RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - Having lived for any length of time in the Rio Linda or North Highlands area, I am pretty sure you have seen that sweet little older lady with her broom on Elkhorn Blvd.  I have, even in raining weather she is out there. 

It was even raining the day before, when I finally caught up to her for a talk. 

I have lived in the North Highlands, Rio Linda area for close to 25 years.  I remember back to when I had kids.  We would be driving towards the freeway or down to Costco and there she would be, sweeping.

The boys would always ask me, “mom what is she doing? She always has a broom in her hand.”

“Keeping her street clean,” I said.

“But mom, those cars are real close to her.”

“It only seems that way, she is very careful,” I answered, as we drove past her.

This was the scene for many years. Kids grew up, but, I still drive towards the freeway or Costco and there she is.

It does not matter what the weather is doing. I have seen her when it is really, really hot, she’s been there. And like the day before, when I saw her sweeping, I was in no hurry and always have my camera, even before being a reporter, with me. 

It was drizzling, but she had a coat on, a broom in her hand and disposable gloves, the standard equipment.  One fact I have always noticed about her, is that no matter WHAT the weather, she is/was always wearing shorts. I can't remember ever seeing her in long pants. I pulled over and took a few pictures of her working away on “HER” neighborhood. After taking the pictures I drove across the street, obeying road rules, (LOL) to have a visit with her. I parked in front of her house.  I did not want to scare her by just popping out of the car and going towards her. 

After I parked, I got out, gathered the camera, notebook and the current issue of “The News” to show her I really was a reporter. The world is a strange place these days, especially for the elderly. I was dressed up a little; I was on my way to take several of papers up to Loomis Basin Veterinarians to show them they were on the front page. I just stood by my car and waited for her to see me.

After a few minutes we locked eyes, she smiled. So far so good. I asked her her name and told her mine was Cecilia and it was great to finally meet her because I had seen her for so long, sweeping. She said her name was Sandy. And your last name I asked: “Just Sandy please, I am a very private person.” I asked her if she was married, to which she smiled and said yes, for 54 years, and she had lived in her house just as long. It was drizzling so I really did not want to keep her and I mentioned that to her. She listened politely as I explained to her, I have lived in around the North Highlands, Rio Linda area for many years and had always been fascinated whenever I have seen her sweeping. I had noticed she swept not just her front walkway, but, up and down her street as far as the corner gas station. I worried for her when I would see her cross her street to the median to clean. The median is very narrow and traffic speeds both coming and going on Elkhorn.

She smiled and said, “yes it moves fast, but I am careful.”

I asked her how long she’d been doing her sweeping? 

“Over 30 years,” she told me.

“Is there a particular reason?”

“I’m just trying to do my part on keeping my community nice and there is always so much trash. I sweep up at that gas station just to help them out.”

For months driving by her house, I had noticed a homeless person or persons had taken up residence “on the whole bench” at that covered bus stop right by her house. Then about two weeks ago I was driving by and noticed everything was gone. The bench and the hard plastic sides used for protection against the weather. I asked her if she was glad the city had taken away the bus stop down?

She said she was really glad they removed it. 

“Always so much trash he left, every day I would have to clean it up.”

“Why can’t they just clean up after themselves, there was a trash can right THERE!”

“You don't have to be squeaky clean to be a clean person and pick up after yourself.”

I could tell it bothered her to even say this as she is so kind and meek. Yet, I know, I too, have asked this very question many, many times after seeing where they had cleaned out a homeless camp.

It was starting to rain harder and I thanked her for her time with me.

She said, “thank you, but please, don’t make it a long story, I am a really private person and haven't done much.”

I smiled at her and told her I respect that, only I know for a fact that people had and have noticed her and wondered who and why she swept.

Man, I wish I could’ve given her a big ole southern, HUG... ugghhhhhh!!!! I wanted to grab her up and just bear hug her. Instead, I shook her hand and told her I appreciated her part in keeping our neighborhood clean.  She smiled again. I told her I would be back with a copy if it was put into print.

“Ok”, and she walked up her drive way. Now you know the sweeping lady of Elkhorn’s, story.  Sandy is her name.  Until next time.  Cecilia Lee Feser