Season 35
I spotted this little butterfly with comb-like antennae on a hike in Colorado this summer.
“In my experience, no mental anguish can survive thirty seconds of butterfly watching.”
-Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect with Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life
*If you see an asterisk next to a link, that link takes you to a video with sound. Just a heads-up in case you need to turn the volume down or pop on your headphones.
HOME
In case you are in need of a little lightness to balance out the heaviness of what is happening in the world, I have a few ways to brighten up your day.
Check out these hilarious pencils!
I love this whole line of kid’s room decor at Target by children’s author/illustrator Christian Robinson. Many of the clothing pieces are adaptive making it easier for children with special needs, sensory sensitivities, or disabilities to enjoy wearing his whimsical designs!
GARDEN
Butterfly gaura like this ‘White Sparkle’ gaura is as delicate as the butterflies themselves. Butterfly migration happens in Central Texas in the fall, and you can track the migration of all kinds of creatures and report your own sightings using the Journey North website.
Plants to attract butterflies in Central Texas
Monarch migration resources for Central Texas
Monarch migration and overwintering
While researching butterflies, I came across this information on hummingbird moths. I’ve never heard of them, but they look fascinating.
One of the best resources I’ve found for identifying butterflies in Texas is the book Native Host Plants for Texas Butterflies: A Field Guide ($).
The saturated hues of late summer
WELLNESS
*Meditation through movement - gardening and cooking
CREATIVITY
*This video on Instagram of pigeon adventures by @pablo.rochat will having you cracking up. I love the creativity.
These breathtaking murals by Fábio Gomes Trindade caught my eye this week.
I’m loving these animal-inspired shirts and art prints for all ages designed and printed by local artist Maggie Kleinpeter.
BOOKSHELF
I just cracked open The Personal Librarian ($) by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, and I’m really looking forward to starting this book as well as diving into my September book stack over the next few weeks.
It may not feel like fall with 90 degree temperatures around here, but I can feel the transition happening little by little every day from the foods I’m craving to the desire to curl up with a book and some tea. I’m yearning for slightly cooler mornings and fall leaves at my feet on Hill Country hikes.
Reading: The Personal Librarian ($) by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, Finding My Voice ($) by Nadiya Hussain, and Address Unknown ($) by Katherine Kressman Taylor and Margot Livesey
Listening to: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together ($) by Heather McGhee and The Jane Austen Society ($) by Natalie Jenner
Recently Finished: Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything ($) by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, Whispering House ($) by Elizabeth Brooks, Sparks Like Stars ($) by Nadia Hashimi, and Graceling ($) by Kristin Cashore
Up next: Dear Miss Metropolitan ($) by Carolyn Ferrell, Queen Sugar ($) by Natalie Baszile, and Rooted in the Earth: Reclaiming the African American Environmental Heritage ($) by Dianne D. Glave
In case you are looking for book recommendations for kids (or yourself!), gift ideas for all ages or want to peek into my TBR List for 2021, head over to the 52 Seasons Book Shop on Bookshop.org.
COMMUNITY
Finding a bright spot in the news isn’t always easy, but here is a story of hope.
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Desmond Tutu
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read 52 Seasons. I’d love to hear your feedback and ideas so that we can grow together.
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Disclosure: ($) If you see this dollar symbol in a post, the link is an affiliate post. I will receive income or a discount on products if you purchase that item on Bookshop.org or anything on the Etsy, Campspot, Beauty by Earth, or Prana website using my link. Income from the products in these links helps me to keep this blog growing.