Trimming up

It was far too nice outside to walk the mall today. Maintenance crews were going about their business of cutting the grass and wacking the weeds along the greenway by the river. I didn't know that mowing machines were made with such wide cutting blades. If I had a machine like that I could finish mowing my lawn in about 10 minutes. The tulips escaped the last freeze and are in beautiful bloom. Birds were calling out to their mates and fishermen lined the river waiting for a bite. I passed other walkers and bikers and suspect that, like me, they're trying to "trim up" too. Hopefully we will have many warm weather days ahead as beach season (and bathing suit season) approaches.

A time to tear down

The past few days I've been doing my walking in Asheville, NC and Huntington, WV while visiting with family. After driving for nearly 1000 miles, it's good to get home. In all those miles, however, it was heart warming to see the tributes to the Hokies along the way. Things seemed a little closer to normal today and there were more smiles than frowns on the faces of the people I passed. Ever wonder what the innards of an escalator look like? Well, I snapped this picture from the stairs overlooking the dismantled escalator in front of Penney's. Now it's time for rebuilding - in more ways than one.

The Aftershock

I walked the mall before meeting a friend for lunch today. It was quiet. People were still gathering in front of the television in Radio Shack. There were lots of conversations and people shaking their heads. I spoke to my sister on the phone while I walked. Her son will be starting college in the fall, likely at Tufts University. It's amazing how one day can change enthusiastic thoughts of him starting college to thoughts filled with trepidation. We discussed the difficulties of teaching kids how to be safe without causing emotional trauma from the lesson. In the aftermath of yesterday's terrible events, life continues. Workers were busy constructing the new mall entrance and the new Stein Mart entrance.

I met my friend for lunch. We hugged and struggled to hold back tears. She had good news about some of her former students who were at the scene yesterday and is still awaiting news about others. I listened to the governor and the president speak at the afternoon convocation service. I agree with Governor Kaine that the VT students that spoke on camera throughout the day yesterday were well spoken and poised. I hope that the world will remember them as the true ambassadors of the Virginia Tech student body and that their courage will overshadow the shooter's cowardice.

I continue to pray.

Too sad for words...

Normally I would have already been on my way to the mall at 9:00 AM for my usual walk after visiting my chiropractor. Not this morning. This morning I came home first to get my tax documents together for mailing since I had an appointment for car repairs at 11:00 AM and had some extra time on my hands. The television was on and the news of today's VT shooting consumed the air waves. In my wildest dreams I would never have imagined what the following hours reporting would bring.

I dropped off the car and walked to the mall for a nail appointment and then to complete my normal walking routine. But nothing about today has been normal. As my nail technician has a television in the store, I watched news reports in disbelief as the reported number of dead and injured climbed.

I thought that perhaps continuing with my walking schedule I would be able to release some of the stress I was feeling. That didn't happen. A crowd was gathering in front of the television screens at Radio Shack. As my eyes met those of fellow shoppers and mall walkers, I found myself wondering which of them knew what was going on. Then thoughts turned to my own children. I thanked God that they have completed their college studies and did not have to experience a tragedy like this. Then I prayed that God would continue to watch over them and keep them safe.

I picked up my car and drove to church to pray. I left church in tears and I'm still in tears. I feel like I could pray for the rest of my life for those that died and are suffering from today's events and still have not prayed enough.

God help us all.

Sunrise service

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. Now it's time to walk off a bit of that ham. I got to Tanglewood a bit earlier than usual and so more of the stores were still dark inside. As I made my rounds it reminded me of watching things come to life with the sunrise. One by one the store lights come up and shoppers start to infiltrate the mall walkers. I guess that local school systems are on Spring break as I noticed lots of school aged children with their Grandparents. It made me a little melancholy as I missed my own grandson who left this morning with my daughter and son-in-law to return home after their Easter visit; short but sweet.

I imagine that the Spring garden will be dismantled as the Easter Bunny has moved on. The young man on the mall's cleaning staff was busy working on the mall benches. He painstakingly used his rags to clean between every wooden slat in the benches. Now that's Spring cleaning!

The folks who sell nuts in front of Belk's were setting up their goods today. I wondered where they prepared their nuts and if they have every considered actually making them at the mall. When I was at the Valley View mall on Saturday the smell of the nuts cooking was irresistible and I expect that they sell a much larger volume because of it. In fact, it seems to me that a vendor would consider appealing to as many of the senses as possible when trying to sell their products. Take for instance the furniture store that has a wall of Grandfather clocks. On all of my trips walking past the store I have never heard any of them ring. Wouldn't it be great to hear what the clocks sound like?