Is It Butterfly Season?

It sure feels like butterfly season here at the Jersey Shore.

I have seen more butterflies this summer than ever before.

After making the public aware of the decline of the monarch butterfly, butterfly enthusiasts have jumped in and participated in "saving the monarchs".

This summer, with help from all involved, there has been a 67% increase in the monarch population.

The monarchs are captured and tagged in Cape May County, New Jersey. 

Now, there is an elaborate tracking system in place that was adopted when the decline was noticed.

 Additionally, 

there has been a steady increase in the monarch population 

every year since the decline was first recognized. 

By increasing awareness in the laboratories, garden centers and on television, things have changed.

Bringing awareness to the public, has helped increase the numbers of monarch's buzzing around.

- Monarch Butterflies -

- Cloudless Sulphur Butterflies -

- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies -

- Black Swallowtail Butterflies -

This is the type of butterfly I raise...I have released more than 50 during this past summer.

In addition, I have at least 50 Black Swallowtails in Chrysalis form right now.

They are in netted cages...

they will spend the winter with me and I will release them in the spring as they emerge.

 It feels like "Butterfly Season" - I am seeing such a great number of butterflies,,,in all varieties, as they migrate south for winter.

In the last week, I have released 3 of my own.

So why not join in, plant some milkweed and help to further increase the numbers of butterflies in the sky!

Some additional information can be found "here" if you are interested.

Madame Tussauds

Another fun part of our New York City adventure was the time we spent at

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Throughout the museum there are over 200 life sized wax statues of 

pop culture stars, film stars, movie stars, musicians and athletes who have excelled in their sport.

- the hubs, Mariah Carey and me -

- ET -

- Lion King -

- Johnny Depp -

- Zendaya -

- Marilyn Monroe -

- Lady Gaga -

- Nathan Lane, Robin Williams and me -

Up next, former presidents and military...

Of course you knew the hubs had to take center stage...

and hog the telephone.

- Seal of the Presidents -

This was one of my favorite statues representing 911 ...

I am so glad they are honoring these men along with movie stars.

Located in Times Square in New York City, I am so glad we went.

Surviving A Nor'easter...

 Just a quick update on the recent nor'easter. 

The Jersey Shore was pummeled by this storm, there was a lot of wind, rain and flooding.

All neighborhoods and communities within a few miles of the ocean did not fair well.

We live about 10 minutes from the ocean and did not have any damage, 

just a lot of sticks and branches came down.

A tree fell on my neighbors driveway, blocking it completely.

We own this property, and a tree feel down blocking the driveway!

We are lucky to have people on standby for situations like these, that help us.

If you saw videos of the flooding, they were real, just closer to the ocean.

Many roads are still closed and many of the beaches have lost the sand area that leads to the ocean.

All you see are cliffs, then the ocean.

The Lion King

 While we were "playing" in New York City we also had tickets to the broadway show...

Disney's The Lion King at The Minskoff Theater, off Broadway but still in the theater district.

The show was amazing. 

The vibrant colors, detailed professional costumes and incredible vocals

made for a breathtaking and captivating experience.

The costume designs transform actors into jungle animals that tell the story of the

"Circle of Life".

As always, photographs were not allowed during the performance,

I snapped these during the curtain call.

We really loved it!

The music, the set, the costumes, the acting and singing were all incredible.

A dream come true for us...what an exceptional show!

I always save the Playbill, I have a lot of these!

Together - Together Concert

 As I mentioned previously, I am a huge fan of Harry Styles.

He is performing right now at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

30 nights, August thru October, we were lucky enough to score tickets.

We had great seats and this is, by far, the best concert I have ever attended.

The way he sings, dances and performs...the energy he has on stage is unmatched by any artist.

The energy in the audience is palpable, so intense you can feel the floor shaking.

The fun and picture taking started outside the garden.

I wanted to wear the most colorful shirt I could find.

I wanted to be bright...I did not want to wear a short skirt and sequins,

Harry Styles

Together - Together Concert

Harry Styles is an English singer, songwriter, actor...famous for his style

A fashion icon known for his flamboyant style, charismatic showmanship, <900 div="">

and gender-blending pop music.

The pure energy he brings to the stage, he is funny, kind and he interacts with the audience.    

He is "Harry" and that is so clear.

He writes his own songs...plays the piano and guitar!

 He enjoys having a conversation with a few of the people in the audience. 

This last song was especially meaningful and emotional for him.

The entire show was unbelievable!

Everything is electronic now, but they did pass out souvenir tickets!

I have a lot of memorabilia from the trip, it will all go in to my Junk Journal.

Wise Words On Sunday

 

- I really love this -

Preparing For The Nor'easter

 Here at the Jersey Shore, we are expecting a nor'easter.

We prepared for this storm the way we always do.

We had a picnic in the car at the inlet...

and checked on the boats docked right off the inlet at Cooks Creek.

All of the boats were home because of severe weather warnings, high winds and rough surf.

We went to the bakery to load up on some treats.

It looks like someone got into those treats already, the brownie has a pretty big "chunk" missing!

We came home, lit the fireplace and the candles...

and watched this sunset from the front porch.

WoW...our sunsets have been stunning!