personal Bikram class. 105 degrees and dripping wet. Everyone was sleeping in their undies.  I put fans in every room and it still felt like a sauna.    But I wanted to stick to my rule. No AC until July. Call me crazy but I  love seeing my BGE bill under 100 bucks.  Its the penny pincher in me. More importantly, I love having the windows opened and the smell of summer in my house. I let out all the winter "ju-jus" out and let the positive energy flow through. I also hate telling my kids "don't leave the door open. The AC is on." Drives me nuts.

I like to give them the liberty of going in and out and enjoying the warm weather. Especially with a winter like we had.  I also believe that keeping the AC off helps that lady I'm in love with, Mother Earth.  Getting all hippie on you guys now but anything to help out.

This year, I broke that rule.  I turned it on in June because I couldn't take the heat.  I was sweating like there was no other. All. Day. Long.  Plus with these crazy postpartum hormones and sitting nursing all day, it was dreadful.  So it went on.  That day, my hubby walked in from work, and had the biggest smile on his face.  He twirled me around and we did a little happy AC dance.  Haha.

But whenever I see that we will be having a cool day,  off it goes and I smile :) So here's to hot days and the AC being on.

Wandering

The luscious green forest wraps her arms around us and welcomes us to her home. We wander down the dirt path with no destination in mind.  I extend my hands out so I can brush the plants with my fingers as I walk. Wanting to touch everything that she has.  

The smell of trees and the sight of small creatures let's us know that there is life in this magical place.   We are greeted by butterfly kisses and slimy worms.

I always remember to respect Mother Nature because, I've learned, she is almighty and powerful.  From her roaring rivers to her quiet forests.  And when I leave her home, I always thank her for letting us come wander.

Be free & wild

Sanctuary In My Own Backyard

Ok lets be honest, as much as I want to be out in the woods hiking, on a creek in a canoe or camping somewhere everyday, its just not possible .  Nope not at all. I have a small wolf pack and its hard to get everyone ready for such big adventures. It's a workout just to get everyone's shoes on and in the car! Can i get an amen from all the mother's out there? AMEN

The next best thing: My little sanctuary in my backyard.  It's nothing glamours by any means but my garden and "patio" bring me so much peace and tranquility.  And thanks to my dear friend and in-laws, who added the chairs, hammock, and a little character, to make it even better.  This place is where I go to escape, even when the kids are out there in the baby pool or running around fighting.  It's been a great place for me to recover and be inspired.  

Our dream is to eventually get a plot of land.  Where I can make an oasis in the mountains somewhere.  A plot big enough for my kids to run around. And close enough so I can a hear a river and go fishing with my husband.  

Until then, this is my little plot of paradise. Welcome!

participating in the July writing prompt from writealm.com

On A Summer Day

take a deep breath

close your eyes

hear the birds chirping

smell the salty air from the creek

listen to the boats drive by

embrace the tranquility 

swing on the hammock

feel the breeze on your face

hear the music of the wind chimes

stay present

and enjoy this summer day

Happy Fourth of July!

Joining in on #memoriesnature over at writing & stuff

Explore

I started to make a list of everything that I want to try.  From making my own bread to jumping off a cliff.  To explore doesn't mean an adventure to another country or doing something that might mean risking your life.  It could mean just explore your backyard or a local museum.  Keep it simple.  Explore the unknown.

Since I can remember, I've always explored. Never one to stay put in one area or let alone stay at job for too long.  Once I've done it, I like to move on and explore something else. I crave to try new things. Learn a new craft or a new plant.  It's the free spirit in me.

Before I had the stroke, I was really hard on myself about this side of me.  Thinking it wasn't a great example for my kids.  That I should be like everyone else and just be happy with where I am.  Learn to slow down and just be a mom.  Whatever that means.  And after my stroke, I did think that for a couple of weeks.  That its time to slow down, master what I know now and be that mom that I think I should be.

But, thats not who I am.  It's not the example I want to be to my kids.  I am who I am.  A wanderer.  A risk taker.  A free spirit.  An explorer.  I want to explore the unknown.  The trails that haven't been paved. The countries NOT on the "Top 10 Places To Go."  I want to buy that VW bus I have been talking about for years even when people tell me its going to breakdown.  Then maybe I'll learn how to fix a car.

Our lives are too short and precious to stop exploring.  

participating in the July writing prompt from writealm.com