a little bit of Heaven....

A few days ago I ventured out of my house (something I don't do often) and settled myself in  the shade of my apple tree which is flanked by a 30 foot long by 14 foot high hedge of Lilac bushes in full bloom.  The air was heavy with scent and the sun was shining; the wind breezing; and the birds singing...a perfect day...couldn't get more perfect...ah but could it? When I was a youngster I used to study and catch butterflies, and spent many entire days cycling to a vacant lot by the railway on Chartwell Rd, accompanied by my best friend, a thermos of Roses lime cordial, and some peanut butter sandwiches.  There we stayed, running back and forth, our nets waving vigorously in hot pursuit of that illusive Tiger Swallowtail, or Fritillary.
Preamble over with... as I sat under my tree I noticed some slow rhythmic movements, and fluttering, above and upon the blossoms of the Lilac bushes, and although I thought it was a Tiger Swallowtail at first (which are common) I soon realized that it was a Giant Swallowtail, and not only one, but a dozen!!! Wow! I was blown away.  Giant's are very slow and graceful, spending allot of time on the plant, while opening and closing their wings very slowly, followed by occasional wafting from bloom to bloom and fluttering rather than flying between blossom's.  It was like an incredible ballet, and these beautiful creatures came back every day..all day...for 3 days!  Just when your getting ready to sell your soul for a quick and easy death, something comes along to show you that maybe there are things worth hanging around for.  After all my continued existence can't harm the butterflies right??...well....I did "collect 2" specimens but I couldn't help myself...I had to "capture" the moment...literally.   Hmmmm.
While looking foe a picture of this butterfly I came across this article from the Ottawa Citizen about the arrivak of this species in our area! Please read the link and view the pic so you'll know what your seeing in your garden and how truly cool that is...may be global warming has some perks.....ya think?
Oh by the way writers....what is the "strike through" option for? School me please.

Giant butterfly makes ‘astonishing’ Ottawa debut

Giant butterfly makes ‘astonishing’ Ottawa debut

It's been awhile since I wrote.  Things have been difficult, and hard to organize my thoughts in any comprehensive way.  The past 10 days have been particularly horrible, dragging my concrete body around, between couches and bed.  It just so happened that the position I was laying in pressed my chest hard on the pillow and I could feel my heartbeat...feel my heartbeat?..."well that seems awfully slow"..I said to myself with noone listening.  So I took my pulse, and it was a raging.....50! I walked around...55! Now I'm exhausted again and ready for aa four hour nap as I realize that the heart medication I've been taking for 4 years is working overtime at keeping my heart rate from racing...but not so much as to render me dead!  So...I stopped taking it (bisoprolol), and after reading about all it's other side effects, I don't think I'll be taking it again.  Wouldn't it be funny if I just stopped taking all my medications and was sudenly well again!! Hmm?

New Year...New Focus

It's been a tough 13 months, but now that we're officially in to 2012 I can honestly say that I believe the WORST is behind me. I say that with trepidation, as whenever I "claim" improvement, some demon somewhere decides to crash land in my soup and splatter my optimism all over my happier little face! Anyway, the point is, that the best part of 2011 occurred at exactly 11:59:59 December 31st 2011, and even that lasted too long!
As a New Year resolution for 2012 I have decided to rebel against the medical establishment that has filled me up with toxic medicines. The side effects of such "panacea's" has been a host of debilitating side effects that have rendered me too ill to function in this world. I may live longer...but living in bed is not all it's cracked up to be...sorry John and Yoko...but you know it's true!
I've also decided to take a closer look at our Canadian issues, as opposed to being glued to the everyday disasters of the US. Sure, they maybe more "sexy" than us Canadian folk...but at my age "sexy" is highly over rated!
So in honor of my new found interest in Canadian politics, please follow this hilarious YouTube link, or look it up yourself on you tube (if you're paranoid) entitled Canada for President...you'll love it! (if you're Canadian...if you're not then just skip it!) Happy New Year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XBNQTZyssg&context=C374fcc6ADOEgsToPDskJh1vTAnhiEaIpqZVwEgU0w