The Butterfly Project DUE: June 30, 2011

I want to share something with my friends that would be a very rewarding and thoughtful charity activity for the entire family. It's called the Butterfly Project and it's dedicated to the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust. The goal is to collect 1.5 million handmade butterflies in remembrance of those innocent little souls. The butterflies will eventually comprise a breath-taking exhibition, currently scheduled for Spring 2012, for all to remember. As of Summer 2008, an estimated 400,000 butterflieshave already been collected. THE BUTTERFLY by Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942 The last, the very last, So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow. Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing against a white stone.... Such, such a yellow Is carried lightly ’way up high. It went away I’m sure because it wished to kiss the world good-bye. For seven weeks I’ve lived in here, Penned up inside this ghetto. But I have found what I love here. The dandelions call to me And the white chestnut branches in the court. Only I never saw another butterfly. That butterfly was the last one. Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto. Please facilitate the “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” activity and create as many handmade arts-and-crafts butterflies as possible. This project may be completed by all ages as individuals or groups. Butterflies should be no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches. Butterflies may be of any medium the artist chooses, but two-dimensional submissions are preferred. Glitter should not be used. Food products (cereal, macaroni, candy, marshmallows or other perishables) also should not be used. If possible, e-mail a photograph of your butterflies, to butterflyproject@hmh.org Please send or bring your butterflies to the Museum by June 30, 2011, with the following information included: Your name, Your organization or school, Your address, Your e-mail address, and The total number of butterflies sent. Mail or bring your butterflies to: Holocaust Museum Houston Butterfly Project Education Department 5401 Caroline St. Houston, TX 77004 USA For questions or additional information, please e-mail butterflyproject@hmh.org.

Chomp, chomp, Mr. Turtle!

Today when I took Gizzy outside, I saw Mr. Turtle at the side of the road munching on some grass. I don't know what kind of a turtle it is, but I have seen him before. My concern is that someone might run over him, either accidentally or on purpose. I enjoy seeing wildlife and simply can't understand why some people just want to kill everything! I found a teeny tiny turtle the other day and took it down to the lake in the evening when I took Gizzy for his walk. I dropped him off in a grassy area near the lake, so that he could decide where he wanted to be. I know it could swim because I had it in a bowl with water before it was time to take Gizzy walking. You might say he was in a holding tank for a while - poor baby! He was so cute! It looked like it wanted to rain all day, but it never did. I saw some more butterflies and could not resist taking photos. One of my neighbors has these really attractive little peppers in her flower bed. They are the most decorative looking plants. I don't dare touch them, because in my experience, the tiny peppers are some of the hottest. Another butterfly picture. Pretty soon it will be too cold for them, so I enjoy them while I can. I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.

Happy Labor Day everyone!

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. It's a day dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday tributes the working class contributions to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the Eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. This holiday is usually celebrated with summer activities - swimming, camping, picnics, etc. Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer in the Northern part of the U.S. Most schools usually start sometime during the week after Labor Day. Most countries (including Germany) celebrate Labour Day on May 1, known as May Day and International Workers' Day. In Europe the day has older significance as a rural festival which is predominantly more important than that of the Labour Day movement. The holiday has become internationalised and several countries hold multi-day celebrations including parades, shows and other patriotic and labour-oriented events. I don't know about you, but I don't follow the old custom of not wearing white after Labor Day, because I think white looks so pretty in the winter - it reminds me of the snow I don't see anymore. In light of all the unemployed people who have lost their jobs and others who are unable to find one, I can't help but feeling rather melancholy about this holiday and will pray for America during this difficult time. I hope you will find employment again soon. I know how it feels to need work and not find it. I have been there - several times - and so has my daughter, who has finally found employment again after a long dry spell. Don't give up and keep the faith! I wish you all a safe and happy Labor Day holiday for spending time with family and friends, because when all the material things are gone, we can still have our memories to keep us company. That's what keeps me going. God bless you!

