On Saturday I was hit and knocked to the ground by a car as I was walking in a designated crosswalk with the light in my favor. When I participate in the regular Saturday “Vigil for Peace” near the corner of Pearl Street and Centralia College Boulevard, I always park on the east side of Pearl Street to avoid taking up space for library patrons on the west side. There’s about a 60 foot yellow “No Parking” curb on that side to allow drivers to form a third lane when making a right turn when no competing traffic is visible.
I had reached that third lane when I was hit by a car about to make that turn! It was obvious the lady driving the car wasn’t looking into the pedestrian lane but was instead concentrating on the direction she wanted to take. I wasn’t exactly smashed to the ground, nor was I gently nudged to the pavement into an area I considered to be too close to the car’s front wheels to feel comfortable.
As I picked myself up, all I could think of to say was,”That was a very stupid thing to do.” She pointed up at the crossing signal which, had, by that time turned to its “Don’t Cross” insignia, then rounded the corner and drove away. It’s obvious she hadn’t heard or learned that a pedestrian has priority in a designated crosswalk. I wasn’t thinking clearly enough to note her license plate number and it wasn’t until I began writing what you’ve just read that I started to feel what I can only describe as “empty.”
Changing the subject to something less distressing, have you noticed that when you cook scrambled eggs for breakfast these days they just don’t look the same as they used to? Didn’t they used to be a lot yellower in bygone years? Has egg production been pushed to such an extent that the hen hasn’t any time to add the yellow? I suspect the real reason is the way they’re raised these days: in prison conditions — solitary confinement no less — with no reason to experience anything to be colorful about.
Is it too early to be writing about the 2020 elections? I admit that, in looking over the candidates who are scrambling to be the one to run against our current president, I’m not really excited about any of them. The way they’re beginning to attack each other — instead of demonstrating respect — turns me against the attacker rather that the subject of their diatribes. I confess that I couldn’t feel much warmth towards our last candidate, Hillary Clinton, but only enthusiastically voted for her because her opponent showed he had no respect for anyone but himself by constantly interrupting her during their debates.
You’re going to think I should probably be wearing one of those canvas jackets that tie your arms against your backs when I say that, to me, the one citizen of this nation who shows the most common sense, who shows the most respect for all people, who can cut through the B.S. better than anyone else on the ticket is Michelle Obama! I’m serious, but after witnessing what the opposition did and tried to do against her husband, I don’t think she’d take the job if it was given to her.
On the local scene, I don’t think anyone would be surprised that I never vote for anyone whose campaign theme is favoring more growth. And, I don’t think I’m the only one with no respect for those who choose to move here and then join the “Bigger is Better” crowd.
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Bill Moeller is a former entertainer, mayor, bookstore owner, city council member, paratrooper and pilot living in Centralia. He can be reached at bookmaven321@comcast.net.
