Our Neighborhood

There are some great people I see frequently in our neighborhood. Although I don't know them except to say hello, they are the fabric of what makes the neighborhood quilt.
First is our building manager, Ann. She is a delightful person, just about our age. She has had rough times in her life but always has a bright outlook and smile on her face. She is a very helpful person and it's because of her diligence that we feel safe in our building.

There is a man we refer to as the "little general". He has a very boastful or cocky stride to his walk. He carries his cigarette pinched between his thumb and index finger holding only the lower part of the cigarette. He twists his wrist around to where the palm is pointing toward his face. His other fingers are open like a fan. It's hard to describe but odd to see. He looks like he could have been a Vietnamese general during the war and is inspecting the troops.

A little old lady walks through our neighborhood on a regular basis. Wayne has offered her a free ride in his cab but she always insists on walking. She walks with a walker and always wears the same old beat up hat, the faded pink/beige coat and shoes that are very old and worn. She is bent over and it's an effort for her to look up to speak. She has a very pleasant voice and once told me on a gloomy overcast day, "isn't the weather nice today". She seems to be a very positive person.

Then there are the coffee shop guys. Every day there are two guys who work for a tile contractor who sit in front of the coffee shop across the street. Nothing much to say about them except that the older one has a great voice, very deep and clear. There is a third guy who is often there too. He doesn't work at the same place, but has some strange traits. He smokes, or almost smokes cigarettes. He holds the cigarette and rocks back and forth, sipping on it like you would sip a hot cup of coffee. I don't like to stare so I'm not sure, but I don't think the cigarette ever actually gets to his lips. Not sure if it's a nervouc tic or what, but he smiles and says good morning and seems like a very nice guy. His clothes are a bit worn and he always wears the same jacket, but I don't think he's homeless.

I will post again with other "pieces of our neighborhood quilt".