Historical November–December 2021 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
‘Walking Man’ by James Taylor is about the passage of time according to some. James Taylor reportedly said it was about his father.
His pronouncement carries the most weight as the author but I like to think ‘Walking Man’ is about the passage of time, the changing of seasons. “Well, the leaves have come to turning and the goose has gone to fly and bridges are for burning, so don’t you let that yearning pass you by.” Though summer has now officially passed us by, my yearning to walk has not.
I still yearn to see my neighborhood in the new view of fall, to catch the latest the area around me has to offer and yes, to see the leaves start to turn.
There is change in the air.
The days 24 hours now are consumed less by day light. Less time to walk for some I guess, but the walking person still walks. “The walking.The walking man walks. Well, any other man stops and talks, but the walking man walks.” Unlike the walking man, this walking portion does stop and talk. I’ve met interesting people that way. Like the neighbor selling homemade goods from the front porch. Not sure if that’s lawful but it was the spark for a delightful conversation. Or the couple tending their plantings edged with the most beautiful hydrangeas of mixed hues.
I asked if they had turned the hydrangea colors and learned that the hydrangeas belonged to the neighbor.
They were long time residents, retired and invited me to stop by anytime to chat.
They were delightful. Neighbors have asked about my reading choices while I walk to or from the University City Library, discussed the weather; sometimes at length when it was so very hot or the when there is no rain or like recently when the weather has been so beautiful.
But not everyone likes to talk, a group ot looking at their phones intently appeared lost.
I presumed they were students and asked if I could help.
They replied “no, no” in broken English, hurriedly continuing on their way.
I get that too.
It is not infrequent to pass people who do not speak, or acknowledge my presence on the sidewalk we share. Those who give a “hello”, a nod, a smile or a warm glance receive my “hello” or “how are you” in return just like those who do not.
The gift of a hello or other acknowledgment is the least I can give to my fellow human. Once a group passed me walking in a single file line.
Each person passed me in silence until the last person at the end of the line said “hello”. Maybe they were the groups spokesperson or maybe thy were the one who saw the value in “hello”. Anyway, “Hello and Happy Fall Skinker DeBaliviere neighbors! Maybe I’ll see you on my next walk.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2021.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Byline Janice Thomas differs from September Neighborhood Walker Janice Marshall; identity relationship not established and no profile merge inferred.
Original source: SD_Times2021_11.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
