Sharing with Sepia Saturday.
Today's quote:
People who exude love are apt to give things away. They are in every way like rivers; they stream. And so when they collect possessions and things they like, they are apt to give them to other people.
Because, have you ever noticed that when you start giving things away, you keep getting more?
—Alan Watts
And an addition to this post from the Writer's Almanac which reminds me of important things that happened on this date (Jan 2.)
On this date in 1974 President Nixon signed a law setting the national speed limit at 55 miles per hour. The Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act was a response to an oil embargo put in place by the Arab members of OPEC — the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries — in protest of the United States' support of Israel. Gas prices went up 40 percent, block-long lines at the pumps were an everyday occurrence, and it wasn't uncommon to see signs reading "Sorry, no gas today" in front of your local filling station.
The western states, with their wide-open spaces and straight highways, complained bitterly about the new national law, but they complied. Gas prices continued to be high even after the embargo was lifted a couple of months later, and Americans began to look overseas to Japanese cars that were smaller and more fuel-efficient.
The direction change sure looks like it went smoothly. Not. 😁
ReplyDeleteI remember that well, mainly because the BBC ran an interview with a Swedish expert who, with a perfectly straight face, said that they would phase in the change gradually! In the end it all went very smoothly at 5 in the morning.
ReplyDelete...I have always wanted to visit England and Ireland, but I would not be able to rent a car. After driving on the right all these year, I might kill myself and others driving on the left!
ReplyDeleteAmazing to see all the chaos. I wonder if that photo was staged.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering too, because the change took place at 5:00 in the morning of 3 Sept. and that photo looks like it was taken in full daylight.
DeleteBarbara, Changing over to driving on the opposite side of the road would be a nightmare! Many of us have enough trouble negotiating a traffic circle...or using our turn signals...so changing sides would be a terror. I've driven on the left several times and it takes a bit just to acclimate myself, much less dealing with others. Love these bits of history. Also on January 2, 1960, JFK announced his candidacy for President and in 1906 the patent for the world's first air conditioner was granted to Willis Carter. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteA very thoughtful start for the new year! I've driven enough in Britain to know what it feels like to be on the wrong side of the road. Having the steering wheel on the right in a British car is helpful but the left-handed shift is a big challenge. As for great oil embargo in 1974, that was a painful lesson for Americans to experience and one to which I don't think we've actually learned the right answer.
ReplyDeleteBeing Swedish, I remember it well. I was only 12 years old at the time though, so only had to remember to ride my bike on the right side of the road, and walk on the left side, and changing in which direction to look first when crossing a road... I also remember my dad putting up notes on the garage doors etc to remind us/himself, etc. / I also seem to remember a trip into Norway including the experience of shifting from one side of the road at the border. I'm not sure if that was in direct anticipation of the change in Sweden though, it might have been years before that. / In 1971 we went by car (ferry) to England, then it felt weird driving on the left - although I suppose probably not so weird for my father as it was only four years after the change in Sweden.
ReplyDelete