Category: Life

Posted in Life, trash

Trash talk

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The wide variety of trash and recycling out on the curb this morning impressed the big dog and me on our walk. We saw massive piles of trash in front of some homes and just a small bag in front of others.

A family a few houses up the street only ever puts out a recycling bin. They rarely put out a container of trash. How do they do that? They are a family of four, and they hardly throw out anything.

On the other hand, the folks a few houses in the other direction put out multiple overflowing trashcans, along with a stack of trash bags, a pile of boxes, and an overflowing recycling bin. Not just once a week, but two times a week! For a two-person household.

On any given trash collection day, I will see at least three mattresses, two vacuum cleaners, either a dishwasher or a refrigerator, lots and lots of pizza boxes, and a recliner.

I love to see how some organize their recycling bin, with all the cardboard folded to one side and cans and bottles lined up on the other. Picture perfect. I break down all my boxes to get as many in as possible. Most people just pile up all the Amazon boxes any which way.

Some (like me) have all the trash tied up in bags in a lidded container. Others just throw whatever in the can and drag it out Tuesday morning.

So much trash. For all our efforts at recycling, I believe we only have more to throw away. I don’t even know where they put it all.

I’ll add to the pile this Friday. A new range arrives on Thursday, so the recently deceased old one will be on the curb Thursday night. Maybe someone will come by and take it for repair or scrap. Maybe not.

Posted in Life

A snail’s pace

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I didn’t see him. The dog did. He’s barely moving. A “snail’s pace” at best. Lol.

I’ve seen snail trails on the street. They wind across the asphalt, leaving slime behind them. If you’re a snail, everyone knows where you’ve been. You can’t lie about where you’ve been. They are slimy and slow, and leave conspicuous tracks.

But the shell is beautiful. I sometimes want life to slow down a bit. Take my time. Enjoy the journey.

Like a snail.

Posted in Life

For better or worse: yard celebrations

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Yard art has become a big business. You hire them, an awesome display shows up in your yard over night, your child or significant other is completely surprised, and it disappears a few days later.

Unless. Unless a storm blows through. And then your wonderful surprise ends up looking like the picture on the right. The flamingo party lasted five days. The grad party fell pray to an evening storm the same night. That’s the way it goes.

When my grandson celebrated his tenth birthday, a crop of cutouts appeared in his front yard overnight. I don’t know when they cruised through the neighborhood to set it up, but he was thrilled to see it all the next morning!

I guess that’s the risk you take with this kind of business. Who knows what the weather will be like? Who knows when a storm will blow through. The neighborhood is filled with scholarship announcements too.

One way or the other, everyone will know about your special occasion!

Posted in Life

A pre-dawn delivery

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It’s dark. Really dark. The big dog and I were out for a super-early morning walk. About half-a-mile in, a car zips by with it’s flashers on and stops in front of a house. The driver hops out, leaves a package by the front door, and zips away into the night.

It’s an Amazon delivery. Rather than the familiar Amazon van, it was a guy with a package delivery side-hustle.

It’s only been a week since I learned that some shipments arrive in the early morning hours. A delivery notification arrived in my email at about 6 am. What? Orders usually arrive in the late afternoon. This was at the front door before sunrise.

We don’t live in a big enough city to have same-day delivery, but this is close. An afternoon order of a book, pair of shorts, dog toy, art supplies, journal, cosmetics, snack food, or tool may arrive before you wake up the next morning.

Isn’t that amazing? And it’s all because they know what I’m going to purchase before I do. They have so much data on me, they know me better than I know myself. My zip code, my purchase history, my search history, and my demographic announce what I’m most likely to buy. Those items are shipped to the closest warehouse. As soon as I click “purchase,” the item is already on it’s way to boxing, sealing, and distribution.

Is this a good thing? I like it. I don’t have to go anywhere. Everything I buy is brought to my house. Thank you very much!

But I’m spoiled. I expect everything in a day. Two at the most. A week? You’ve got to be kidding.

I go to the store. You don’t have what I need? Really? What kind of store are you? You don’t have my size? My color? Come on. And why is the checkout line moving so slowly? Where’s my food? Did they lose my order? I was never this impatient before. I’m beyond impatient now. I’m irritated.

I want to blame AI. It knows me. It knows when and where I’ll send my money. But really, it’s my fault. I’m in control here. I can control my purchases, attitude, consumption, appetite, spending, and browsing.

At least I think I can. Some things I need to buy. Some things are gifts. Somethings are things I want to buy.

It’s a whole new world. A pre-dawn, rapid-delivery, instant-gratification world. Sign me up!

Posted in Life

It’s popsicle season

Posted on by William Douthwaite

They’re cheap. They’re shorter than they used to be. They’re nothing more than flavored sugar water. They’re delicious. They go by Fla-vor-ice, Otter pops, Pop-ice, and freeze pops. We have a nice supply in our freezer. And they have been there my whole life.

The flavors include: lime, sour apple, banana, pineapple, strawberry, cherry, blue raspberry, grape, lemon, orange, watermelon. My favorites: lime and pineapple.

