Douglas Walter

Bonfire Man Douglas Walter

James Mockingbird is the "Bonfire Man". The youngest of four, he was born autistic. He is the funniest and most endearing human you will ever meet. That's according to me, Jerry Mockingbird, his older brother and the second oldest of four children, all boys. The rest of the family and their friends and colleagues would agree: James is a funny dude and, if you get to know him, he will love you unconditionally. Count on that. James (or Jimmy) has several monikers he goes by including "Bonfire Man" and "Recycling Man". He is also first mate to Captain Kevin Thumbman aboard a boat called "Beautiful Ann", which measures out to 150 feet, classifying it as a mega-yacht. Jimmy loves to dance to Roscoe, a local and talented rock band that Mom, or Terry Mockingbird, plays keyboards for and sings. James keeps track of the recycling, knows how to build a bonfire, feeds the dog and birds, remembers what to put on the grocery list, gives great hugs and I've learned a lot from him. "I love you, Jerry," he says. "I love you, too, Jimmy." We all do. He will then say, "It can't be helped, riiiight?"