The Man Downstairs

It is a Colorado bluebird Wednesday 

as I walk Zoe-dog back from my little community garden plot. 

Every day I hike two flights of stairs multiple times to my top floor condo, 

usually with a bit of struggle convincing my sweet 12.5 year old furry friend 

that her arthritic legs can make it up 40 steps. 

Also, each day I inevitably walk past my neighbor, John, 

a sweet retired Vietnam Vet with a very loud voice and television, 

who resides ground level.  John loves to sit on his front porch and soak up the rays. 

He always says hi to me, though rarely remembers my name. 

He always speaks to Zoe and asks how she is doing 

because he can relate to the tribulations of “getting old”. 

But today his “wisdom” made me chuckle inside.

John: “Hi Cary! How’s your photography business going?”

Me: “Mornin’ John! It’s going!”

John: “Cary; I’ve been thinking about this as I sleep in my chair in there.” (John never makes it to his bed… he sleeps in his living room on his Lazy Boy in front of the TV that’s turned up high enough for his hearing aid.)  “What you need to do is to keep an eye out for a good looking guy. Then when you see that guy, ask him if you can take his picture for free.”

Me (hmmm, am I transparent? ): “John are you trying to get me business or a date?!”

John (completely unaware I’d said anything): “Then you can get his name, number, address and say you’ll call him to set a time to photograph him and his wife/girlfriend. ? See what I’m getting at? Then you can find out if he has a wife or girlfriend. Then one thing leads to another… and maybe I’ll see you walking up these stairs with someone other than Zoe. Haahaa! ”

Me: “That’s good John! Thanks for the idea!”  (Me to myself; Lol… well… guess he doesn’t know I’m already wise to this thought, but I can’t get over how cute it is he cares that I’m a single gal up there! ; ))

I think I need to start a project on JOHN. Stay tuned.

Hopefully he won’t get the wrong idea… ; )

JOHN