Meet Me On The Greenway
Margery McCurdy Plummer
When I was a child growing up in tiny White House, I roamed the fields, climbed the hills and waded the creeks, looking for Indian pennies (tiny rock formations that looked like little pennies stacked one upon the other) and looked at snake doctors and dragon flies.

There were few “Keep Off” or “Posted Signs.” Sometimes I walked with a friend and at other times by myself, picking wild flowers or just feeling “free.”

Frequently on slow Sundays, we would walk around town and not do much else. The father of one family of friends was a retired preacher and he wouldn’t allow us to play games or anything that seemed “of the world” at their house, so we would just go walking around town. It was an unplanned and unstructured past time, but it was fun.

I’ve always enjoyed walking, and for several years walked on the walking trail in city park, and now that we have the wonderful greenway, I can step right out of our back yard and go for a walk. I walk every day with an energetic Skippy on a leash sometimes and at other times out by myself. When the weather gets too bad, I can use a stationary bicycle. Exercise makes me feel better and also makes me behave better.

I haven’t noticed any posted rules of conduct for the greenway, but I think that if there were, they would encompass the word “Courtesy”, and being a veteran walker, I can think of some things that all of us out there, for whatever reason, need to remember.

I’ve never met a rude person on the greenway, but the ones I meet could fall into different categories. I see them as strollers, stroller pushers, runners, serious runners and many like myself attached to a dog or maybe two on a leash. Then there are walkers and cell phone walkers and talkers. There some bikers (bicycles) and an occasional skateboarder.

I love the stroller or stroller pushers. The stroller, one or a pair appear to be very relaxed and friendly, enjoying the scenery and just being outside. They sometimes pause for a chat. The stroller purshers are very friendly also. They seem to like Skippy and even allow a child to touch him. Mothers seem to know instinctively what is good or bad for the child. Many times the baby or very small toddler has that dreamy far away experession on its face. I get the feeling that the mother’s pleasantness comes partly from the knowledge that when they get home, the little one can be place in its bed and continue on to sleepy town, and the mother can nap, catch a TV show, read, or do a little house work if she’s so inclined.

The plain walkers seem to be in no hurry but walk along with a purpose. They may smile and say a few words as you meet or they pass you, but I wouldn’t advise one to try and engage a plain walker in a long conversation.

The next category of walkers I call cell phone walkers. Be assured before I describe these walkers, that I have absolutely nothing negative to say about these talker walkers or cell phones in general. Cell phones are used quite frequently in our familiy, especially by the younger members. I can understand their value, and I’m sure their use has saved many lives. My husband and I have one cell phone between us. We don’t use it regularly because we don’t stray very far from home, and it is often forgotten when we think that maybe we should take it. Also we find that we’ve racked up a pretty hefty telephone bill by not using our cell phone for long distance calls.

I often see cell phone walkers using their phones as they walk and occasionally see two cell phone persons each talking on his phone to someone else.

When I meet cell phone talkers, I almost want to tell them to look around at the turning leaves and the purple and yellow wild flowers that are blooming now. I don’t speak. The way they use their time is their business.

One would think that being retired, I would have ample time to explore all of the exciting possibilities for fun with my computer and cell phone. I don’t, and it may be because my mind is not inquiring enough. With my computer, I type, print and save and leave the hundreds of fun and helpful uses to the more adventurous ones.

There are many runners on the greenway. Some are just running for the heck of it. Then there are the serious runners, maybe training for some event. I notice stop watches which they consult then move on. There is another group of runners that I call super serious runners. Leave these people completely alone. Some of these super runners have weights attached to their backs to make the run harder and themselves faster and stronger. Their face is red and in warm weather, perspiration blows off. I admire these runners because they have such determination. I stay away from them. They may be future Olympians.

Being retired, I have plenty of things to do. I’ve always lived a simple life in a complicated world and still do. For me, it’s the easier way.