The Naked Cowboy

We had the privilege and delight of having a visit from my mom, aunt Martha, sister Marnie, Pax, and grandma over this past weekend, and we had such a blast.  On Sunday afternoon we rode the bus into NYC and walked from the bus station into Times Square.  There our eyes were sullied by The Naked Cowboy, who is basically what his name suggests... a man with a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and some really tiny underwear.  Just that small piece of white is all that stands between him and public indecency, although you could argue that he already violates that.  

The boys have realized that we have pics of this man on my phone, and they have endless curiosity about the Naked Cowboy.  Howie doesn't know what to make of this man.  After I've explained several times that it's not acceptable to go out in public in your undies, I think he can't understand why this makes us laugh but yet why it's not ok.  Howie and Josh had a heart-to-heart about the Naked Cowboy... Josh reported the conversation to me as going down like this:

H: Daddy, remember that naked cowboy we saw in the city?

J: Yes.

H: I know lots of naked cowboys!

J: Howie, there is only one naked cowboy. He is a very silly man.

H: No Daddy, he is a cowboy.

J: Howie, he is not a cowboy. He is just a silly man who dresses like a cowboy.

H: But Daddy, he had on a cowboy hat, so he is a cowboy.

J: Howie, just because you have a cowboy hat on does not make you a cowboy.

H: But Daddy, he had cowboy boots on!

J: Well, just because you have cowboy boots on does not make you a cowboy.

H: (pausing to think)... That cowboy was in his undies, daddy.

J: That's right. He is a very silly man. A real cowboy wears pants and not just undies.

H: (you can see the wheels turning in his mind)... Yeah, a real cowboy has pants on and no undies.

J: Well, actually a real cowboy has undies and pants on. Also, a real cowboy rides a horse and lassos cattle. You won't find any real cowboys in the middle of New York City.

H: Yeah, a real cowboy rides a horse. That naked cowboy was in his undies!

J: I know, what a silly man, huh?

You can guarantee that the next time we go into Times Square their little eyes will be straining to see the Naked Cowboy.  Enough about him.

We had a wonderful visit with my family.  We also went to the Bronx Zoo, which was another highlight.  Howie and Pax had a wonderful time chasing the peacocks that roam the zoo, and Justice delighted to watch them eat his popcorn right off the ground in front of him.  I was amazed to see their beauty up close- God is the original artist for sure!- and they inspired me to paint a room with those beautiful peacock colors at some point in my life.  

We hated to see them go but can't wait for our next visit!