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Oh Great. It’s Staring Season Again
Walking alone in warm weather brings unwelcome attention.
Today I took a solo walk down to the park near where I live. A sidewalk was installed last year, which is a huge improvement over the awkward, terrifying, hug-the-side-of-the-road tactic I undertook for the first year or so that I lived here.
It was in the 70s and I had short sleeves on; the sun was warm on my skin, and I was so happy to be outside.
Then, as I walked along the busy road, I noticed the first head turn.
He was driving a big, black pickup truck in the opposite direction I was walking. His entire head turned to track my progress as I walked past him. It was blatant.
A woman is behind the wheel of the next vehicle heading toward me. She stared straight ahead, which is preferable to me, a person walking along this rather high-traffic stretch.
A car drives past going the same direction as me. The window’s rolled down and an arm extends out of it on the driver’s side, making a gesture at me. Male driver.
Great, I forgot, warm weather means it’s staring season.
Typically I go for a walk every single day. On the best days, I take a walk once in the morning and once in the afternoon. It’s nice to be…
