doodledee

I've been having fun breaking down the different ways in which people walk by the house when I've got the sprinkler on and it's maybe kinda spraying the sidewalk a little bit. Here's how I see it:

• Timers - Probably the largest and most traditional group, Timers simply wait until it's "safe" to pass before they proceed down the sidewalk. It's basically a game. Personally, I'm not very good at it, but advanced timers scout keep an eye to the horizon and continually tune their pace such that they never actually have to break stride when they pass by your sprinkler. It's amazing to watch. Like the Blue Angles with water. Or maybe Shriners in golf carts. With water. Either way.
• Obliviots - These are the people who just walk right into the water without realizing what's happening. They never saw it coming. There are way more of these than I would have thought. Often it seems as though a cellphone or iPod is involved. Good thing it's illegal to drive and do that stuff.
• Soakers - Usually kids, a Soaker will take 20 or 30 trips back and forth under your sprinkler. I've seen kids just park it for a minute and just cool off. You'll get no arguments from me on this one.
• Strollers - Probably the sentimental favorite, a Stroller just strolls on. If they get wet, hey, it's just water. If they don't, hey, maybe next time. Also probably the most fun to watch. Sometimes you cheer for the water, sometimes you cheer for the Stroller.

Most of the time I just scamper. Nothing like a good sprinkler scamper to get the heart pumping.