“Just living isn’t enough,” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”

–Hans Christian Anderson

It seems one never loses the bittersweet feeling when summer vacation comes to an end. As Crescenta Valley schools opened their doors this week, I was swept back to those days.

During the 1960s schools resumed one full week past Labor Day. Nowadays, summer comes to an abrupt end a full month before its astronomical one on Sept. 22. There’s no crying over spilt milk here; it’s just an observation.

Speaking of observation, I’ve become delightfully obsessed with Monarch butterflies. I once heard them described as nature’s stained-glass window.

It all began a few years back with the manager of the garden center at our greatly missed OSH. Overwhelmed by an array of spring flowers, he suggested I might want to plant milkweed. I had always considered it “just a weed.” No, no, no … Hans Christian Anderson called it “a little flower.” Sounds rather insignificant, but it’s the one and only food source and birthing center to the Monarch butterfly. Our garden, especially during the warmer summer months, abounds with their fluttering wings. Knowledge sheds a magical light on the life of a Monarch butterfly

The majority of Monarchs live east of the Rockies. Their multi-generational migration to Mexico is infamous. Those we see are the western Monarchs. During summer, western Monarchs live in the canyons, along rivers and foothill areas of the west, inland California and further to British Columbia. Western Monarchs migrate south to coastal areas of central and Southern California. There, Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed. After hatching, caterpillars feed exclusively on the milkweed. After two weeks of gorging, the real magic begins.

A camouflaged milkweed-green chrysalis is formed. Within a metamorphosis begins. The caterpillar completely liquifies. Over 12-14 days a pattern plate within dictates its formation. Miraculously, in all Creation’s glory, a Monarch butterfly emerges.

After drying a few hours, it takes wing. The Monarch’s vibrant orange wings may be beautiful and lure mates; they also warn predators to attack at their own risk. Like the Coral snake, orange means poisonous or venomous. Danger!

As usual, the first day of school coincided with summer’s hottest weather. Summer magic remains in the air in spite of the start of school. Plant milkweed and it will find you!

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley
resident and  Official Skywarn
Spotter for the National Weather Service. Reach her at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.