So we’re sitting in the airport waiting for our flight now and I’ve got just enough time for a story. I think. (Headed to Birmingham, spending Family Weekend with Jonathan at Samford. Wahoo.)
Last month I told you about taking Charlie and Hudson to The Butterfly Place in August. And that we got our very own monarch just a few weeks later. We’re not talking Queen Elizabeth here. We’re talking a lovely zebra-striped monarch caterpillar.
So the three of us arrive at the Butterfly Place in Westford, Massachusetts and an earnest and attentive twenty-something checks us in. A stern older lady comes over, hands us our tickets. Through pursed lips she reads us the ground rules for the butterfly sanctuary. She doesn’t crack a smile or seem particularly happy to see us either.
Well you know me. I just can’t keep my mouth shut. So I say somewhat cheerfully, “You sure run a tight ship around here.”
And she says, “Well I have to. You’d be surprised at the people who come in here.”
“Really…” I say invitingly.
And she says, “Yep. Just last week they radioed me from the butterfly sanctuary. Said they were sending a grandmother and child back to me for a refund. She arrived flustered and red-faced. I asked what the problem was.”
“Oh there’s a problem alright. And I want my money back. This place is no fun at all. Not if you can’t squish ’em,” she said angrily.
Oh my word. Can you even believe it? This woman (I won’t call her a lady) came to the butterfly sanctuary with her grandchild intent on squishing butterflies. Sigh. People.
Speaking of people. Friends were visiting us back in August for a few days and told us the craziest story ever over brunch. I still think about it and can hardly believe it really happened.
So friends of theirs got married. Had their wedding videoed. And at the reception the videographer sets up a running camera camouflaged behind some bushes so the happy couple can relive the memories later. A few months after the wedding the couple gets the video in the mail. The videographer says be sure to watch the reception closely, right around when the bride throws the bouquet.
So watching the video, they see everyone head over some distance to see the bride, leaving the buffet table area unattended. Well. Two of the guests, actually a dentist and his wife, do not join the group cheering on the bride. Instead, they rush quietly to their car. Snag some large Tupperware containers and Ziploc bags and head back to the buffet table. Looking both ways, they furtively stuff the containers and bags to the gills with sandwiches and finger foods. YES!
(That’s when I choke on my blueberry pancake, no kidding.)
Can you even imagine?
“Quick honey. You grab the sammies, I’ll snag the eclairs. “
True story. And to think it was all premeditated. And recorded. Ouch. People are so interesting. (Doubting they’ll be invited back for the vow renewals.)
So the boys and I went to the butterfly sanctuary and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were fascinated to see so many different kinds of butterflies. Charlie was enamored with the whole process and Hudson was just as excited about butterflies as he is about birds.
The following week I’m out walking at the park with a friend. Between us we have thirteen children. (I love that line. It’s also true.) Of course more than 2/3 are hers. And because of all these wonderful kiddos, we have to walk early early. Like 6 a.m. early.
So we’re walking around the pond, and she spies a monarch caterpillar feasting on a milkweed leaf. A big monarch caterpillar. And I get to thinking how much Charlie would delight in seeing that caterpillar morph into a butterfly.
When I get home, I tell Charlie I’ve got a scavenger hunt for him at the park. And we pack Hudson into the stroller and walk back. We play 20 questions and eventually Charlie finds that fat caterpillar. And I just happen to have a pair of clippers handy in the stroller and I snip snip the milkweed branch.
And I know it’s wrong because moments after I snip, a parks & rec employee rolls in on a golf cart nearby and I find myself HIDING the branch in the back stroller pocket. Yep. Guilty. Me. (But walking home I think about my high property taxes that finance the park upkeep and feel a tad less guilt.)
People. Naughty caterpillar-pilfering people like me. And the sneaky dentist and his wife. And that sadistic butterfly squisher.
Hey guess what? They’re calling our flight now. Gotta go gotta go gotta go. Have a fabulous weekend my friend!
