Here's a snowbird headed to The Villages

[Talk Host]

This guy was standing along Route 27 just North of Belleview and I stopped to ask if I could take his picture. He asked me how far he was from the Villages. I told him it was about 7 miles. He said, "I'll be there tomorrow."

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/DSC_0104.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/DSC_0101.jpg

[golfnut]

If he was a true snowbird he would have been here already, must be a snowflake, or maybe just a flake.

[Laker14]

He's a lot closer to TV than I am, and a lot warmer, too.

[bogart]

I was wondering when my husband was going to arrive. He's got all my clothes with him and I certainly needed my winter jacket today.......brrrrrrr.

[Russ_Boston]

Grandpa - I knew you'd come back!!

[In awe of TV]

Is he single?


:0000000000luvmyhors

[faithfulfrank]

You guys are a hoot!!

Frank D.

[Laker14]

I was wondering when my husband was going to arrive. He's got all my clothes with him and I certainly needed my winter jacket today.......brrrrrrr.

That reminds me of a story: a few years back when my parents were living in Bonita Springs, in January, during one of those cold snaps that brought his thermometer all the way down to the mid 40's while in Elmira NY, where I live, it was 10 below zip, we had the following conversation.

"I had to wear a sweater on the golf course today" he complained.

"Dad", I replied,"I'm wearing sweaters to bed."

"Oh. Well. I guess I'm not getting any sympathy from you, then, am I?"

we changed the subject.

[wilt2448]

I was not scheduled to be there until March but decided to get an early start. Does anybody have a spare bedroom I can use until then? How do you like my bike?

[another Linda]

Is he single?


:0000000000luvmyhors
Ya gotta love this site!

[Belle]

Hey, he looks like my ex.

[KathieI]

LMAO!!! :1rotfl::1rotfl:
you guys are so funny!

[chelsea24]

Oh No! My husband's first wife found us! :eek:

[chelsea24]

Homeless people make me very sad. I hope each of us count our blessings and give to Comedy Relief or Habitat for Humanity. ;)

[KathieI]

You're right Chels, they are very sad. I'm sorry I laughed. Poor thing is pathetic..

[chuckinca]

Snowbirds leave most of their things up North, this guy has brought every last bit of stuff he owns - must be a new frog who had a REALLY BAD YEAR in the market.


.

[graciegirl]

I think if I had seen this fella I probably wouldn't have stopped and talked to him and I would probably have felt sad. I don't think I would have taken his picture.

That is me.

I love the quote that says. "Be Yourself. Everyone else is taken".

Bogard, that is your quote isn't it? I would love to meet you and take YOUR picture!;)

[wilt2448]

My post was thoughtless and in bad taste. I apologize to him and to everyone else for my post.

[graciegirl]

My post was thoughtless and in bad taste. I apologize to him and to everyone else for my post.

You are a kind, nice person, and so is everyone else who posted. It was a picture of someone we didn't know. It could have been an anonymous picture, but it wasn't exactly. I thought that people were pretty funny and I don't think anyone meant to be insensitive....but.

No matter what we say or do, someone might interpret it differently. Everyone has so many good qualities by the time they are "grown up", one of the best reasons to live in TV.

[Belle]

I remember a story we heard many years ago in training about a guy who sold pencils in Manhattan. My instructor greeted him everyday. One day my instructor was down in the dumps. The guy asked him if he was okay and then offered to lend him money. He took out a roll of bills.

My mother had a neighbor who had a very good job and had a hobby of going through people's garbage. His wife had nothing to do with his hobby. When he died, she took up the hobby.

There are many people who chose to live his way. Didn't you ever wish you could take off and leave everything behind. Well he fulfilled your dream.

[beady]

I wasn't going to reply to this post because I felt so very sorry for this man. Whether he is a millionaire, homeless or an eccentric, making fun of him is just wrong. Sorry Jan,I do not care if he granted permission to have his photo taken, I find it offensive to publish him for 6000+ folks to see and comment on. You are right Johnny"there but for the grace of God go I."

[Boomer]

Before we beat each other up this morning, let's step back a little.

When I saw the picture appear last night, I had to keep repeating to myself that Mark Twain quote, "It's easier to stay out than to get out." I kept my mouth shut. I did not comment.

But I saw this discussion coming.

And here it is.

What do I see in that picture?

I see a man who is most likely homeless, cast out by family and by society. I also wonder if that man has a mind that is more brilliant than we could imagine. I have known of those whose truly brilliant minds have also been cursed with mental illness. I think that happens more often than we realize. I have even asked a couple of doctors that I know if there is anything to my theory that an astounding percentage of those who wrestle mental illness are also quite brilliant.

But whether the man is brilliant or not makes no difference. That picture speaks volumes. And each of us brings a different read to that picture. And now I see that some are bringing a second read. And maybe even a third.

He may be an eccentric. He might be like the character Skink in those Carl Hiaasen books I like so much. Or he may be a tragedy.

We do not know.

