That is really cool you’re headed through Missouri. The Katy Trail doesn’t itself go through Columbia, where we live, but an offshoot, called the MKT trail does - the Katy Trail connects to the MKT, it’s not too far out of the way of the Katy Trail(http://www.bikekatytrail.com/columbia.asp). If you happen to be near our area, you should shoot us an email.

Jennifer: After having lengthy talks with my husband about cars, we’ve come to the conclusion that angry drivers are angry because they feel that they lack control while they’ve bought into the lifestyle of driving that supposedly promises freedom. Don’t know if the way I’ve written it makes sense…but if getting from point A to B is supposed to be fast in a car and then the driver has to deal with something slow moving preventing them from being fast, then they’d get angry.

BTW, I’ll be riding through Missouri along the Katy Trail.

katecontinued: That’s funny. I actually used to have a huge fondness for motorbikes, but then the knowledge that they cause pollution and loud and annoying, etc made me like them less.

Building Suburbia was one of the first eye-opening books I read. Hayden’s research into the book was much appreciated by me. I should read her other works, I suspect I might really enjoy them.

The Purloined Letter: I think it takes a while for new ideas to percolate before something can be done about them. I’m glad your partner was inspiring to you.

I’m always amazed when I read about moms changing their thought process and lifestyle after becoming a parent. Its very inspiring to me that their love for their kids pushes them into living a life that can be sustainable.

But, you gave me a real gift in your link to Dolores Hayden. She was my hero when I was studying design at university. I wanted to go on with my masters and research women in design. I wasn’t able to continue in academia and real life corporate work threatened to stomp the idealism from me. Thank you for reminding me of another hero, Delores Hayden.

I like that you brought up the aggression and anger that people often get behind the wheel. I know this from experience, I used to have a car, and grew up in St. Louis, I would get into my car and turn into a psycho. Seriously, I feel bad now when I’m walking along the side walk and you see someone getting so angry over a few lost seconds. However, there have been many ‘o times when I was crossing, legally at a crosswalk and nearly been hit by someone who wasn’t paying attention and then has the gall to do something like flip ME off or yell slurs.

Thank you for this post Beany, it is nice to see someone else concerned about communication and lifestyle changes, and what that can mean for one’s relationship. Brett is my best friend as well, and like you and your hubby, we see eye to eye on most things, the areas that we don’t, well, they just aren’t important, so long as we understand each others reasoning, we can come to an understanding. Sometimes it is scary how similar we are, how we think, even how we write - we both blog on Veg*n Cooking and most people can’t tell who is who.

Thanks again for this wonderful post. And sorry for my crazy long comment.