5-19-2003

2003-05-19 - 9:40 a.m.

NEIGHBORS:

I'm remembering old Mike the eccentric bicycle riding olive tree burying man who lived in the brick bungalow to my right.

1) He used to erect a cross in his front yard each year around voting time sybolizing the men who gave their lives for the right.

2) He told me that he had a special formula in a bottle which, when sprayed on brakes, makes them last longer.

3) He also had a spray bottle full of mineral water and vitamins that he spritzed on his face when outside and exposed to the sun.

4) He would bury his olive tree in the fall and resurrect it in the spring.

5) He was always kind and patient with my children, and ate worms, explaining they were full of good things for the body.

6) He rode a tandem bike by himself. His wife had passed before we became neighbors and the second seat was hers.

7) Mike called the cops on us for loud music; before introducing himself or asking us to turn it down.

8) He always had a hop in his step and cut his lawn with a manual mower.

9) He sprinkled cayenne pepper on his daily ice cream at McDonalds.

10) In short, Mike was kind and gentle and smart.

He had to move to a nursing home when he had a stroke. His grandson moved in and has much of the same characteristics, less the eccentricity. I miss Mike and I'm sure he misses his tandem bike rides in the mineral mist to his peppered sundae.