Well, this lil corner of town is turnin out to be a real gem. Behind the doors of these quaint, older homes live some pretty interestin folks. And they are makin it their civic duty to come by and meet us. I can tell they're feelin us out, makin sure we're not gonna downgrade the block but I welcome that. I respect people who hold love and ownership of their dwelling space. And since I'm just a regular gal with genuine love for them, I welcome their visits.
Here's one guy I am just thrilled beyond measure to share space with.
This here is Cowboy Mike.
I seen him the other day rollin down the street and stopped to stare and wonder. You know I was happy as a lark when he rolled up to my yard yesterday :)
I asked him plain out "Why do you ride this bike around, Mike?" He has some pretty impaired speech, but if you'll just listen to folks with open ears and open heart you'd be surprised at how much you'll understand.
He told me he rides around to keep an eye on the neighborhood. Hence the Sheriff sign.
He also told me that if anyone falls off their bike and skins their knee he helps them out. He pulled a medicine dropper from his pocket and demonstrated how he does it. I put out my knee and he blew air on it from that medicine dropper. He kinda leaned in and told me quietly that it's not real. So I said "Oh, it's just more like a mental thing, right?" To which, he happily nodded. ;)
You know, coincidentally, when I was a little girl we had a "bicycle man" on our block, too. He was a much different breed. The kind my parents forbid us to go over to. No matter how tempting that perrenial jack-o-lantern bowl of candy he kept on him was. No, Mike is just a sweet soul with a childhood dream that never layed down to rest. I thank God for people like Mike. I wanna stay a person like Mike.
I saw him too. I am glad you got to meet him. I bet Ava is infatuated!
ReplyDeleteAva + Cowboy Mike = BFF
DeleteWhat a sweet story. I love that you actually get to know your neighbors...where I live, no one wants to be bothered to know each other, which makes me kind of sad. Cowboy Mike seems like an awesome dude!
ReplyDeleteAwww, I am sorry that your neighbors are so closed off. That seems to be the norm everywhere. Do you think they would respond to a block party or a potluck "gettin to know you" gathering? You could make some cool, kitschy fliers, I like the heading of your blog so I can see you've got some advertising talents ;) Make somethin fun and catchy, humor may make them let their guard down a bit. And if you do it outdoors where everyone can see, the ones who were too bashful or uncomfortable will see that it aint so bad. And then the next gathering will draw a few more :) Try it out while the weather's getting Springy. I sure hope that blocks gets a little tighter!
DeleteI live in a condo, and its a shame, no one barely makes eye contact with you when you are on the elevator. Once in a great while you will get someone murmur "have a nice day" in a voice that is barely audible, as the exit the elevator. Planning a big move down south, hopefully later this year, where folks seem much friendlier.
DeleteWhereabouts will you be movin? What a cool adventure! Get ready for a slower vibe (mostly due to the humidity, I suppose) We're too hot to be frenzied ;)
DeleteOh wow! I get a little weepy eyed because I love Cowboy Mike so much! You are lucky to have him on your block - and he's lucky to have you too. What else makes me weepy eyed? The idea of my blog disappearing and depending on the mystical "did I really just contact someone or did the email go into the ether?" way of contacting them. I'm glad it's back!
ReplyDeleteHonest to goodness, while I was makin this post I was gettin emotional! Even had a tight throat like I was stavin off a good cry. I guess it's just the beauty of an adult who has retained a childlike dream. It is not somethin we hardly ever get to see. He has inspired me to delve back into one of my first loves, Puppet ministry. I am thinkin I'll start a neighborhood weekly Puppet show like I used to do in my apartments...and for real, I really didn't expect to see the ol' blog ever again. I am glad the guys behind the curtain put their uncalloused little fingertips to the keys on this one ;)
DeleteOh wow, please do the puppet shows! That would be SO cool!
DeleteIf that aint confirmation, I don't know what is ;) .... workin on it!
Deleteit's so nice that he came and talked to you and let you take his picture! i can't imagine even talking to lots of the people who walk by my house. this makes me want to move a little out of the city. if only i could take my little house with me!
ReplyDeleteI bet there's a lot of "Mikes" around Nashville! ;) Around here, it's super neighborly, it's like a time warp. Katy, TX has some of the top rated schools in the nation and they're well known for Highschool football. We just won the State Championships again a few weeks back. I wanted to post about it but time got away from me. It's totally a real life Friday Night Lights out here (great movie, super realistic)
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