Many posts on Lost Fort Collins refer to Norm Cook. We became quick friends a few years ago over our shared love of Texas fiddle music.
Now, we get together once a week or more to eat dinner. He tells me stories for the Lost Fort Collins blog, and I tell him about who’s been writing in or commenting. More than a couple of you have got personal letters back saying something like, “Norm thinks he knew your daddy ….”
Norm was born in June, 1939. He grew up on Oak Street in Fort Collins and lived much of his adult life in a rustic (read, no indoor plumbing) cabin in Poudre Park. He worked as a farm hand and a shipping clerk. He knows a lot about building materials, weather, and driving draft horses. Among other things.
Now, he hosts Runaway Fiddle on KRFC 88.9 FM early Wednesday mornings.
I love this picture of him holding a friend’s child. It’s just like him to pick up a baby and have it fall asleep in his arms. Everyone calls him Uncle, my son likes him (which is saying a lot), and he’s even on my dog’s very short do-not-bite list.
Click for a broader view.
Norm Cook
Interesting thought from a friend about neighborliness. She thinks garages are the cause of the current disconnectideness (is that a word?) of our neighbors. A lot of people drive in their garages, close the door and shut out the world. Before garages, they interacted with neighbors, even if it was only to talk while they walked to the front porch. Now don’t get me started on front porches!!
We were talking about the character trait Security (Structuring my life around that which cannot be destroyed or taken away) at NoCoNet. So many of us were taught that if we worked hard we would be rewarded with steady employment – these days it’s not the case so we have to learn new skills (like helping each other). But are they really new or are we just going back to the old days – before the boom starting in the 50’s. Is old fashioned now the way to the future?
I’m hoping Norm and Cat can help us find the “new” old way!
Some really interesting observations, Lauren. I’m especially interested in how NoCoNet groups are rising above “you are your job” thinking. I think before HP, Fort Collins was never really a wealthy town, and interdependence played a much bigger role than it does today. That fascinates me, and it’s why I dwell so much on how people of more modest means lived and worked in our community.