Marin Art and Garden Center Film Showing

Last Saturday, March 24, Andy and I went to the Marin Art and Garden Center (www.maagc.org) to screen my brother's film, "In the Company of Wild Butterflies," and to show people live eggs and caterpillars. It was early in the season, so the caterpillars were quite small, which disappointed Andy, but I love showing people the tiniest live specimens. It gives people the idea that they don't eat they much. When we first arrived, we set up our table
outside. Very few people were there. Andy always posts the sign "caterpillar=butterfly." After all, you can't say that a infant is not a mammal because it doesn't have mammary glands, and you cannot say that a caterpillar is not a butterfly because it doesn't have wings. Andy generally brings a beautiful bouquet of mallows to show people all the wonderful ornamental plants that ladies eat. After we were set up, I went in to introduce the film. I couldn't stay inside, though, it was so beautiful out. The ribes were blooming and the iris. A phoebe was snatching insects flying above the lawn. After the film, many people came to the table. I tried to avoid talking about the specimens because I was recovering from laryngitis. I let Andy do most of the talking. It was a very appreciative audience, and several people purchased the film. One woman brought a mystery caterpillar. After the event was over, I traded my pellitory for a Queen Anne's Lace. We walked over to the office to see the nesting owl on the video monitor. Quite a show! Then we packed the car and drove back. It was a lovely and successful day.