Inactivity

It's a boy! The black dots on the inner wings mean that this is a male.
My last monarch ready to fly towards Mexico.

Those vaccines I got last week turned out to be more problematic than expected. My usual response is to feel worn out for that day, then I'm back to normal. The bike ride I took the day after the shots was very difficult to get through for a typical ride. I was too tired to cook, so I stopped for food on my way home, ate it, then slept for 3 hours. I also slept like a baby that night. After two more days of intense fatigue and a red, sore arm, I did a little research. I got the 'enhanced' flu vaccine due to my age, and the main side effect is - fatigue. The red arm is called covid arm and is nothing to worry about. Needless to say, I won't be doubling up on vaccines again. Half a week gone and nothing much accomplished! 

Sunday, Annette and I went to brunch at the Troy Botanical Garden as I wanted to check out this new venue. The brunch was nice - mostly a Korean buffet plus a few American dishes for the unadventurous. It was a beautiful day for a meal on the balcony overlooking the grounds. We then went for a 2 mile ramble in the 'garden' which did not offer up a single flower. I think the name is aspirational, and calling it the Troy Arboretum would be a more descriptive name. It's a defunct golf course which the owners hope to turn into a garden, but for now it's a nice walk with sculptures/statues/replicas of cultural significance. The pyramids, Christ The Redeemer, Mt Rushmore, etc. A little disappointing, but a nice way to spend the morning.

Annette and I had so many suggestions for the owners, such as a bit of signage describing the statues.

I really like this one but have no idea what it represents.

Chinese warriors in the forest.

One major chore I accomplished this week was to drain the spa, clean it and refill it. Then I needed to condition the water with various additions with a day between each. Last was adding salt, and balancing water chemistry which meant another trip to the Pool store and about $200 spent. Not a bad job considering how tired I was. The vole population is steadily declining. 

Our little book club got together Tuesday to watch "Cider House Rules" which did not impress any of us. The book was so much better. We made pizzas, I served a lime and ginger cider mocktail, and we had no book discussion. We are saving that for next week. 

One morning I noticed the monarch chrysalis casing was transparent, so an emergence was imminent. I got my coffee and camera and headed outside to wait.

The casing started to crack....



The new butterfly dropped down.
This was supposed to be a video, but it seems I can no longer add video to my blog. 


It only took about 20 minutes for the wings to get pumped up with fluid from 
its abdomen. Then another half hour to dry and it was ready to fly.

I met Susan and Ann Marie at the Colonie town park in order to paddle on the Mohawk River. We covered a little over 5 miles on another beautiful, but rainless day. Our drought is starting to get serious.

Exploring a side channel of the river.

Tonight I made dinner for Dale, Dan, Janice and George. I made both pork tenderloin and salmon along with roasted potatoes and salad.  Janice and Dale had a nice soak in the spa, while the rest of us chatted. I am blessed to have such nice friends. 

Comments

  1. PamSeptember 20, 2025 at 5:17 PM

    What is a spa? I mean, I know what it is if it's a hotel. Hope you're feeling better! The tapestry, by the way, was made fairly recently, maybe 7 years ago? It was the idea of a Scottish writer, Alexander McCall Smith, but as to where the money came from... I don't know!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maureen MSeptember 21, 2025 at 7:29 AM

      The folks at the pool store keep calling my hot tub a spa, so I'm trying to align with their terminology. I used to read McCall Smith, but haven't for several years.

      Delete
  2. MargaretSeptember 20, 2025 at 11:20 PM

    I would gladly have dinner at your house! I got my flu shot (the enhanced, I think) but wasn't ready for another Covid one. The only time I got two shots together, it wasn't pleasant although not as bad as what you describe. The butterflies are so beautiful and magical!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maureen MSeptember 21, 2025 at 7:30 AM

    Even though the butterflies are a bother to raise, I miss their magic already.

    ReplyDelete

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