The Blanchard Block...

Well today is the type of day that reminds me why I love living in the Northwest...the sun is out, there is blue sky and the leaves are changing...it is BEAUTIFUL here!!  To take advantage of this rare November day, I chose to walk home.  Do not fear, there are still enough interesting people that I can encounter on my walks:)

I will have to say that the majority of the interesting people that I encounter are on the Blanchard block.  I am not sure what is around this block, but there is a very large overhang so I think that it is just an appealing place to hang out.  I have walked this block many times and there are definitely some 'regulars'.  Now, these are not the type of folks that I would stop and chat with and see if they want to get happy hour...they have their happy hour with them in a paper bag.  So as I do not know their formal names, I have proceeded to give them nicknames.  I will be introducing the Blanchard Block residents in this from time to time.

The first BB resident to discuss is my favorite- Shuffley-Joe (btw, if you can name the Friends episode from which I adapted that nickname, BONUS POINTS).  I actually havent seen him in quite a while and I get worried when I dont see him.  He is the sweetest looking man and gets his nickname from the fact that he literally shuffles down the street with a huge smile on his face and claps his hands in perfect rhythm.  Fingers crossed that I see him the next few days.

So enough of the sappy stuff.  I did see one of the the classic Seattle residents on my walk home.  Let me paint the picture for you:

I turn a corner and see a person (not sure from my angle if man or woman) bent over a bag.  I think nothing of it till I look closer and see that he/she is wearing pajama pants with candy corns, pumpkins, and ghosts on them with an orange and black do-rag.  He/she clearly did not get the memo that Halloween ended a few days ago.  He/she has their arms in the bag up to their elbows and proceeds to squat down and let out what I can only describe as a howl...stood up, squatted again and let out a giggle...stood up, squatted down and let out a shriek....the entire time keeping their arms in their bag.  Were they exercising?  Were they performing an exorcism?  Or is that how they communicate with those in their dome?  The world may never know...

One of these days, my curiosity is going to get the better of me and I am going to stop and ask what they are doing.  I will only do that when there are people around and its light outside, dont worry.