Some days my walks are just that, walks. Other days they are filled with connections and happenstance. Today was just such a day and I’m all the richer for it, both literally and figuratively.
I started my walk by greeting and introducing myself to new neighbors, two lovely young women named Shauna and Danielle. Shauna recently bought a house on my street and Danielle purchased one a couple of blocks from me. I actually met Shauna for the first time a few weeks ago. An older gentleman, and by older I mean my age, was working near the sidewalk in the yard of a house that had recently sold. I stopped and asked him if he was the new owner. He told me that he wasn’t but that his daughter was. About that time Shauna walked up and we had a delightful exchange. She told me that she was enjoying living here and that just the other day a gentleman had stopped and sung to her while standing in her driveway. I told her as long as he was wearing clothes she had no need to be concerned.
In something of a Ground Hog Day moment, this morning I came upon an older gentleman who was working in the yard of a house that had recently sold and I asked him if he was the new owner. He told me that he wasn’t but that his daughter was at which point Danielle appeared. She had moved from a nearby condo and was somewhat familiar with the neighborhood eccentricities though she didn’t mention if the driveway crooner had stopped by yet.
I remember what it was like moving into an older established neighborhood and being a newcomer. I’ve told this story many times and I never tire of it: Shortly after I moved in two of my then new neighbors came over and introduced themselves to me one evening as I walked out to the curb to retrieve the mail. Gene said he had been in his home since 1963 and Charlie told me that he and his wife had lived in their home since 1961. Gene then informed me that the next day was trash and recycling day. He said that he goes around to the nearby houses after the trucks have come through and moves everyone’s carts out of the street and next to their garage so for me not to worry about retrieving them myself. I have never forgotten that feeling of being welcomed and have endeavored to pass it on to others when they move here though I don’t offer to haul in their trash and recycling bins. Gene still has that covered.
It was also heartening to see these fathers helping their daughters with their new homes. My father passed away before I bought my first house, but my mother was there to help me get my yard whipped into shape and whip it she did. Julia was a contradiction in a lot of ways and could wield a sharp shooter shovel like a pro while wearing a skirt and blouse. I hope both Shauna and Danielle enjoy their homes, and yards, for years to come even after their fathers are no longer there to help them.
My next encounter was a discussion of the current state of the neighborhood guinea fowl with Donna. She told me that at one time there were as many 20 guineas living in and about Dawson but now there are only two, both hens. They are always together and roam the neighborhood at will. I imagine them as an aging lesbian couple doddering about and seeking out yards with ample sources of food and an adjacent house where the residents are playing Wynona Judd with the windows open.
As I continued on my walk I was stopped by one of the many talented artists in the neighborhood, Lucy MacQueen and her partner, Craig. They were returning from a Sunday morning of playing pickleball at the nearby rec center. Pickleball has just recently come onto my radar. Craig described it as “tennis for old people.” Color me intrigued. More research is needed as to the required outfit/attire, but I may be on board.
I eventually made it over to St. Edwards. You may recall I wrote about my encounter with “Question Rock” on the SEU campus a few weeks ago.
Imagine my surprise when I walked past Question Rock’s usual location and it wasn’t there. Or so I thought. Even in its imagined absence I had questions namely, what had become of Question Rock? I walked another 20 feet or so and then for some reason, turned around. I walked back to where Question Rock had been and picked up a rock that looked similar, flipped it over, and lo and behold, it was the same rock. Someone had turned Question Rock face down! Obviously Question Rock had asked the wrong person the wrong question. I for one was not going to allow it to be silenced. I left Question Rock facing up and hope it later asked Lisa about her poor judgment regarding that hookup on Rainey Street last Thursday.
But the highlight of my walk came when I was walking down a nearby street and encountered TWO one dollar bills in the middle of the street. I would say that I’ve bent over for less than $2 before but that wouldn’t sound quite right. I will say that $2 well exceeds my threshold for picking up loose money and so I snapped it right up. Even before I could get home with it I began thinking about what I could purchase with my windfall. If I had a smart speaker I could ask, “Alexa, what can I get for two dollars?” If her response was, “Well, hello sailor!” I would totally embrace the technology. As it is, I fired up the Google and asked the same question with some amusing results. So if you’re looking for a way to waste a little time and a little money this Labor Day weekend here is a list of random things you can buy for $2 on Amazon. And of course Alexa will be happy to assist you with your purchase.
I'm Just Being Frank 
You ARE a rich man. Your neighbors are even richer.
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