Just Thinkin' About Walking to Work



Casper & Runyon's NOOK

In 1998 I bought and moved into my home located less than two miles from my job.  It is the perfect location.  Within easy walking distance to my job and every day shopping needs - and the city bus stops on both ends of the block.   "My block" also includes a Kortes Grocery Store, PJ Murphy's Bakery, the Copper Dome, Dimitri's Pizza and
Casper and Runyon's NOOK & Ran-Ham Bowling Center now offering "bowling, burgers and beer", Laurel Street Flowers, two consignment stores and "Joe Mauer's Barbershop."  Love my home, love my neighbors and the MacGroveland Neighborhood in St. Paul!

Not me!  GOOGLE image

I also enjoy walking and recently bought "trekkers." The look like ski poles, but telescope and adjust to right hight for the walker, have cork hand grips and rubber treads to assist the walker in "gripping" the sidewalk. Yesterday as I walked to work in the morning, one of the trekkers slipped on the icy unshoveled sidewalk.  Without them I would likely have strained muscles or could have fallen down.  Instead I stayed upright and found myself remembering seeing dogs slip on icy surfaces and not fall because they still had at least two feet on the ground.  Me too!

However, trekkers do not protect me from cars!  Crossing the street with the street light is a dangerous prospect.  Yesterday I successfully crossed the street and had one foot on the sidewalk when a mid-sized SUV turning right whizzed so closely behind me that it sent a shiver up my spine.  Had I slipped and fallen backwards - as my grandchildren would say - I would have been toast.

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield made a career out of saying "I don't get no respect."  Well, Rodney, neither do people who walk.  I realize more and more that while the ice poses dangers which I minimize with the good walking boots, glowing green vest with reflective strips and trekkers there is little I can do to minimize the danger posed by many people driving cars who find speeding to their destination much more valuable than the life of any person in the cross walk. 

I will continue walking, continue to be vigilent and wave gratefully to those drivers who stop and allow me to reach the sidewalk before turing behind me.   It is time to head out for work ever vigilent and grateful for every successful crossing.