I observe a plant and see if there are any ants going up and down the stems. If I see them going up and down in Indian file, I watch to see where they go and what part they are eating. I proceed to do the edibility test on that specific part of the plant. However, I will not test any plant that is being eaten by poisonous insects such as: fire ants, horse flies. wasps, etc., since I have no way of knowing if they are replenishing their own poisonous supplies.
i found that I could eat the flower of the Shepard�s Purse which is not only favored by ants but by butterflies, beetles and bees as well. I also found a variety of grass seeds which I add to my cereal in the morning and which are favored by birds and ants. I can vouch that these seeds are great for regulating your bowel movements. Grass seeds must also be subjected to the edibility test before being consumed. On the island at Alva, I discovered a tree that yields a round, yellow fruit of about an inch in diameter. I still don�t know it�s name but it was tasty. The young shoots of the cattails are not something I would eat again, unless it becomes absolutely necessary. Maybe next time I should boil them or roast them first to see if that improves the taste.
Jan and John had said that they would come to the island and visit again before I left. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Right before my departure Jen and her boyfriend came over and told me that Jan had not been able to come back because her other daughter and her sister-in-law had been seriously injured in a car accident. One of the front tires blew out. Jan and John were in the hospital with them. I was distressed. I asked Jen if there was anything I could help with and she said no.
In the midst of their own tragedy, they had made time to come and let me know why they had not returned.
On our last evening, I witnessed one of the most beautiful and spectacular sunsets I have ever had the fortune of experiencing in my life. While mirroring itself upon the tranquil water, the entire sky turned turquoise and veiled itself with streams of true copper, silver and gold. I leaned against a tree, mesmerized, while I watched the spectacle of colors changing forms.
1. For cereal in the morning
2. For calming the urge for sweets throughout the day.
Don�t believe it when some people say that alligators don�t attack people. It is not true. Just because alligator attacks on humans are rare, it does not mean that they have not occurred.
It is well known among Florida residents that alligators pose a definitely threat to pets. They love to eat dogs!!
By the time we were packed and ready to go, the gator was out of sight.
