16 Comments
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Mavis Jukes's avatar

This is what happens when you combine a lavish gift for art, a strong writing talent, a keen eye for observing nature and an intuitive sense of nonsense. I love Auden and the woman who dreamed him up and released him into the world. Amazing, Merrill. Just great!

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Jeffrey Crone's avatar

You are still the funniest person with a heart.

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Mendy's avatar

Brilliant, Merrill! I loved this so much.

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Ellen B's avatar

Really loved these posts and the photos. Feel a certain intimacy ("knowledge") towards the butterflies that visit my butterfly bush now : ) thanks!

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Holly Goldberg Sloan's avatar

I loved every word of these two posts....

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Merrill Markoe's avatar

Thanks Holly. THat means a lot. I was just about to take this one down because its so silly I was getting insecure.

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Holly Goldberg Sloan's avatar

It's funny. It's kind. It's about the world around us. It's filled with actual facts. It's perfection....

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Merrill Markoe's avatar

Aww. Thank you for making me feel better. It is so nerve wracking to post new stuff you are just dashing off without interference of an editor. It is also exhilarating to not have someone say "Well, this one is kind of silly." And then back to insecure. ANd then back to exhilarating. THe life of an unpaid writer.

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Merrill Markoe's avatar

I almost went to picket today but I only got 3 hrs of sleep so I thought I should pick a better day when there is less chance of passing out on the picket line.

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Mendy's avatar

Do NOT remove this. It's silliness is what makes it GREAT! I larfed out loud at least three times. The squeaky-toy serenade at the end is perfect.

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Eric's avatar

I haven't gone back and watched the whole series yet, but how did you end up with these caterpillar guests? I would love to have my girls witness this process.

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SnarfyNewcomerOpinesBasically's avatar

aawwww. got a bit teary there at the penultimate.

Also using opportunity for shameless selfpromotion:

https://riverreporter.com/stories/drawer-wars,112296

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mermcoelho's avatar

I have loved reading the life and times of Auden. Party on, monarch dude!

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Frank 4's avatar

Why? Why does only one in four generations of monarchs get to go to monarch-con?

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

We have monarchs in our garden this year. Could they be related to Auden? Is it too late to tell them about Monarch-con?

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Heather Murray's avatar

I’m rooting for Auden and his magnificent journey ahead .. Love loved this story in its entirety

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