WINDOW SHOPPING
We sauntered along the old scenic city sidewalks after dinner stopping at each little downtown shop. Some stores were closed, but that didn’t stop our curiosity and window shopping.
The little town saddling route 66 was bustling. Restaurants, bars, hotels, art stores, and even horse drawn carriage rides behind a massive Clydesdale. My wife and mom are more adept shoppers than I am. It seems like women tend to be a little more smitten with ogling objects, even if they don’t really want or need them than men.
I followed the two most important women in my life patiently. They’d show me or point to something and I’d nod thoughtfully with no expression, the way men do after they’ve been worn down by life… and women shopping…
I took a break from a few stores in the cooling Northern Arizona air and people watched and listened. While the window shoppers were doing their thing I strolled over to get a close-up look at the horse that had just dropped his latest fare.
Just west along Route 66 was another store… there’s always another store. “Oh, Floyd! You’ve got to come in here – you’re gonna love it!” my mom said. When people that know you very well say things like that there’s a pretty good chance they’re right.
While my mom, my wife and myself don’t have the exact same taste, we do all share the appreciation and love of art.
Generally, women are famous for their shopping prowess, it just takes the right product to turn men from spectators into passionate participants. It didn’t take a whole lot of time for the reversal of roles to take effect, “Diane – look at this!” I whispered too loudly, “How cool is that?” I asked my wife drinking in the scratchboard art with my eyes the way a thirsty man does water in the Arizona summer.
“Yeah, that’s amazing,” my wife agreed as I went to round up my mom to show her the cowboy sipping a cup-uh-Joe.
The truth is, I wanted that artwork. It wasn’t that much money for a numbered piece of art, but after a lifetime of self-discipline I just couldn’t justify it. I was happy to have been able to see it and appreciate it.
I think that’s one of the issues we as a society face today; many of us believe we have to own or have title and possession of something to enjoy it. We forget the show of God we participate in daily; the majesty of a sunrise and a sunset as well as the birds flying in between cost us nothing. We take for granted the window shopping of God’s creation.
The Cowboy Sipping A Cup-Uh-Joe
I’ve come to realize the best things in life can’t be purchased. We have to accept them as the free gifts that they are and if they had a price tag… not one of us could afford it anyway.
Imagine my surprise two months later when my wife smiled and said, “Hang on a second,” then came back in with the Cowboy sipping a cup of coffee for my birthday.
It too makes for fine window shopping. Enjoy…
Sunday, February 21, 2016 @ 3:08 pm
Floyd I always thought of you as a cowboy at heart. Great story! Thanks
Sunday, February 21, 2016 @ 6:51 pm
Love your post. Love the print! What an awesome surprise!
Floyd, how do I get your book?
Sunday, February 21, 2016 @ 6:57 pm
That’s so fun! As I was reading this I was hoping it would end with you getting the painting! We have a painting (print) on our living room wall of a couple of cowboys wearing yellow slickers with pack horses trailing behind them on a stormy day. It’s one of my favorite paintings. You can feel yourself in the storm when you look at it.
I love the idea of window shopping in God’s creation. There’s not a lot I enjoy more than hiking, camping, and backpacking. We’re heading to Utah in a couple of weeks for our annual hiking/camping trip in the national parks down there so I’ll be doing a lot of window shopping in God’s creation. 🙂
Sunday, February 21, 2016 @ 7:38 pm
So cool, Floyd. Great birthday gift and great writing!
Sunday, February 21, 2016 @ 11:52 pm
Oh, wow! What a sweet and thoughtful thing for your wife to do! I love the picture! And I love what you said about window shopping God’s creation. Lately, I have had such a longing to slow down and enjoy it all more. He goes to such great lengths to make it all so beautiful for us, and so often, we overlook it in our haste to stay busy. Thank you for reminding me to pay attention and for sharing this lovely story. You have a great wife and mom…but you already know that, and it is so wonderful that you acknowledge that fact and are so grateful. God bless all three of you!
Monday, February 22, 2016 @ 4:27 am
Now what makes me think if given half a chance you would have and could have been the cowboy who posed for that print? 🙂 Gotta love those women who know just what we need/want. Way to go Diane!
Monday, February 22, 2016 @ 6:23 am
I break the stereotype of women and shopping…I don’t like to shop. ha. (Jeff doesn’t complain about that!) I love your point that we don’t have to *own* something to enjoy it. But I am glad that you get to own the painting after all. Your wife is a good shopper. 🙂
Monday, February 22, 2016 @ 9:10 am
How blessed you are that those you love got caught up in your delight of the picture. I am glad did not window shop when looking to His lost creation and say, I want that one, and that one but not that one or that one to be saved. Love that whoever will can enjoy His creation. Blessings brother.
Monday, February 22, 2016 @ 12:21 pm
That’s so awesome, Floyd! and I know just how your wife felt, being able to gift you something she knew you would delight in. I’m getting ready to do that on Wednesday for my Dreamer. 🙂 Happy belated birthday!
Monday, February 22, 2016 @ 2:34 pm
Oh my goodness, Floyd! You’re not going to believe this!! We have met the artist who does this scratchboard art!! We first met him at a Western festival. He is the nicest guy, even offered to let us use his vacation home sometime (and told us where the key was!). And boy, we love his art! Over several years, we have purchased several pieces of his artwork – bears, wolves, buffalo. They sit in places of prominence in our house, and always remind us of Joseph. He possesses a unique artistic gift, but also the kindest heart. I cannot believe the coincidence of you also discovering him!
How kind of your wife to get that for your birthday! I have to say, it looks like you. And it’s a perfect reminder of the joys of shopping. I love to shop, too, but mostly because it feels like a treasure hunt. Shopping for antiques and collectibles is my favorite!
However, more than anything, just like you said, it’s a pleasure beyond measure to go *window shopping* in God’s world. Every day He invites us to peek in the window at the magnificent majesty of the art He creates in the universe.
And yes, I enjoy…
GOD BLESS!
Monday, February 22, 2016 @ 6:20 pm
That’s really cool. I normally don’t like to window shop myself, because it’s all too expensive. But that’s not the point…it’s that you are blessed with two women who know what you like!
Monday, February 22, 2016 @ 8:58 pm
Shopping, even just window shopping, is so therapeutic. 🙂
There are really great stuff to check out there.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016 @ 6:59 pm
Your Wife and Mom knew you would enjoy the art, and I was thinking, I bet Floyd went back and bought that painting. NO – your ending makes it perfect, for your wife to surprize you with the painting. Now you can enjoy it every day. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a True Story.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 @ 7:57 am
A delightful post with a great ending! I imagine how your wife couldn’t wait to present it to you knowing she was wrapping a most wanted gift! I would have loved to see your face. I like it too. Where did you display it? I really enjoyed your personal and touching story. Now I’m wondering which quaint town you describe on Rt.66. And I’m wondering if I could pass up the urge to purchase too, especially clothes! What a downfall. But nothing ever satisfies entirely in this life…except the savior…and how wonderful to enjoy these special relationships with those that mean the most to us and you still got the artwork as a bonus.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 @ 3:13 pm
Well, Bro, as usual, you made me smile and chuckle. I sure understood what you’d gone through. When my husband, my son, and my grandsons are in a different way of doing things than most of me and my daughter and others. But doing what needs to be done is all that works. Anyhow, thank you for sharing your info. AND thank you for being so kind and encouragement on my blog pieces. You are a treat. Bless you! 😉