A Walk In The Park - Shorty Howell Park
Shorty Howell Park is less than two miles from my home, and I choose it when I am ready for a frenetic change of pace from my leisurely strolls. Located along a major thoroughfare and across from a big-box shopping center, likely it is the busiest park that I frequent. It seems that people from all walks of life go to Shorty Howell to unwind and play. And even as one must be diligent not to be run over by a jogger or tripped by a multitude of dog leashes, I enjoy the show. Every trip provides new entertainment.
Busy, busy place. What kid would not enjoy roaming around this place, not worrying about the colors or nationalities or religions or social status of the other children? Just having fun! Perhaps the route to world peace involves a great big playground...
A new feature- Litterbug Of The Week. How touching... a father, a son, and a cigarette. Actually this guy is not polluting the environment; just his lungs. Something seems not to be congruent, to me, when I see a seemingly doting parent with a cancer-stick hanging from his mouth.
The walking paths are composed of two loops. The inner loop is a paved trail, pictured previously. The wider path is a wood chip trail, meandering more quietly through the woods and away from the baby strollers. When I walk both loops, and several side routes, I can do about three miles- my goal for the day.
Pregnant Tree.
Kudzu. If we could figure a way to eat this stuff, the South could feed the world.
Houses next to the park. Often I've thought it would be nice to have a home adjacent to a nice park. I wonder if these people avail themselves of the treasure beyond their back yards?
Walking in a sari. I cannot help but notice the cultural differences of people out for some exercise. Around here, one is likely to see a lady out for a walk in a sari or a burqa, which looks awfully hot and uncomfortable to me. But they did not ask my opinion.
Pavilion. Several months ago I was walking at this park when when a tremendous Spring thunderstorm burst out. There was lightning, hail, and a torrential downpour. I found shelter under this large pavilion. As the storm did not seem to abate, I decided to finish my exercise by walking under the cover, in repeated circles! In a little while a couple of guys pulled up in their car, and they sat down at one of the picnic tables to wait out the storm. They started watching me as I walked around and around. And I'm pretty sure I heard one of them say, "You could be worse. You could be like that guy over there walking around in circles!"
Ducks. Nasty creatures. Aggressive, too.
Fountain, in the middle of the lake. Very pretty.
I like this huge double-tree, offering for free a magnificent shade. Trees are good-guys.
07.19.09 (11:21 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
PirateGirl (
reply)
post date:
07.19.09 (10:08 pm)
Hmm..I didn't find any politically incorrect insights - I was however, offended by the pic of the pregnant tree
............................*and yes, I'm kiding* ;)
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
07.20.09 (4:52 am)
very nice ~ and I thought your 'pregnant tree' was a squirrel scampering up the trunk ~ I was thinking how well you captured the quick antics of a squirrel scampering up the tree and then you burst the bubble...
I will be home tonight and will write about my travels.
Thanks for another walk in the park ~ always an enjoyable stroll.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.20.09 (8:13 am)
Reply to: PirateGirl
then, I'm glad I did not mention the two lovers I spied upon. They were supine upon the lawn, and he was singing to her! And from what I could hear, he was not singing very well. But it all seemed to be serious stuff at least to the couple. Her eyes were large and smile sincere. And he was singing a love song with all his heart. I guess you would appreciate the moment?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.20.09 (8:14 am)
Reply to: auntconi
I look forward to reading about your travels. And, the reason why you did not stop to visit Skylar and I.
posted by:
RebeccaNelle (
reply)
post date:
07.20.09 (10:52 am)
Now let me get this straight, PD. Are you insinuating that people who smoke can't dote on their children? Have you ever smoked cigarettes? I did, for many many years. Have been quit for 8. Raised two boys while smoking, neither of which smokes, and both of which are good, sound young men who are raised right and going places in life. I don't like to see it, either, but I don't think it's our place to judge something that personal, do you?? After all, cigarettes are addictive, and once they have you, it's the devil to get shed of them!
