Shopping with dear friends is a wonderful time to remember funny stories and plan new adventures. Today was no different. Between the three of us, one is attending a beach wedding, one is planning a trip to Italy, and one going on a honeymoon cruise. After enjoying an amazing lunch, we all needed to use the ladies room. The problem was, there was only two single bathrooms. Sometimes, that’s just the way things roll.
As we stood in a line waiting for the ladies room, the owner of the restaurant came over with a brilliant selection. One of us could play “Guard”, while the other two took care of business. As we stood with her, she talked about the pros and cons of running a restaurant in this day and age.
Restaurant owners endure long days, even with a closing time of 2PM. These days, the cost of food is much higher. She receives early morning calls from employees too tired to work that day. Yet, she’s there every day, remembering how things used to be. Her restaurant is so successful, the customers keep rolling in, no matter the hidden complications.
The town mall is trying to recover as the meeting point of the town. With no empty store fronts, the three of us moved along looking for beach and cruise wear, and a little something for the wedding. Being together with friends is always the best part. Our time together was way to short.
After promising to get together again soon, it was time to speed down the interstate returning to the dusty, little, wide spot in the road I call home. For thirty miles, litter covers the sides of the road. In this day and age, how is this even possible. Isn’t there a huge fine for littering? I guess that in the desert littering doesn’t really count.
Remembering back to my childhood, there was one commercial that comes to mind.
What an effective advertisement this was. We all saw and remembered it. Everyone related to and respected the message. Tossed garbage resulted in hefty fines.
These days, people step over discarded trash. Heck, you might need rubber boots to walk through our big cities. A little more than trash on those streets. In the 1900’s, the incarcerated worked. With a bright vest, trash bag, and grabber, they cleaned the sides of the highways. Cleaning trash wasn’t exactly where someone would like to be seen. A little embarrassment can be a great crime deterrent. But, things are different now.
When you live in the desert, lots of things are not quite as we might like them. There are always those people that think it’s fine to dump their old couch or kitchen table by the side of the road. These things can lay there for weeks, while people look the other way. It’s the norm in some areas.
A few years ago, a conscientious local decided enough was enough. He formed a group called “The Desert Pigs”. This group has picked up thousands of tons of trash and discards over the last ten years. One Saturday a month, they band together, pick a trouble spot and clean up the site. These unsung heroes have grown in numbers, but still cannot keep up with the trash that’s everywhere.
Growing up in the country, I was taught it’s not okay to litter. My dad would have us help when city folk came out to our ranch to dump their discards. He made a game of picking up aluminum with my boys when they were young, letting them have the profits from the cans they collected. His ranch was always neat and tidy, without city folk realizing it takes mindfulness and hard work to keep it that way.
Look around the street where you live. Are the storm drains clogged with trash? Do YOU live in the countryside where people seem to think the entire area is one big dumping ground?
Here’s a suggestion. Take a small garbage bag with you when you go out for your daily walk. You WILL find at least one thing to put in it, yes you will. If not, keep walking until you do. If everyone would just clean up a little, things would certainly look a little better.
Now, if you live in Neat-And-Tidy-Land, then, you need to get our your Gratitude Journal and make a few entries. If you are that lucky, be Grateful.
Here at Winterpast, HHH and I are in the process of beautifying our little piece of heaven. Winter is a great time to purge and carry away stuff that not need any longer. As things are getting organized around here, it’s lovely to enjoy our newly found space. As for us, our discards go right to the transfer station, formally known as the dump.
Whatever you do today, try to help clean something in your neighborhood. Watch for upcoming community work days in your town. If none are planned, call City Hall and ask why not. Our Mayor holds beautification days in our town and shows up to help, but then, he’s a pretty great guy. I know. I’m married to his brother.
More tomorrow.