Monday 4th of April 2011 08:54 AM
uncategorized
By Kim L. Fritzemeier
KFRM Central Kansas Reporter
Farm Wife along the Stafford/Reno County Line
One man's trash is another man's treasure, so the saying goes.
But sometimes it's just trash.
Why do people feel the need to use country roads as a dumping ground? I am amazed at the amount of trash I see scattered along the roads.
My most interesting find on a recent walk was a half-eaten PopTart. First of all, I was surprised the toaster pastry remained intact after a flying trip from a car window. But what does that say about its viability as a breakfast selection? Is it a metaphor for the rock it makes in the eater's stomach?
The closest McDonald's is 35 miles away, but I still see the paper bag remnants of a fast food meal. There are pop cans, water bottles, plastic sacks and more along the ditches.
But the old saying did come true for us one time. The best "trash" we ever found was Mindy.
Don't get me wrong: I am certainly not advocating anyone take an unwanted pet to the country and leave it there to fend for itself. But Mindy and a little boy named Brent became best of buddies.
Mindy definitely ended up as treasure to our family. But, much as I loved Mindy, I wish people would keep their trash to themselves. Have we become too lazy to pick up and be responsible for ourselves?
My aversion to the trash heap along the roadside reminds me of an old public service announcement. Maybe it wouldn't hurt for us to run it again.
