The Enigma of Conversing with a Picture: A Unique Everyday Ritual

Every day, I engage in an unusual yet intriguing routine that I suspect confounds many people. This peculiar specialization has become a distinctive aspect of my life. I speak to a picture hanging on the wall in my sunroom, and it is a journey I embarked on for reasons both practical and whimsical.

Unveiling the Picture's Past

I obtained the picture from a thrift store, a Salvation Army outlet, or MCC, an organization dedicated to selling used goods. Antique dealers and sellers often source items from these stores. Interestingly, estate sales are also a common source for such treasures. I picked up a remarkable picture featuring Wild Bill Hickok, a well-known figure in American history. This image now holds a special place in my home, hanging by the back door in the sunroom, complementing the cozy ambiance.

Designing the Perfect Sunroom

Fortunately, the last homeowner was wise enough to construct a sunroom between the garage and the main house. This design allows me to park my car in the garage, stroll through the sunroom, and enter the house without the risk of getting drenched. The sunroom boasts a stone floor and wooden walls, creating a charming and warm environment.

A Dream Home and a New Challenge

One day, I noticed my wife flipping through a cabin magazine, leading to an unexpected conversation:

What are you doing? I inquired.

I think I want to buy a cozy log house in the woods, a two-bedroom cabin just out of town, she replied.

Her admission nearly knocked me to my knees. She had subconsciously prompted me to reconsider our home, a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house complete with a workshop, a library I built, and a music room. Transferring to a smaller cabin seemed like a significant step, something I was not prepared to take at the moment.

A Sunroom Cabin and an Unexpected Ritual

Determined, I proposed building a sunroom cabin for her:

I’ll build you a sunroom cabin, I offered.

With that, I laid down a wooden plank floor and purchased split log planks for the walls. My wife was delighted, as was I. This newfound project allowed me to turn a cabin dream into a reality, albeit within the confines of our current house.

The Ritual of Conversing with Wild Bill

Negotiating the back door, I hung the wild Bill picture above a strategic spot, where the light caught his features, making him appear almost alive. His eyes followed my movements, capturing my attention. I began a daily ritual of greeting him in the morning and bidding him goodnight at the end of the day:

Good morning, Wild Bill, I’d say as I entered the house after tending to the birds and squirrels.

Good night, Bill, I’d continue, ensuring he knew I was heading to bed.

Who are you talking to? my wife would occasionally ask, perplexed.

Just greeting Wild Bill, I would respond.

Her bafflement faded into mild amusement as she realized the depth of my commitment. Over time, this became a deeply ingrained superstition. I believed that by acknowledging Wild Bill each day, he would provide protection for our home.

Superstition and Protection

But how would Wild Bill protect our home? My suspicions lay in the fact that the photograph lacked a visible weapon. If he drifted from the wall and landed on a would-be intruder, or perhaps projected a warning that deterred such attempts, it would certainly be a unique form of protection. The mere thought of him speaking up for our safety instilled a sense of reassurance.

However, the idea remains a whimsical notion, and the picture indeed remains a piece of art that enhances the charm of our sunroom. Would you like to share your own unique and unusual daily rituals with us?