ramblings from an arkansas farm girl
Happy Sunday to my Sunday Letter readers~
We’ve had a gorgeous fall week here in northwest Arkansas. I hope you’ve had a chance to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather. Over on the other side of the state, the cotton harvest on our farm has ended. Once again I am thankful to be a farm girl from Mississippi County.
Sometimes I think you have to be from a place to fully appreciate it. I also believe leaving a place helps you see the full beauty of it when you return.
Did you know milkweed was used during World War II? I learned this bit of American history by reading When Angels Rest, by Donald Harington, one of my favorite Arkansas authors. When Angels Rest is classified as literary fiction. When I read about the characters in the story collecting milkweed pods for the war effort, I suspected this must have been based on the truth, even though I’d never heard about it. As a huge fan of milkweed—we grow several varieties for the monarchs— I dove into the rabbit hole, reading all about this piece of American history I’d never learned.Continue Reading
Do you remember the children’s picture book by Eric Carle titled The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Well, I have my own very hungry caterpillars, and they are so much fun to watch. Yes, I know they aren’t really “mine”, but I’ve been cultivating a butterfly garden since we moved here, and now that they’re here, I feel the need to observe and protect them.
A couple of days ago, I spied the first chrysalis of the season. It’s attached to the rock wall beside the back gate only a yard or so from one of our milkweed plants.
Magical.
And once I find one, I become completely obsessed.
Because where there’s one, more are sure to follow.Continue Reading
