I feel a novella coming on. Lulu and I did our morning walk. Could not ask for better weather. We took the long way even going topside (to street level) to see the front of the Esquire this time. We also heard the bells at St. Mary’s, another treat. Overall what an eventful day and it’s still early.
On our way, as we walked past McCullough where it hits the river, we saw two homeless gentlemen. One had his life with him, back pack, bed roll, Bible. He was meditating. He knows us and we say hi, politely head nod and pass on our way. The other man was new to us. In camo jumpsuit, no shoes on his feet. Sitting on the bottom step, head down, combing his hair over his face and fidgety.
An hour or so later, on our way back, as we got close to McCullough again we saw people walking quickly, hurrying past the opposite direction from where we heard the splash. Surely it was the goose but too loud for that. We walked closer to the sound, to see the man in camo had jumped right into the river and was splashing about.
As he got out of the water, we asked if he needed help, he didn’t reply walking past us straight up the stairs. Our bible regular said he had been asking several people to call the police but no one stopped except Lulu and me. He told us what happened in the time since we’d first passed by.
Here’s where my riverwalk work experience came in handy. I still have SA Bike Patrol on speed dial. I called and they answered immediately. They said do not approach him and they’d send the nearest bike patrol out but based on description alone they know him as one of their regular “crazies”
Hmm. We’re all a little crazy. Or maybe this … who gets to define crazy? A guy needed help, obviously.
We didn’t stay around, continuing our walk back to the Pearl. Outside the restrooms we actually saw two bike officers. Lulu approached and asked them if they had been called yet, told them what was happening. These two knew who we were talking about too and left in that direction to check it out.
Of course we don’t know what happened. There is always more to the story. As we told B and Pony, they both thought he might do that regularly for the 3 day stay. A place to clean up and have peace even if just for a while until he has to brace another day.
All this juxtaposed against the cuteness of the momma goose and her babies. The conversation with the Centro man who told us about all the geese and other animals including a feral cat colony. Lulu getting to see the front of the Esquire sign. Hearing the bells at St. Mary’s. All I know for sure is that we are very, very lucky. There but for the grace of god, go I.
As always, more to come.
I do not have space on WordPress to share the goose video. But it is very cute. I hope this picture will load.
J-Dub's Grin and Bear It 