Lorenzo behind his butterfly exhibit.Another Saturday at the Farmer's Market in Winter Park began with an obligatory visit to the patisserie for quiche Lorraine and the chance to engage in a little French speaking, so easy on the ears in the morning. There were lots of tee-shirts for Bill Segal, who is running for mayor of Orange County. I know Bill since he frequents a conclave that floats in and out of the local Einstein's called The Breakfast Club.. They exist everywhere in the world, these informal groups of coffee drinkers and bagel noshers ruminating on tidbits of the day's news and assorted bites of gossip. It's an agreeable way to add structure to a day and strengthens the sense of community. Here invitations to other events are extended and reviews of previous gatherings are submitted. On Saturdays, many of these folks assemble on the porch at the Market in what was the old freight train terminal. It makes a great place for politicians to glad hand as the crowd here consists of people who not only vote, but tend to be involved in politics, at least as contributors. And most refreshingly, here in Winter Park, the political spectrum freely ranges from to the right of Attila the Hun to left of Che.
From catepillar to cacoon to butterfly, at Larenzo's butterfly display you can purchase a plastic box containing everything you need to watch the entire transformation.Decidedly less political is the display of butterflies and chrysalis offered by Lorenzo, much to the delight of children and grownups alike. Lorenzo is a native of Cuba who has been selling these ephemeral beauties here for fifteen years. Two years ago he furnished the butterflies we set loose in the garden on Lake Conway we had created for Irene Ellis. Her daughter Pam and I thought it was a fitting tribute to a woman who loved gardens, nature and life. And the butterfly is a fitting symbol of the beauty and fragility of existence. We plant butterfly attracting plants in almost all our gardens. And when I see a butterfly fluttering among the blossoms I think of Irene and other beautiful souls I have known as being reanimated in them. I might well up just a bit, but the sense of peace and contentment overtakes me in the end .
This little girl was really having fun at the butterfly display but I think I accidently made her camera shy as I snapped the photo. 
Sweet lady from the Phillipines has been at the market for twenty years.
Popcorn made the old fashion way, in a huge cast iron popper and then topped with a sugar glaze, delicious.
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