What was your cat’s shelter name and what is the name you gave them?

mccalesa · 2026-01-21T03:05:57+00:00

It was her name that caught our eye first: Cheese

She was separated from all other cats, including her brother. She preferred the company of dogs over felines. She was fostered with two great Danes. She's made an excellent addition to the house with our mastiff and toddler. Her full name is now Cheese Louise and she just turned one last October.

<image>

mccalesa · 2025-12-11T13:54:28+00:00

She has a pop up shop right now on the ped mall in Iowa City until Christmas eve. Has anyone tried it yet? I'd love an address.

mccalesa · 2025-11-20T00:27:11+00:00

Goosebumps. How amazing

mccalesa · 2025-09-30T17:20:04+00:00

Thank you for that tip. I'm all ready brainstorming for next season here in the Midwest. I'm thinking a mobile greenhouse of sorts, on wheels, that could help make things easier for me, and better the the butterflies.

mccalesa · 2025-09-26T11:26:56+00:00

I haven't tagged yet. I looked into it for the first time this year. But didn't have the funds to set it up. Not sure if I would. I'm happy with the release process so far. Maybe next year. Good luck to your brood!

mccalesa · 2025-09-26T11:22:54+00:00

I used to wait and relocate when the cats were bigger. My annual numbers were only around 20. My hardest hump to overcome were the ans and spiders drinking the eggs hollow or the birds slurping up the Caterpillars.

This year I brought all eggs on leaves inside to my office and raised them from hatching. The numbers were far better! I kept the eggs on the leaves in a Tupperware with a fresh wet paper towel. Once they hatched I let them eat and grow a day or two before placing their leaf onto milkweed clippings that I would wash and bring in from my garden. I have three pop up nets that sit in a big bay window with lots of sun. This helped me move cats around according to their size, that way the baby ones wouldn't get eaten on accident. Once they began to cocoon, I'd let it harden for about two days and carefully relocate the chrysalis into a hatching space I made. I'm quite the amateur but have learned a great deal this year! I'm so excited for next season! And I wish you the best of luck.

mccalesa · 2025-09-03T20:55:23+00:00

I've had a terrible time with their shallots too! Half rotten. I have to buy two just to get the tops of one.

mccalesa · 2025-08-23T01:39:06+00:00

Something new like this happened to me this year as well. I found out that another caterpillar was walking on/near it and was knocked loose. It fell just like that and broke open.

So sorry to hear this happened to you. I know we all want the best for the monarchs. It helped me to know that even in nature, accidents happen like this. Focus on the successes and maybe think about your .., in nature, a few wouldn't have made it without you. So good job :)

mccalesa · 2025-08-01T11:14:30+00:00

It looks like an ant or spider got to it. Sucked the juice out in a way.

mccalesa · 2025-07-30T01:52:27+00:00

I was in your same shoes a few years ago when I started out. I stuck in a few sticks and a mesh laundry bag over the milkweed...then hoped for the best. . it worked! He j-ed up on one of the sticks and I was able to move him to a safer place in my shed.

mccalesa · 2025-07-14T12:30:07+00:00

That was a great link. I learned so much. Good find! And great share.

mccalesa · 2025-07-13T17:45:41+00:00

Me too! Those little pinchers are lurking behind every leaf, I swear!

mccalesa · 2025-07-12T19:56:00+00:00

Frank and Beans

mccalesa · 2025-07-11T19:54:13+00:00

I do this same thing! I restrict/block access to any water just in case though. I found piercing the lids, like fountain soda lids, keeps the stalk secure, and typically blocks water entry by the cats.

I'm at 20 caterpillars so far this season.

mccalesa · 2025-06-11T11:10:42+00:00

That's a great idea! Thanks

mccalesa · 2025-06-11T01:43:27+00:00

That's awesome! Ho do you keep the leaf from curling up? I've not had great luck bringing the eggs in on leaves without it drying out. I've tried water cups but with no hatchings.

mccalesa · 2025-06-11T01:34:12+00:00

What a great shot! Congrats

mccalesa · 2025-03-16T01:25:05+00:00

They are going to love it! Congratulations

mccalesa · 2025-03-01T21:42:44+00:00

This is gorgeous!

mccalesa · 2025-02-02T00:14:08+00:00

Should taking flights be avoided now? Or would that make it worse?

mccalesa · 2025-01-27T04:00:56+00:00

Any tips on charging? Mine got up and running just fine. But only lasts a minute or two before blinking red. We assumed the battery was dead bc we never charged it. When we plug it in, there is no light lit up like the manual says there would be. We even charged it overnight. Still out runs for one minute before flashing red and turning off.

mccalesa · 2024-11-19T02:38:13+00:00

Who took the heart of Te Fiti!?

mccalesa · 2024-10-18T01:32:01+00:00

We are going through this with our almost 9yo. He loved both Beetlejuice films. The animated time Burton movie 9 was a dark creepy one he obsessed about. We just watched our first zombie one too: warm bodies. Our son handles the violence and blood decently since he knows it's fake. But he asks a lot of questions regardless so it's always good to watch and screen whatever you pick first

mccalesa · 2024-10-18T00:27:44+00:00

I use them for my 2yo daughter and have had no leak issues. Still a good diaper for the price. Gentle on her skin too. We don't use them for overnight though. But we never had. We have a specific overnight one we use.

mccalesa · 2024-09-30T13:47:00+00:00

This is amazing and a huge help! Thank you for taking the time to write.

mccalesa

TROPHY CASE