A visit from Heaven

"In fact, millions of butterflies were all around us—vast fluttering waves of them, dipping down into the woods and coming back up around us again. It was a river of life and color, moving through the air."

from "Heaven is Real" by Dr. Eben Alexander.

I have always felt that a visit from a butterfly was akin to a visit from Heaven, and reading "Heaven Is Real"  affirmed that feeling.  Though I have done much to attract butterflies to my garden, they aren't so commonplace that I take them for granted.  Even if they were in abundance, I would still be in complete awe of them.

Swallowtails, Painted Ladies, and others have been visitors this season.  

Today a Monarch stopped by and stayed for a while, giving my heart and spirit a great lift.

"Begin the hours of this day slow"

Gardening and blogging time have been in short supply over the last few weeks.  My fall garden "to-do" list is still very long!  There isn't enough daylight at the end of my work days and the weekends have been full.  As we approach the end of October, night falls earlier and earlier each day.  Soon I will drive off to work just as the sun is rising and drive home in the dark.   I'll miss the late fall afternoons with the sun shining through the trees and casting long shadows on the grass.

 My quick morning walk through the garden to take in the color of the fall bloomers is 

precious when the daylight hours are short.

And when I encounter a  visiting Monarch, as I did this morning, it becomes even more precious.

O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow. 

from "October" by Robert Frost


Carolyn at This Grandmother's Garden has invited gardeners to join her in walking in the Autumn air and sharing what they see.  I'm linking up with her today - please click over and enjoy the Autumn beauty.