I did it. I cleaned the trashy thicket. Unbelievably, the teensy area choked under a barrow full of metal waste, some random bits of lumber, and 9 large bags worth of trash. Over the last week, amid the glare of passersby, I cleaned that place spit-spot. You should see it. It is a sight. (I promise photos later.)
Am I pleased? What a question. I am beyond pleased. I may be overstating this slightly, but the whole experience was a revelation. I learned things. Like the fact that freeing nature from that tangled mass of human-made refuse made me feel so good. SO needed. Yes, I picked garbage for a whole bloody week. For one week, I was the crazy garbage lady. But when that week was up, a bluejay alit beside me in the thicket. Like, right there. Close enough that if I took one small step I could touch it. Do you know how blue a bluejay is? Well this one was like the clearest sky. It was a thank you from the heavens to this crazy little garbage lady. And I won’t soon forget it.
♥M
P.S. A huge thank you to Lo and The Boy for their help taking the trash to the pick-up location. Love you guys.
Hi Michele,
Thank you for cleaning the thicket. I would have joined you if I lived closer (I'm in WA state). I think what you did is terrific. Who was it that said, laughs in flowers"? In this case, the earth thanked with a beautiful bluejay alighting.
I've enjoyed watching / reading your creativity and marveled at the way you repurpose materials. You should teach workshops and have gallery shows.
Be well. Sending you rainbow smiles.
Rainbow smiles right back at you Rachael K. 🙂
Yay! You are a heroine for sure – your post makes me happy. Thank you for loving the earth so much to spend your own precious time cleaning her. I am glad it was such a worthwhile experience for you as well!
You know what? I smiled at myself when we removed the bags yesterday. I felt like a bit of a hero actually, now that you mention. Pretty good feeling, eh?
Wow great job! I hope the rest of the dream follows….
What do you know about the rest of the dream? There is one, btw. How'd you figure that out, you clever thing?
Thank you.
Love,
Mother Earth
You are infinitely welcome. 😉
I'm so proud of you, yet I don't even know you… People often complain about the state of rubbish left, but how often do you see them actually pick it up ! To take this on will give you a buzz. Look forward to seeing what you find from the birds moving in to the flowers in the spring…
Amanda xxx
Yes yes yes!!! Me too! Bring on the birds and the flowers! I cannot wait to see what Mother Nature reveals…
That's fantastic! I hope people take care to keep it clean now.
Thanks Amy, I hope so too. So far the people I've spoken to about it seem quite keen to have it clean. Maybe there's hope! The thicket is on my walk path so I visit it everyday. If no one else cleans it, I will. And I plan on leaving a very obvious garbage receptacle so that people get the point.
Truly inspiring. I think everyone who complains about how things are should see this and take action. You improved something greatly ! I hope people enjoy the thicket now. Bravo!
One more comment- makes me think of last week- I was washing my windows and feeling glum about it- such a menial boring task- and while I was scrubbing the most beautiful hummingbird hovered over my red flowers right outside the window- took my breath away!
I've just discovered the beauty of birds over the last few short years, and they are such amazing little creatures. Now, I can't get enough of them. I would have been delighted to see that hummingbird right along with you. And man, it's nice to have clean windows, eh? Which reminds me….
Bless your lovely heart. me thinks that bluejay was sent by Mother earth to thank you too!
That's certainly how it felt Liniecat! Boy, what a good feeling. 🙂
BRAVA! I'm inspired to clean public spots too; but feel reluctant on doing so because of the crazy looks I will receive. Who knows, the after photos, to be posted, might kick-start the drive I have to clean up the world bit by trashy bit.
I still worry about what people think, but I don't let it stop me anymore. People will feel the way they feel and you or I can't control that. You know you're doing a good thing when you pick up a piece up a piece of trash. That's what should motivate you, I think. And besides, you will feel so good about it. So be free to be you and GO FOR IT MamaCitaLiteSkinDiva!
I am glad you did that. Next time I see trash where it shouldn't be, I will do the same. You have inspired me.
Thanks bookkm, the earth will thank you and so do I. 🙂
Wow! I'm impressed with your dedication to the task and the outcome. And, for all of those who looked at you as a crazy trash lady, I hope they now realize that there was method to your madness! You definitely have a right to be proud of yourself! I think "The Crying Indian" (from the 70's "Keep America Beautiful" commercial… all of North America counts!) would be proud of you, too! And, perhaps, his spirit sent the bluebird!
Well I hope you're right CJG, I hope it was he who sent the jay! Wouldn't that be something!
One person can make such a huge difference. Thank you for sharing. You are beautiful!