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Chocolates for Health

Butler’s Raw Chocolates in Titusville, Florida, is not a candy shop; it is a health food store and nutritional education center!
Chocolatier Mike Butler creates chocolates from superfood ingredients that not only taste heavenly but also nourish the body, mind, and spirit.
The most important ingredient? Mike’s intent, which is to help others feel better while enjoying a delicious treat.
Mike is eager to share his own story of learning how to manage chronic pain.
He might have just the chocolate that you need in your life!

Mike Butler, Chocolatier

Free the Tree

Success looks different for everyone, and depends on what one truly desires.
On a tree of my acquaintance, OK 3Tree is her name, I noticed a stout piece of fence wire girdling her trunk. The wire was already too tight and about to cut into the growing bark, so I removed it.
OK 3Tree is free!
Success!

OK 3Tree,
a Sand Live Oak
(Quercus geminata)

First Forage

“The first forage of 2023, and in February!”

The Purple Dragon exulted over her find, Cleavers, trailing their sticky green tendrils over the stones and pine straw surrounding a suburban hardwood in extreme south Georgia.

Prone to stick together, this plant was once used to stuff bedding as it does not slide around like pine straw.

Cleavers are also tasty and nutritious!

Lightly boiled or sautéed the sticky fibers relax. The taste is pleasant and takes well to vinegar, soy, and pepper sauces.

“Bon appétit!” toasted Le Dragon Pourpre, who is fluent in FOOD in any language.

Lenny and La, LIVE!

L to R: Rodger French “Lenny Deluxe” and Toni Shifalo “La Banana”

“Serendipity is my middle name,” chuckled the Purple Dragon, “so it was no surprise to find myself at a rare reunion performance by the now-retired team Lenny Deluxe and La Banana.”
Decades ago the duo literally toured the world sharing their musical, juggling, and clowning skills.
Rejoined today at a private party they put on an impromptu performance with accordion and washtub bass, building to a boffo ending in honor of the Guest of Honor’s 99th Birthday.
Happy Birthday, Gracie!

T.S. Eliot Knew

“I grow old … I grow old …

I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.

Shall I part my hair behind?   Do I dare to eat a peach?

I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.

I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

I do not think that they will sing to me.”

— T.S. Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Reading those lines at age 18 in Poetry 101 at Emory University, tears sprang to my eyes.
Reading them at age 70 still brings tears, bittersweet tears…
Ever more sweet than bitter.

Friendly Dragons

In their first World Cup appearance in 64 years, the Dragons of Wales comported themselves well against Team USA with the game ending in a tie.
“What impressed me the most,” cheered the Purple Dragon, “was that during their national anthem the Welsh stood with their arms over their teammates’ shoulders singing the song together enthusiastically.”
The Purple Dragon smiled at a memory.
“As I recall, The Old Lady was descended from the Welsh.
“A taste of the old country!”

Fabulous is Very Valdosta

The Purple Dragon was pleased to find a drag show in a small town in extreme south Georgia.
The crowd at Arlyn’s Bar in Valdosta, Georgia, was loving and the show was fabulous!
Tina Trueluck and Bia Bitch did double duty as emcees and performers.
Miss Avila and Justina Hole showed off their moves in sexy athletic dances…
these girls put their heart into their art, and it shows.
The notorious Vladentine performed with the  charm and humor that have made him a staple on the local drag scene.
Plenty of dollar bills proved the approval of the audience.
Many thanks to Ty McCain, who hosted the event!

The Gift of a Snake

A flash of neon green, bright against the dead dull leaves, drew the eye of a hiking companion on an autumn woodland trail.

The small snake seemed unaware of her glowing beauty and the visibility, as well as the vulnerability, of her striking appearance. She seemed unaware of us as well and continued her hunt as we gaped from above the forest floor.

I bent closer and she turned her pleasantly intent gaze in my direction, flicking her tiny tongue to taste my smell: food or foe?

Finding neither she turned back to her never-ending quest for food, leaving us with a green glowing memory that we share forever.