A couple of weeks ago, my daughter bore witness to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a lovely swallowtail butterfly such as the one above. This summer I’ve watched her blossom into someone deeply curious of the outside world around her; fearless and respectful as she flits from place to place inspecting crayfish in our creek, catching and caring for a newt and a salamander, and shedding her long-held fear of bees. She reminds me of myself when I was just a girl of eight, and I can’t help but smile as I rediscover the world through her eyes. As I told her the other night, she is definitely someone my eight year old self would have loved to have as a friend.

Monarda didyma (Bergamot, Scarlet Beebalm, Scarlet Monarda, Oswego Tea, or Crimson Beebalm) is an aromatic herb in the family Lamiaceae, native to eastern North America from Maine west to Ohio and south to northern Georgia. Its name is derived from its odor which is considered similar to that of the bergamot orange. The scientific name comes from Nicolas Monardes, who described the first American flora in 1569.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarda_didyma

The boy decided since his sister got to keep her salamander, he should be able to keep his frog. Unfortunately, frogs are a different story… right? maybe we could do the tadpole thing… idunno.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_clamitans

Our new friend Sally Mander. She’s a red-spotted newt at the red eft stage who has no interest in baby shrimp! [thing on left of her body.] We caught some mosquito larvae and she may or may not have shown great interest in *those*.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_newt

Yarrow is purported to be a diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, stimulant and mild aromatic. It contains isovaleric acid, salicylic acid, asparagin, sterols, flavonoids, bitters, tannins, and coumarins. The plant also has a long history as a powerful ‘healing herb’ used topically for wounds, cuts and abrasions. The genus name Achillea is derived from mythical Greek character, Achilles, who reportedly carried it with his army to treat battle wounds. This medicinal action is also reflected in some of the common names mentioned below, such as Staunchweed and Soldier’s Woundwort. The stalks of yarrow are dried and used as a randomising agent in I Ching divination. In the Middle Ages, yarrow was part of a herbal mixture known as gruit used in the flavouring of beer prior to the use of hops.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillea_millefolium

We went here today: www.bjumg.org/

My first visit here was with my senior high school art class, and has stuck in my mind all these years. It’s a lovely little museum located in Greenville, SC, and a must see for art/history lovers.

Title borrowed from Zoe Keating’s newest album, which you should check out and buy! www.zoekeating.com

Today we went hiking at my absolute favorite spot – Big Creek in Haywood County, NC. You actually have to cross the TN state line and loop back around into NC to get to this spot, but it is well worth the drive [even the part of I-40 through the Tennessee Gorge that makes me a total basketcase of anxiety]. You’ll be rewarded with an easy 2 mile hike through a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that has the best swimming holes around, plus a gorgeous waterfall.

Today we took the kids to Fun Depot where fun was had by all. Especially this guy!

I can’t help but to feel fortunate watching my children grow in an area with such natural beauty everywhere we go. I was upprooted from my own hometown when I was 13, and on the 13 hour drive to our new house I cried and cried. When I first laid eyes on the mountains, I dried my tears and knew I was home. As I grew older and had children of my own, I knew that I always wanted them to grow up surrounded by the same beauty which finally had been allowed to claim my heart.

Wherever you are, I hope you had a wonderful weekend! My family and I celebrated my youngest child’s 7th birthday today; he told his grandma on the phone, “I get fireworks for my birthday every year!” At 7, he has figured out that he was also born on a holiday, but what a great way to end a birthday every year, right? Lucky little guy. <3