Insect husbandry

And so begins my hobby in insect husbandry! Received my much anticipated insect ova in the mail yesterday, and boy have I been excited ever since! If the labeling isn't clear, they are Extatosoma tiaratum (giant prickly stick) and Phyllium Spp. (Philippines) (leaf insect).

And so begins a conflicted point in my life where I am contemplating a career change from retail to sciences, where this hobby conflicts. I can't say much more than that. I'm also giving a little bit of thought, after some discussion with the SO, into my aspirations of teaching people about this subject matter.

But I contemplate a lot currently, having gotten over my strange emotional divot. I am now ascending again to greatness realization. The right things pouring sloppily into the right places.

I'm expecting a few more great things in the mail, namely, the seeds for Eucalyptus.

Not much else to report. Just spending time with some friends while they still remain nearby. Soon I'll be grateful for these mountains of pastimes which will occupy my solitude! As long as I don't start drowning in winter depression. This time, between mid november and christmas, I love, but the stretch that follows is by far too brutal.

that stretch between halloween and remembrance day..

 KaleidoscOak 1

So it's been a little while, I suppose it's time for a minor update. Halloweeen has come and gone quickly, and my hort friends get together was a giant flop, but I came out with some things that really made my week, in a good way! I got inspired to paint, and I am getting some goodies in the mail!

I went on a little quickie nature hike with a friend the other day, and when I realized I brought home two very beautiful oak leaves, I decided, instead of just keeping them for whatever, might as well emulate them for canvas. The one pictured above is by far the favorite, because it just has a slightly more realistic vibe to it. Feel a bit silly to say when I got up the other morning, I left it to sit in front of the tv and mistook it for something on television. Haha, oh Dee you're such a silly kid.

KaleidoscOak 2

Now I want my own oak tree in hopes to get something as special as these every season, but I know I just don't have the room for one here. But I wonder, because I am jealous of those raking up their oak leaves, are they, too, jealous of me, as I rake up my maple leaves? 

So, after my plans to purchase a few exotics at a local small business pet shop fizzled, I felt disappointed and advertised my desire to acquire anything that could get  related to this dream. It was answered, so I wait. In the mail I'm expecting some eggs, which I hope won't freeze, but we've had favorable weather lately. I also ordered a food source, but also, because I do like a nice Eucalyptus plant and I am always up for a good challenge to test my green thumb. So this paragraph here is all I have been thinking and dreaming about. So I wait. And check the mailbox every afternoon at precicely noon-thirty. I imagine the eucalyptus will arrive first.

as for knitting, I am slowly working on a slouchy hat. Soon it won't be necessary though, because my hair is just about ready to be donated, and I won't be able to wear a ponytail anymore.

Very grateful for my paint muse to return, grateful for generous strangers, and endless gratitude for warm autumn wind. Now it's time to make some brunch.. I'm thinking french toast.

(Jack-o-lantern action shots will come shortly)