LETTER 4: The Butterfly Buckle Story

Another week of no releases…BUT…I have a two-part story to tell today!

I am getting to the end of editing the conversation with butterfly expert Dr. Gary Noel Ross and am speaking with local restaurant owner, Galen Iverstine, tomorrow morning! Many exciting things are on the horizon. I’ll keep y’all updated!

THE BUTTERFLY BUCKLE

PART 1

This past weekend I traveled with my girlfriend to Arkansas for a family event of hers. A few hours before flying out, I dropped off my remaining butterflies (7 in chrysalis) to my parents for care taking and set up my vendor table at the Hilltop Arboretum for the Plant Fest Sale (Aside: I hope some of y’all were able to go out there this past weekend and enjoy the wide variety of plants & vendors - we sold some copies of Dr. Gary Ross’ new book & some new art pieces by my artist friend Patrick Henry!). As I was returning home driving through my neighborhood, a garage sale sign caught my eye. Seeing that I had an hour to spare before she picked me up and I was somehow already packed, I decided to satisfy my curiosity by taking the turn to check out what was for sell.

As I approached the house, I noticed two tapestries outside the front door, and judging by their lack of curved lines, I assumed correctly that they were Navajo-made. I found it quite synchronous that I just recently learned about these from Dr. Gary Ross through his collection of Zapotec and Navajo tapestries. Taking this as a confirming omen to my excursion abiding self, I entered the house with eyes of a hawk in search for what I was drawn there to find. Throughout my search I found many small items…a glass magnolia flower here…a flower holder there…all things I enjoyed and decided to purchase, but not the thing of which I wondered was inside.

I exited the house through the back to search through the garage, and sure enough, my eye caught it…a leather luggage set from decades before, sitting out waiting to be inspected. I walked over and opened up the carry-on size carry bag, noticing minimal scratches, scuffs, or scrapes. The larger full-size carry bag followed suit. My eyes must’ve shown what my soul was seeking, as the man working the garage sale walked over to me and shook my hand. He said he’d be willing to make a deal for this pair, and that $25 would do. Having no real quality luggage to my name up to this point in life, and understanding this man saw more value in my excitement of the pieces than in the worth of a few extra dollars, I accepted his offer with a smile, knowing that this set would last me many years. I rushed home as my 1 hour cushion dwindled and quickly switched my clothes from my old suitcase to my “new”, right as my lady pulled up to pick me up.

PART 2

While in Arkansas after her family event, we had a few spare hours to explore the city, and with this time, we decided what better day-activity to partake in than going to the local Botanical Garden. As we meandered around, scouting out insects and identifying local flowers, we were graced with the presence of many butterflies. We named the ones we knew, looked up the ones we didn’t, and enjoyed our time out in this controlled nature environment. (Aside: It happened that a wedding being hosted that day at the Gardens was for someone she knew from years ago…it was quite fun watching them catch up as he prepared for his big day!)

Returning back to the condo, we saw a nearby thrift store with rack of clothes outside indicating they were open. Right when we walked in, my eye was immediately drawn to a blue Butterfly belt buckle located in the far corner of the cashier’s display case. It was the first thing I saw in the store. I asked the worker the price, and after checking with the owner, he relayed it was $45. For someone who has never worn and might never wear a belt buckle, this price was a little too high to purchase, even for my butterfly loving self. I decided to pass semi-reluctantly and continued exploring the store. Even though we left the store soon after with a couple other smaller purchases…the Butterfly Buckle never left my mind. All through dinner that night and breakfast the next morning, the buckle remained in my gumbo-pot of thought, bubbling up to the surface as I repeatedly stirred it away.

Having happened to wear a belt to breakfast that morning, I decided over a flight of flap jacks, you know what, I’m going to go get the buckle, get out my comfort zone, and wear it. With my decision made and hunger relieved, we returned to the condo to pack our suitcases and hit the road. As I was packing, I looked down at my recently acquired leather carry bag, but this time with new eyes. The pieces of the perplexing puzzle began putting themselves in place, and with a whiff of wonder, I gasped as strings of synchronicity slipped its final knots in this story. The bag, which I bought on a whim just two days earlier, was built with a belt strap that overlaps the adjoining zipper, and this belt strap has 3 belt holes in it, the exact number needed for a belt buckle. The world spun around me as if time and space joined efforts to gift me this newly embellished piece of luggage, and I understood the happening for what is was.

Before we left, I rushed over to the thrift store once it opened at 12pm, and walked in holding my leather luggage bag and a copy of Dr. Ross’ new book, My Butterfly Muses. Being in a rush and thinking I brought in a bag of clothes to sell him, the owner quickly dismissed me and said I’d have to come by another day to sell. Understanding his reasonable misinterpretation of my intentions, I said I was here to purchase the belt buckle & entertained him with the story. He and his partner laughed and expressed their approval and excitement for my purchase, saying that the Butterfly Belt Buckle couldn't have found a better home…almost as if it was meant to be.

(Extra Details: I tried to trade him a hardcover copy of Dr. Ross’ book which is the same price of the buckle, but he was in a rush to set up a popup shop nearby and turned me down. Nevertheless, I find it important and exciting to make such offers, and if you find yourself in a situation where you can engage in a trade with someone, try it and see if it works! Often times this adds value to both items in the swap as valueless paper money is not present in the swap…instead the value of each item is recognized by both parties, and an agreement is made!)

This was quite the synchronous multi-state purchase story. If you have any similar stories, I would love to hear them - email me at [email protected]! Continue following life’s cues and being guided by the items around you…you never know where it may lead! All the best, SOLEAUX