Lepidoptera!!

Elizabeth received a "Butterfly Garden" for Christmas from her Aunt Debie. Now this was a really cool gift that we all enjoyed! We chose to wait until the weather warmed up and then sent for the mail-order Painted Lady butterfly larvae. We received a small plastic cup with 5 bristly caterpillars that we watched spin silken webs and eat special food for about a week or so. They then climbed to the top of the container, each suspending themselves from a single silk thread, and formed cocoons. Once all of the caterpillars were in the pupa stage, we carefully removed the top of the container that held the chrysalids and pinned it inside the Butterfly Garden to a mesh wall. And then we waited ... and waited ... and waited ... at least it seemed that way.

About 10 days later, 5 Painted Lady butterflies emerged and the metamorphosis was complete! It was quite amazing to see, but "kind of yucky" according to Elizabeth (the butterflies excreted meconium and she thought it was blood). We placed fresh-cut flowers and watermelon doused with sugar water inside the Garden and watched as each one dropped onto the food and used their proboscis to drink. They fluttered about and we enjoyed them for a couple of days before deciding to release them, so that they could live out the remainder of their life cycle (about 2 weeks) as nature intended.

The first 4 butterflies left us without looking back. The last one had to be coaxed out of its artificial habitat and then just sat on our deck seeming to think about things for a bit. When we picked it up to try and encourage it to follow its siblings, it flew to Jim and sat on him for a bit. I was beginnning to think we had a "special needs" butterfly. Finally, it seemed to grasp the concept and took a leap of faith. It didn't follow the others, but instead headed off in its own direction, against the wind and into the sunset. It was odd, but I felt a sense of concern as it initially struggled and then a sense of pride when it finally succeeded. Maybe I've taken this motherhood gig just a bit too far ...

Early rumors ...

We're now hearing a couple of rumors from agencies that matching has begun and that it may be a bigger batch of referrals this month. We could hear something as early as next week ... or not. Are you beginning to understand how this works?

Happy Father's Day, Dada ...

Elizabeth & Dada flying a kite on vacation near Mystic, CT.






"I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father who loved his daughter
more than I love you"

Father & Daughter - Paul Simon

Happy Father's Day, Dad ...

I love you, Dad.










"... We may not shower him with praise
Nor mention his name in song,
And sometimes it seems that we forget
The joy he spreads as he goes along,
But it doesn’t mean that we don’t know
The wonderful role that he has had.
And away down deep in every heart
There’s a place that is just for Dad."

- Author Unknown

Job opportunity ...

"NURSING is a womanly, lucrative profession, graduates earning $12 to $30 a week. Our courses require no unusual ability - only earnest, faithful effort. They are especially adapted to the young woman seeking a life vocation and to the practical nurse who needs a thorough knowledge of the theory of her profession. A treatise, giving full information, mailed to earnest applicants."

THE CHAUTAUQUA SCHOOL OF NURSING, 273 MAIN STREET, JAMESTOWN, N.Y.

(Advertisement, circa 1904)

Rules for Hiring Women (1943)

The following is an actual excerpt from the July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine. It was written for male supervisors of women in the work force during World War II - a mere 65 years ago. I now know that I can be amused and annoyed at the same time.

Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees

There's no longer any question whether transit companies should hire women for jobs formerly held by men. The draft and manpower shortage has settled that point. The important things now are to select the most efficient women available and how to use them to the best advantage.

Here are eleven helpful tips on the subject from Western Properties:

1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they're less likely to be flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn't be doing it, they still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public efficiently.

2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It's always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.

3. General experience indicates that "husky" girls - those who are just a little on the heavy side - are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.

4. Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical examination - one covering female conditions. This step not only protects the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.

5. Stress at the outset the importance of time - the fact that a minute or two lost here and there makes serious inroads on schedules. Until this point is gotten across, service is likely to be slowed up.

