You notice things when you walk, something I’ve always known because I grew up in a family that did not own a vehicle.
Walking around Williams Lake recently a few things have caught my eye.
There’s a man picking up garbage on his own accord.
I saw him one evening near the Tribune and recently one afternoon near Red Tomato Pies.
Not wanting his name or photograph put in the paper, I cannot give you any further details except that he’s been picking garbage up off our downtown streets and sidewalks since mid-June.
By last week he’d accumulated 30 bags, he told me.
I’ve seen several of the photographic coverings for utility boxes that have been installed.
There are horses by Boitanio Park, blueberries by the mall, a mountain biker near the Sandman, mountain racers and salmon by Kondolas, and a rusting truck near the CIBC.
The community garden below Williams Lake Secondary has a display board, several garden boxes, and a Memory Garden sign.
Coming back up from a swim at the point on Williams Lake two weeks ago, I noticed there are little cactus bushes that can be pretty harsh.
My nephew was visiting from Montreal and when he and my son raced back up, hoping to nab the front seat for the ride home, my nephew cried out that there was something on his foot.
As I made my way over to help him out, a tall stranger asked if we needed help.
In the end he carried my nephew up to the truck for me.
Turns out the guy was visiting his girlfriend and is from Kamloops.
I’ve been known to walk and read — a habit I picked up a couple of years ago.
In Prince Rupert, I even managed it with an umbrella.
Whether I’m walking and taking in the world around me, or walking and consuming the world inside a book, I figure it’s a learning experience. I’d encourage everyone to enjoy walking.
— Monica Lamb-Yorski
