Chickens in the Basement

I love to write and I love to laugh. When I write, I get to the point quick. My stories would fit on the back of a postcard. They usually make me chuckle. And you know what they say, "It's all about me!"

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Beauty...Even in Death

My favorite moth is the Luna Moth. I had never seen one of these beauties until the boys and I were out for a walk one day and I found one clutching the side of a curb. Thinking that it would get stepped on, I picked it up with plans of taking it to a bush where it would be safer. Instead, my presence frightened the creature and he took to the air. Within seconds, a huge crow came from nowhere, clamped its beak over the body of the green moth and sent its glow-in-the-dark wings fluttering to the ground. I was mortified! I had assisted in the murder of this beautiful creature.



Luna Moth (pre-murder)
One of my favorite artists!

As it turns out, I now live in a house that is where Luna Moths come to die. They are attracted to the security lights behind our house. Every morning, I find at least 4 wing parts. I don't know if it's bats or some other night creature that finds these moths so tasty.

Here's my dilemma. I find these beautiful wings in the back yard. They are so pretty, I can't just leave them to rot. I have been saving them in a ziploc baggie. I have no idea what to do with them! Does anybody use these wings as a craft? Rachel at Two Dog Pond, could you use them between two pieces of glass as a pendant? Anybody? I'll send them to anyone who thinks they can use them.
Pile of Post Murder Wings

Upper Wings

Lower Wings...Love their tails!

If you can use these, leave a comment and I'll get in touch with you about mailing!

14 comments:

miniannalee said...

you could use them for all sorts of things. pendants, fairy wings, natural elements in a frame behind glass. I'm not sure how well they would hold up in the mail but I would love to have them. I remember seeing one luna moth when I was little but haven't seen another live one again.

Anonymous said...

They are very beautiful, aren't they?! Hard to throw them away because they are so lovely. I'll be curious to see the suggestions you receive.

Liz

Amber Von Felts said...

Murder Wings! LOL! You could use them in that acryllic epoxy stuff, it'll encase them forever. I thought I was a saver-of-everything, you got me beat with your bug parts!

Little Messy Missy said...

If you send me two I will make you a bookmark.
xoxoxo
Missy

Legacy of Love said...

Sorry I can't think of anything I may need them for but like the idea of putting between glass as pendants.

Maybe they shed their wings and are not dying.


Hope all is well,
Julie

Barbara said...

Mod Podge them to a wooden box!
Sandwich between glass for necklaces!
Paste them on your forehead!

Funny, I never thought of your home as a murder zone until now. Good thing I don't have wings, because that means if I visit, I'll live!

Vintage Christine said...

Well, CRAP! I too am attracted to security lights so I guess that planned trip to North Carolina isn't gonna happen . . .

Queenie Jeannie said...

Ohhhhh! So beautiful!

Could you send me a couple of sets?? I'll make you a framed picture!

Chicken Boys said...

You can get liquid acryllic at Wal-Mart to put them in. I used the acryllic for water in a silk flower arrangement once, and it looked great. They would look pretty in a paper weight made from acryllic. I like some of the other ideas here, too....framed in glass, bookmark, the wooden box mod podge, too. Great ideas murderer!
~Randy

Jill said...

I don't think I need them but I'm very glad you saved them for someone! I'm sure they'll be beautiful in a project.

Anonymous said...

No suggestions here...but do like the idea of a bookmark and paperweight. I had a friend..weird friend that made a tarantula spider into a paperweight using that acrylic stuff...too weird for me.

Mary said...

Lovely to see you on Thurs. and wish you luck this coming week!

I've seen people use the wings encased in those soldered pendant frames or watch cases.

I met Debbie of the new Two Old Birds - and found a gorgeous old transferware platter (very French looking!) in her shop. She has some lovely things AND you can move around in there now!!

Happy Pink Saturday.
See you soon.
Hugs - Mary

ted and bunny said...

hi- this is a fascinating Thought For The Day. . .do the moths come to you to die because they know you'll save their wings and so they'll "carry on" somehow?
The unusual subject would make the most wonderful story!

I just adore the vintage McCoy kitty planters in your last post. We're coming over to US soon, and going to go antiquing with my cousins, and I'm going to look out and see if I can find some.

I love your blog
xx

miniannalee said...

I received the luna moth wings in the mail yesterday. I've never been so excited to get dead bug parts before... lol. Thank you for sending them to me. I'll be sure to let you know when I've created something with them.

Anna