Memories and memos

My morning walks are a combination of memories and mental memos these days. I find that as I walk along the same sidewalks that I've wandered down sine the 1950s, many memories come to mind - sometimes things I haven't thought about for a long, long time. I think about the fads that passed through time, like the circle pins that I was fascinated with at Ross Jewelers on Newtown Lane - all the high school girls were wearing them and I wanted one so badly! I used to go in whenever I passed and "Oooh" and "aaah" over the ones I liked the most. They were usually the brushed silver ones I longed for.

One thing that came back to me one day was the memory of a rack of hula hoops on the sidewalk outside Marley's Stationary Store. I miss those small-town shops along Main Street, where I could run in and pick up a couple puzzles for a children's birthday party as well as some pens and legal pads for home and a candy bar if I was hungry. Those were the days! One stop shopping all over town and especially in the commercial core.

The other thing I do as I'm walking is make mental notes about what looks good, or needs fixing, or could use a little tweeking. As a public official I need to know which sidewalks are buckling and where hedges need trimming and I try to remember what I observe all over the village. Being up close and personal helps and things are obvious when I'm walking that I wouldn't notice if I were driving. For instance, the stones in the sidewalks. Every time we put in new sidewalks we talk about how much stone should be in the mix - more in the historic areas and less in the core. I love the sidewalk by Hook Mill - its almost like cobblestone, but with smaller stones and pebbles. I'll remember that stretch the next time we're doing one.

Memories and memos keep my mind occupied while I get my exercise and they both make the time go quickly. I hate working up a sweat so any distraction is welcome....