6/8 Rusty AMPS 173, +5.5 175, +9 191, PMPS 225, +4.5 201

Yesterday

Hi Everyone,

Rusty had a good night, ate all his nighttime food, ate all of his breakfast, and has eaten most of his lunch. His bgs are reasonable, and I hope that he will have a blue day and that it will end the bounce and drop routine of the last few days. He's a happy cat and sat on my lap while I ate my lunch (tried to, that is!). He likes to inspect our food, but never attempts to eat any of it.

Rain all day, and tomorrow does not look good for my bike ride. I think I will have to cancel. We got the rest of the plants planted this afternoon and also got some milkweed seeds and good instructions on how to start them from the local florist. The Monarch Butterfly is in steep decline because Dow Chemical and Monsanto have poisoned milkweed with their herbicides. Milkweed is the only plant that the Monarch caterpillars will eat, and if the migrating butterflies don't have milkweed to lay their eggs on, there will be fewer and fewer of what once was an astounding population. I continue to write letters to the "powers that be".

Wishing all a fine day,

Ella & Rusty

I'm glad Rusty is doing well. I hope his numbers get back on track soon.

Nice blue start for Rusty today. Much better. Now no drama big guy. Sounds busy and productive there. I had to come back to work to get rest. Have a great day Ella!

What a great Rusty report! Looks like he's having a flat blue day, so maybe his lagoon duties will have to be accomplished with binoculars. Cinco's on shore patrol, too, just a little closer to the water.

I hope your milkweed thrives and attracts some butterflies. What a sight that would be!

Nice flat blue day makes it relaxing for the bean, right?

Nice even blues there, Rusty. Tess like to inspect our food too, but she isn't as polite as Sir Rusty!

You would love it here in winter, we have several eucalyptus grove that are home to overwintering Monarchs.

guess I should plant some milkweed....

I actually left the dreaded dandelion flowers on the weeds this year( i pull them off or the heads to keep from having more seeds)
just for the bees....
It's the first flower to come up nearly everywhere and bees need them....
I hated leaving them in my yard... but we need more bees.

we'z waitin' for you in da lagoon.

Glad to hear Rusty had a good night and feels good- but I am sorry if your bike ride gets cancelled due to bad weather.

The photo can't be uploaded but this was on Facebook awhile back;This text was posted with this photo:

"I took this photo of a plant at Home Depot. These tags should start appearing in their plants as part of a voluntary effort to alert buyers at Home Depot to the presence of neonicotinoids. However, the positive spin on neonicotinoids – systemic toxins that kill or weaken any insect that feeds on the plant in any way, including beneficial polinators – has managed to obliterate the true message here:

“This plant is toxic to pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths, lady beetles, and other beneficial insects because of Neonicotinoids.”

All major growers (Proven Winners, Monrovia, etc.) use neonicotinoids in their plants at some stage of growth. The plants are available at Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, and many garden retailers. Plants may or may not be labeled. Before you buy, ask questions. If they can't answer, go to someone who can. Buy locally-grown (preferably native) plants where the seller knows the source and can answer questions.

(Edited to clarify where the labeling effort is coming from. It is not an EPA requirement at this level.) — at The Home Depot."

@rhiannon and shadow : I love dandelions. We have a "northern" lawn (lots of things mixed in with what grass there is) and the dandelions really brighten it up in the spring. We also have lots of forget-me-nots in our lawn.

Hi again,
Rusty decided to go back to contemplate the Yellow Marsh this evening. I'm leaning toward a dosecrease, but he has had some middle greens on this dose. We'll see what he does tonight and tomorrow. Now that he is eating better (pancreatitis seems to be on the wane) he may need a larger dose. His numbers this spring have not been great: too many high blues and yellows.

OT: Edward is having a problem with his computer keyboard and I have been working on it for over an hour. Sorry!

Ella

Paws crossed for more lagoon duty, with summer swimming season almost here, we need our lagoon meister on duty!

Our local arboretum, the Arboretum at Flagstaff, is involved with a project to expand milkweed in our area. Milkweed of several varieties is being grown in the two green houses this spring and will be transplanted to the gardens soon. Seeds will be harvested and shared (for free) around our area for residents to plant!

Anne

@Tiger and Ruth : Thanks, Ruth! We buy from a local florist who knows where his plants come from and all are natives. This whole topic is in much need of clarification. Most people have no idea what is happening to our environment.

@Anne & Zener (GA) : Good news! Today the florist gave us seeds that had been cold-wintered (as required for milkweed) and told us how to germinate them.

Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) said:

@Tiger and Ruth : Thanks, Ruth! We buy from a local florist who knows where his plants come from and all are natives. This whole topic is in much need of clarification. Most people have no idea what is happening to our environment.

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I figured as much as I know you are concerned with the enironmental impact. I am a big fan of native plants! It scares me how many people haven't a clue about chemicals and such!

Hi Ella Yellow surfin' for Rusty. Best think lagoon Rusty, there may be more juice for you. I hope he comes down for you today Ella.

SO agreed on the milkweed and chemicals discussion. the vast majority of folks do not know, or understand the ramifications of what they do. I hope your milkweed thrives! Good luck.

Bummer on the rains. I hope they have let up so you can go n your bike ride.

Have a good one today!