Flatlanders Frolic Arts & Crafts Festival

Image from an early Flatlanders event, before it was celebrated in the middle of town in front of the Courthouse. On Saturday, September 5th, 2009, was Lakeland's annual Flatlanders Frolic Arts & Crafts Festival. I just wanted to share a few snap shots I took while visiting, even though I could not stay very long due to the heat. I decided to walk there in the morning, with Gizzy riding on my rollator. I had water with me and an umbrella in case we needed one. I planned on getting cash out of the ATM, but alas, it was not meant to be. I had trouble with the ATM and found myself cashless in a predominently "cash only" market place. All I really wanted is some fried green tomatoes. I generally don't eat fried foods, but I was really looking forward to them. Ever since I read the "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe" book, I've been searching for a good recipe without any success. So, if anyone has one, please let me know, as long as it doesn't involve a deep fryer because I don't have one and rarely fry anything at all for health reasons. I was contemplating walking to the grocery store and getting cash back on my check, but that was kind of far away and so was walking back home again. It was getting hotter by the minute, when I saw this honey booth and I proceeded to talk to the ladies about the bees and my concern for the bees and my crocheting for the bees. As I began exchanging business cards with Raynae Williams of Georgia Bee Pretty, she asked me if I'm the lady that crocheted the bees at the local Pharmacy, because she purchased a couple of them. I immediately walked over to Lakeland Drugs and asked the manager about it. Sure enough, they forgot to call me and gave me my cash on the spot so that I now had money to buy something. What a stroke of luck. I ran into a friend and she offered to watch Gizzy while I went inside the pharmacy to collect my money. Well, the fried green tomato purchase was disappointing - again. They were limp, greasy and tasted too sour because there was barely any breading on them. It's amazing how very few restaurants have them on their menu here. I thought the dish was a Southern trademark and therefore readily available. Oh, well, guess I'll stick to the fresh, red ones. They're better for me anyway. The River City Community Animal Hospital came down from Florida in their mobile unit to provide spay/neuter information and encourage people to take advantage of their monthly services for their pets. This guy with the alligator hat worked at the Alligator Ka-Bob stand and was visiting the flags display. Gizzy and I were taking a water break behind the Honey tent while someone was tasting some Tupelo honey. There were many vendors with food, goods and services. It was the largest event in three years as described in the Valdosta Daily Times. I visited my friend Liviana's tent where she was selling all her reborn baby dolls. Her dollies always draw a crowd and she did well again this year. Look at all those babies. Here's a close up of one of her baby boy dolls riding a rocking horse. Speaking of horses, there were pony rides (ok, horsey rides) offered in the shady area under the trees. It's amazing who you will run into at these events (you know who you are!) The kids were having a blast because they don't worry about the heat, as long as it's fun or it tastes good! There even was a petting zoo with bunnies, goats, guinea pigs and a sheep. A few hours later, I wish I could have taken a ride on that little kiddie train with the umbrellas. ... instead, a kind friend took pitty on me and offered us a ride home in his truck and I gladly accepted. All in all I enjoyed myself meeting up with some friends and talking to people. A lot of people pointed and laughed at my Gizzy because he just sat on that rollator enjoying all the commotion from "his wagon." He likes to people watch just like the next guy. I even got a dozen of beautiful roses for my mother's Birthday in December. She lives in Germany. How, you may ask? Well, they are wooden roses and aren't they pretty? Lastly, here's another article that you might find interesting: Flatlanders Frolic defines 'fun.'

It's a Pollinator Party

As I walked out the door to get my annual flu shot at our local Health Office this morning, you should have seen Gizzy's befuddled look, because I actually left without him - something that doesn't happen very often. When I returned, I got Gizzy and drove to Roquemore Park, a place we have not visited for a while. It was a so beautiful outside with a refreshing breeze and it felt good to walk around amongst all the splendor of the morning. It was rather soggy and flooded in some areas because of all the rain we had this week. It's been raining every day and now the clouds are getting dark again. So, grab a cup of Java and come along on a tour of this morning's outing: First of all, Gizzy, for some reason, had to walk up on the kiddie tower (where the slide is) and look through the bars. Silly boy! ... the dragonflies have been a plenty this year - and so big and fat! It appears they did a wonderful job keeping the mosquito population in check, because I've not had nearly the trouble with biting insects as in previous years. Here we are sitting beneath a tree on a bench and Gizzy's looking at me as if to say: "Thanks, mom, for bringing me here - I really needed that." As I was standing there watching the dragonflies dart all over the place, hoping to capture one, I saw this tree across the pond whith this huge spider web in it. What is he trying to catch? ... a bird? Here are some pitiful shots of flying dragonflies. I bet they were laughing at me as I was standing there, trying to follow them with my little Fuji digital camera. I was just clicking, hoping to get something - they were way too quick for me. I managed to capture them, but since my camera is sadly inadequate for these types of shots, that's apparently the best I can do... I'm telling you, these guys were seriously mocking me, watching me turn around and around and not being able to keep up with them. Meanwhile, Gizzy found himself a nice spot in the shade to take in the scenery. Looks like I wasn't the only one taking photos this morning, but honestly, that lady had serious equipment! I somehow managed to capture the dew drops on this rose without using Macro or expensive gear! Let's not forget to look up...look at the V-shape of these migrating birds. Looks like they're white Herons, but heck, I didn't even know I captured them, because from where I was standing, I was just aiming in the general direction and clicked the shutter. This one, I'm pretty sure, is an Anhinga (or snake bird.) I call this shot "Stars in the Water" because of the glittering sun beams. And when the wind picked up, we got more "stars." Gizzy basking in the sun while I'm taking pictures. These little wild morning glories are climbing all over the rose bush. I didn't have to chase this butterfly too long before he settled down on some bright green leaves. After we got home, I had to check the mail where these yellow flowers grow. I think they're called Lemon Verbena because when you brush your hands through them, you end up smelling like lemon - I LOVE it... and all the flying insects seem to love them too. This bush is always aflutter with all sorts of insects. You would not believe how many flying insects were out today - it was fantastic - I saw Monarchs and yellow butterflies and charcoal with turquoise, but I couldn't capture one. Here's some kind of moth whose name I don't know...maybe Lisa or Gretl? The bees where there too, collecting their share of pollen and nectar. One of my neighbor's garden had these beautiful flowers. I think they're a sort of a Hybiscus. Isn't the color just wonderful? The Petunias are hanging on and still blooming. Bees are collecting the last of the Crepe Myrtles - they're almost done blooming too. Another photo of a moth on the lemoney blossoms. Because of all the rain we've been getting, the mushrooms are popping out of the ground all around. The Crepe Myrtles are almost done blooming. I can't believe how quickly time flies. I enjoy looking at these little soldiers of the earth, so what if they're only toad stools! A little moth. And last, but not least, I'd best remember to bring Middi some fresh grass or else... Looks like she really, really wanted that grass... Until next time - happy September!