random thoughts – Day 1,333 – (Friday) – super quiet

Deserted Bridge Street, Nov 10, 2023.

Friday morning traffic is often lighter than Wednesday, and today was even lighter than usual. The streets were practically deserted. Next to no vehicles. Hardly any people. It was nice with a hint of eerie. With Veterans Day on Saturday, it seemed many people were off today.

The ride downtown was so quick and easy that I had time to walk to the office “the long way” from the garage. This route turns away from the general direction of the bank for a block or so before turning to head towards the bank. In a rare sighting, there were no cars on Bridge Street, usually the site of a traffic nightmare. This wasn't the result of a road closure, just the the absence of traffic.

Feed the birds.

I hadn’t walked that way in months and there were so many things to see. There was a dumpster parked on the street that was full of metal from a building project. As I stopped for a photo between some buildings, movement caught my eye. Someone was opening a window. It seemed kind of chilly for that, but hey, it’s not my home or office, so not my business. 

When I rounded onto Merrimack Street, a truck loaded with holiday wreaths was parked and ready to hang the decorations on the light poles. Further up on the façade of a building was the open window. Pigeons were hovering and perching nearby and I figured out the occupant was feeding the birds. Awwww. The “Feed the Birds” song from Mary Poppins started flitting through my head. 

It all felt so quaint. I could imagine the watercolor paintings that could appear in a children’s book with scenes about the man in the window feeding the birds and the wreaths going up in preparation for the City of Lights Parade in two weeks. That’s when Mr. and Mrs.Claus will make their triumphant appearance on Merrimack Street. Good times ahead.

Getting holiday ready.

By 5:00, as I was heading home, things were closer to normal. There was activity. Pedestrians were walking downtown. The vehicular traffic level was still lighter than usual, but the drivers who were out were driving in the usual idiotic and familiar manner. 

At least I have the memory of the lovely and peaceful morning. And a few photos for proof because I don't think anyone would believe that Bridge Street had a morning moment without a traffic situation.