Well, it's May 17, and you know what that means, right? I have fulfilled the first half of my promise to pick up trash every day for one year. A friend of mine stopped me a few weeks ago to say she had seen me around town and wanted to thank me. "I'll bet you find some interesting stuff," she commented. "You have no idea."
Today I decided to clean the east fence line at B&Bs, our famous local gas/junk food store. I found 2 pennies and another interesting-looking coin which I got excited about until I looked closer--"Estados Unidos Mexicanos," it read. The center is aluminum bronze encircled by a stainless steel ring. One side reads N$1. Mexico was the first country in the world to use the dollar sign on their currency. Tough to find out the U.S. copy-cated that! (I just coined a new word!) So I found a 1994 peso. Big whoop.
The thing about pickin' trash today is that there was no wind--none--not a breath, not a whisper. I love it when I can just set the open garbage bag on the ground and toss stuff in from random locations. See how easily I find happiness? Even though I collected one full black bag of junk, there wasn't as much as I had anticipated. No need for the 2nd bag folded neatly and slipped into my back pocket. Could someone else have adopted my cause and beat me to it? I can only hope.
Apparently, convenience stores are a convenient place to drop one's cigarette butts, because I picked up 400 this morning. Think it odd that I picked up an even number? That's because I got to 400 and just quit, or I would be there the literal day long.
There is a 5 foot strip of grass between the parking lot and the fence at B&Bs. So I stand on the grass, or what passes for grass, while trying to extricate candy bar wrappers, paper plates, etc. from the chain link fence. Quite intent on removing a piece of paperboard lodged under the fence, I failed to notice exactly where I was standing. I was making somebody mad, because I looked down to observe ants scurrying all over my shoes and up my pant leg inside and out. Red ants no less. I brushed them off my jeans, off my shoes and then jumped around for a while hoping to discourage any lingering team members from staying. But once you get the creepy-crawlies, they're hard to get rid of. Whether there were any ants left or not, I kept feeling them. Gross. Stashing the bag where it wouldn't be noticed, I headed for home. A shower might be in order.
My hurried walk, however, was put on hold as I noticed a couple of nicely-dressed guys heading to their car at the Black Dog Inn. At first I thought they might be realtors. Then one of the guys in slacks and a sport coat--not something you see every day in Estes Park--called me over. Hmmmm..."I'm ready for anything, mister," I thought. "I've just defeated an angry mob trying to attack me, and I've got my picker in case you try something." But guess what? It was Jerry from the Gideons, and he wanted to give me a Bible! He has spoken at Rez a few times, knew Earl and Jan Treat, and also knew my brother, John, Pastor of Good Shepherd Bible Chapel. He even mentioned the Hoornbeeks! Lee, don't be surprised if Jerry calls about joining the Gideons. You just never know what divine appointments await until you get out there pickin'!
Always,
Winter
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