I happened to be outside taking photographs this morning when one of the groundskeepers came by to pick up the trash. I had a plate full of stone fruit, gorgeous golden light spilling across the deck, and everything seemed right with the world. Suddenly the air was filled with the sound of banging trash cans and muttered curses. A huge wave of negative energy washed through the area. Although I was close enough to hear what was happening, I couldn’t actually see what was transpiring behind the wooden slats separating me from the garbage area. Normally I would offer to help, but in this case, the cursing was of such a virulent nature that it seemed prudent to keep my distance. He finally loaded up his truck and left. I went back to snapping photos and promptly put the incident out of my head.
Later on, I made a trip out to the trash area with a load. I quickly discovered the source of that young man’s frustration. There had been some recent rain and, as a result, there were a couple of inches of water in the garbage cans. No doubt he was splattered with dirty water as he hefted out the bags. I would have felt sorry for him if he hadn’t left the water in the cans so that the guy on duty tomorrow could have the same pleasant experience. It’s his last day, so he knew that he wouldn’t be picking up the trash again. So, I tipped the trash-free containers over the drain by the entrance to the trash area and emptied out the water before putting my bag in a can. It was not a difficult thing to do. Being proactive is easy. Leaving the makings of a mess for someone else, that’s garbage.
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