Brad the Impala (OtterQueen) said:

(home of the fightin' Banana Slugs).

OMG ... that's so funny I had to go look it up. Really ... where do they come up with these nicknames for the schools? That certainly wouldn't inspire me to do well in sporting competitions. And I thought the University of Oregon Ducks was bad.

Thanks for making me chuckle.

Well, there are a lot of banana slugs in the redwood forests of the coastal range.  There's a candy store in Santa Cruz that makes life-size banana slug chocolates in assorted colors and flavors.  They're actually pretty tasty!

https://mackenzieschocolates.com/product/105042-banana-slug-box/

Many already know my story, but I'll add it here.  When my husband died unexpectedly, I was in a terrible state.  I'd never in my whole life mowed the lawn.  Or, God forbid, used a weed whacker.  Now it was up to me to learn how.  So I got out the owner's manual and tried and tried to figure the darn thing out.  Mixed the oil and gas, added string, started it up and thought I had it all figured out.  But the darn thing was so heavy and kept stalling.  I sat down on the ground, with the owner's manual in my hands, crying my eyes out while trying to follow the steps to start the darn thing.  Set this here, put the choke there, whatever it said.  As I gave in to my grief and some serious self-pity, I began noticing a white butterfly flying all around me.  After a while, it became obvious it just wasn't a coincidence.  I believed it was my husband trying his best to assure me everything would be alright and to get up and get the job done.  It's been years, but I kid you not, every single time I'm out mowing, a white butterfly dances around me.

Once, my son was helping.  I took a break and was sitting on the step while he took over.  He didn't see it, or know it was happening, but while he was working a white butterfly kept circling his head.  It was wonderful and sad, all at the same time.

Now, as far as the dopey redbutter I've saddled myself with...what can I say but that was a pure moment of sheer stupidity.  It's a long story, but I hated it then and I hate it now.  There are definitely days I feel like the Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz...if I only had a brain!  LOL

I still get teary every time I read your story, red/white.. So sweet.

Beautiful, how the souls of those we love, work their magic. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Tracy

Chilpep - Short for chile pepper.  I like to grow and cook with spicy/hot ones. I also like to think I'm a "hot pepper!"    My hubby says so sometimes!

So loved your story of the white butterfly. I lost my only son to cancer in 2000. What a wonderous boy and good man he was. I always try to do something silly on his birthday. One night I took my cat out on the deck and was singing and spinning and dozens of fire fly's  circled around us. We goth said WOW! At that moment I new my son had visited me.

God and his mysteries?

TOAD/Otter/MOUSE

I was so sick and tired of every name I chose coming back with "name taken" that I had a complete Oh for fuck's sake! moment and typed in 'Zarknorph'.

Turns out that name was free.

And here I am.

SHORT AND SIMPLE,  MY GIVEN NAME IS SHARLENE,  IN COLLAGE A FRIEND SILK SCREENED ME A SWEATSHIRT FOR CHRISTMAS.  THAT SAID ON THE BACK  CHARLIE THAT'S ME.  ON THE FRONT WAS A PICTURE OF A PERSON IN A STRAW HAT, BIB OVERALL CUT OFF BELOW THE KNEE ONLY ONE STRAP OVER THE SHOULDER AND BARE FOOTED WITH A STICK FOR FISHING POLE.   OK,  I AM FROM THE COUNTRY IN THE WEST AND SHE WAS FROM THE BIG CITY BACK EAST  BUT I HAVE NEVER DRESSED LIKE THAT.  BOOT, JEANS, AND SHIRTS,  AND MY WESTERN HAT.