A NEW YEAR? ALREADY?

Heidy-Ho, Blogger Pals.  I see I have been remiss in posting but hope you will forgive that since we have all been embroiled in the holidays.

It appears we are at the beginning of a new year.  And it's a Presidential Election Year.  Sigh.  I prepare for the (already) continuous onslaught of campaign drivel and suggest that you do the same.  It's going to be a bumpy ride.

So... while I have been derelict in posting, I have continued my morning walks and my appreciation of nature.  A couple of lovely things to share:

A Bradford Pear Greets the Fall

The Turning of Leaves on a Foggy Fall Morning

There was not a lot of activity here during the month of December.  That is not necessarily a bad thing!  Odd that it seemed so busy with nothing to really show for it.

I caution you all about your driving and watching out for other drivers.  I passed a newly-generated impromptu memorial on the street alongside the city park Friday morning.  With all of the orange paint on the ground, I knew it wasn't good.  Later that morning, I read in the paper about the 27-year old who was traveling on his motorcycle at a high rate of speed (the speed limit at that point is 25 mph), lost control, and lost his life.  That same day, less than 2 hours later, I passed a minor rear-end collision being handled by the local law enforcement.  Fortunately, no apparent injuries but some folks are not going to have a fun New Year.  About 3 hours later, I passed yet a second minor collision being handled.  Within 15 minutes of passing that (and only about 3 blocks away), I pulled up behind a pickup stopped at a stop sign.  I watched in horror as it began making a left turn... while its right front corner hit the elderly gentleman on the bicycle that the pickup driver obviously did not see.  I slammed my vehicle into "Park", hit the flasher button, grabbed my phone, and began bailing from my vehicle to see if medical assistance was going to be needed.  Quite honestly, I could not imagine that it wouldn't!  The pickup driver bailed even faster than I did, obviously quite shaken, and raced to the right front of his vehicle.  I was surprised to see the elderly gentleman stand up, gather up the basket from his bicycle which had been torn from the bike, and walk it toward me on the street where I had stopped.  I asked him if he wanted my name but he refused.  He said he was alright.  I somehow feel like he is going to have a very sore day and hope that is all.  The driver of the pickup did speak with him and apparently tried to provide him with information but the elderly gentleman refused.  So... I noted vehicle, license plate, party descriptions, date, time, etc., and went on with my business.  The point here?  WATCH WHAT YOU AND THE OTHER PARTY ARE DOING!!!!  It is so easy, especially at a holiday season, to be distracted by the desire to be somewhere else.  It's bad enough we have folks texting while driving (if I see you, I am going to BLARE my horn at you so be ready!).  Remember that nothing is worth being hurt or hurting someone else, especially a call or text.  Just be safe, please?  I have a limited readership and I can't afford to lose you!!!

With all that said, I hope you all have a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year.  I look forward to seeing you or hearing from you during 2012.

Until next post...