There are problems afoot

Writing by admin on Thursday, 19 of February , 2009 at 9:10 am

Pedestrian problems:

Winter always seems long and undeserved but I have to say we have been pretty lucky so far. My only complain would be the lack of attention given to the sidewalks, a never ending problem here.

This year it is the ice that is problematic. Sheer glass. I heard one councilor on the radio quip that if they salted the sidewalks we would expect it every year. I’d like to know what they are doing with the allotted budget for snow clearing when thus far we have had little snow compared to most years. Telling us there is no money in the coffers is a placebo at best. What will we do if we get 300 cm of snow in the next month? Call in the army?

I feel badly for older or crippled people, myself included. Forty years ago I remember seeing those little sidewalk ploughs. I remember them because I was terrified of ploughs as a child. My Nan would take me downtown to go to Woolworth’s for lunch and shop at the discount stores. That was when downtown had character. Old people everywhere, fish mongers with wheelbarrows in the coves, men in hats in doorways with pipes or cigarettes and guess what, the bloody sidewalks were clear. This of course was because the Mall was new, people still bought their stuff downtown, old people and poorer people still made up the population of the core so stores catered to them and, it seems, the city or store owners made sure the sidewalks were clear. What happened? Cars have taken over the city. They have the right to move freely but pedestrians don’t? We aren’t important enough anymore? Everyone goes to the Mall? The only shoppers who can afford to shop downtown don’t spend their time walking the sidewalks. The poorer people don’t matter anymore, nor the elderly. Our voices aren’t ringing. What truly amazes me is that no one has been killed. People driving cars treat pedestrians on the sides of the road like a nuisance and many won’t even pull around you as you walk, as if to declare their space will damn well stay that way. So that is my sidewalk rant.

Screaming Winds:

I decided I needed some groceries yesterday so I donned my clothes and headed out into the bitter wet wind to walk down the street to Sobeys. I was facing the wind and the sleet was whipping my face to a bright red and my eyes were filled with water making it difficult to see. Thankfully the roads were near empty. On my way back I was blown across the parking lot, gripping my bag of groceries and laughing like a kid. I had to hang onto a van at one point..it was parked…Walking down my street I could hear the wind screaming over the rooftops and against the old brick buildings. I had thoughts of something large and sharp hitting me in the head at any moment. Last night I had a fitful sleep. I was sure the roof would blow off. The house was creaking loudly and windows shuttering. Still it is exciting. I love the wind.

Cabin fevered cats:

My poor cats. I moved to this house last Fall and the newness of it was frightening to the critters. They were terrified of the new digs, the strange cats in the neighbourhood and the bully cats spraying my door. (Don’t get me going on spaying and neutering your animals.) Then the cold set in so they are not happy with being out for any length of time. They sleep all day, chase a toy around now and then to get rid of energy and generally just mope. A few fights here and there. I am looking forward to Spring.

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