"Pop Off Bench"
There is a white very ornate metal bench on the lawn of our courthouse. In the winter it looks cold and desolate..The rest of the year it is a busy place and you will usually see two to four of our mature, retired gentlemen sitting there and visiting with one another, or just enjoying the sunshine dozing or watching the coming and going of busy people who don't have the time for a smile or friendly word..
Sometimes people make jokes about the "ole geezers" and their idleness and have nicknamed the place they meet every day to trade stories of their past, or just to watch the busy world, as the "Pop off bench"..
Years ago, when I was very young with four rowdy children, who were trying my patience as I had just left a busy appointment in the courthouse, my only boy was distracted by a gentleman who sat there whittling and talking to his friend..The old gentleman held out a carved animal to my son and said "Here sonny, I made this for you"..My son and his three sisters were immediately quiet and he looked at me and moved down and asked me to sit a spell.
He told me how important it was sometimes to give myself "time out" to just sit and watch and seperate myself from the "business" around me, and feel my spirit refreshing itself..
After that day, when my children were calmed by an old gentleman " whittler" and his quiet easy voice, I took time now and then to stop by and share a word or two with the gentlemen on the "pop off bench".
I was always in awe of their wisdom, their carreers they had retired from, and their outlook on life.
Over the years I have stopped now and then and chatted with newcomers to the pop off bench, and said goodbye to the ones who would no longer come by...I have met gentlemen from all walks of life from military carreer to lawyers to coal miners and farmers. All who have contributed and sacrificed in past years to earn their place on the "pop off bench", and to earn our respect and friendliness
Sometimes people make jokes about the "ole geezers" and their idleness and have nicknamed the place they meet every day to trade stories of their past, or just to watch the busy world, as the "Pop off bench"..
Years ago, when I was very young with four rowdy children, who were trying my patience as I had just left a busy appointment in the courthouse, my only boy was distracted by a gentleman who sat there whittling and talking to his friend..The old gentleman held out a carved animal to my son and said "Here sonny, I made this for you"..My son and his three sisters were immediately quiet and he looked at me and moved down and asked me to sit a spell.
He told me how important it was sometimes to give myself "time out" to just sit and watch and seperate myself from the "business" around me, and feel my spirit refreshing itself..
After that day, when my children were calmed by an old gentleman " whittler" and his quiet easy voice, I took time now and then to stop by and share a word or two with the gentlemen on the "pop off bench".
I was always in awe of their wisdom, their carreers they had retired from, and their outlook on life.
Over the years I have stopped now and then and chatted with newcomers to the pop off bench, and said goodbye to the ones who would no longer come by...I have met gentlemen from all walks of life from military carreer to lawyers to coal miners and farmers. All who have contributed and sacrificed in past years to earn their place on the "pop off bench", and to earn our respect and friendliness
Total Comments 9
Comments
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What a wonderful story. There are kernels of wisdom in what you've shared. Thank you.Posted 06-16-2008 at 09:30 PM by mams1559
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Good writing, blue!Posted 06-17-2008 at 12:15 PM by kaykay
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ah my dear friend, your heart is so huge and so giving. Tears for those dear 'old timers' filled my eyes as I read the snippet you shared with us. Bless you my friend, for 'borrowing from junie here' for being such a gentle soul. aiangelPosted 06-17-2008 at 10:24 PM by aiangel_writer
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that makes me wanna be able to sit on the frontporch and whittle with my grandad again!! Great Blog Blue!Posted 06-18-2008 at 03:38 PM by arguy1973
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That story is great! Full of wisdom and nostalgia!Posted 06-29-2008 at 08:31 PM by poconoproud
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awesome storie blue62 ....i love stories like that reminds me of my dad ...when my dad was alive he'd sit out side on his old chair and smoke cig's ..he'd wave at ever one said hello to those who'd pass him bye ..always smiled and gave out candy to the young ones ..everybody loved my dad ....he was the old man that sat out side and wore a spurs cap lol..when he died i had no idea how many peoples lives he had touched ....so thanks for the wonderful storie blue ...hugs from texas .....Posted 06-30-2008 at 06:32 AM by brenda starz
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blue, I guess right about now that makes me one of them old geezers sittin on "pop off bench", guess now it's my turn...Posted 07-23-2008 at 08:18 PM by ptsum
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I so enjoy your stories and your perceptions of the people you encounter in your life. Thank You for sharing.Posted 01-22-2009 at 03:49 PM by elston
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My dad and his 2 brothers ran a general merchandise store in the 30's and 40's. That had a big wood stove in the center of the store. The men in the community gathered there during winter time to chat, play checkers, chew tobacco etc. your courthouse bench reminded me of them.Posted 04-13-2009 at 03:30 PM by ecallaw
