From Seed to Bloom, A Message From the Moon

It’s literally been almost three months since I wrote an update here. Major shifts happened in my creative focus due to incredible opportunities coming into my world. I’ve been successful in every way, but also under a lot of stress. And most likely because of stress, I’ve been sick a lot this year. Fever dreams have spurred some sudden revelations. Breaking points were reached. Necessary decisions were made. This all had to happen for me to grow further into my best potential.

Going from a seed to a fully bloomed flower is a TOTAL transformation. Tonight’s full flower moon reminds us of this strenuous, delicate process.

I’ve been surrounding myself with flowers to lift myself up lately. These fuchsia buds are about to explode open and the hummingbirds are going to love them.

Exploring Shadows

When I talk about exploring our shadow selves (digging up dark deep traumas that made us respond the way we do to certain things), this practice; this transformation process is exactly what I’m referring to. And it is a practice.

Tonight’s full blood flower moon + lunar eclipse during Mercury Retrograde combo is going to force a lot of things to the surface whether we like it or not. Time to get rid of what’s holding us back from the next phase to make room for new growth.

To be honest, I feel like this lunar moment, for me, is actually the closure to a whole three month period of this process. I might be sipping dandelion tea hoping this is the last day I’ll feel like complete feverish crap, but I know there’s a lot of magical forward motion just out of this harsh bend.

Lady J’s Dandelion Tea Blend is coming back to the shop soon!

Here are some things I can share that took place during the last three chaotic months:

Leonardo!

My nephew Leonardo (now 6 months old) is doing much much better, is growing super strong and just started babbling!

New Baby-Safe Bath Products!

My beautiful, incredible, super-mom of a sister-in-law and I have collaborated on developing a line of natural bath products safe for babies. More on this soon!

Cioppino turned 1 on April 17th!

We celebrated with some special catnip tea. He loved it.

Back in the lab!

I returned to the Beecher Lab at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum a couple of Tuesdays a month, working on various taxidermy projects. I’ve officially prepared 51 specimens for the Chicago Academy of Sciences collection and couldn’t be prouder to contribute to natural history.

New Friend, New Project

I made a new friend and colleague who I never ever imagined in a million years I’d ever cross paths with. (the rest of this story is top secret for right now!)

Orbital Resonance

I released a song that took me forever to complete because I kept getting sick. But I’m convinced this song will make you dance and feel good. I put all of the energy I had into it.

My patio garden has been planted

Most of the herbs I use in my products are grown on my humble urban patio. I put a lot of love into the plants I grow. You notice in the products for sure.

New 3D Art Installation

Rose’s Wicker Park storefront at 1809 W North Ave has a new 3D installation inspired by Eric Carle’s A Very Hungry Caterpillar children’s book. Crafting with a kitten in the house is like Difficulty Level EXTREME let me tell you. It didn’t help that the form for the caterpillar was a literal cat tunnel.

The Bug Girl is back on WGN Radio

I’m back on WGN Radio one Saturday a month from 10-1pm with David Hochberg. If any of you reading this knows what AM radio is, tune in (IYKYK) for laughs and learn something.

Inspiring Girls with Science!

Hosted several school and museum visits and a very special Girl Scout STEM Career Day to teach kids all about insects.

Attaboy. I did it right.

My Leo sister bff Carly taught me what “buying yourself an attaboy” was. I had a custom birth stone cocktail ring made and I’m so in love.

Thank you for reading my update. I’m hoping to get out to some in-person events soon with my Lady J products. Until then, take care of yourself. And take care of one another.