The accidental busker (or, how I spent my Canada Day)

As you may or may not know (or care), I have recently fallen in love with a little tan man named Luke.

Technically he’s not really a man, he’s a ukulele — my Lukelele!

As a non-musical person for the first 50 years of my life, this little gem has allowed me into a world that previously unknown to me.

Now I use the word ‘musician’ lightly as I certainly don’t consider myself one. However, Luke and I can pass the time together quite nicely and he helps me relieve stress and provides countless hours of joy (for me anyway, it’s quite likely punishment for others).

And so it was that Luke and I found ourselves stuck at Laguardia airport for 24 hours on Canada Day, instead of celebrating in Ottawa like I had planned.

Trying to console myself without bothering others, I took Luke into the ladies’ room, sat on a bench and played and sang some original tunes. I figured that most women were only there for a few minutes and between the flushing and the taps and hand dryers it shouldn’t be too offensive.

So there I was minding my own business while other people where doing theirs, when suddenly it turned into the best day of my life.

A lady came over and handed me a folded dollar bill!

What?

"I don’t know if you want money, but you sound just lovely,"  she said.

What??

"No, no," I said. "I don’t want money."

(Did I mention Luke’s case was closed.)

"I insist, you sound lovely," she said.

This ladies’ room was in the first class airport lounge — not typically a place for buskers.

I accepted her gift graciously and then laughed out loud at the lunacy of it all. I knew I would keep this America bill in Luke’s case forever.

Before I could quit my day job, a little boy came into the bathroom with his mom. He took one look and me playing Luke and covered his ears.

I find this so funny! His poor mom was super-embarrassed and told me he had sensory issues and that I sound lovely and not to be offended.

Offended? I thought it was hilarious.

I may have missed Canada Day in Canada but I am Canadian anyway and I now have an American buck.

Does this make me a busker?

Stephanie Staples is a community correspondent for St. Vital. She is the founder of Your Life, Unlimited and hosts momondays Winnipeg. Contact her at stephanie@yourlifeunlimited.ca