I think that the states of Idaho and possibly Montana, too, erected crosses anywhere along highways where a fatal accident had occurred. This was done by the state highway department. We were there on family vacations in the mid 60′s (yes, the 1960′s, a la LAMary) and I remember them being roadside. My father said when he was a small boy, they did that in Ohio but the state discontinued the practice.

Said models of car can be counted on to do things like pass us on the right when we’re heading down a four-lane road getting ready to take the cortege through a left turn, or try to turn through us as we’re moving through an intersection, etc. Must note that young women in Miatas and little Firebirds (? not sure i have model right), especially red ones, are just as insensitively impatient.

Pickups with single males and minivans/suvs with moms and kids are almost guaranteed to pull over to the side and slow or stop even when on the other side of a median as facing traffic. But we have to keep a sharp eye out for the Camaro bolting out from behind them, swerving towards our oncoming procession, and roaring past grimly looking straight ahead.

There’s a kind of chaplaincy that exhorts and shouts encouragement to those that run out ahead of the pack and lead the charge, which i think is real and important, but i’m more of the nudging sheepdog that would rather get the whole flock moving forward three steps than settle for getting three people up and over the next ridgeline a mile ahead.

http://tinyurl.com/yj6l6gf

First I saw of roadside memorials was in New Mexico on the road between Santa Fe and Taos. Stopped to take a picture of a most spectacular one on a curve overlooking a sheer cliff. Also noted that their newspapers run anniversary obits (now there’s an idea for our cash-strapped midwestern dailies). When I moved back to Hoosiertucky I was astounded to see crucifixes festooned with flowers and toys all over the damned countryside. This was definitely not part of the landscape when I left for Chicago as a political refugee in 1986.

Never went into the Lake Towers but used to work in the ‘hood at 750 N. LSD when it was leased by Northwestern to the American Bar Association. Best office view I had in that place was in an eighth- or ninth-floor atrium overlooking the lakefront immediately to the north of Lake Pointe Tower, where people anchored yachts and partied all day while us working stiffs worked. And some of them partied naked, much to the delight of all the office schlubs.

I vaguely remember some controversy over a WPA painting in the IU Student Union that some people regarded as offensive and wanted removed. I thought it was located somewhere near the southwest entrance of the Union at the end of East Kirkwood. I don’t particularly remember the painting or what it depicted but I do remember it striking me as considerably less outrageous than the tone of the protests.

I’m sure you’re right, Julie. There are so many reasons to be doubtful, depressed, and discouraged. People need all the stoking they can get.

On another topic: There are two new shows on CNBC this evening that might be interesting. A Q@A session w/ Warren Buffett and Bill Gates and bio of Gates–assuming you’re interested in the views and experience of super-rich tycoons/philanthropists, that is.

On still another topic: Are any of you Google Chrome users? I just started playing w/ it a couple of days ago (after having spent a ridiculous amount of time configuring Firefox w/ just the right mix of add-ons), and I very cool. It is, as far as I can see, less configurable than Firefox, but it really fast, and I love the status bar search.

Talking sense, crinoidgirl? I’ll try to keep it to a minimum. Am glad to hear you’ll be eligible for the extended unemployment benefits. I thought of you and wondered when I heard the news, as I thought I thought I heard someone on the teevee say that people whose benefits had expired wouldn’t be covered.