1022. While it robs them of life, it tears away the veil and reveals the golden gem of beauty and sweetness. ~Northern Advocate

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The death-glow always beautifies anything
that wears the trace of beauty ere it goes back to nothingness.
We do not understand the secret of this principle,
yet we know that it is some law of the infinite mind.
~Northern Advocate

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Threads, filaments, silken strands holding to the past and yet releasing the future in the air. The amazing looking objects in the photos above and below are seed pods from a milkweed (Asclepias) plant. Asclepias species produce some of the most complex flowers in the plant kingdom, and they are an important nectar source for native bees, wasps, and other nectar-seeking insects. Asclepias species produce their seeds in follicles, and the seeds, which are arranged in overlapping rows, bear a cluster white, silky, filament-like hairs known as the coma (often referred to by other names such as pappus, “floss”, “plume”, or “silk”). The follicles ripen and split open, and the seeds, each carried by its coma, are blown by the wind. Milkweed is an essential larval host plant for the Monarch Butterfly which is why I have grown some in my garden for the last two years. Endangered Monarchs must pass through the “Texas funnel” coming and going on their epic migration to and from Canada to their roosting grounds in Michoacán, Mexico, in the spring and fall, and so Texas has been deemed critically important to the health of these beautiful and unique butterflies, threatened by the loss of habitats. But why should I bring this up now at the end of the year since we won’t see butterflies for months to come? Because it shows that though winter is an ending, it’s important to remember that it is the first season of the new year and so it is a beginning as well. Not only that but when all seems drab and lackluster, one who looks carefully can find great beauty even in the dying of the past.

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We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. ~Romans 6:4  ✝

**Images via Pinterest.

30 thoughts on “1022. While it robs them of life, it tears away the veil and reveals the golden gem of beauty and sweetness. ~Northern Advocate”

  5. Awesome photos and such a wonderful look into the tiny and most often over looked and greatly under appreciated world of the minuscule..the tiny bits and pieces which are the nuts and bolts to the substance of life—there is such beauty and wonder found in the smallest of places—
    Here’s to the thoughts of butterflies enjoying dry warm weather somewhere on this earth today….

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    • Oh, good Michelle, I’m glad others are trying to help the endangered Monarchs out. They are just so beautiful and unique. It truly would be a tragedy if they became extinct. So give them “good job, team” kudos from me. Love and hugs, N 🙂 ❤

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      • OH yes I will. It’s a big deal to them so Oh wait…I want to share something with you! One of my editor’s is a wonderful photographer and she sent me this Monarch that migrated down to Houston. Here it is in low res.

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    • Aren’t those things amazing, JoAnna. The first time I saw one I just stood there dumbstruck and thinking that it was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen. And you are so right, every season has its own unique delights. Love and hugs, N 🙂 ❤

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  10. I read about the Monarchs at my October book club, “Flight Behavior” by Barbara Kingsolver is a great fictional story. It “imagines” if the butterflies could not make it back to Mexico how it might impact farming community in Tennessee. I liked it a lot.
    Your photos are gorgeous, Natalie. 🙂 ♡♡
    Happy New Year, dear Natalie. 🙂

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    • Thanks, Robin. They are amazing butterflies and it would be such a tragedy if they were to become extinct. I absolutely love these seed pods and their filaments and seeds. They simply knock my socks off. Happy New Year to you too, dear Robin! 🙂 ❤

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