Botanica's Butterfly Hunt

Although this is not a regular "site," it's worth mentioning because Cara holds regular hunts at her beautiful, low-prim garden center. I participated in the spring Easter Egg hunt, and the summer butterfly one is even more fun (and just as hard but worth the work).  A nice surprise was the free butterfly Fourth of July wings and fireworks on the Fourth. Here are some photos:

At the starting point, grab your butterfly collection cage (and net if you join the group)

In the butterfly house (where butterflies caught are released in exchange for a prize).  Notice wings can be attached.  The full beauty of them is on the back.

And here is the prize (wanna ride?)

Butterfly Hunt at Botanica: http://secondlife.com/destination/botanica-butterfly-hunt

The New Rainbow Gardens

It's hard to believe that I've owned and operated the Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial Center since the spring of 2008, so I guess it's a good time for a change.  This one brings with it a lot more room and a lot more prims, something we are always in need of in SL. 

For those who are unfamiliar with Rainbow Gardens, I will provide a brief history.  I joined Second Life in March, 2007.  Shortly after joining, I lost my beloved cat of 15 years, Floppy.  I wanted a place to memorialize him virtually, but I couldn't find one, so I spoke with a friend, Rocky Vallejo, who had created a human memorial for his daughter at Rachelville, and he helped me find some land on Cybrary City II.  A few other people helped, Cindy Elkhart, BrianA Corleone, and Lorelei Junot.  We started a group (of which currently over 100 residents are members, some who have been very generous with donations).  We placed memorial candle and headstone givers, a pet viewer of photos, and a chapel gazebo in a garden-like center.  Events and exhibits were scheduled periodically.

Recently, I noticed some land for sale nearby Rainbow Gardens.  I inquired into purchasing it with donations we had received.  With the extra room, I "planted" more flowers and trees including a weeping willow by our pet viewer.  I gave our mascot, Lady Rainbow the Collie, free space to wander.  I added my own pet-able Kittycats, Amaretto horses in a stable, some spring sheep, and a few swans to a small lake on the land.  I created a Wonderland area where people could sit on mushrooms and enjoy some tea next to a Cheshire cat tree.  At the suggestion of a member, I also added the Rainbow Bridge poem by the pet viewer. 

On Sunday, May 20, I will host an open house where people can stop by at anytime to view the expansion.  Between 2 and 4 pm SLT that day, there will be dancing, and I will make a reopening speech.  I am also running a contest from May 1 to May 15, and the winner will be announced at that event.  The contest details will be sent to the Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial group.  If anyone else would like a copy or is interested in joining the group, IM me or send an email to dulciemills@yahoo.com

Slurl to the new Rainbow Gardens: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City%20II/223/97/22

Phantom Rose Light Show

I recently attended a beautiful light show on the grounds (actually a sky platform) of the Phantom Rose Opera House.  The show featured fireworks and laser lights set to opera music.  Below is a few of the photos I took while attending the show, but they don't do the incredible show justice.  For more information on the Phantom Rose's events (and they have a full schedule of operas, ballets, performances, and other activities every Sunday and occasionally on other days during the month), join their inworld group or check their website at http://phantomrose.com/index.html

Besides events, the Opera House and its grounds are lovely.  There are free gowns and tuxedos by the entrance, and many areas on the sim that are romantic and fun to explore.

Alirium: a Sim for All Seasons

Written by Dulcie Mills Machinima by Clark Abismo

As most of us say goodbye to summer and welcome the cooler fall months, it’s always interesting to see the changes in Second Life. Halloween sims open, shops begin to sell autumn clothing and decorations, leaves begin to fall from SL autumn trees. But in a few sims, all the seasons are represented year round. One of the most beautiful is the Alirium sim: http://slurl.com/secondlife/alirium/132/122/66 . Two members of the RezLibris staff visited there recently and wrote and illustrated a poem that was inspired by its surroundings.     SL SEASONS We met in Winter skating on a virtual ice rink. Afterwards, we shared a hot chocolate drink. We kissed under an animated mistletoe as we walked through a forest of white prim snow. In Spring, we planted a virtual garden on a sim called Honey Creek where we rented a cottage for 500 Lindens a week. A lucky elephant guarded our dell while sweet bunnies perched by the wishing well. We picnicked under a blossoming cherry tree, watched as multi-colored butterflies flapped their wings and pledged our love with golden Xstreet rings. In Summer, we celebrated becoming partners with a wedding at which all our close friends attended in a rezzed fairytale setting. Although the roses didn't smell and the cake was taste- and calorie-free, the sim didn't crash, and everyone teleported safely. The birds sang and the bells rang even a flamingo joined the gang. Everyone toasted our Second Life marriage with champagne. By Fall, we had an island house, boats, planes, and everything so much that real life had yet to bring. For Halloween, we decorated our home with ghosts and pumpkins, went dancing in costumes with new shapes and skins The green leaves in our meadow turned red, gold, and brown We gave thanks for all our searching had found. Now, as the SL seasons change again, we reflect on winter dreams that end the year spring rainbows which suddenly appear, summer rain that feeds the flowers, autumn's leaves that fall in shorter hours What we imagine can be real whether born in fantasy or created on a computer screen The eye of the beholder can still see all forms of virtual beauty, from under the sea or above the air in beautiful sims such as Alirium.