Clang Clang Went The Grinder

"Clang clang went the grinder and ding ding went the bell," lyrics from the classic film musical Meet Me In Ditmas Park.  Uh-oh, I'm mixing reality with thoughts of vintage life in Ditmas Park, or am I?

The reason I say this, is that I heard and then saw our local grinder Mr. Del Res the other day, out and about during his daily rounds. Some of you might be wondering what is a grinder? And the simple answer is someone that grinds/sharpens all types of blades from kitchen knives to the blades on your lawn mower.

When I say I heard him before I saw him, is that he rings a bell to let you know he is passing by.  Mind you the bell does not have the melodic strains of a Good Humour ice cream truck, but it is definitely a clang like a trolley, hence my reference to the chorus "Clang clang went the trolley" from the film musical Meet Me in St. Louis, which was sung by Judy Garland in the film. There: I have saved you the effort of trying figure out my reference.

Del Res Grinding has been servicing Ditmas Park and Park Slope for years. He was a bit shy and didn't want to pose next to his truck, but I did get a shot of his truck for your mental picture files.  So when you hear a clanging, run to the window and peak out so you can hail him down.