June 20, 2026

Good morning!

It’s Saturday. All this talk about roads reminded me that we haven’t done our yearly cleanup yet. We missed the annual roadside cleanup day, but the organizer kindly set aside our section so we could tackle it upon our return. So yesterday we finally donned the fluorescent vests, gathered our grabbers and bags and gloves and mosquito helmets, sprayed ourselves from head to toe, and headed off to do our duty and see what we could discover.

In a very short time, I collected ample evidence that the populace is tired. Oh sure, there were the usual beer cans and iced coffee cups and one-shot bottles of booze—but the beverage of choice this year is the energy drink. Preferably grape.

Other highlights included a can of peas, a pair of women’s size 16 khaki pants, a mop-head, plastic tote lid, and one spent shotgun shell—all of which have finally found their way to the transfer station.

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

—Muhammad Ali

Onwards,

Clara