Sidewalk stories

In April I discovered 
a box of unused sidewalk chalk in a cupboard, 
and decided it needed to be used. 

So I put some pieces 
into a pretty chocolate tin marked CHALK, 
and went out to encourage people to draw on my sidewalk.

The first artist 
to participate
drew her own flower, 
wrote that she liked my garden,
and signed her work
Julianne.

Someone else

(a good neighbour, I think)

wrote "Hello Friends!"

in beautiful flowing cursive.

I didn't see all this happen,

and it rained before I took a picture.

A few days later,

a couple stopped

and left me 

a shamrock

and a smiling cat.

Last week,

I caught my first glimpse 

of Julianne when she and three friends

drew moon cakes and happy faces.

Again, 

Julianne signed her work.

I like that she does that.

Of course,

rain washed everything away.

On Tuesday I went out

and chalked

CHALK 

with an arrow pointing to the box

like I always do.

Then I thanked

Julianne and friends

for their efforts.

I happened to be sitting in our front room

with my windows open

when Julianne and a friend came by 

and she read my message.

"Thanks for the art,

JuliANNE AND FRIENDS!" 

she squealed with delight.

They left more art for me.

I'll be sad when school ends

and Julianne 

doesn't walk past 

as often.

But there might be

a few more

willing participants,

like the couple last night

who gave me 

this garden scene

and high-fived as they walked on.

Thanks, 

neighbours,

for sharing your art

with me!