It’s the time of year when thousands of Monarch Butterflies migrate to Pacific Grove to over winter until February.  The Monarchs have nothing but instinct to guide them, which is also what one can say about J and Sonja Jackson, both adventurers in their own right, who, in 1977 decided to settle in Pacific Grove and ultimately create PG’s famous ‘Butterfly House’.

J’s life has seemed “blessed” even at an early age, as at each step he’s been given entry to the right connections, trainings and right outcomes to achieve success.  In most of his career paths J has had no formal training, other than being resourceful and intuitive enough to learn the tools of the trade.  And just like the Monarch Butterflies, he’s also been guided by instinct and has always landed on his feet.
         
His career list includes such interesting forays as truck driver, deep sea diver, fruit picker, race car driver, body builder, drug and suicide prevention counselor, and massage therapist.  In fact, he’s been a massage therapist for more than 44 years. He’s been voted “The Jazz King” by locals at The Monterey Jazz Festival for 22 consecutive years, his main job being to intervene and calm down the inevitable rowdy types. And you can see him on the big screen as a bit player in Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty for Me (wearing his trademark colorful Mardi Gras costume and sporting a big Afro; look for him in the scene where Clint attends the Jazz Festival).

J’s wife, Sonja, was born and raised in Massachusetts and has happy childhood memories. At age 9, Sonja first started wearing glasses, and by age 18 she was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, an inherited disorder which leads to progressive vision loss.  In 1970 she met J, who turned out to be the love of her life.
         
Sonja fondly remembers their very first meeting.  She’d gone to breakfast at a local restaurant where J was working as a dishwasher/busboy.  Recalls Sonja, “I was sitting at the counter and I immediately noticed J because he was wearing the brightest, whitest, cleanest T-shirt I’d ever seen. I was also attracted to his beautiful smile and great physique.  Here I was in my leather hippie skirt and to me, he looked like a bronzed god!” 
         
There was obviously a silent communication because J also noticed Sonja and kept sweeping in front of her repeatedly.  “Yes, it was lust at first sight for me!” admits J.  But introductions didn’t take place until later that day when Sonja was waiting at the bus stop to go home.  She remembered the restaurant had a large indoor clock and she looked in to see what time it was.  That’s when J noticed her again and, imagining she was looking for him, he was so happy and excited that he dropped an entire container of clean dishes he was holding, which all promptly shattered.  Running out to say hello, J got Sonja’s telephone number and asked her out for an ice cream sundae.  Not only did they share a sweet dessert together, they’ve been married for 39 years and have shared a sweet life ever since.  

J and Sonja had originally wanted to move from the San Diego area to Big Sur, but Then J took Sonja on a drive from Big Sur to Pacific Grove.  “As we came down Forest Avenue and I saw the view of the Bay it was love at first sight,” states Sonja.  “That was back in the day when Cannery Row was operating and there were still trains running.  Pacific Grove is the perfect small town to live in and we both just love it here!”
         
The Jacksons bought The PG Butterfly House on January 3, 1977.  It wasn’t all dolled up as it is now; in fact, it was a real fixer-upper.  Their friends helped them to rebuild it in 1978, and they’ve lived in it ever since.  Included in their extended family are their two cats, Butterfly and Minime.
         
If you haven’t driven by their 9th Street house between Laurel and Pine, prepare yourself for a visual experience.  Reminiscent of Peter Max but with much more detail, the entire house, top to bottom, is painted in gloriously bright, psychedelic colors with swirling geometric and floral patterns, and festooned with hundreds of butterflies.  A sheer delight to both children and adults, the artwork is a gift from J to Sonja as her eyesight deteriorates, in hopes she’ll always be able to see the dazzling colors. 

Since the early ‘90s Sonja has experienced progressive vision loss and is now considered legally blind. “I could completely lose my sight at any moment and wake up one day not being able to see anything at all,” she says. “But I am a happy and positive person and I feel blessed.  I am just now starting Orientation & Mobility Instruction at the Blind and Visually Impaired Center in use of the ‘white cane’.”

 “I read newspapers online.  I accomplish this by using a 32” TV monitor with special computer software called ZoomText which offers magnified lettering.  And it talks to me and lets me know what I’ve typed and what commands I’m using while I write.  Also, I read Braille for the pleasure of it; specifically mystery novels.  I order them through the Sacramento Library which is part of a nationwide program offering a free Talking Book Library for the blind and visually impaired.  It’s taken me almost two years to learn Braille at The Blind and Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County (BVIC).”

“I believe that anything can happen. I believe in science, and that we need to put more funding into research for the blind and visually impaired. I’m 62 now, and although I wouldn’t look forward to it, I’m also not afraid of what may happen; other than I’ll no longer be able to see all the beautiful colors my husband has created for me. But, they’ll always be a memory in my mind.”

Nowadays, J’s favorite pastime is painting The Butterfly House. He is responsible for all the artwork, and claims Sonja to be his inspiration. He doesn’t sleep very much at night; consequently, he meditates while creative ideas pop into his head and the next day he’ll come up with another new design for the house. First, he doodles his designs using a felt pen; then he gets the wood and cuts it all by hand. He says it all comes very easily to him.

In the beginning, J would scour construction sites and haul home pieces of scrap wood. Then, people walking by who admired his work started offering him all kinds of wood, even including big sheets of plywood. Everything you see decorating the house is done by hand and comes out of J’s own fertile mind. Butterflies, sugar plums and fairies abound. He never stops thinking about it and claims the house is only half finished.

Since 2006, Sonja has been on the board of directors at the BVIC. Explains Sonja, “The BVIC is just blocks away, so I’m able to walk there; plus, everything I need is right here in my neighborhood of Pacific Grove, and in my home. One of the things I do for the BVIC is manage their website, which includes updating and adding new pages for them.” And come this November, the BVIC will hold a Country Store and Auction, which will be their biggest fundraiser of the year.

Visitors to J and Sonja’s Butterfly House can view their colorful Butterfly Wall which runs the length of the side of their house via what they’ve named, ‘The Butterfly Brick Road’. Visitors can purchase a butterfly for $20, and J will permanently attach it to the Butterfly Wall with the donor’s name on it. All proceeds go to the BVIC. Made in Mexico, these charming butterflies actually cost J a few dollars more, but he still only charges $20.

Hmmm.. perhaps the Monarch Butterflies en route to their sanctuary are also dazzled and think J’s Butterfly Wall is a new winter over spot for them, as well?

Drive by The Butterfly House at:

309 - 9th Street in Pacific Grove
www.thebutterflyuniverse.com
smile@thebutterflyuniverse.com

(story and photos copyright 2009 by Catherine Badin)