On January 30th, The West Bloomfield Patch reported 18 traffic accidents after our first snow. Since snow is in the forecast this week, I would especially like to talk about area driving experiences. I use to chuckle when my family from Ohio would tease about the fearless Michigan drivers. I have lived here for over 20 years and do drive- however these past few years drivers seem to have become more…..rude-aggressive. I thought it was just me but driving friends of various ages have actually brought up the point of the rude/aggressiveness on the road.
First discussion was around the speed issue. This area has roads that change speed limits because of schools or going into a different township or even because the road is curved and single lane. Many drivers appear incensed as a driver follows the speed limit and show it in a variety of ways. The driver going the speed limit is often followed by the person who insists on following very close behind as if to push the front car to go faster. A personal experience even had a car following so close that the “passing light” on the driver’s side mirror was on the entire time in a no passing zone- entirely too close for comfort. Those who drive a car with a lower carriage are often intimidated by vans, SUVs, and trucks with a higher ride driving so close the headlights totally lighten the lower car.
Many people have talked about how traffic circles are being handled. As drivers all become comfortable with the traffic circles does anyone see the signs? Many of my friends are conscious of the fact that people are not yet comfortable or don’t seem to know how to handle a traffic circle. I have counted on two hands the times I’m in a circle and someone without looking or yielding drives right into the circle right in front of me and yes I have had to brake.
So why is all this happening: is it society’s general frustration with life, the driver behind wants to be in charge, people are just running late, or is it an emergency? Is this a reaction to wanting to break the rules or the rules are different, or that age old feeling of invincibility? Is it a reaction to stress? Do people need an eye check? Is it the multitasking life our culture is developing? Or so the excuse can be offered that “the person in front of me was driving at the speed limit?”
I remember when I took driving lessons the instructor reminded us “a car can’t stop on a dime” or with physics the bigger the object and the faster it goes the longer it takes to stop. We were taught to drive within a comfortable distance from the car in front. I know some people are more daring than others so maybe drivers need to go back to the car length for every number of miles per hour (it used to be 10)one is driving one needs to be that many car lengths behind. (I.e. 35 miles an hour-3 to 4 car lengths cushion between vehicles.)
I know driving consciously and safely is just one more thing to think about but consider it.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Have you ever watched the face of a child who receives snail mail? The idea that someone sent a personal communication usually puts a sparkle in the eye and a very wide smile across the face. It’s a realization (conscious or unconscious) that someone cares. ( …… adults respond the same way. )
Person specific notes, letters, and even cards help make and strengthen human connections. A young child usually considers these writings treasures. That paper with a message is something that can be read and re-read many times over- something to take out and read when alone. The receiver of the original mail has a feeling of validity from and an authentic connection with the sender. Most children find a place to save those letters, cards, and notes to pull out and read time and again.
For many children it becomes a natural way to practice reading: reading again and again. Often children want to respond in kind so it is also a natural, purposeful way to encourage writing.
The same is true for our older citizens. As my mom got older, her arthritis and Alzheimer’s meant she could no longer send notes without help. However, as the mail arrived her eyes would sparkle when she would get a letter. Just like a young child, she would take the note out of the envelope with relish. She had a basket beside her chair and looks at her collection of personal mail often. She always said, ”I heard from... I need to write her.” Those letters were the connection to memories in her life. It was important for her to remain connected and in her last years, someone would scribe. Mom came from the era when personal notes were the way to connect and stay connected with others. Receiving a letter was like having a personal conversation with someone – an authentic connection that created a visual in the mind. For many years she talked about how writing letters was an art. Not only for the craft of writing, but as an aside a need for handwriting as well. Handwriting is personal and of course one can recognize that handwritings of close family and friends. Note and letter writing was also a way to communicate more privately; remember the first telephones were party lines - someone could eavesdrop. Mom would share the idea that if one corresponded with others the handwriting would show a person’s feelings as well as the well-chosen words. A personal letter or note was a way to share one’s self.
Mom bemoaned the launch of the internet: e-mail and later social media. We would have lively discussions that e-mail has been an updated version of the note and many of us write more often with the help of the computers. So writing is still a very important way to communicate. Mom would argue that you miss the connection of familiar handwriting and instead see print which is more monotonous; even though easier to read, hence not as personal. Like the party line on the telephone it is easier to eavesdrop!
Many of us save notes, letters and cards we have received over the years. For many of us it is a validation of who we are and our connections. If we receive an e mail that does the same, we save. It is not quite as personal as it becomes part of many e-mails that are in a folder. Perhaps a hard copy is the answer.
Remember that notes, letters, and cards are part of personal history. The people behind those letters are the people that affect you somehow. They respond to your thoughts and actions and share in like kind.
We all experienced the pleasure of receiving a personal note, letter or card as children and young adults. This is a simple idea to give a virtual hug and make a connection with a child or older citizen through a handwritten note, letter, or card. Consider it.
Person specific notes, letters, and even cards help make and strengthen human connections. A young child usually considers these writings treasures. That paper with a message is something that can be read and re-read many times over- something to take out and read when alone. The receiver of the original mail has a feeling of validity from and an authentic connection with the sender. Most children find a place to save those letters, cards, and notes to pull out and read time and again.
For many children it becomes a natural way to practice reading: reading again and again. Often children want to respond in kind so it is also a natural, purposeful way to encourage writing.
The same is true for our older citizens. As my mom got older, her arthritis and Alzheimer’s meant she could no longer send notes without help. However, as the mail arrived her eyes would sparkle when she would get a letter. Just like a young child, she would take the note out of the envelope with relish. She had a basket beside her chair and looks at her collection of personal mail often. She always said, ”I heard from... I need to write her.” Those letters were the connection to memories in her life. It was important for her to remain connected and in her last years, someone would scribe. Mom came from the era when personal notes were the way to connect and stay connected with others. Receiving a letter was like having a personal conversation with someone – an authentic connection that created a visual in the mind. For many years she talked about how writing letters was an art. Not only for the craft of writing, but as an aside a need for handwriting as well. Handwriting is personal and of course one can recognize that handwritings of close family and friends. Note and letter writing was also a way to communicate more privately; remember the first telephones were party lines - someone could eavesdrop. Mom would share the idea that if one corresponded with others the handwriting would show a person’s feelings as well as the well-chosen words. A personal letter or note was a way to share one’s self.
Mom bemoaned the launch of the internet: e-mail and later social media. We would have lively discussions that e-mail has been an updated version of the note and many of us write more often with the help of the computers. So writing is still a very important way to communicate. Mom would argue that you miss the connection of familiar handwriting and instead see print which is more monotonous; even though easier to read, hence not as personal. Like the party line on the telephone it is easier to eavesdrop!
Many of us save notes, letters and cards we have received over the years. For many of us it is a validation of who we are and our connections. If we receive an e mail that does the same, we save. It is not quite as personal as it becomes part of many e-mails that are in a folder. Perhaps a hard copy is the answer.
Remember that notes, letters, and cards are part of personal history. The people behind those letters are the people that affect you somehow. They respond to your thoughts and actions and share in like kind.
We all experienced the pleasure of receiving a personal note, letter or card as children and young adults. This is a simple idea to give a virtual hug and make a connection with a child or older citizen through a handwritten note, letter, or card. Consider it.
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