Louis Ramirez, A New Friend

To enable only patrons of several businesses and shops in downtown Santa Fe to park in their lot, Louis Ramirez, a  67-year-old retiree is employed to sit on a folding chair, guarding its entrance. I walked past him several times on my way to the bookstore and cafe where I often "hang out."  Being a very gregarious fellow, Louis and I had a long chat about his background,  He grew up in California in a Mexican family as either the 8th or 9th child in a family of 11 kids...he wasn't quite sure of his rank.  His parents were from Mexico but he has never been there and would like to go "someday."  In fact, he would be interested in doing some traveling beyond the western US states he has already visited.  When I asked him where he would like to go, he said, "Anywhere the good Lord wants to send me."  I gathered he is very devote, belonging to a non-denominational Fundamentalist Christian Fellowship Congregation. Louis has been in Santa Fe since 1981, and before his retirement, he worked at Grease Monkey doing "mechanical stuff."  Before that he did some construction work.  Before I could ask too many more questions, he turned the tables and started to interview me! When he heard that I'm originally from Wisconsin, he told me that I'm really a "Quesohead" ... Cheesehead sounds better in Spanish than in English!  After our fond adieu, I had a thought...I wonder if he will let me park in the lot now since we're such good friends?!