Family | Pelican Prose

Jul

06

2022

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By Hugh Pinckard

New & Improved Monarch Butterfly Garden

Family, Garden, Monarch Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly Garden 2021 Monarach Butterfly Garden 2022 Not a day goes by that we don't hear and/or see "New and Improved." Well, now it is my turn: What a difference a year makes. We have made a lot of improvements to our Monarch Butterfly Garden. Some of the changes/improvements we must credit to God, time, and "Mother Nature" as time to grow has filled out a lot of plants. We have added several "Milkweed" plants; having planted over one hundred (100) plants and/or seed. There are four (4) varieties: Tropical/Butterfly Milkweed, Yellow Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, and Showy Milkweed. Over…

Nov

30

2021

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By Hugh Pinckard

Lazarus the Monarch Butterfly

Family, Garden, Monarch Butterfly, NatureButterfly, butterfly habitat, Monarch butterfly

I'm just an Egg <img src="https://pelicanprose.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MonarchEggCloseUp-150x150.jpg" alt="Monarch Egg" width="150" height="113" /> One November day, my mother places me on the underside of a Milkweed plant leaf. Monarch Butterfly eggs are only laid on the Milkweed plant; however, there are around one hundred (100) varieties. I am only the size of the head of a straight pin. I will stay in my shell for one to five days (1-5). I will begin to grow and develop. As I grow, I will break out and the shell will become my first meal; as I will eat it before moving onto eating leaves.…

Oct

23

2021

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By Hugh Pinckard

Pinckard Monarch Butterfly Ranch

Entertainment, Family, Monarch Butterfly, Naturebutterfly garden, butterfly habitat, caterpillar, chrysalide, chrysalis, Monarch butterfly

This all started back in July; every year I try to spend quality time with my grandchildren. My Mother and I try to plan "grand adventures" so that we have quality time and make memories. This year, after our ocean cruise was cancelled, we took a week, traveled to Branson, MO, stayed at a "Dude Ranch" in Northern Arkansas. We day tripped to "Silver Dollar City" and another to ride the "Branson Scenic Railway" and a short visit to the "Butterfly Palace". We stayed at the ranch for quite time, relaxing, game-time, and horseback/trail riding. I tell you all of…

Oct

12

2021

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By Hugh Pinckard

Monarch Butterfly Garden

Entertainment, Family, Garden, Monarch Butterfly, NatureButterfly, caterpiller, garden, gardening, milkweed, Monarch

"Monarch Butterflies" lay "eggs on Milkweed" plants only. As well the Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar only eats the Milkweed plant leaves. Both the Monarch and the plant are disappearing from across the United States. I have taken to planting Milkweed whenever and wherever possible. There are several varieties and they differ depending on the region. I am utilizing "Butterfly Milkweed" (pictured above) and "Swamp Milkweed" ("Swamp Milkweed photo"). I was fortunate, one day taking "B Roll" footage in the backyard, to capture a Monarch laying an egg. Granted the footage is shaky as I was utilizing the camera handheld and extreme zoom;…

Oct

17

2020

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By Hugh Pinckard

We’ve lost our “community”

Common Sense, Family, Politicscommunity, Friends, neighbor, neighborhood, society

The mere fact that I am a "truck driver" had me voting, early, today as I will be out of the area for November 3. I have not missed an election since my eighteen(18) birthday. I believe that voting is a "civic responsibility" and should be undertaking seriously at every election. There is never a point that any election is too small or insignificant: local only to national they all need input from the local citizen. Let me set the scene. My local early polling location has extended the available hours to 8am to 7pm for 10 days. I decided…

Jul

15

2020

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By Hugh Pinckard

RoadTrip 2020 Done

Family, TravelRoadTrip

Well, RoadTrip 2020 has officially come to an end: check that box, close that book. We have completed the trip to DFW and placed my GrandGirls onto their flight back home. We had the absolute best time entertaining (or being entertained; not sure which) my older two grandchildren. Our RoadTrip went as perfectly as possible; memories made! Twenty-one (21) days including the ten (10) day road adventure of ten (10) states, three thousand five hundred sixty (3560) miles, and multiple sites and places observed and/or explored. Now brainstorming and planning has begun for next year. How to top this; it’s…

Jul

07

2020

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By Hugh Pinckard

Day Eight: Homebound however Terry Bison Ranch is a Must see

Family, Travelbison, RoadTrip, trail ride, train

We arrived to the Terry Bison Ranch on Monday evening. Just in time to set up for the night and enjoy fabulous Bison meat supper. Clean up and rest up for a short day of Buffalo/Bison Ranch life. Sure enough, up for breakfast at the "Tombstone Cafe"; WOW the Southwest Bison Omellet! Then over to the "Terry Bison Express" and the bison tours: short open-air train ride through the pasture and a chance to feed the bison their favorite treats. Be warned they love these treats, slobber a lot, and have a long tongue (about 10"). …

Jul

06

2020

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By Hugh Pinckard

Day Seven: Onto Yellowstone

Family, Travelgeyser, steam pool, Yellowstone

After a good night of Food, Family GameTime, S'mores, and Rest; it is onto Yellowstone National Park. The drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone is full of beautiful sights. After navigating the so very many turns and turns and hills, enjoying the sights with a few stops to appreciate the beauty, we arrive to Yellowstone National Park. As if my travels are not complete enough with my current troupe; my daughter meets up with us for this brief leg of our trip. We set up our campsite (disappointment as we are on the side of the road and not allowed to utilize…

Jul

04

2020

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By Hugh Pinckard

Day Six: Mount Rushmore; Check that box

Family, TravelBig Thunder, Keystone, Mount Rushmore, RoadTrip

Up the mountain and to the Mount Rushmore Monument. Not only did get to enjoy the sites of the amazing feat of the carving in the mountain side; there is a nice “Presidential Trail”, amphitheater with today’s entertainment of a son of two(2) Indian Chief’s. He told stories of days past; including through music which he called the “Universal language. Informing us that the flute and the drum are both instruments found on every continent. He even included the use of the electric guitar. Walking through the Gallery, museum, and theater; we learn more of the history of how the…

Jul

03

2020

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By Hugh Pinckard

Day Five: Good Morning South Dakota

Family, TravelBig Thunder, Cavern, Crazy Horse, Gold Mine, RoadTrip, Wonderland

After a good nights rest, up for cleaning and breakfast. We heading into Keystone for some panning for gold at the Big Thunder Gold Mine. There was a tour of the mine and very informative session of the process of separating the gold from the rest of the rock and ore. And then to panning on our own. The process is tedious and time consuming; it requires a lot of patience. We panned for approximately an hour and achieved a few “tiny nuggets.” However, the experience was enlightening and to say the least interesting. Next up, we adventured to the…