Paul’s People, No. 73

Tina Wynecoop is one of my favorite Slice readers.

I like her and I like the way she thinks.

When I consider who around here has a well-developed sense of place, she comes to mind. She knows what it’s like to live here.

It would be difficult to select a favorite Tina Slice item, so here are two.

This first one is from Jan. 31, 2011.

It was a case of changes in latitude.

After his family flew down to San Diego for a little vacation recently, Tina Wynecoop’s young grandson, Trace, was amazed by the balmy weather.

He had one question: “What month is it down here?”

And here’s one from Jan. 17, 2013.

Tina Wynecoop keeps a pair of warm boots just outside her back door.

A pine siskin used one of them as a cozy bedroom the other night, The next morning, Wynecoop left the little bird alone but took its picture.

She isn’t taking it personally or considering it a harsh comment on the accommodations that the feathered visitor left droppings in the boot before vacating the premises.

Maybe that’s like a tip. Or perhaps it’s a complaint about there not having been a mint on a pillow down in the bottom of the boot.