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Christy Smith says
Such great entertainment first thing Saturday morning! It reminds me that there is a story lurking around every corner as long as you have eyes to see it! Hope your trip to see firstborn Jonathan spreading his wings, was filled with great memories and a few stories!! ❤️ ya❣
Allie says
Thank you so much, cousin!!!! You and I both love a story for sure. It was a WONDERFUL trip in every way, thank you, except that we almost missed our connecting flight to get home. Almost being the key word. It could have gotten really complicated for the waiting boys at home but it DIDN’T. So thankful. XOXO
Susie Mandel says
Allie, you are absolutely hilarious and wonderfully entertaining. Can you even imagine someone pilfering food at a wedding reception?! People. 😉 I was waiting for the butterfly story to appear…awesome. Have a wonderful weekend with Jonathan!! xoxo
Allie says
So glad to amuse you Susie-Q, but the truth is the funniest story by far was about the wedding, from you. So thank you for sharing that with us over breakfast recently. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long long time. It was a gift. Though I know it was the exact opposite for the poor wedding couple. Oh my. If I didn’t know you so well I wouldn’t have even believed it. CRAZY!!!! People. We had a great weekend w/Jonathan and it was SO good to see him. Love that boy. And you. XO
Aunt Pinkie says
Love the stories and so glad you had a visit with Jonathan!
Allie says
Thank you Aunt Pinkie, they were some crazy stories for sure. The wedding story was from Jac and Susie – those two have some funny stories for sure, especially form Jac’s locksmithing days. Also had a great visit w/Jonathan who is doing very well, even so far from home. Miss him here but thankful he is so happy.
Denise says
I love the butterfly story! Can you imagine doing that at a wedding? That is one of the funniest stories. BYOT, bring your own tupperware!
Allie says
I like that D – BYOT!!! It’s hard to even believe that actually took place. People!
Kathy says
Lovely pictures and story! 🙂
Allie says
Thanks so much Kathy, hope you are having a super week!
Linda Jenkins says
Love to know you are just as daring as everyone else, and just as honest. Good science lesson.l
Allie says
Thanks Linda – glad to be daring! xo
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Hahaha! Allie, I love you and your caterpillar-pilfering ways! So is this how that Monarch came to be flying around in your kitchen like you mentioned in an earlier post? By the way, your caterpillar-pilfering simply cannot compare to that granny’s need-for-butterfly-squishing – at least in my books! And too funny about the dentist and his wife! It takes all of us and our differing opinons and ways to make this world interesting eh?!
I hope y’all had a wonderful visit with J and are back safely now. Happy Monday to ya – here’s hoping this week is wonderful and less hectic for you dear friend!
xoxo
Allie says
Ha ha, thanks Shashi. Yep, that’s how that lovely monarch came to be flying around in my kitchen. I caught it in a kitchen strainer and transported it outside to my parsley patch once its wings were dry. The interesting thing is that I have never before seen a monarch caterpillar out in nature, and then two weeks later after I found the first one, two more monarch caterpillars showed up in my parsley patch. So I guess they like not only milkweed but parsley too. I didn’t bring those ones inside. We did have a great visit w/J and I tell you, I’m really having trouble getting back into the swing of things around here. Keep having to catch up from being gone. Hope you are having a wonderful week my friend, tomorrow is FRIYAY!! (coined by you.) Love ya. XO
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
Crazy people! You just can’t ever imagine some of these things….and then there it is! So funny that the wedding theft was caught on tape. I’d be tempted to send the lovely couple a little snippet of their actions. And I thought only wedding presents were at risk of being stolen! Btw….the butterflies are beautiful and so glad they sanctuary had a no squish rule!
Allie says
Yep, it’s a crazy world out there Kathy!!! I would have LOVED to see that video myself. The icing on the cake would be to see the actual couple watching it…
Kellie says
Haha I laughed out loud picturing you taking the milkweed branch!!! oh, how i would love to see the video of the couple taking the food!!! good grief!!! How was your visit with Jon? We see Erik this weekend at homecoming!! I can hardly wait 😉
Allie says
Glad I made you laugh Kellie. I’m dying to see that video too. Hard to believe. Our visit was wonderful, so good to see him acclimating and getting plugged in, making new friends, etc. Here’s hoping you have a FABULOUS time this coming weekend w/Erik. I’ll be thinking about you and smiling. 🙂 XO