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BE PART OF THE LEGACY

TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

Purple Haze

You’ll Know If You Had Been There  \/

{ PLEASE READ TWICE }

Too much too soon,

Too little too late,

A mindful experience where wonders wait.

Who were you,

And; how did you,

Find your way through the foreign gates,

Was it fate,

Could it have been a place you had to wait?

Was it a place given,

A place set in time,

Were you always here and meant to be mine?

Did you dance in nights moonlight lime,

Or to the rising suns flames,

What brought you to this mother earth,

Fortune or fame?

Or simply another, nights northern stargaze,

 Did you dance on 25,

Or was it an orange sunshine split eight ways?

Was your journey long or just a song in softening days long past,

A time now lost to fables and poems, winters frost,

Sea salted glass;

Or gazed within the purple haze?

Can you recall or is it all gone,

Did you lose the simplest of songs,

Or do you remember those olden days,

When we as children used to play?

Johnny Johnston
Johnny Johnstonhttp://www.blufengr-art.com/
An artist/writer as well as graduate of the University of South Carolina with degrees in journalism/20th Century American Literature, and retired senior executive of several international hotel/resort corporations, Johnny is the product of the south having been raised in the ever-changing transient lifestyle of a Carolina coastal resort. A point where he discovered, within his 300-year-old heritage and the world's dramatic social/cultural shifts during the late '60s to early 80’s an ambitious hunger and overwhelming curiosity to touch, see and become a participant in the virtually unlimited possibilities offered to those who wish for and seek life experiences. A journey which when hearing its details initially makes one a bit skeptical, questioning its validity as it is hard to imagine that incidents such as these may have crossed one man’s lifetime. This is the fodder required to step into zones exposing one's personal inner self, which many of his paintings and the words he writes do, openly. An ability to see and hear the tragic, beautiful, accomplished, exciting journey in a life free of inhibitions allowing others the opportunity to live vicariously and become, through his works, a part of its future. His larger works which have been featured in several Colorado and Fredericksburg Texas galleries and resorts have produced a number of collectors and fans. However, over the years, his paintings are mostly viewed by friends, enthusiastic new artist encountered on the streets or a small number of acquaintances he meets when dining in local cafés with his wife.

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


9 CONVERSATIONS

  1. I see in this beautiful poem a well conceived bridge, one that takes the reader from the cherished memories of childhood to the future of hope, promise, abundance, and of course, calm. For me, the clue lies in “What brought you to this mother earth, Fortune or fame?” It hides within the very core of life, i.e. expectations. Once we stop expecting, from myriads of possibilities in life, we cease to exist.

    Thanks a Million, Johnny, for giving me the opportunity to take a breather, a relaxing one at that, so I could get back into my demanding Monday morning schedule!

    Warm Regards

  2. Johnny – As aways, you take us on a journey where adventure was found in living – we laughed at danger – we knew no fear – time seemed endless. Oh, how my heart longs for those times. Today, in my maturity, I appreciate how the past shaped me and made me the man I am today – and I have no regrets. But late at night, when I cannot sleep, my mind takes me back to the days when a 25-year old was invincible and the days ahead were filled with hope and wonder. Thanks for this wonderful poem, my friend.

  3. This is great. I often feel growing old is becoming a child again. I do remember the cool waters of the creek, running the fields. I remember later the pure joy of playing music. I remember the darkness of being on the road with things that helped me exscape my pain. Now I remember but live more in the moment. Buddy and I sitting under the Oak waiting for and wanting nothing, just being. Your story set off a collage of memories and thoughts. Thank you my dear brother in Ink. Larry ( Copperhead)

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