shirley's cottage

NO PARKING !AND THEY MEAN IT

Last year there was a letter to the editor about more parking signs that were going to be put up on Ripley Road. I remember I agreed with the writer, but didn’t follow up on anything. That’s the way it goes sometimes. I should have contacted that lady.
The other day I thought about the letter a Town of Oakland worker was putting NO PARKING signs up. I live on a corner. They were both put on the street signs across from each other.
These signs are not just on street signs. They are on telephone poles and free-standing poles.
. Not to be outdone, there are a dozen and more others ranging from "hidden driveway" to "pedestrian crossing"-several diamond-shaped signs with arrows and one with a squiggle. I have to admit there are a few whose meaning escapes me from my driver training days.
And to my surprise, there are six 25 mph signs. I would have guessed fewer if I wouldn’t have counted them myself. Maybe there should be more of those..
What adds to the story is the placement of these signs. There are none from Shore Place to Arbor Dell. Then they are all bunched up, like by my cottage. There are spots where you can’t walk, yet there is a sign warning you to not park. The pedestrian crossing is all but covered up.
In 43 years, I have never had a problem driving down the lake road. It would be like saying the walkers couldn’t walk, the bikers couldn’t bike, the skaters couldn’t skate .because the cars have to give a little leeway.
Last year an unknown neighbor a few houses down, had a big party. Cars were parked along side the road. In fact, in front of my cottage. They were all Illinois plates. It was once and posed no problems. I hope this did not precipitate the onslaught of signs. I heard the rumor the signs are to keep the "summer people" from parking all over. I hope it was just a rumor.
If there is a parking problem somewhere along the road, could it not be dealt with at that point? Do we have to have another 34 signs on the road?
Put those together with the mail boxes, street signs, for sale signs, subdivision signs, no trespassing signs, and paper boxes, it’s a wonder we can see the—what is that out yonder? Oh yes, the lake.
If I have to look between the signs to see the lake, so be it. I don’t see signs that say we can’t look at the lake. The lake and the lake road are there for all to enjoy. But just remember, NO PARKING!

Now that I’m off my soapbox, I made myself hungry. I sure don’t feel like cooking.
You might not think this is a "recipe", but it was one of my sister and my favorite lunches when we used to come home for lunch from school. (I may have given it before, but it bears repeating)
Franco American Spaghetti O’s a la Gram
you will need:
a big can of Spaghetti O’s
a small onion, diced and sauteed
½ pound hamburger, browned and drained
one 8 ounce can mushrooms, drained (optional)
a little catsup
Mix all together
Heat thoroughly
Serve with good bread and butter
If you have time, take any fruit, canned and drained, or fresh and mix with a can of cherry pie filling. Top with whipped cream
Enjoy-a simply-cheap- and fast meal.