Yesterday was Leg Workout Day. Today is List Workout Day on the home front. A gardener must weed and it is always on the chore list. I feel it in the quads, hamstrings, yes uggh, the gluts. My eyes look up to….

That guy must have a brutal leg workout day.

Another look at a voracious stare down.

Did I see tentacles on both ends? Maybe this is not a stare down – is it glut day for him?!

This plant is milkweed planted from a one dollar package of seeds bought at a home supply store. The caterpillar will soon be a Monarch butterfly.

God morphs weed day into Monarch Day. “One who Reigns”.

Core workout day. Isn’t the stomach part of the core? I crushed it.

The “J stage”. The caterpillar is now ready to begin the metamorphosis – pupate.

24 hours after sighting the first J shape, a chrysalis forms.

If you have read this far, then you are with me, my friend. Take two seconds out and turn on the sound for the little video above. You may smile and you need to smile! 24 hours after the first J shape sighting, a chyrsalis forms. 48 hours later, the photo above, look closely, you can see the outlines of the wings. The lower photo was taken last night, another J form. He is hanging out. Or is it hanging down? Maybe hanging up? Bye now until next time. It is bad timing. I am leaving tomorrow to go hiking on the AT (Appalachian Trail). I must leave my elderly mother and caterpillars in the care of my adult children….

Welcome back to the Monarch story! I have returned from the AT. Below is one of the highlights of the trail. The hematologist stands triumphant at the peak of Blood Mountain.

Meanwhile at home, rest day for the chrysalis. Much needed after leg workout day and core day. The newest chrysalis; some people say the Monarch name was assigned because of the gold crown.

The first one we noticed, now about a week old.

Hope they make it as there seem to be wasps, frogs and lizards watching rest day. There are in total four chrysalises.

Chrysalissess?

Chrsalides? Who knows?

I give you joyful anticipation. Only a matter of a few hours.

Now everything is a threat. Low days. Heavy sadness. Anhedonia. Loneliness. Brokenness. Joy is stolen.

It is scary out there. I might just stay in here. It is easy. I might be liking rest day a little too much. It does get dark in here…

To Live is Christ.

As the events unfold, the green chrysalis transforms to transparent. Quickly (I could not capture the actual happening) a butterfly emerges. It must hang upside down for the wings to dry.

Cannot stay in when GymShark calls! Today is Super-Pump Arm Day!

Feel the burn after being folded for two weeks!

Hey, don’t I know you? Did you do something to your biceps?