My neighbor and friend

My neighbor and friend
Originally uploaded by ancho and lefty.

He's my favorite photo subject, by far. I think it's because he represents something important to me. Someone who has great knowledge of land and place. Also, I am sure it has something to do with the fact that I lost my Grandfather, Earl, almost two years ago now. My Grandfather was a man who had great knowledge of his land and his place as well. It is funny, I refer to my neighbor as Abuelo, or Grandfather. I don't even know when I started doing it, but the few times I have stopped and corrected myself in front of people who actually are blood relatives to him they say, "No, you can just call him Abuelo if you want to."

He's a nice man. When I was sick this week several of my neigbors came to check on me. All except one were women.

One evening I was sitting at my counter focusing on hydration, when my neighbor's silhouette came into view through the sheer curtains at my front door. He was dressed up for mass- clean shirt and new hat. He wanted to know if I were feeling any better. He walked up to the pulperia and bought me a pill to take. I have no idea what it was. He said it would make me feel better. I took the pill. I felt better.