This neighborhood makes an early start.
First, the buses (the 21A starts at 4:14 a.m.), then the newspaper deliveries, then my counterparts and their humans, then - around 6 a.m. - The Whistler.
A few times each month, The Whistler stands at the bus stop across from our house, under an old lamppost. In the early morning light, his graceful movements (Tai Chi, I think) capture me as I watch from our upstairs window. Next comes the music.The Whistler's songs float through our window, sometimes waking my humans before the alarm clock (awful sounding thing). My personal favorite is "Beautiful Dreamer," but he has a few other selections as well.
I don't know much about The Whistler. I know that he is tall, rides the bus, wears a small, multicolored fez. I also know that he has the power to set the tone (no pun intended) of my humans' day.
I love whistling, but not everyone does. As it turns out, there are superstitions around whistling:
- Whistling in theater is considered unlucky. Before electronic communication, sailors worked as stage hands to manage the rope systems used for on stage flight. Coded whistles were used to call cues. Whistling on stage could cause an early cue and bring bad luck in the performance.
- In Russia and other Slavic cultures, whistling indoors is said to bring poverty ("whistling money away"). It is OK to whistle indoors.
- In Serbia, whistling indoors is thought to bring mice. (Like the Pied Piper, I suppose.)
Get over it.
In my neighborhood, whistling signifies the start of a day. It shows that one person can make a difference. It costs nothing and doesn't take a lot of training--although I suspect The Whistler spends plenty of time practicing. Of course, there are ways to turn this into a really big deal. You can join the "International Artwhistling Philharmonic Society" (yes, this exists), attend the "International Whistlers Forum" (2009, North Carolina), or even participate in "Orawhistle" - an online whistlers forum.
That seems like a lot of work. My advice to you is this:
Whistle. Whistle at your bus stop. Whistle while you work (if it's good enough for seven dwarfs it's good enough for you). Or, better yet, if whistling doesn't toot your horn, do something else for your neighborhood. Plant a flower. Pick up trash. Get to know your neighbors.
Think globally, whistle locally.
If you find yourself on Selby Avenue some morning, just east of Dale Street, be quiet. Listen for The Whistler. Let him be a lesson to all of us.
Until next time, I'm Selby and I'll be Beautiful Dreaming on the avenue.
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1 comment:
Dear Selby -
Wow - if they come up with new tv show called "America's Dogs Have Real Talent" - you would be a shoe in! Great skills boy, great skills!
I too happen to know "The Whistler". I've lived on Selby for 17 years and have had the joy of waking up to the soft sounds of "The Whistler" for years.
Since I was always sleeping (and too lazy to get out of bed to see the source of such sweet music), I had no idea who the whistler was.
That is, until one day when I was out doing yard work and a tall graceful man walked by. He had an amazing regal presence. As he walked by, I stopped working and just watched him. He wasn't whistling, but I had the distinct feeling that this was him!
He passed by and was about twenty feet away when I mustered up the guts to say "Excuse me, are YOU the whistler?"
From that day on Alfonse (aka "The Whistler") and I have struck up a sweet neighborly friendship. As the years go by he has incorporated one of my personal favorite's, "Summer Time" from Porgy & Bess into his repetoire
For those not lucky enough to wake to his music, I believe you can also find him whistling and singing and playing music at the Minneapolis Farmers Market.
He is a true neighborhood treasure, and so are you.
See you around the neighborhood,
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