The first thought or question that occurs to me:
Was raising monarchs worthwhile?
My answer: Definitely. Given my experiences in 2018 when I let everything run its course, none of the four caterpillars succeeded in becoming a monarch. (Two formed a chrysalis, which failed; two disappeared somewhere or another.) Sue and I increased the numbers of monarchs by 18, and the way I understand, each additional monarch is a plus for the environment.
Question: Would you do it again?
Absolutely yes. Monarchs are beautiful, and adding beauty to the world is one of my ideals. The initial year's cost in supplies was minimal, and I hope to reuse everything.
Those are my two main questions and answers. Now for some particulars.
The photo below shows two aspects. The closer cube is more or less at rest, so the caterpillars in the cube behind have relatively more space to be themselves (without my having to worry about competition for the best places to form a cocoon).
The second aspect is my stick construction in the center: a mast and a crosspiece that I had tied together. I used that to compensate for any caterpillar that decided to cocoon under a leaf (which would ultimately sag too much) and for the one instance when a cocoon fell off the ceiling of the cube. With carpet thread, I would tie a cocoon (after it hardened on day 2) in place. I remember the first time I did so, I was quite nervous about it. By the second time it became perfectly straightforward.