Mr. Cadillac

It’s not often you see a dandy on a fine spring day.

Certainly not after a pandemic when pajamas have become the uniform of choice. Not so for the gentleman in blue, a man who could be 35 or 75, who was seen once again, decked out in his finery, at his regular table by the entrance to the Key Food parking lot.

I first noticed him about a year ago because he stuck out so divinely in his suit and felt bowler hat with feather perfectly placed in the brim. In most men’s hats the feather is neatly nestled in the ribbon in order for it to be seen, but just so. Not so with the gentleman in blue. His feather -- more like a plume -- stood up above the crown as if screaming “notice me!”

Every detail has been lovingly attended to. The tie, the patterned socks, the pocket square, of course. This is a man who clearly has the time to plan his outfits daily. He also has the time to leisurely sit, with his glass of red wine, and watch the world go by. Take him out of this place and time and he would be a boulevardier in the Paris of yesteryear.

The ultimate accessory? The automobile. An early ’70s tan Cadillac, pristinely maintained, that is parked where he can guard it to the left of his table.