Future Character
My dad was a certified Eccentric Character. A title he wore proudly. When I think of him, a little slideshow of images flash through my mind.
A young version of Dad walking into my first job. He wore a pair of Buddy Holly type glasses but the thick black side pieces were on the outside of his ears, because “they hurt my head.” He just smiled and waved at me as I tried to hide.
An older, much fatter, version of Dad. My husband and I were sitting in the living room watching TV. Dad walked out of his bedroom wearing only a t-shirt and briefs, but held a tiny hand towel in front of his chest for modesty. He smiled and waved.
These antics of his used to embarrass me to no end. But, I’ve begun to notice, I’m not that unlike him after all.
Current Character
Here I am in New York, staying at my brother’s apartment. He was out of town and kindly allowed me to use his place as a writing retreat. He lives in a beautiful loft with 8 foot windows. It was late and I was cold, because the window in front of me wouldn’t quite close all the way. In the outfit you see before you, I climbed up on the windowsill, and like a flannel-clad Spiderwoman, edged my way from one end of the wall of windows, to the other. Plastered against the glass, struggling to get the window to close, I looked up to see the people in the apartment building across the street watching me. I smiled and waved.
Earlier this week I stepped out my car at the gym and realized I’d forgotten to change my shoes. I still had on my fuzzy bedroom slippers. I thought about going back home to change but then said, “Oh well.” I rode the stationery bike which faces the running track. Each time someone rounded the corner they stumbled a bit as they stared at me. I smiled and waved.
Yes, Family, it’s true. I have stepped onto the slippery slope of Eccentric Characterdom. Be afraid, be very afraid.
CRAZIE TOWN 
Where I live it would be weird to run to town and not see at least 3 people in their pj’s. Ha.
Dear Sara no “H”,
I once saw a woman at a restaurant with curlers in her hair. I wondered what event she was going to that she was “saving” her hairdo for, but then I live vicariously through other people all the time.
I gave up and did what? Called one of my brother’s back in Kansas to whine. He suggested I go next door and ask a neighbor to help. “Are you crazy?” I asked. “It’s New YORK! The neighbor’s likely to cut me up and store me in his freezer.” He pointed out that it was more likely for that to happen in Kansas.
Soooo, did you ever get the window closed?
I knew when I saw your Facebook post there was a blog story coming out! We’ve all had those moments of eccentricity.
Dear Theresa,
Each week I hope against hope that one of my family members will do something crazier than I have. No luck this week.
one of the many benefits of reaching a certain age! I figure it only gets more fun from here on out.
Dear Serene Life,
More fun? Okay, I’ll go with that.
Th-e Wolf Lady says, I don’t think you’re eccentric at all – for what that’s worth.
Dear KL,
Coming from a woman who wears a wolf head as a hat, I’ll take that as a compliment.
The peel doesn’t fall far from the apple. — Hamlet Monk
Dear Mr. Monk,
And to you I’d say, the peel doesn’t fall far from the banana.
You sound like my wife.
Dear Ugly Moose,
You must have an interesting life then.