Joyce Davis and Puppets

Late May and early June is the time for the beautiful cecropia moths to emerge from their cocoons. I have been very fortunate to have had several of them “on hand” as I did a variety of shows this spring.
I put some of the females in a bird cage outside on my patio and had 2 “wild” males (are there any other kind?) show up and now I have fertilized eggs which will “hatch” any day now.
These are polyp emus moths, another species of giant moths. I had about 30 of them emerge and am now raising the babies on maple leaves.
Young and old are amazed and delighted when I place these beautiful creatures on my shirt and they don’t fly away. The cecropia above is a male as noted by the feathery antenna and the polyphemus is a female. See the thin antenna!
I have had fabulous experiences this spring and traveled some of Ohio performing for kindergartners and retired nuns, family nights at churches in Toledo and celebrating Earth Day with 400 second graders at Mt. Gilead State Park . The next day I headed to Senecca Library in Attica for two shows in the morning (this makes the 15th year I’ve been there in May) before driving to Huron for a family night celebration that night. Twice I traveled to Traverse City, Michigan, to perform puppet shows at 2 libraries and 5 schools. I was there the last week in April and the second week of May. Driving on the peninsula took my breath away with the beauty of the Bay on both sides and the cherry trees in full white blossom. My destination was Old Mission School for a show for the older children and then the Peninsula Public Library, located in the same gorgeous new building, for a later performance for younger ones.
On a personal note, three grandchildren have or will graduate this spring. On May 11th Lisa graduate from high school and what a lovely ceremony it was with 144 girls dressed in white carrying a single red rose. After the ceremony we went back to her house for cake and libation while she and her dad and two grandpas smoked a traditional “cigar” to celebrate this event. Tonight her brother, Patrick, graduates from eighth grade, but will not be smoking a cigar. He must wait another 4 years!
Sunday’s graduation ceremony from Bedford High School will highlight Jack and will be wonderful, tearful (where did the time go?) and not short as almost 600 will receive diplomas! Will he smoke a cigar??