Walk This Way

Today I decided I would look for inspiration in the heart of my little city, downtown by the courthouse, people watching.

Drove myself there a little early—about 8:15 or so—parked right on the street, free parking still the norm here. How sweet is that! I noticed the benches in front of the old courthouse looked recently polished or refurbished or something, definitely inviting, especially in the shade of the giant live oaks out front, and parked myself on one right off. Took some pictures, made notes about some passersby, and was a little disappointed that there wasn’t as much foot traffic as I’d hoped.

You see, right behind the old courthouse is a pretty new, modern-type courthouse that is where most of the action is happening. But there’s no shady spot to sit by its convoluted entrance and even though there were certainly more people to watch there, I knew it just wouldn’t have the right feel, and I stayed where I was.

One thing I discovered is a trend in men’s fashion. Looks to me like the new color in casual shirts is a sort of pumpkin-melon, deep shade of it. Saw three separate guys in the short time I was there wearing that, with either jeans or shorts. So, learned something! Although I actually suspect it might be last year’s color …

After I’d written a couple of my morning pages (method I’m using to help unleash my creativity), I headed over to the Rising Sun Café, a cool place with a trendy menu for breakfast and lunch, including different coffees and teas and other beverages. One of the house specials is Miss Lisa’s Banana Bread Loaf—love, love, love it. Purchased me one, along with a grande mocha, which turned out to be a little too sweet, since I’ve kicked sugar out of my beverage list. I took my food out to one of the two umbrella-ed tables outside and took out my camera again, and found my “aha!” moment, realizing I’d found my rant topic.


This gentleman, dressed for a workday, came out of a door and wanted to cross the street toward the courthouse. There was no traffic coming—in any direction—but the guy walked to the corner, pressed the walk button and waited for a signal. I couldn’t believe it! What the …? Does he not know how to cross a street? He stood there for about a minute—that’s a long time when there’s no traffic coming. What is up with that?

These streets are not big; and you can see a ways in any direction. I had crossed the same streets in three separate places today, using the crosswalk only once, when it was the most convenient place for me to cross.

It’s another example—albeit small, but insidious, you must admit--of people buying into the government telling them they can’t do something without its assistance. Jaywalking laws are ridiculous. I need nobody to tell me when it is safe to cross—I assume most young people and adults don’t--and I sure as hell won’t be walking all the way to the corner to cross when a light tells me it’s OK and then backtrack to get where I want to go. That’s just messed up! When I walk, I need a destination and I’m going to go the shortest distance to get there. That’s how I drive, too: I like taking road trips and finding my way to new places, but I like knowing where I’m headed. I can stop and smell the flowers along the way, as long as they are interesting, but let’s get there in the most direct manner! Give me the highway and cruise control practically every time.

And once I get there, I’m crossing the streets wherever I please when I’ve decided it’s safe to do so. Wouldn’t you?

Below are some views of our historic downtown. My favorite local radio station, the one I used to record the Monday news for, is right here as well. I was awful at it at the time but I had the most fun doing it and wish I could do it some more.










Oh, and check out this elephant picture. I’d like to know the story behind that!