Face it, we have all become members of the over-the hill gang. These past few years have changed our lives in one way or another. There was a time in this valley when only the old-timers among us seemed to use that phrase to describe their trips outside of the county to conduct business. It was an all-purpose saying that came in handy to describe travel to long distances.
It has also been used in more recent times, by all ages to mark significant birthdays. Party favors bearing the number of the decade marking their recent trip over-the-birthday hill still abound. Yet, other colloquialism’s about distance continue to be sprinkled in conversations.
Going down the road apiece, going to the Junction, or getting out of Dodge are only a few. It is interesting to see how many people have changed their perspective about driving great distances. The urgent need to get out of our houses prevailed. It did not matter what efforts had to be made to assure that once we all ventured out we could be go about our daily business. The assurance that we could continue go inside businesses, as well as the homes of our family and friends was enough for most of us.
As more people report that their daily lives have not gone back to normal in the past year, the subtle changes affecting daily life during the pandemic have been taking hold. Variations on the theme of “going the distance” reflect our recent dependence on social media and the continued rise of online shopping. It has changed how so many of us view physical travel. The digital extension of our range has resulted in some of our references to “going over the hill” in our conversations. When remote learning began in schools all over the country at the beginning of the pandemic, great numbers of us began working from home, so our skill at interacting socially declined.
The common answer to the often asked question, “Did you just get back from going-over-the-hill?” can no longer be met by short familiar phrase. A different one might have taken its place. Let’s just leave it at, “I went the extra mile … or two.”
By DOLLY VISCARDI – Special to the Herald Times
