Decorative tiles on a building in Sevilla, Spain
Early this afternoon I was out running errands. Walking across a pedestrian crosswalk, I had to jump on the curb to avoid getting mowed down by a car. It was a woman, talking on her cell phone and running a red light. She was literally two inches from hitting me - thank goodness for peripheal vision and a quick reaction on my part.
The woman suddenly realised how close she'd come to causing me serious injury and waved and mouthed "desolee" (sorry) at me, without even interrupting her phone conversation!
This little scare shook me up more than I'd like to admit, even though I continued with my errands. It's the second time recently I've narrowly escaped being run over - in the last incident, a motorcyclist speeding around a corner skidded to a halt to avoid hitting me in the crosswalk.
When I got home this afternoon I fixed a bowl of soup and snuggled on the sofa under my grandmother's afghan reading the January issues of Elle Decor and Country Living. Pure escapism. Yes, I had a million other things I should have been doing - but I didn't. Because the mad news coming out of Washington, the five-year anniversary of prisoners being detained at Guantanamo Bay and the near-accident have drained my energy. Today it's all about cocooning.
No more near misses! I will be sending prayers of safety your way, "Dear God, please keep reckless, inattentive drivers away from dear Tara." Lots of love, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 13 January 2007 at 05:48
I too had a near miss the other day.....a woman was "yielding" at a stop sign to turn onto a one way street. She was looking to her right. I was walking from her left. Missed me by a nose!!! Her reaction was worse than mine, though......I was close enough to see the whites of her eyes and the colour drain from her face......scary!
Glad you're fine.........it does shake one up thats for sure........... and zaps one right into realizing the precariousness (is that a word) of life.
Posted by: awareness | 12 January 2007 at 23:33
MY Goodness! Yeah,,I think cocooning is the BEST possible answer! I love your chalk board from yesterday!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 12 January 2007 at 13:38
Geesh, Tara. That's scary. Unfortunately, it happens often here. So many pedestrian accidents they have made pedestrian crosswalks everywhere, called Zebra's, and made a law about stopping to let a pedestrian cross, but guess what. Do people follow the law? I don't even need to answer that for you. A hot drink, a blankie, and a good book or movie sounds good to me right now. Along with a warm doggie that loves to snuggle.
Posted by: artzyjudie | 12 January 2007 at 13:30
Thank God your guardian angel was watching over you!! WHEW!!
I absolutely {{{HATE}}}cell phones being used while driving cars and when dining in restaurants! hugs NG
Posted by: naturegirl | 12 January 2007 at 13:11
Oh Tara, thank goodness nothing bad happened!
You are one lucky girl to have escaped twice! They'd say (in Malay) you will live long!
Recouperate and cocoon. You deserve it.
xxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Nina | 12 January 2007 at 12:04
Desolee my ass! She can stuff her sorrys in a sock!
Cocooning is an excellent idea. I plan to do that myself if the factions here will allow it. It hasn't been happening lately. eh HEM!
I love those tiles - they actually fit your decorating style. I wonder if Spain would miss them?
I'm glad you are okay!
Posted by: holli | 12 January 2007 at 09:17
Sometimes the mad, bad bits of the world are too much for me as well and there is nothing better than a blanket to hide under until I'm ready to face it again. I hope your afternoon was restoring!
I would love some of those magazines, but instead I have my laptop and your blogs, so I'm not bad off at all.
x
Posted by: Frida | 12 January 2007 at 04:59
I'm so glad you're alright! I'm tired, so very tired of everyone being so self absorbed that other people don't even register. I'm glad you nurtured yourself instead of pushing yourself. Take care dear one!
Posted by: kristen | 12 January 2007 at 04:54
xoxo tara...
Posted by: diana | 12 January 2007 at 03:50
I've been cocooning whenever I get the chance. This is a mad, mad world, led by mad, mad people!!
Posted by: jzr | 12 January 2007 at 02:38
My hubby and I almost got mowed down in a similar way last Christmas (2005). It really does unnerve you, doesn't it? As for King George...I just don't even know where to begin.
Posted by: Donna | 12 January 2007 at 01:38
Goodness! That does sound scary! Glad you are ok and had some down time enjoying your reading. The weather has turned colder here and that is all I feel like doing lately!
Posted by: Kim G. | 12 January 2007 at 00:38
I'm glad you managed to avoid the maniac.
As for the news ... I worked myself into a fine frenzy of blogging it, not helped in the slightest by watching the absolutely stunning BBC drama 'Judge Deed'. He was in the Hague this week ... stunning as usual.
Do you know the series? If not, I strongly recommend you look for it on dvd.
Stay safe and cocoon well.
xo
Posted by: Di | 11 January 2007 at 23:43
Everytime I read your post, I picture the movie, "Sabrina." :)
Posted by: Chelle | 11 January 2007 at 23:00
It shakes us to our core when we realize how fragile life is. Rest Tara and I'm so grateful you're ok. HUGS
Posted by: Tamara Brierly | 11 January 2007 at 22:09
Goodness! How close was that! Good reflexes. Taking up handball to leverage that advantage? :)
Posted by: Pearl | 11 January 2007 at 21:38
agreeing; staying out of the panic and taking a step back
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 11 January 2007 at 20:55
I am glad you are okay! And I hate it when people nearly kill you then just say sorry in such an off-handed way. dude, you just nearly killed me!
Posted by: Melissa | 11 January 2007 at 20:48
A very natural reaction to cocoon after a scare like that.
What will that woman do when she actually hits someone? Mouth "désolée" while she continues her conversation? Because she will hit someone eventually, since almost hitting you did not get her off the phone.
xox
Posted by: Colette | 11 January 2007 at 20:37
Tara, what would we do without you? You are my link to the outside world!
Posted by: pepek | 11 January 2007 at 20:18
Tara,
Cocoon my pet,* cocoon. You are deserving.
rel
*Term of endearment my aunt Nellie used to call me.
Posted by: rel | 11 January 2007 at 19:37
Here in Trondheim and close area several pedestrians have been hit by cars and killed the last months. Terrible.
Come over and have some soup in my Blue Cafè:
http://thebluecafe.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 11 January 2007 at 19:25