Glimmer #12: Big Guys Who Look Ridiculous

Now, don’t get on my case about that title! I know that sometimes men who try too hard to look manly are completely absurd. I know that it’s easy to make fun of people for the images they try to portray.

But this time the story is more wholesome, and the men in question are kind of heroic. At least to me!

I was driving to an appointment this morning in a nearby city. The day was cloudy and I was running late. My head hurt so badly that I was sure I was beaten with a bat while I was sleeping.

I was cranky.

As I drove into the center of the city, I came to a small traffic jam. In front of me was the town common, with streets running around all four of its sides. Cars were stopped and pedestrians were weaving through from the shops on all sides. My head pounded. I think I may have snarled.

And then I saw them. Three big, manly men. In scuffed work boots, jeans and hoodies. One had a thick black beard, the others had smaller but still impressive facial hair. They stood in a triangle around something red that lay on the ground. Each one pulled on a rope, and the muscles in their necks and arms bulged.

Slowly, steadily, the object on the ground rose. Higher and higher, into the cold morning air.