Positive Energy and A Dog Whore

January 14, 2017

    

Sometimes, you meet someone and you just know.  They're cool, they're different, they're special.  I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to connect with these unique folk and, when Zuma and I were sitting on a park bench in the Plaza in the heart of Santa Fe today, we met this wonderful man.  And I just knew.

It wasn't the fact that his long white beard and tall cowboy boots immediately caught my eye, no, it was ENERGY.  And it was serious good energy.

He strolled slowly into The Plaza, (a large green space at the center of the city) and slowly and gently sat down on a nearby bench after he laid down his native blanket and softly felt into a small leather pouch he was holding. As if about to perform a magic trick (which he serenely accomplished), he then pulled out some hunks of bread and began to calmly crumble it on the grass behind the bench. Suddenly, it was like the dinner bell had been sounded, flocks of pigeons swarmed in to enjoy the crumbs he was offering.  One thought came to mind: he reminded me of St. Francis of Assisi, lover and carer of all animals. My favorite saint since childhood.  It was as if the pigeons were waiting for him.  

When Doug and I go on a trip/holiday, we always marvel that "There's nobody around, we have this whole incredible place to ourselves".  This was one of those moments.  To add to the amazingness (!) of the whole situation, I was on my way to visit St. Francis of Assisi Church just a couple of blocks over his shoulder.

All around the city of Santa Fe, Saint Francis is honored:

I know, I know, where are his arms? 
I had to walk behind him to make sure 
there wasn't some manufacuring defect. 

Searching for that last piece of bread perhaps?? 

I dunno. 
He was a humble kina guy.

Anyway, where was I going with this?  Oh yeh, The Dude on The Plaza.  Okay, so, I was about to implode right there in the middle of the Plaza from nosiness curiosity and make some huge scene, but instead I plucked up some celestial form of courage and leaped waaaay out of my comfort zone, walked by him and asked in my fabulously famous 'pick-up line style':  "Do you come here to feed the birds often?"  Oh Yeh, it was an Oscar-winning scene.  Meryl, you would have died.  

Zuma zoned in on his sweet demeanor and he was all St. Francis-like, just as I had imagined him to be. He and Zuma had a big cuddle and he told me he comes here for a day once every week or two and feeds the birds.  I said, "It's as if they were waiting for you".  And he smiled.  I'm not 100% sure who enjoys his visit the most, him, or the birds.  I just know it was a highlight of our day to meet him.  He is a real life version of St. Francis. 

It was not difficult to fall into his kind, swimming pool blue eyes; this is a nice man, a special person.  We chatted about animals, birds and dogs while Zuma attempted to wrap herself around him like some kind of Scooby Doo dog-whore.  I was blushing and feeling rather embarrassed that she was getting all 'Dane-Pretzel' but he didn't mind in the least, he enjoyed her over-the-top friendliness.  Always, she KNOWS.  He told me he has cattle, dogs, horses, etc.  He loves animals.  He's the good-energy St. Francis and I had the honor and privilege of spending some time with him. He asked me my name, through smiling, softly wrinkled eyes. I asked his name and he said "John. John wfrmjhne...".  I didn't quite catch it.  I was still doing back laps in his amazingly kind eyes. As we shook hands, I explained, "Sorry, I didn't catch your last name" and he said .... drum roll .... "John Wayne".  

No shit, People.  

Does this interesting life get any better?!

................  

*By the way, I've never used that or any other pick-up line.  I'm  an antisocial freak naturally shy so I would never normally do that.

But I'm getting into being all sociable these days.  Good Energy is Good Energy.  So don't let that moment pass you by.  Go for it.*

  

#goodenergysantafe,, #santafetheplaza, #johnwaynelamynm