:-)
posted by:
rosietulips (
reply)
post date:
07.20.09 (1:05 pm)
When I read your posts about your walks, they remind me that I should be taking advantage of the greenery and the beautiful weather here!!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.20.09 (2:11 pm)
Reply to: RebeccaNelle
I'll give you my view about smoking. As long as your smoking affects only yourself, then it should strictly be a matter of personal choice. If you want to smoke, it is your business. I do not think the federal government has any business trying to force you not to smoke. And, this new moral cause being promoted by our new administration- to ban cigarettes from our military, is ludicrous and I think unconstitutional. However, don't ask me to pay for your health care, and especially don't ask for me to pray for your healing when you get lung cancer or emphysema or throat nodules and yet continue to puff. In that case, I'll pray for you to gain wisdom, or repent of your sin and change your ways, or at least to be ready to meet your Maker as you hasten that day- and I'll pray for your poor family and all others who love you and will be prematurely deprived of your presence because of your self-inflicted death.
Now, of course someone who smokes can be a loving parent and a fine person. But, to smoke around a child in this enlightened age seems to me wrong. You are encouraging, by your example, something quite unhealthy. Second-hand smoke is directly harmful to a child, and anybody else. Plus, your smoke gets into the clothing and hair of those around you, an ugly thing I think.
Do I have a right to make a moral judgment call about smoking around children? Absolutely.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.20.09 (2:13 pm)
Reply to: rosietulips
So, get out there, and walk!
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
07.20.09 (2:22 pm)
I hope you are not the father!
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
07.21.09 (5:51 am)
I love these posts.
As a smoker - the only thing in my life I'm ashamed of these days - I have no problem with you making moral judgments about smoking OR any efforts, be they governmental or individual, to keep young people from becoming smokers.
Am I annoyed that tobacco prices went up dramatically a few months ago? Well, yeah, but I'm a firm believer that things we buy should reflect their true cost, meaning that especially with things like cigs, we should be paying for the long-term costs associated with smoking up front.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.21.09 (6:55 am)
Reply to: surrogate
Well, now, that's refreshing!
Rebecca is a fellow classmate of mine, from Ft. Payne High School, class of 1975. It seems we butt heads a bit, since she has yet to learn that I am always right. But, otherwise, we get along just fine!
In life we all make moral judgments, all the time. I try to distinguish between judging the action, which is all we really have a right to judge, and judging the worth of the person- which is not our business.
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
07.21.09 (12:01 pm)
Those ducks will be kinda nice to you if you feed em...and not get your fingers too close to their beaks!! On a lake here in RC town, we have Canadian Geese..they are mean!! even if you feed em, when you stop they will chase you!! and they have a good bite!! I don't mind people smoking as long as I don't hav to smell it!! Enjoy the walks in the parks!!
posted by:
PirateGirl (
reply)
post date:
07.21.09 (11:55 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Now that wouldn't bother me - but a pregnant tree - well now, that's a different story PD.
LOL! - Love the post, and the pics as always PD :)
...And bawdy's comment had me laughing so hard!
posted by:
Ladyg (
reply)
post date:
07.22.09 (9:47 pm)
Beautiful pictures, I have never seen a pregnant tree.
posted by:
Beaver teeth (
reply)
post date:
07.26.09 (7:51 pm)
Okay in my expert opinion ducks have bills not beaks.Cigarette smoke stinks and can cause health problems, and it is all Haynes fault!!!!!!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.27.09 (6:46 am)
Reply to: Beaver teeth
Yes, Jerry Haynes continues to be the source of great trouble in life. I would like to talk with him about all the hardships he has brought our way. Perhaps we will do so at the class reunion. Wait- did he graduate?
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
07.30.09 (12:38 pm)
BTW That big knot on that tree is extremely valuable, Wood carvers and woodworkers would give a lot to get that, it makes beautiful wooden things!!
Easily worth $500 perhaps far more!