These stick popsicles were the snack for two of my granddaughters today. I let them pick from the assortment in our freezer. They froze and then settled on the predictable purple and pink pops.

Sixty years ago, these were our go to snacks. they were about three inches longer. We had fewer flavor choices (grape, red, lime, banana, and blue). But the recipe was the same: sugar, water, and some kind of artificial sweetener.

So the real question is: do you eat the frozen pop or let it melt to juice in the sleeve?

I prefer the frozen treat. But the juice is also delicious. When all the ice is gone, those last few sips of juice are so good. But would they have been as good without the melt?

I’ll admit, I’m more of an “eat the frozen” guy rather than a “drink the juice” person. My pops are gone before there’s much juice left. (I chose the green sour apple popsicle today.) Some let theirs melt into a whole tube of juice. Good for you. I’m not so patient. Mine is gone before there’s much juice in the bottom of the tube.

Who thought of this frozen treat? Who was the inventor? Who made a boatload of money off of this idea? I think it goes back a hundred years. But what a great idea!

Posted in Life

The bronze angel

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It wasn’t white like all the other angel yard ornaments. It wasn’t mildewed or stained with iron from the sprinklers. This one was bronze.

Bronze angels are designed to inspire peace, love, remembrance, and spiritual connection. Bronze will last, as do the memories of those we love. Angels are messengers from God, reminders that there is more to life than what we can see and touch.

In this picture, the lamp post has seen better days. The garden cries out for attention. Tool handles patiently wait for a project to resume. The angel stands vigil, ever the same, day after day.

The scene preaches a sermon about the contrast between what will last and what is temporary. Everything, from homes to lawns will eventually deteriorate and disappear. It doesn’t make sense to invest too much in those things. Invest in what will last: treasure in heaven.

Posted in Life

Sky before screen

Posted on by William Douthwaite

In her “Choose to be Curious” podcast, Menka Sanghi encourages , “Every morning, before you look at your screen, just make it a rule that you’re going to see the sky.”

It’s a habit. I wake up, grab my phone and wander into the kitchen to start up the coffee maker. When the screen come to life, I’ll see notifications about a completed dishwasher cycle or an iOS update. My screen displays the current temperature and the number of view of my blog. I’ll glance at the weather for the day and notice how many new emails I’ve received overnight. I get sucked into the digital world before I’m even awake.

But what if I were to go outside and look at the sky? I’m going to find out. First thing in the morning, I’ll step out onto the back patio with the big dog and look up.

It’s still dark out. I notice the phase of the moon. There’s usually a planet close to it. I wonder which one it is? First I hear, then I see the lights of an airplane passing overhead.

Or the night sky is giving way to early morning orange and pink colors in the east. I wonder how many hues of pink and orange there are?

There may be clouds in the distance. Or they may completely cover the sky. Sometimes they just hang there. But other days they are racing by swaying trees as a storm approaches.

Occasionally, I’ll see the sun peeking over the trees. It’s so bright I have to shade my eyes.

Once in a very great while, since I live it Florida, it will be chilly enough that I’ll see my breath in the air. I won’t need to check the weather. I know it’s cold.

It only takes a moment, but in that instant I’m connected to the day, to the natural world, not manmade tech.

I put that mantra on the cover of my journal: Sky before screen.

Posted in Life

What’s your “spirit animal?”

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I’ve heard of “spirit animals” but never thought much of them until I pulled up in back of this car.

A “spirit animal” is supposed to reflect your personal character, attitude, and path in life. It’s a way connecting yourself to the animal kingdom and natural world around you.

A little research revealed ways to determine your spirit animal. First, pay attention to animals that show up often in your life, even those you encounter in your dreams.

Second, consider those animals with which you feel a connection. I think that goes beyond just being a dog or a cat person, but remember, I’m not an expert in this.

Next, trust your gut. What animal do you feel close to? What species resonates with you?

Finally, take an online quiz that will help you discover your “spirit animal.” I took the first online quiz in my search (https://www.spiritanimal.info/spirit-animal-quiz/) and discovered that I am the bear. I’m strong, courageous, and stand up to adversity.

Now if one’s spirit animal is the sloth, I guess they would be slow, deliberate, and patient. I suppose that some people (like the driver above) are more cut out for doing nothing that I am. Hey, it takes all kinds, right?

Posted in Life

A floor lamp out front

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I first noticed this outdoor lighting system on a walk a few weeks ago. I am certain there is a light fixture up above the door. But for some reason, rather than a lightbulb, the residents decided to install a floor lamp. In addition, the light is on all the time, twenty-four seven.

I suppose there’s nothing wrong with a floor lamp at the front door. Maybe that’s what they’ve had on the front step of all their homes. If you’re giving someone directions to your house, it’s easy to say, “Our house is the one with the floor lamp at the front door!”

That little sign on the door? “Please turn off your phone.” It’s okay to have a phone, but don’t use it inside the house.

I’ve never met the people who live here. I’ve only ever seen a small boy playing in a large plastic tote beneath that floor lamp.

Little things like this provide lots of entertainment on my daily dog walks.