Apple Tree Tradition

This is now the second year we’ve bought apple trees for Mother’s and Father’s Day.

One is a pollinator and the other is not so we’re sure to plant them close enough that we end up with a “mommy tree” and a “daddy tree”.

To The Butterfly Man

Dear Butterfly Man,
I hope you are alive and well.
You changed my life in more ways than one.
I think of you often… on my children’s birthdays… when thanking God for my husband and family and the life I live now… but most of all I think of you when I see butterflies. 
Do you remember me yet?
I was one of four children you were going to adopt. A four or five year old redhead with unruly curls and crooked teeth. I adored you.
I don’t remember your name, or what you look like. I only remember that you made me feel safe. Loved. I’d never been happier in my short life.
Then came the butterfly. It was a blue morpho butterfly, and the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
The dog attacked it, and I screamed.
You came running. My heart swelled with love. My hero! My valiant rescuer!
You pulled the dog away…
and then you crushed the butterfly.
My heart broke. You were no hero! You were a butterfly killer! An extinguisher of light! Evil!
I know now you were putting the butterfly out of its misery.
I remember how torn it was, and I know it would have died a slow and painful death.
I’m sorry for not understanding.
I’m sorry for gathering my sisters and tearing your house apart until your poor wife called social services, sobbing, and asked them to come and take us away.
I hope you adopted other children.
I hope you know what was going on in my head.
I truly believe things happen as they are meant to, even the dark times when we can barely remember the light.
I hope you have joy and love and peace.
I’ll never forget you. 

This is what I would say to him if I had any clue who he was.

-Redflare

Mommy and Daddy Apple

Redflare and I, as I think I previously have mentioned, got apple trees for Mother’s and Father’s Day.

We planted them, and waited.

Our wait has recently been rewarded.

Redflare’s started looking happy first…

And mine wasn’t too far behind.

Happy Birthday TJ!

The one who started it all.

The one who we lovingly call our guinea pig baby.

He’s now a teenager.

Heaven help us all.

(For those curious, this picture was taken on Mother’s Day.

-FF

Mailed it!

Here’s just a quick note that Mother’s Day is a week from today (in USPS terms) so be sure to get your cards out soon.

My post office said everything will be delivered by Thursday, so here’s an early Happy Mother’s Day message to all the Mothers out there.

-FF