Walking in my hood

When I rounded a corner along a bike path I could see what I thought was some misplaced scene of mass destruction. A Foleys building with only half the building standing was like a sight out of all the chaotic destruction the media bombarded the public with after the hurricane in New Orleans. I could see the exposed frames and inside the floors I use to walk while a few construction vehicles hauled debris away from the building. While driving by the old Buckingham mall a few nights earlier I looked over expecting to see the mall and instead I clearly saw houses from the neighbor hood on the other side of the mall. I knew the mall wasn’t doing well and had been closed for quite some time but I didn’t know it was being demolished.

Feeling lethargic after ten hours of sleep and being inactive Friday evening I decided to walk up to the mall Saturday morning to survey the remains of the mall. Buckingham mall is less than a five minute drive from home, about fifteen minutes on a bike and less then a half an hour walk from home. While I wasn’t there frequently enough to call it my home away from home I did spend quite a few hours there buying comics, Christmas presents, watching movies, and wandering the mall. It was the mall closest to home and there was something about it that always captivated me. Of course this was back in the day when there were many larger chain stores there with super friendly servers & cashiers who gave great service. Over the years many stores moved out and many smaller stores moved in but never generated the business to keep the mall alive. The mall shut down years ago but a Target and Foleys on each end of the mall stayed open.

While it was sad to see an establishment that had served as a place of many childhood memories close down it also served as a reminder of change. Everything changes given enough time. As I walked along two bikes whisked by me as the riders laughed about jumping off the dirt piles near the mall. Both of the riders were children most likely no more than ten years old. They wouldn't remember the mall as I did but some day what ever structures take the place of that mall, I am sure those children will be riding their bikes through and enjoying every minute of it.

I also went for the walk to see how my ankle is fairing after the 3rd degree sprain in early March 2007. I wanted to see how long I could walk and if at any point in time there would be any pain. Aside from noticing I was walking fast and had to slow down so I didn't push myself (Growing up I was a fast walker, always enjoy getting where I'm going ASAP) I was surprised. I walked for an hour and half with almost no pain and I didn't stop because of pain so the good news is my ankle is doing better after a year! I have been biking & swimming to exercise it. Considering I last sprained it by tripping after a jog, I don't plan on jogging for a while.