I have an organic vegetable garden near a field filled with milkweed. And I grow Benary's zinnias for my wife. As I harvest (a great year!) I am surrounded by butterflies and bees.
Nurturing is something many of us love. I wish it was universal.
Thank you, Bill. I *tried* to grow zinnias this year for the first time with no success. I started them by seed and planted them (there was lime green one I was after), but then we took off on a trip to Greece, and all perished. Did you grow giant zinnias? I didn't know they existed and now I have to try them for next year. #2025goals #KamalaHarrisforpresident
The ones we grow are called Benarys Giant. Right now they stand about 5 feet tall and offer a huge variety of colors. The more I cut the more they produce until frost. No lime green, though.
I find them delicate to start. Lots of watering as seedlings. But once established they are tough hombres.
Such a touching story. It reminded me of finding a baby magpie on the ground in my backyard. The parents, screaming from a neighboring tree, brought me out to investigate, and there lay their baby on the path. My heart broke for them and for their baby. I told the parents I was going to try to save it, but they continued to scream. I took a teacup saucer out and filled it with some water, and set it close to the baby, urging it to drink. It did! I'm saving it! Still the parents screamed. I prayed for the bird and went back inside, worried the parents would swoop down and start pecking my head. A couple of hours later, I looked out the window and realized baby had died. I went out and put it in a box for burial. The parents continued to scream for several more hours before giving up and flying away. To me, it was a tragedy.
Ilona Goanos: Your embedding in one story the nurture of child-rearing, elder-parent-care, and rehab of the broken-winged Monarch tells so much of the need of the nurturer from the heart.
This is writing that reaches the heart of the reader!
Thank you for sharing this tender story. It is what I needed to read today to help me touch grass in these turbulent times (including my own mother with dementia.)
Your story brought to mind the quote, 'Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.' Minka's life, though brief, was a testament to nature's wisdom. She lived fully in her own way, adapting to her circumstances. It's a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most profound lessons come from simply observing the natural world.
Thanks for this beautiful essay, Ilona. I am like you in terms of loving every single creature and feeling sorrow for every "tiny" death. I help spiders climb out of the sink. I trained in how to revive birds that strike windows (how dare I live in a home surrounded by native plants and have such giant windows?) I learned of a product to paint dots on the windows to prevent bird strikes. I have a graveyard of my own lifetime of pets and also birds that didn't make it. I love that you created a butterfly preserve and that this creature had one final day in your garden. I also love how you write about your beloved children, and your tending of a mother who wasn't kind to you. This is very powerful writing, and tears are coming to my eyes as I write this.
Your comment means a lot to me, coming from such a great writer such as yourself, Kirie. Thank you for the tip on birds who fly into windows. I've heard that horrible thud too many times myself. Also, you will be getting a postcard soon! The Scandinavian countries are a bit more efficient than Greek postal service.
Look forward to receiving a postcard from the land of half my heritage! Treasure the Greek one already. The product to prevent bird strikes is UV Liquid from WindowAlert - "you can prevent wild birds from striking windows." I put dots every few inches. You can also buy UV butterfly stick-ons but I like the dots. We've gone from non-stop strikes during mating season (spring) and fall (baby release from nest season) to almost zero strikes. Love your writing, Ilona! Keep sharing!
Thanks, Lolo. My poor Minka. No such stories this year, since I only managed to capture three eggs. Thankfully, all turned out fully functioning as far as I could see.
Thank you! I’m glad the story touched your heart.
Nicely written. More please :)
I have an organic vegetable garden near a field filled with milkweed. And I grow Benary's zinnias for my wife. As I harvest (a great year!) I am surrounded by butterflies and bees.
Nurturing is something many of us love. I wish it was universal.
Thank you, Bill. I *tried* to grow zinnias this year for the first time with no success. I started them by seed and planted them (there was lime green one I was after), but then we took off on a trip to Greece, and all perished. Did you grow giant zinnias? I didn't know they existed and now I have to try them for next year. #2025goals #KamalaHarrisforpresident
The ones we grow are called Benarys Giant. Right now they stand about 5 feet tall and offer a huge variety of colors. The more I cut the more they produce until frost. No lime green, though.
I find them delicate to start. Lots of watering as seedlings. But once established they are tough hombres.
Such a touching story. It reminded me of finding a baby magpie on the ground in my backyard. The parents, screaming from a neighboring tree, brought me out to investigate, and there lay their baby on the path. My heart broke for them and for their baby. I told the parents I was going to try to save it, but they continued to scream. I took a teacup saucer out and filled it with some water, and set it close to the baby, urging it to drink. It did! I'm saving it! Still the parents screamed. I prayed for the bird and went back inside, worried the parents would swoop down and start pecking my head. A couple of hours later, I looked out the window and realized baby had died. I went out and put it in a box for burial. The parents continued to scream for several more hours before giving up and flying away. To me, it was a tragedy.
So sad reading this. You tried and that’s what matters, right?
Nurturing encompasses many rewards and heartbreaks. What a beautiful account of both.
Yes, it does. I think it's part of our nature to do so. Thank you for your kind words.
Ilona Goanos: Your embedding in one story the nurture of child-rearing, elder-parent-care, and rehab of the broken-winged Monarch tells so much of the need of the nurturer from the heart.
This is writing that reaches the heart of the reader!
Thanks for your kind words and I'm glad my story touched your heart.
Thank you for sharing this tender story. It is what I needed to read today to help me touch grass in these turbulent times (including my own mother with dementia.)
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Pamela, and I send my love as you navigate dementia with your mother.
Your story brought to mind the quote, 'Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.' Minka's life, though brief, was a testament to nature's wisdom. She lived fully in her own way, adapting to her circumstances. It's a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most profound lessons come from simply observing the natural world.
What a beautiful way with words, Alexander. Nature teaches so many lessons. Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughtful perspective.
Beautiful story, Ilona! ❤️
Thanks, Sue! Appreciate you reading:)
Thanks for this beautiful essay, Ilona. I am like you in terms of loving every single creature and feeling sorrow for every "tiny" death. I help spiders climb out of the sink. I trained in how to revive birds that strike windows (how dare I live in a home surrounded by native plants and have such giant windows?) I learned of a product to paint dots on the windows to prevent bird strikes. I have a graveyard of my own lifetime of pets and also birds that didn't make it. I love that you created a butterfly preserve and that this creature had one final day in your garden. I also love how you write about your beloved children, and your tending of a mother who wasn't kind to you. This is very powerful writing, and tears are coming to my eyes as I write this.
Your comment means a lot to me, coming from such a great writer such as yourself, Kirie. Thank you for the tip on birds who fly into windows. I've heard that horrible thud too many times myself. Also, you will be getting a postcard soon! The Scandinavian countries are a bit more efficient than Greek postal service.
Look forward to receiving a postcard from the land of half my heritage! Treasure the Greek one already. The product to prevent bird strikes is UV Liquid from WindowAlert - "you can prevent wild birds from striking windows." I put dots every few inches. You can also buy UV butterfly stick-ons but I like the dots. We've gone from non-stop strikes during mating season (spring) and fall (baby release from nest season) to almost zero strikes. Love your writing, Ilona! Keep sharing!
Thanks for the info, Kirie!
Oh my goodness, Lolo! This is enchanting. Thank you for giving Minka the chance to live her best adventure!
Thanks, Lolo. My poor Minka. No such stories this year, since I only managed to capture three eggs. Thankfully, all turned out fully functioning as far as I could see.