The supermen in my life...

Scott may be my madman, yet he is also my superman. And he is not the only superman in my life these days, but he is the one I see the most.

That's my madman, Scott Cornwell
Super power: Irritating yours truly

My Stockholm Syndrome is officially over. When back in New York in April, my brother-in-law coined the  phrase "Scott-holm Syndrome" which I now use to describe my former state of mind, which still comes back occasionally.

All photos here are from one of the first truly warm and sunny days of this year in Dubuque, March 21, 2014, when I was sitting outside with my three supermen. We had just closed on this property one week earlier, so we were in a relaxed state at long last.

Our beloved seller, Bill Feye
Super power: Baiting bureaucrats

Great moments with Bill abound. We're friends now and he continues clearing out at least one lifetime's worth of stuff from the main building, so I'm fortunate to see him regularly still. Bill has no end of fascinating stories, some of which involve city officials. There was one time he told a city inspector, more or less, "The only difference between you and the Gestapo: the Gestapo had a submachine gun while you, sir, have a clipboard!"  I have even had the pleasure of witnessing a city official literally scoff when speaking about Bill. I think he is the most interesting man in Dubuque and also one of the kindest.

Our tenant, Dave "Spider" Weber
Super Power: Staying sober

The third man in my life is Spider, our tenant with his own auto body shop, and formerly Bill's tenant of over 25 years. He's wonderful, the first to help a person in a jam, and we get along real well. Years ago, he had a serious substance abuse problem; today, he is a leader in AA and he works to help people rebuild their lives. When Scott and Spider were clearing out the cavernous basement of the smokestack building in the dead of winter, Scott remarked to Spider, "You could put a  bath house down here. Imagine it, Spider: a pool, steam room, sauna, cold vodka, girls in bikinis!" and Spider's reply as he smiled and shook his head,"That's it, I'm going back to jail," still one of the greatest lines we have heard these last five months.

They sadly broke the molds after these men, but they keep it interesting and they are each insightful in their own unique ways.