Jan put a face on him, even if it was only for the click of a shutter and a little conversation.

But what do I think?

Jan, I am going to say it. I think you should have rethought posting that picture as a joke.

It's not a joke. At least not the way I see it. But that's just me.

And just so you know, I am not here to beat anybody up. Nor do I judge anybody for laughing. Sometimes things can make us a little "nervous" for lack of a better word. And we laugh a little. Or maybe some just have a little harder edge than ol' Boomer. I know that, too.

But sometimes, Jan, we just don't think.

Anyway, Jan, that is my opinion. Just my opinion. And I hope this thread goes away...or on second thought, maybe not.

Boomer

[douga]

Hey..that could have been me..I stopped this guy and asked him if he knew the way to The Villages and he said "yes and drove away"

[chelsea24]

I have to agree with Boomer and Johnny. At first I posted a joke, not wanting to bump heads with the admins again. As Tony clearly pointed out, I have a different version of what humor is. So, I posted a joke. But I didn't feel comfortable about it.

Consequently, trying to be diplomatic (which is not my strong suit) I posted that we should all count our blessings. The homeless has been one of my top charitable priorities for many, many years. My daughter also. Always out working for Habitat for Humanity.

Taking a picture of this man is like taking a picture of an animal that's about to become extinct. Sadly, the homeless in this country, are not becoming extinct. They're growing in numbers. Hence, my second post.

So once again, I urge each and everyone of you to give to one of the Homeless organizations. Possibly this error in taste or judgment will do some good. ;)

[The Great Fumar]

Thank you Jan

thats the first up-to-date photo of tony that i have seen .

Curious fumar

[rshoffer]

This guy was standing along Route 27 just North of Belleview and I stopped to ask if I could take his picture. He asked me how far he was from the Villages. I told him it was about 7 miles. He said, "I'll be there tomorrow."

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/DSC_0104.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o69/talkofthevillages/DSC_0101.jpgwas there a motor under there or was that all pedal power?

[Russ_Boston]

We don't even know if this 'character' is homeless.

For all we know he could be the next executive chef at Havana CC!

[JohnnyM]

So now he is a 'character'. He is someones son, brother, Uncle or friend. Why don't you let this poor soul be on his way and say a prayer for him instead of taking cheap shots.....

[Russ_Boston]

Cheap shot? Maybe but not meant to be targeted towards this individual but I see your point. I don't assume this person is a poor soul. This gentleman (is that better?) is a character in a good way in my opinion. He may even enjoy his life for all we know. He certainly looks happy. Happiness is something to be envied.

No ill will intented.

[Bogie Shooter]

Sometime we are all just too politicaly correct.

[samhass]

When I saw this picture I felt so sad. My guess is that he is homeless. Can you imagine being homeless here and sleeping outside with all the fireants, snakes and all the other biting critters ? I know our ancestors lived under harsh conditions in settling a new country but it saddens me when I see people today without the comfort of a roof over their heads. Russ, I hope he is happy.. although I can't imagine that the discomfort he must experience feels very good. How many women and children suffer his same fate? With the money our government sends down a rathole every year, we could probably house most of our homeless. In most cases I do not believe in someone receiving something for nothing, but sometimes people just need a hand.
I think our first reaction is to joke about this man because deep in our hearts we do know that "There but for the Grace of God..."

[golfnut]

This guy was standing along Route 27 just North of Belleview and I stopped to ask if I could take his picture. He asked me how far he was from the Villages. I told him it was about 7 miles. He said, "I'll be there tomorrow."

The quote above is from Jan's original post, I don't see anything there that ridicules the person in the picture in any way, Jan even told the person the reason he was taking the picture, IMHO any insinuation that Jan's comment or intention was deragatory in any way is speculation on the posters part. If it were me I would lock this one down and move on with our lives, I just don't see anything positive coming from this going forward, it has already been taken out of context and blown way out of proportion.....GN

[samhass]

I think the purpose of a forum such as this is public debate. Many subjects may take a turn we personally do not care for, but should a topic be closed for discussion because of differences in opinion?

[Talk Host]

This guy was standing along Route 27 just North of Belleview and I stopped to ask if I could take his picture. He asked me how far he was from the Villages. I told him it was about 7 miles. He said, "I'll be there tomorrow."

The quote above is from Jan's original post, I don't see anything there that ridicules the person in the picture in any way, Jan even told the person the reason he was taking the picture, IMHO any insinuation that Jan's comment or intention was deragatory in any way is speculation on the posters part. If it were me I would lock this one down and move on with our lives, I just don't see anything positive coming from this going forward, it has already been taken out of context and blown way out of proportion.....GN

:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[golfnut]

Sam it's just my opinion (note in my post I said if it were me), and you are entitled to yours. Alex, we need more information about which post(s) are you referring to.........GN

[Old Semper Fi]

Looking at the picture of this traveling snowbird I am really curious what type of transporation is under all that stuff? Is it motor driven or peddlepower? I am always biking and never saw anything like that.