On Saturday, Mom and I went to the Arts Council of Southern Indiana‘s butterfly release. They had free jazz and art, cheap food, face painting, dedication of stone sculptures, and, the highlight of it all, the release of over 100 Monarch butterflies.

In a reversal of roles, I told Mom to go get a butterfly to release, and I would take pictures. Alas, I didn’t tell her to get a butterfly and then come back to where I was, so I had to paparazzinate her. See if you can see her Where’s-Waldoing me in the crowd. She’s wearing brown pants and a beige shirt and her Angel Mother hair is glowing like a halo.

Here is what the poor li’l butterflies were in. It hardly seems comfortable, but who knows what dreams butterflies dream in the dark? The words say Caution – live butterfly inside. To open, gently lift side tabs and pull. 

So, mostly all at the same time, everybody did.

The butterflies rose.

And flew.

They rested on people, buildings, trees, and bushes before taking off for good. Little splashes of orange fluttered everywhere.

We’ll probably go again next year, when they plan to have even more butterflies.

Meanwhile, do you know what Monarch butterflies eat? Milkweed! Yes, the kids always knew, instinctively, that milkweed was the coolest plant ever! So let’s plant some milkweed, and let it spread and bloom and blow and spread some more. The butterflies will thank you.

Meanwhile, I’m posting today at Fatal Foodies about one of my favorite food web sites.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Write something with a butterfly in it.

MA