Handholding-versary and Quiet Faithfulness

We celebrated our 36th handholding-versary quietly, with chili and a viewing of "Hunt for Red October", while reminiscing about God's faithfulness in our relationship.

The seedlings began to flourish as we prepared for the plant sale and our summer garden. I'm learning so much every year as we try new things in an attempt to steward our resources well.

The tent caterpillars also showed up. This time in the laundry basket as I hung clothes to dry. They are fascinating and intricate creatures! According to Wikipedia:

"Tent caterpillars hatch from their eggs in the early spring at the time the leaves of their host trees are just unfolding. The caterpillars establish their tent soon after they hatch. The tent is constructed at a site that intercepts the early morning sun. The position of the tent is critical because the caterpillars must bask in the sun to elevate their temperatures above the cool ambient temperatures that occur in the early spring. Studies have shown that when the body temperature of a caterpillar is less than about 15 °C (59 °F), digestion cannot occur. The tent consists of discrete layers of silk separated by gaps and the temperature in these compartments varies markedly. Caterpillars can adjust their body temperatures by moving from one compartment to another. On cool mornings they typically rest in a tight aggregate just under a sunlit surface of the tent. It is not uncommon to find that the temperature of the aggregate is as much as 30 °C (86 °F) warmer than the surrounding air temperature on cold but sunny spring mornings. Later on in the spring, temperatures may become excessive at midday and the caterpillars may retreat to the shaded outside surface of the tent to cool down."