6. Give the female employee a definite day-long schedule of duties so that they'll keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every few minutes. Numerous properties say that women make excellent workers when they have their jobs cut out for them, but that they lack initiative in finding work themselves.

7. Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be less nervous and happier with change.

8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.

9. Be tactful when issuing instructions or in making criticisms. Women are often sensitive; they can't shrug off harsh words the way men do. Never ridicule a woman - it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.

10. Be reasonably considerate about using strong language around women. Even though a girl's husband or father may swear vociferously, she'll grow to dislike a place of business where she hears too much of this.

11. Get enough size variety in operator's uniforms so that each girl can have a proper fit. This point can't be stressed too much in keeping women happy.

The difference between words & pictures ...

It's an eloquent way of saying "never quit." A nice sentiment, but a picture is worth a thousand words ...

The stork has landed ...

Referrals have arrived for those lucky folks with LIDs through 1/20/2006, and pictures are starting to roll in. If you want to see some really cute babies, you can check out the blogs of some very happy parents linked to RQ's site (http://chinaadopttalk.com/) or China Adoption Stories (http://www.chineseadoptionstories.com/). When all is said and done, with a LID of 2/27/2006, it seems as though we might actually receive our referral sometime in the fall.

Dragon Boat Festival

Today we went to FCC's annual Dragon Boat Festival. Officially falling on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the Dragon Boat Festival is also known as Double Fifth Day. While many stories regarding its origin abound, the most popular and widely accepted version involves Qu Yuan, a minister during the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). Qu Yuan served as minister to the Zhou Emperor. A wise and articulate man, he was loved by the common people. He did much to fight against the rampant corruption that plagued the court, thereby earning the envy and fear of other officials. So, when he urged the emperor to avoid conflict with the Qin Kingdom, the officials pressured the Emperor to have him removed from service.

In exile, Qu Yuan traveled, taught and wrote for several years. Hearing that the Zhou had been defeated by the Qin, he fell into despair and threw himself into the Milou River. Because he was so loved by the people, fishermen rushed out in long boats, beating drums to scare the fish away, and throwing zong zi into the water to feed braver fish so that they would not eat Qu Yuan's body. Some bedtime story, eh?

In modern times, Dragon Boat races are the most exciting part of the festival, drawing crowds of spectators. Dragon Boats are generally brightly painted and decorated canoes. Ranging anywhere from 40 to 100 feet in length, their heads are shaped like open-mouthed dragons, while the sterns end with a scaly tail. Depending on the length, up to 80 rowers can power the boat. A drummer and flag-catcher stand at the front of the boat. Before a dragon boat enters competition, it must be "brought to life" by painting the eyes in a sacred ceremony. Races can have any number of boats competing, with the winner being the first team to grab a flag at the end of the course. Annual races take place all over China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and other overseas Chinese communities.

For our celebration, each family crafts a Dragon Boat out of cardboard and decorates it any way they choose. The kids then participate in a Dragon Boat parade to show off their creations. There are games and activities, and then all the children sit in a large make-shift "dragon boat" while someone reads them the story of Qu Yuan. There is also judging of the dragon boats in several categories, and I'm pleased to announce that Elizabeth won her first medal ever for having "The Coolest Dragon." As you can see in the pictures, she was absolutely thrilled to have won. And I have to admit, it is a pretty splendid dragon.

New rumors ...

Almost too good to be true, but initial rumors are saying referrals are on their way for those with LIDs 1/13-22/2006. 10 days ... well, ok ... 6 actual work days ... but, hey ... that's TWICE the number of referral days we had last month!!

Keep your fingers crossed ...

A budding Picasso?

A Self-Portrait ...
by Elizabeth

The new swingset ...

Have I told you what a GREAT Dad my husband is? Not only is he "Mr. Mom" 3 days a week, but he took time off from work to build a mini-playground in the backyard for our daughter. He then took Elizabeth out and they bought some flowers, which he helped her plant in the flower box he had attached to her playhouse. They just don't make 'em any better than that ...