Thursday, September 18, 2014

A Clean Thicket

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.

24 comments:

  1. 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.

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    1. Rainbow smiles right back at you Rachael K. :)

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  2. 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!

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    1. 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?

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  3. Wow great job! I hope the rest of the dream follows....

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    1. What do you know about the rest of the dream? There is one, btw. How'd you figure that out, you clever thing?

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  4. 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

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    1. Yes yes yes!!! Me too! Bring on the birds and the flowers! I cannot wait to see what Mother Nature reveals...

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  5. That's fantastic! I hope people take care to keep it clean now.

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    1. 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.

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  6. 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!

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  7. 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!

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    1. 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....

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  8. Bless your lovely heart. me thinks that bluejay was sent by Mother earth to thank you too!

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    1. That's certainly how it felt Liniecat! Boy, what a good feeling. :)

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  9. 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.

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    1. 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!

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  10. 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.

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    1. Thanks bookkm, the earth will thank you and so do I. :)

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  11. 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!

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    1. Well I hope you're right CJG, I hope it was he who sent the jay! Wouldn't that be something!

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  12. One person can make such a huge difference. Thank you for sharing. You are beautiful!

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