Monarchs Rule

It was one of those days that I had designated for washing windows and frames and radiators and ceiling fans and such things that get blatantly neglected until the designated day in fall when it will be time to close up the windows again. It was a ritual of spring as compulsive as rototilling the garden. Not as much fun though. I had to stay focused on the task at hand, when I would much rather have been outside doing something that naturally involved getting dirty knees and seeing what was coming up and what should be pulled out NOW and where there would be room for ... the gardeners call. 

But not on that day in mid-April. I had the dust rag stuck in my back pocket and my hair tied back and the smell of ammonia in my nose. But there came a moment late in the afternoon that did take me to the garden. A moment that became a little miracle. 

I took my time meandering over to the compost bin situated in the far corner of the garden. My eyes skimmed over the little baby plants too new to even form a row. I saw a monarch butterfly out of the corner of my eye and paused to watch. Then I saw another. What a surprise to see two. Then I noticed another in the far part of the garden by the garage wall. My feet took me to the back of the garden where an old, old lilac bush was flowering in full glory. I looked ... and looked again. There were perhaps 50 monarch butterflies scattered throughout that bush. Every once in awhile one would fly up and land not far on another lilac cluster. The monarchs were feeding on the blossoms, and the stillness of their concentration and the intensity of their hunger seemed a wonder. 

I ran next door to get my neighbor to see (it was her lilac). I ran to get Bob to show him too. We had never had this happen before. It was so incredible. I ran to get my camera. Below you will see the entire bush plus a few closer shots. It does not nearly do justice to the scene.

But that is not the whole story - here is the best part. I had seen the monarchs feast earlier that day. At dusk I noticed a fast movement outside my window. I had to look. There they were. Hopped up on lilac juice, dozens of monarchs were twirling and whirling in flight, around and around each other in the passionate, potent enticement of youth and energy. 

M e s m e r i z i n g ....  I laughed! How grand to be that alive. A ritual of spring that leaves window washing in a far, far distant second place.

What is your spring ritual? I hope it occurs in a moment when your eyes are truly open to something incredible. And then tell me about it.