A monarch butterfly visited our flowers. S/he was determined to stay, in spite of excited children and adults reaching out to touch. This butterfly is endangered, so the visit was very special.
I always give the children I teach roots- the foundation to become strong and happy. That comes naturally for the teacher in me. Wings are the final journey, after roots have become secure and sturdy. The monarch was showing me the power of wings.
This monarch butterfly stayed for a very long time. I knew there was a reason and a message:
Jennie, never forget how important roots are. The more you give to children, their wings can grow.
Yes. I thanked the monarch butterfly. What a gift!
Jennie
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About Jennie
I have been teaching preschool for over thirty-five years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about.
I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
A Teacher's Reflections 
this was amazing and beautiful
Thank you. That butterfly was very determined to stay and keep staying.
a fairy
A beautiful message, Jennie. 💛
Thank you, Ritu.
A lovely thought. We can all learn so much, especially when young, if taught to really look, listen, sometimes touch, and think! I bless some of my years as an evacuee in Wales and Derbyshire, (WW11) when I spent so much more time outside learning about nature, asking questions and reading…And we children used our hands more: knitting, making pompoms for hats, ‘flower-brooches’ out of old stockings and cut-offs, sewing kits, and socks for the troops, plus simple leather goods, like purses. A totally different world! And Hurray for teachers! xx
Well said, Joy. Hands-on learning is the best. I remember your WWII story. You were fortunate to escape, and also to have the experiences of the natural world. I worry about kids today with way too much technology and parents who fear letting them play alone outside. Sigh!
Wings to fly, yes. I see the kids in our neighborhood growing so fast and using their wings. One day, they’re gone…off to school or into the world to take the next step. Your photos are excellent.
I know exactly how you feel. Wings are the hard part. Thank you, Steve.
Nice ❣
Thank you.
A lovely lesson for us all.
Thank you.
I love monarch butterflies and have been blessed to see several this summer. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Many Blessings
Lisa
They are very special. Thank you, Lisa.
It was terrific seeing the butterfly on your plants. There has been an increase in Monarch populations lately which is good news.
Thank you, John. I’m thrilled to hear there has been an increase in population recently!
😁
Beautiful photos and beautiful message, Jennie! I remember once seeing a monarch when sailing on Cayuga Lake (one of the Finger Lakes in upstate, NY). We were a mile away from shore, and this incredibly strong, beautifully-colored being with paper-thin wings was valiantly flapping its way across the water… Thank you for sharing this wonderful encounter (inspired in part by your beautiful pot of flowers) with a monarch!!!
Thank you, Will! You had a wonderful encounter as well. The monarch is truly a sight to behold. I’m glad you enjoyed this.
Wings …to fly, the Monarch butterfly as well as your composition are extraordinarily beautiful. Not to be missed 💫💐🌹
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
Wish you will visit my posts on safety on road and practice safe driving to make it your habit. Hope you will share my posts with your family members and all your friends 🙏
My wife would say it was a spirit visiting you. I hope she is right about that.
Best wishes, Pete.
That’s very interesting. Please tell Julie thank you. Best to you, Pete.
How wonderful! You are blessed to have this visit.
Thank you, Darlene. I felt blessed!
We’ve got a couple in our yard as well, Jennie. Sometimes it looks like they are flying one after the other. Nice to see yours enjoying itself also!
They are truly remarkable. We’re both lucky to have a monarch visit.
What a beauty! I never see monarchs. I am grateful to the orange dragonflies and the hummingbirds, though :).
We have many dragonflies, but not orange ones. That would be lovely to see. Our hummingbirds are green. I do hope you get to see a monarch one day.
I actually wrote a poem about monarchs that is in my first poetry collection. I saw them in California and became fascinated by them. But they only go to certain areas. I love green hummingbirds. We have a few of those, but mainly brown. They are still adorable. And, yes, the orange dragonflies are gorgeous. Bright orange, like a popsicle.
You are such a good poet, Luanne. I must look up orange dragonflies. We’re both lucky to see these amazing birds and animals.
They are either Flame Skimmers or Neon Skimmers–I’m not sure which. Or maybe both.
Thank you, Luanne!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing, Jennie. I’m pretty sure your regal visitor was a male when I saw the video. Here’s why… https://journeynorth.org/tm/monarch/id_male_female.html#:~:text=Males%20have%20a%20small%20black,have%20slightly%20thinner%20wing%20veins. Sharing!
Thank you, Bette! I have looked carefully at the still photo, and there are no black spots. Perhaps it was Matilda after all!
