Welcome back! I am glad you are doing well and best wishes for continuing to do so. You were greatly missed around here. I saw several times the “Miss Sherry would know” come up.

Oh Sherry! You've been through so much. I'm so very sorry for both your losses. I haven't been here in a long time because we just haven't had the butterflies we used to have, but things are looking up now. I just wanted to give you a big (((hug))) and say what a strong person you are, to have endured such great losses. And I wish you the best of luck with getting totally rid of the cancer. And good luck getting your new place in shape for all the butterflies and moths that I'm sure will love to visit you! Bless your heart!

I don't visit here very often, but I remember you and your wonderful advice very well. So sorry for all that you have been through, but so glad you are back. And I'm happy that you can spend time on something you love so much again.

You always did take the very best pictures, Sherry.

I am so very sorry for your losses, my friend. I'll be thinking strong thoughts for a full recovery. Am looking forward to seeing you more around here.

Thanks all! I hope to have butterflies to photograph and post!

The bird life is good here, with plenty of mockingbirds, cardinals, red-headed woodpeckers, Carolina wrens, bluejays, even cat birds, which I've never had in my yard or woods before.

I plan on planting the Ptelea trifoliata soon - I'm not as fast as I used to be.

Here's a picture of my old, high-ceiling house -

Sherry

Ooooohhhh! It's gorgeous!

Thanks, Catherine! I love it!

Sherry

'Got my first passionflower today -

Sherry

Your house is absolutely beautiful!!! Love the floors and woodwork. The doggies are adorable.

Very pretty flowers, Sherry! I just love the exotic look of them.

What a gorgeous home! I'm so glad your cancer prognosis is good. I lost my husband and father within 2 months of each other in 1986, so I can relate to how that throws your life into turmoil. Hattiesburg is such a pretty little town. I've often thought of moving to Mississippi to get away from Florida. I've been here way too long.

That Pandora sphinx moth is GORGEOUS! People think I'm crazy for allowing the hornworms to eat up my brugs and daturas every year, but spinx moths are the only insect that pollinates those flowers, so it's well worth it. They grow back so fast.

I rarely check in to this discussion. A few years ago I visited often. I always loved your posts Miss Sherry. I followed you closely because I live in Gulfport. I thought that anything that you had was possible for me, too.

So good to see that you are back, Miss Sherry. Your experience, knowledge and advice have been sourly missed.

It helps being around family, especially as one gets older and needs help from time to time. I hope things go well for you in your "new" home.

Thanks, Trudy and Tom! Unfortunately, Trudy, living in Gulfport doesn't guarantee that you'll get the same leps as people in the country outside of cities/towns. Hattiesburg has very few leps at this time of year, though I've noticed when I've visited Hburg in the past during peak butterfly season, you do see some butterflies, particularly gulf frits. I got a text with a picture from my previous neighbor in the country with a picture of the pipevine swallowtail caterpillars now on the pipevines in my old garden. It made me so 'homesick' for the cats I used to have!

Tom, thanks for the kind words.

Dirty gardener - Hburg is indeed a pretty town, and it has a lot going for it culturally for a town its size, USM and Wm. Carey College both being here. But I sure miss the leps in the country!!

Rhonda, my passionvines are blooming all over now. 'Hope the gulf frits will find them eventually!

Thanks to all of you who complimented me on my house - the high ceilings show off my old/antique furniture very well. And my dogs are SO sweet!

Sherry

You probably knew that you were remembered; now you know
to add, "...and loved". Thanks for updating us about yourself.

Yes, importing will be necessary to get the wildlife sooner.
So that you not have to travel, your neighbor could send eggs.
(I know, only fritillary food in sufficient supply thus far.)

I get nearby neighors to grow butterfly plants by giving flowers,
then asking whether they would like a plant.
I may delay mention of caterpillars, depending on anticipated
receptivity to them. At time of mentioning, I say that
they can be moved to my plants if recipients would prefer it.

Your participation, even irregular, in a local gardening club
would be infuential.
No club? Organize one -- you could limit your ongoing role
to that of lepidoptera plants consultant.
Or arrange with teachers to visit schools with critters + plants.