Who called the caterpillars?

  While out on a hike about the hillside, Mark and I found dozens of fat caterpillars munching away on the fennel.  While I have no problem sharing a few leaves with a couple of the critters, I draw the line at them eating my blossoms and seeds!  I need those seeds for the spice rack! I hate killing anything that might add a bit of beauty to the garden and these caterpillars were destined to become Black Swallowtail butterflies.  What to do, what to do?  I asked my niece, Eva, if she would like to raise some fine caterpillars!  She has a young son and he might just like to have a few bugs!  I fully expected her to give me a firm NO as an answer but, to my surprise, she gave me a joyful YES!  What a relief and what a good mama!

  Mark and I started picking caterpillars!  It seemed as if those critters were multiplying as fast as we picked!  I soon had a gallon jug of creepy-crawlies for Eva and Evan but before she could drive to the Little Bayou House, the hungry herbivores devoured the fennel stalks that I had placed in the jug.  I headed out to snip a few more branches only to find more critters! Eeek!  My poor plant!  

  Once she arrived, we noticed that several of the caterpillars were already making their cocoons.  By the end of the day, she told me that nine caterpillars were safe inside their new homes and waiting to become butterflies.  I am so happy to know that she is caring for the critters and will release them to add beauty to the world!  What a blessing to know someone else loves God's critters even though they munch our gardens!  Thank you, Eva and Evan!