Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I used to love driving but now I only drive when I have to.

I find myself staying in my house a lot lately. Oh yeah, winter just ended. That explains some of it, so I know the nice weather will force me to go out more.

Driving in the city is becoming too stressful for me. Actually, driving in general is on my list of things I’d just rather not do. I try to walk or use the T as much as I can, especially now that driving through the city has become more … challenging.

I don’t walk while looking down at my phone or while wearing headphones or earbuds. I also don’t walk boldly and carelessly into a crosswalk, or pop out from behind a bush or parked car without acknowledging that any and all traffic, including bicyclists, notice me. I’m still very nervous walking because a lot of drivers are also looking at their phones or wearing headphones or earbuds or just preoccupied in general. You must be vigilant as you navigate through the chaos.

When we were kids we used to walk or bike everywhere. It wasn’t as crazy out there back then as it is now. Very seldom were we chauffeured around by our parents, but we were always headed someplace seeking food, fun and friends. Nothing stopped us. We also had those old orange buses with the comfortable thick stuffed seats to get us around for a dime.

One of our favorite places to walk to was Kemp’s Hamburgers on Mystic Ave. on the Somerville–Medford Line. With very little money, we could all get our fill of burgers, Cokes and fries. Thinking back now, it wasn’t that long of a walk from where we would all meet at Powder House Park, but we still had to be careful crossing the streets. I also had to keep an eye on my little brother. Our walks to Kemp’s were always an enjoyable trip. It was safer walking back then because drivers weren’t as distracted as they are nowadays.

We also used to walk to The Bal-A-Roue roller skating rink, also on Mystic Ave. If it was dark, we would get a ride from one of the moms or dads, but during the day we would just hoof it. Not having wheels never stopped us from getting someplace.

Before we got our licenses we also used the T, formerly called The MTA. We used to take the Green Line into Boston and hang around the Combat Zone or put on our headbands and hit the Boston Common. Often we’d just walk around and check out the people and the stores. Cheap fun!

We would also take the Blue Line all the way to Revere Beach where about four of my buddies and I got jobs working on the Dodge’Em cars. Under-aged, uninsured and dangerous, but not as scary as trying to get in and out and around a busy city nowadays. We spent a couple of memorable summers in the early 70’s commuting back and forth to our extremely exciting illegal jobs at the beach. Once we got off the train, we walked around enjoying the enchanted rides, food spots, and games of chance that made up the Revere Beach of yesteryear. That’s a story for another week.

As I walked to Davis Square last week, I was almost hit by a bicyclist while I was in a crosswalk. I also witnessed several drivers looking down at their phones while driving on College Ave., which has been treacherous to cross ever since we moved to the area in 1960.

So now I’m paranoid of driving and walking. Good thing I have options. I can go out into the world to take care of my appointments and my errands, or stay home with my friends, Chandler and Joey, Andy and Gomer, Jack, Janet and Chrissy, Lisa Douglas and Arnold Ziffel.

Realistically, I have to still fulfill my commitments which involve traffic, and dealing with distracted, disgruntled drivers. Among those commitments are a one hour drive each way to see my grandkids, a few trips to Old Orchard Beach, and other very important destinations like Kane’s Donuts on Route 1. Somehow, I’m sure I’ll make it, hopefully in one piece with my sanity somewhat intact.

Anyone want to grab a burger and then go roller skating, topped off by a few rides on the Dodge’Em cars? If only.