DAZE WORK: Look around and enjoy the rat race

That legendary philosopher Ferris Bueller perhaps said it best.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

In this Year of Our Lord 2020, that’s possibly even better advice than when the movie came out in 1986. Although Ferris was in the shower with a head full of shampoo at the time, I can commiserate, having come to my senses half asleep in my bed at 3 a.m.

We all can indeed look around and see the world anew. Believe me, I’ve done it, and found some interesting oddities and incongruities along the way ...

For example, we have a world-class skatepark -- which while being built even had the support, financial and otherwise, of the one and only Tony Hawk -- yet some local skateboarders have found the lure of the smooth, level new asphalt too attractive at the Robe-Ann Park pickleball courts.

Joining them reportedly was even a rollerblading woman who Park Director Rod Weinschenk said was working toward a tryout with the Indianapolis Naptown Roller Derby team.

Do we really need to post a sign prohibiting such activity at the pickleball courts? Really? Or one suggesting no rollerblading be allowed at the aquatic center?

* * *

Now that Vectren is supposedly done with its improvement project on the city’s northeast side, North Arlington Street looks like a patchwork quilt or maybe the knees of those old dungarees your mother used to iron patches onto to cover the holes.

While the street cuts are really pretty smooth right now, the winter freeze and spring thaw have yet to work their magic.

The good news is Mayor Bill Dory says we can look forward to North Arlington Street being on the city’s repaving schedule in the near future.

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Every time I hear more and more about that U.S. 231 “rebuild” that’s coming through Greencastle sometime in the next couple years, I can’t help think what a nightmare that might create downtown.

The existing water main under U.S. 231 along Jackson and Washington streets will be replaced in a long-overdue project that will save the city quite a bit with INDOT picking up something like 80 percent of the project.

Pavement replacement is scheduled between the railroad crossing on the north side of town and Washington Street. Three trees are scheduled to be removed, presumably in the Bloomington-Seminary street area.

The length of the project is approximately 1.64 miles from Frazier Street on the north to just south (0.03 miles) of Veterans Memorial Highway on the south.

So lots and lots of work ahead right in the center of town.

One good thing, at least this project won’t attempt to redesign the Mousehole. That would be a detour disaster.

* * *

I kept reading and hearing all weekend how former Butler University product Gordon Hayward wanted to come home again to Indiana to play for the Pacers. Had even built a new home in the Fishers area.

So what happens? He signs a four-year $120 million contract to play for Charlotte.

Forget about that home being where the heart is, it’s apparently where the big bucks are.

* * *

Honest to goodness, I’ve watched so much football the last few weeks, I’m beginning to see an imaginary first down line every time I maneuver around with my trusty cane.

Even tried to step out of bounds just beyond it once or twice. But then, sadly I ran out of downs.

* * *

Keep your eyes peeled for some more Christmas decorations in Greencastle this holiday season.

City Clerk Lynda Dunbar said the budget has allowed for the purchase of a few more holiday decorations, which hopefully will stretch all the way down Washington Street to City Hall when they’re finished.

Yes, it’s already beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

* * *

First legendary DePauw football coach Nick Mourouzis. And now my former next-door neighbor, Jim Headley.

Their losses have certainly put a face on the COVD-19 issue for me.

Both my daughters and sons-in-law -- Kara and Karl in Iowa and Nicole and Joe in North Vernon -- have endured mild cases but that doesn’t make it any less of an issue.

My girls keep texting me things like, “Please stay at home as much as possible right now!”

That’s become the world we live in ...

* * *

And thanks to COVID-19 and my daughter and son-in-law’s recent exposure, I now have nowhere to go for Thanksgiving. So I’m planning to cook my first-ever turkey -- well, turkey breast -- this year .

Already have stashed sides of loaded mashed potatoes and broccoli cheese casserole in my fridge, thanks to Bob Evans and Kroger.

Crockpots for crackpots, I say.

Pray for me ...

* * *

And paying homage again to Ferris Bueller, we gleefully ask: “You’re still here? ... It’s over. Go home.”