The Flower Man, Cleveland Turner, Houston, TX

The Flower Man, Cleveland Turner, Houston, TX

It was early morning when I pulled up to Cleveland Turner's house in South Houston. He was standing on the curb lighting a cigar. I approached introduced myself and asked if he was Mr. Turner. He was surprised that I knew his name but very welcoming. I said I came to meet you and see your treasures, you are the Flower Man aren't you. "Yes I am he said" with a big smile. After showing me is famous flower covered bike "his flower cycle" that he posed so happily by he immediately began showing me all of the things that he had collected, an array of his treasures that some may call junk. Being winter he really didn't have his house in full bloom. He is a wonderful example of someone that came from the down and troddin to pull himself up and realize what is important to him. He gave me a grand tour (see below) (See description of Cleveland Turners Life on Roadside America, it is such a great tribute.
Some things were growing. He pulled up some peanuts from a portion of his garden, pointed out the oranges growing in a tree next to his house and said "do you know what these are?" I said yes Eggplants. "I never had them until my sister in law cooked em". He took me inside and showed me some of the articles in the Houston papers about the "Flower Man", he was very proud and showed me his wall of tributes that covers a 8 x 10 foot wall as you open his door. "the only thing I require is that you send me some of your pictures" ...and I did.