Where I live, we have a huge influx of tourists in the summer....living at the beach does have it's drawbacks. And one of the local jokes is that there is a basket on the bridge where brains are left for the week. But I'm wondering if it goes deeper than that.
Do people even know the rules of the road, the rules/laws of walking and biking in traffic? I'm thinking it's a skill, a knowledge that is becoming lost. I can't even begin to count the number of people walking in the road the wrong way, biking in the wrong direction and completely ignoring the multi-use path 3 ft from them.
So here we go, this is what I remember from when I was a kid and learning to share the road with cars:
1. If there is a sidewalk or path available....USE IT. It's there to help keep you out of the path of vehicles being driven by distracted drivers.
2. Walk facing traffic, bike with traffic. If you're walking with traffic and have earbuds with music, you'll never hear the car coming up behind you. But if you're walking facing traffic, you give yourself the ability to step out of the way of oncoming traffic.
3. Walk facing traffic, bike with traffic. Bikers you are to go with the flow of traffic but you need to be able to ride steadily and keep to the side of the road.
4. You are small and will break easily. Your body vs a car...you will lose. Be aware of traffic and where you are if you're going to use the road and not the path. A distracted driver may not notice you stepping around a trash can into the lane of travel. A puddle will not kill you, a car can.
5. Dress and equip yourself properly. At night, have lights. Wear light colored, bright colored clothing. Have reflectors. Use a flashlights. The scariest moment for a driver is to be driving along and suddenly realize a mother has let her kids cross a darkened road in front of traffic. True story. The sign that says I have to yield right of way to you will not stop the laws of physics. Also true.
It just worries me to see grown people, adults that should have a little sense, that obviously have no clue. For months, every morning, I saw a young(20-30), fit woman, out jogging...in the road, wearing earbuds, jogging right along with traffic....3 FEET FROM THE PATH. And I wondered then and now...did she just not know? Did she never learn what that path was for? Is she unable to see all the other people using the path? Maybe she thinks they have a special pass, had to pay for the privilege, or maybe it's only for tourists....who knows.
Be safe out there.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Finley....Fred and George
From Jan 2013
I got a fish. He's a betta and completely cute. And I adore him.
He's actually the second one I bought. Friskies the 1st died within a couple days of joining my happy family. No idea why, just came home to floating fish. So like any sane person that just bought a bowl and rocks and a plant, I headed back to the store for Friskies the 2nd.
I came home with a different fish of a different color too. Silvery blue instead of the typical red/blue combo...nothing against them, had a few myself, including Friskies the 1st.
After a week Friskies the 2nd had survived to earn his own moniker...so came Finley. He's firty and funny and a pig. He's a joy to have around.
And not only do the kitties like him, he loves the kitties! He always will leave me and dried bloodworms (a wonderful fishy delicacy) and flit and flirt his way over to the kitty beside the tank. Very daring...or seriously stupid.
Now Finley has graduated from a 1 gallon LED lit, no heater, no filter, with two plants to......4 roomy gallons of heated and filtered water. Day and moon LED lights. About 6 plants and roommates!
That brings in my new funny fellows. First there was Fred. Fred is a yellow/golden mystery snail and he was so enchanting and Finley liked him so much, then quickly came George. George is a black, most likely mystery snail. I'm hoping they're boys. I'm hoping for no more snails.
And who knew snails had personalities? Not me. Fred is a clown, very curious and very quick....for a snail. George is quiet, shy and plays dead.
So welcome to my new obsession. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
p.s. George is no more. He never thrived the way Fred has and Finley liked to nip at him anyway...silly fish. But Fred and Finley get along great and Fred is HUGE! He's like the size of a ping pong ball. And when his feelers are out, it's like he's doing ballet, waving back and forth.
I got a fish. He's a betta and completely cute. And I adore him.
He's actually the second one I bought. Friskies the 1st died within a couple days of joining my happy family. No idea why, just came home to floating fish. So like any sane person that just bought a bowl and rocks and a plant, I headed back to the store for Friskies the 2nd.
I came home with a different fish of a different color too. Silvery blue instead of the typical red/blue combo...nothing against them, had a few myself, including Friskies the 1st.
After a week Friskies the 2nd had survived to earn his own moniker...so came Finley. He's firty and funny and a pig. He's a joy to have around.
And not only do the kitties like him, he loves the kitties! He always will leave me and dried bloodworms (a wonderful fishy delicacy) and flit and flirt his way over to the kitty beside the tank. Very daring...or seriously stupid.
Now Finley has graduated from a 1 gallon LED lit, no heater, no filter, with two plants to......4 roomy gallons of heated and filtered water. Day and moon LED lights. About 6 plants and roommates!
That brings in my new funny fellows. First there was Fred. Fred is a yellow/golden mystery snail and he was so enchanting and Finley liked him so much, then quickly came George. George is a black, most likely mystery snail. I'm hoping they're boys. I'm hoping for no more snails.
And who knew snails had personalities? Not me. Fred is a clown, very curious and very quick....for a snail. George is quiet, shy and plays dead.
So welcome to my new obsession. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
p.s. George is no more. He never thrived the way Fred has and Finley liked to nip at him anyway...silly fish. But Fred and Finley get along great and Fred is HUGE! He's like the size of a ping pong ball. And when his feelers are out, it's like he's doing ballet, waving back and forth.
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