Metamorphosis

My initial intention was to write a blog post about growing a small herb garden (well, my husband would say it's big.. but I think it's tiny! ha). But then I got side tract researching different bugs that were hanging out in my garden. So later I'll make a post about starting and maintaining an easy herb garden that is SO worth it :)

It all started with my sweet mint plant. I was noticing a lot of the leaves were being eaten by something, other than me! So one morning I went out super super early and busted this little critter:

For weeks I thought this little guy was just a cute young caterpillar, and tonight I was proven wrong, horribly wrong! I first started researching things on Google like "caterpillar identifications" and "young green caterpillar with black spots" and so on but nothing looked like "him". So I thought..maybe  I should back up and get a better idea about insects. This is when I was reminded about (most) insects life cycles, metamorphosis. 

So tonight I want to talk about one of the many mind blowing biological processes that happens to but definitely not limited to most insects, metamorphosis! Metamorphosis is when the animal transforms through different stages of it's life. There are four different phases of complete metamorphosis:

1) Egg

2) Larve

3) Pupa 

4) Adult

Some animals don't go through all four phases, though. These animals go through Dramatic cellular changes and usually their habitat is completely changed! I could go on and on about this process but I want to stick to identifying this "cute little green caterpillar on my mint, well used to be on my mint". Since this little guy is in his larvae stage it will be quite easy to identify using this chart. I know that there are segmented thoracic legs (this means that right behind the head there are three pairs of legs) so I will be using a chart I found on the University of Kentucky page. (If there aren't the segmented thoracic legs than you would use a different key)

Pretty Gross...I know! Well after following this chart I was sadly mistaken my little green friend up there as a caterpillar, but really it is a SAWFLY! So I did a little research on sawflies and found out they were closely related to bees, not so much flies. Deceiving, yup!

It's amazing to think they go from a plant eating larvae to something similar to this:

So if you ever find an insect in it's larvae stage and want to know what it is, this webpage is a really great reference: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef017.asp

I hope you weren't too grossed out by my random metamorphosis rant. When I was younger I always wondered if butterflies remembered being a little caterpillar, hey I never said I wasn't weird ;) Have a good night!

Lovely Music and How it Helped Me!

As I sat here this morning listening to some music I came to realize just how important music is to me. I am the type to listen to music to match my mood and activity taking place. But no matter what I'm doing or feeling there is just one band that knows how to put a smile on my face. I can't even express how happy I am that this band exists! You, too should take a look at this great indie folk band called The Head and The Heart. Check them out at their website!

www.theheadandtheheart.com



From their first album, The Head and The Heart I recommend giving a listen to:

Lost In My Mind
Down In The Valley
Rivers and Roads







From their second album, Lets Be Still I recommend giving a listen to:

Another Story
Shake
Homecoming Heroes









Okay, now I feel like I'm promoting their band..I just truly find so much happiness in their music I want the same for you! :)


So, I want to go back and talk about my realization on how important music is to me.

When I came home from the hospital after giving birth to my baby boy, trying to rest and relax was much needed and listening to music was how I did it. There are so many stories I heard about postpartum depression and it can truly happen to anyone. So I decided to do my best at staying positive and relaxed through my biggest life changing experience. Boy do I remember the first month of post-baby, it was really hard! Thankfully I had a wonderful husband and other members of our family visit and help us out for the first few weeks. However, there was a part of me when I'd be alone whether it be nursing the baby or when my husband would head to work, that I needed something to keep my spirits high. Of course I was so overjoyed with our healthy, beautiful new born baby but for me it was so hard with the very quick and dramatic change. Getting no more than two hours of straight sleep, being in pain from child birth, my internal organs felt so jumbled and different, learning how to nurse, understanding my baby, etc.

For me this was surrounding myself with music I loved. Not only was the music I love soothing to the baby, but for me too! So I hope that (not only newly moms out there) but everyone in general find some music that makes you happy, start jamming and smiling :)

Happy Monday!