Indeed! ❤
Reblogged this on Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author and commented:
An amazing visit (check out the photo, post, and video) at Jennie Fitzkie’s place… Afterward, check out this link to find out how to tell a male from a female monarch butterfly! https://journeynorth.org/tm/monarch/id_male_female.html#:~:text=Males%20have%20a%20small%20black,have%20slightly%20thinner%20wing%20veins.~ Bette A. Stevens, author and monarch butterfly advocate
Thank you, Bette!
Delighted to pass it along, Jennie! ❤
What an extraordinary moment! Thanks for sharing, Jennie!
You are welcome!
What a wonderful experience! To have it captured on tape is even more precious.
It was, Pam! Lucky me.
It’s always such a treat when a monarch butterfly pays a visit. I remember learning about how they start as creepy crawlies, spin a magic crystalis, and transform into a beautiful butterfly. How miraculous that was to even contemplate, much less witness!
It is quite a wonder. That must be why The Very Hungry Caterpillar is still such a popular book. This one stayed and stayed- lucky me!
😀
how wonderful to capture such a beautiful butterfly…
I feel quite lucky!
We all seem enchanted with monarchs. I wonder if it’s more the color, patterns, or sizes. The note I found estimates that between 20% to 90% of the monarch population (not very specific) has declined in the last several decades. I still see them around quite a bit, so this must be in select locations.
They’re now classified as endangered, so I think you’re right that it must be select locations. They are enchanting, and so vibrant!
I like that you thanked the butterfly. It may seem silly to some, but I do that often too. I’ll thank the birds for their pretty ‘songs,’ tell the little bugs they’re cute, and stuff like that. I’m not entirely so different from others, I simply like and appreciate animals and insects more than many, many humans. : )
Also, that you shared a video of your butterfly buddy, was more whimsical, if you will, than only a photo.
I feel the same way! The fact that I was able to get a video was remarkable. If the butterfly returns, I must give it a name.
Yes! I had a Silver-Spotted Skipper friend for a season. Named her Ella. They have personalies! She had a couple favorite leaf perches. She’d greet me when I stepped onto the deck by fluttering happily around my head. I knew it was her by her mannerisms and her usually tattered wings, like a weathered flag. I hope I catch your name reveal post if the Monarch returns.
That’s a wonderful story, Dawn! If she returns, I’ll be sure to name her. Oh, I name all the fish at our pool. I promised blogger Geoff (TanGental) that I would post them. I will this week.
Thanks, Jennie. I am looking forward to meeting them. Fish possess a special spot in my heart.
🙂
A wonderful message from the monarch, Jennie. Beautiful photo and video. 🙂
Thank you, Diana!
Stunning!
They are magnificent creatures!
Beautiful- picture, post and of course the butterfly 😊
Thank you!
Hi Jennie, what a lovely experience and a great learning opportunity for the children.
Hi Robbie, I think so, too!
So beautiful ✨️
Thank you.
Wow I love your words
Thank you!
They are so beautiful, Jennie. I love seeing them.
I do, too! Thank you, Dan!
Beautiful. I had a gifted visit from a baby monarch last week. I was thinking about my husband and mentally asked him to send me a hello sign. Half hour later, a baby monarch landed on my left shoulder and sat there for a good five minutes. ❤
Debby, after I wrote this post I learned from bloggers that the monarch is a gift, a visit from a loved one. I knew that about cardinals, but not monarchs. You have confirmed it! What a marvelous five minutes you had from your husband, via the monarch. Thank you for telling me! 💕
Thank you Jennie. And funny, I’d heard that years ago that butterflies are messengers from loved ones. When I saw your video, the first thing that came to mind was – who was visiting Jennie? ❤
I wonder the same thing!
Butterflies are magical! 🙂
Yes!
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!
They are really wonderful, even though i can’t remember to have seen one in real. Thanks for sharing the impression, Jennie! xx Michael
I hope you get to see a monarch one day. They are magnificent butterflies. I’m so glad you enjoyed my impression.
And what a gift your post is, reminding us of the importance of our roots, as well as our ability to fly with purpose and love. ❤
Thank you so much, Pam. Well said!
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Thank you.
I wrote a haiku today for my two grandsons off as college freshmen:
Thrown out of the nest?
Use you wings to fly higher
That’s the truth for you!
Thanks for all this, Jennie!
How wonderful! Thanks so much for your kind words, and especially for sharing your haiku.
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Thank you.