Lucy feeds the birds...
After the wig-caper at Winfrey Point, I decided not to take any chances as we approached the lake and put a scarf on her head.
I sure didn't want her wig floating "out to sea"!
We no sooner arrived at Sunset Bay and the birds started squawking.
There were ducks, coots, geese and further off were pelicans.
Lucy had never seen anything like this before, so I placed her on a fallen limb of a tree and gave her a stale hotdog roll to hold.
She was a bit frightened at first but held very still not to scare the birds away.
Interestingly enough, the birds seemed a bit afraid of Lucy, being hesitant to take the bread from her hand
yet they would readily come to me, the crazy woman, to take bread from my hand.
Go figure!
Lucy visits with Santa Claus...
Lucy does not really understand this Santa Claus thing but I thought it might be fun to take her anyway.
We needed to find a place close to home and hopefully where there would not be a long wait.
So... mid-week we headed across the lake to Bass Pro Shop as Santa would be there to greet visitors at 3PM.
This sounded like a plan.
We barely got in the door and the greeter was taken aback to see Lucy coming in her cart.
He was so helpful as I wheeled her into the store and of course a conversation ensued and more laughter.
Yes... he understood perfectly the need to have laughter in retirement and I'm sure he thought we were a bit of an odd couple but he took it in stride
and welcomed us to the store and gave us directions to Santa.
Just take the elevator downstairs. It was Lucy's first elevator ride!
We proceeded to get in the line with all the kiddies... mostly babies and toddlers.
Yes, we got some strange looks and a couple people came over to talk.
Pretty soon this older fella came up to me, eyeing Lucy. His question... "Does she date?"
I thought perhaps I mis-heard what he had said and he repeated it.
I paused a second and then asked him point blank... "Why? Do you want a date with Lucy?"
And with that he gave me a big smile and walked away laughing!
Now I was a little concerned that Lucy might be frightened of Santa as she has never seen him before with his long white beard and his red suit but he was gentle with her and allowed her to sit on his lap.
Not sure what she might have asked Santa for as she speaks so softly but I do know she has been lonesome
and would probably like a male companion but I don't think that is in Santa's bag of tricks!
All in all it was a delightful visit and we thank everyone for their warm welcome!
Have no fear...
As we rounded the corner at Bass Pro Shops, this big bear was looming overhead.
A bit startling to say the least, but Lucy didn't seem a bit bothered and even agreed to pose with him for a photo!
A message from Lucy...
Want to shoot defenseless animals? Get a camera!
Another good day out and about...
Lucy had a grand time visiting with Santa and thanks everyone at Bass Pro Shops for their warm welcome!
Lucy Does Rowlett
Main Street was the scene for some festivities in celebration of the new Dart commuter railway that now connects us to Dallas and Lucy was not about to miss it.
I parked at the local school and pushed Lucy in the cart up to Main Street, nearly tipping her out of the cart a couple times due to uneven sidewalks.
Poor Lucy... she was holding on for dear life.
There was some music, local businesses with tents promoting their business, food concessions, and fireworks once it was dark but the big draw was their "Touch a Truck" event.
The little kids go wild for this and Lucy was a bit excited too.
One street over from Main they had police cars, heavy equipment, ambulances, etc. that kids could touch, sit in and explore.
And as you might have guessed... Lucy is a child at heart!
Once again much laughter from those she meets and more chatter about who Lucy is and why she is there.
Just a friend... out for some fun!
And of course there comes the inevitable question here in Texas... so, "What church does Lucy go to?"
So now we have Lucy, the heretic, exploring "Touch a Truck".
City Manager welcomes Lucy!
OK... so I'm not quite sure that the City Manager could quite figure out why this crazy woman was bringing a mannequin to the celebration, but regardless... she graciously welcomed Lucy!
Lucy... drive a bulldozer?
As we approached a bulldozer, there were a couple fellas manning the dozer who started laughing at Lucy in her cart.
And then came the offer... "Would you mind if we put Lucy up in the driver's seat?"
For real? You would do this? They were excited and ready to go!
I'm not too sure of what Lucy was thinking at this point as the scariest thing that she has ever endured was the ride on her cart from the school to Main Street but she was game.
The two fellas took great care that she would not fall and perched her in the driver's seat while the onlookers were laughing their butts off!
"I got you Sweetheart!"
Dart commuter railway has come to Rowlett and in celebration there were festivities on Main Street, including "Touch a Truck" which is wildly popular with the kids.
They get to check out and sit in all kinds of vehicles... police cars, ambulances, bulldozers, etc.
And Lucy had a grand time too.
This fella lifted her into this rig ever so gently.
And what I found to be not only amusing but sensitive was the fact that he talked to her the whole time as he was doing it and kept calling her "Sweetheart".
I do think Lucy liked that and he even gave pause so she could see herself in the sideview mirror.
What a guy!
Lucy sure brings out the best in people!
You're in good hands in Rowlett!
These fellas took such good care of Lucy and she loved having her photo taken with them!
Watch out! Here comes Lucy!
The onlookers were loving it and I think Lucy felt quite important sitting up there in the bulldozer!