Do I look like a dork?
The question was addressed to my
wife. It was early on a summer Sunday morning, and, out of the blue, I
decided it was time to take a long walk. I put on a tee shirt, my
Tilly shorts, a pair of rarely used walking shoes, and a pair of
woolly socks. Identification was in my pocket, along with my cell
phone. I carried a bottle of water.
Noreen just looked at me. She did
not need to verbalize her answer.
The sidewalks in this part of town
are in good shape, and I was soon meeting other walkers of my vintage
coming towards me. These were pretty serious walkers, offering only a
curt good morning without a break in pace. Most were also dressed like
dorks.
I soon discovered that you see
things when you walk that you never notice when you drive. I found a
whole new world.
A neighbour down the street is
building a new garage. Eight o’clock on a Sunday morning and a full
crew is hard at work on the construction. And I mean a garage! This is
a real "guy" building, a structure the rest of us always
dream about. Lots of room for two cars and a full workshop. Think my
wife would let me build one like it on our property? Probably not.
Some folks have lawns that are out
of Better Homes and Gardens. Not a weed or a bare spot - pieces of
art. Others yards, how do I put this…need work. Now my own lawn is
not the best in the world, and maybe there are circumstances where
lawns are not a high priority. But nice lawns really make you proud of
your neighbourhood. I must try harder with mine.
I found a small sailboat for sale
in front of one house. Boat, trailer, probably a sail, all for eleven
hundred bucks. Always pictured myself in one of those. Guess I would
have to take a sailing course. Maybe next year. The summer is almost
over.
We need more good sidewalks in
Welland. There is a gravel path along First Avenue, but the footing is
a bit dicey. The best use of City tax dollars is to build desirable
infrastructure that will last for a long time. Good concrete sidewalks
are a prime example. I should call my member of council. Heck, I don’t
even know who that is. Matter of fact, I’m not even sure what ward I
live in. Got to start paying attention to that stuff.
I turned onto Niagara Street. I
usually whiz down that street in my truck and do not look at the
scenery.
There is a small mall where
Canadian Tire used to be. Interesting mix of tenants. One place will
give you fast cash, a second will give you a mortgage, and a third
will manage your wealth. Sort of all things for all people.
One paint store uses the word
"colour" in its name, but spells it without the
"u." I suppose that saves money when you have to repaint the
sign.
I wandered through the Ford lot,
looking at price tags. It’s OK Noreen, I was just looking!
The hydro people have put a plastic
collar on the utility pole at the corner of Woodlawn and Niagara. It
is labeled with a notice. If you want to post a sign, you are asked to
attach it to the plastic collar. Good idea. If you can’t beat ‘em,
join ‘em.
Passing an apartment building, I
noticed a sign about an available vacant suite. It also stated,
"Applications are being accepted." Just like those gated
communities in Florida!
Some young guy came riding his
bicycle down the sidewalk towards me. He showed no indication he was
going to slow down or give up space so I stepped off the sidewalk to
let him pass. If I had a big stick I would have gotten his attention.
Good thing I didn’t. Pastor Dan would not have approved.
There seems to be a lot of trash
along Woodlawn Road. Folks tend to blame this on the college students.
I do not know if this is fair, but if it is, I have a solution. Go
down to the Lincoln and Welland Regiment and ask to borrow their
meanest and toughest Company Sergeant Major. Put the CSM in charge of
mandatory trash pickup for the college students for a couple of weeks
and the problem will disappear.
My walk took about 90 minutes but I
never opened my bottle of water. It’s not that I wasn’t thirsty;
it’s just that I knew if I took in water, I would have to locate a
big bush before I got home. Not acceptable behavior on the sidewalks
of Welland. I could get arrested.
I do not get enough exercise and I
know I should start to walk on a regular schedule. I should think
about that.
I will think later. Right now, I
really need a nap.
