While driving down the highways and around the community these days and enjoying the arrival of spring, one can’t help but see how much unwanted junk is lying around everywhere. All this is just the aftermath of winter that becomes exposed once the snow goes away and always ushers in the need for our annual spring clean-up chores.
It always really impresses me how groups and individuals respond with great gusto to clean up our river valleys, parks, school yards, and throughout our neighbourhoods and around our communities and districts at this wet but warmer time of the year. Most homes, businesses, and property owners take great pride in their precious piece of real estate, and it looks great when everyone pitches in to pamper and spruce it all up just in time for the balmy and green season ahead. I watched a group of seniors from our condo last week out for their before coffee walk, and they were all packing large garbage bags in an effort to clean-up the surrounding neighbourhood. During our daily strolls, especially in the evenings and weekends, entire families can be seen out in their yards picking and raking, and hopefully they will be invited to sit back and relax for a barbecue, pop, and beer break once the job is all done. Why not set a friendly standing rule for the rest of the season to pick up after ourselves and use the handy garbage receptacles that will soon be out, as well as taking along those handy dandy plastic baggies if we are walking our pets?
All municipalities from towns to counties will now be sending their crews our for the annual spring clean-up, both along the highways and by-ways, and throughout the community. It is vital that all citizens co-operate by driving safely and yielding to the equipment and personnel, as well as making sure that our neighbourhood streets and boulevards are clear of vehicles when the sweepers and machines are in the area. It is that time to watch for notice in the paper of special pick-up for bagged grass and other yard waste, which can also be taken up to the town transfer station.
The very energetic annual cleanup of Alberta highway ditches by our 4-H clubs and other organizations will be taking place during the second week in May as very important fundraisers, and they should all be congratulated and supported for their tremendous efforts. Out on those busy highways, the RCMP will be watching for those who do not yield to work and emergency crews, and have now announced that those drivers stopping and taking photos of accidents will be issued tickets for distracted driving. Whatever the case, if everyone pulls together and assists others when necessary, this spring fling clean-up will be fun, and our community will be magically transformed into clean and green just in time to book a tee time and start planning your summer holidays.
Now let’s have a little fun
Most of us love looking at unique and funny signs on the back of vehicles, and here are some of my favourites.
● On a plumber’s truck: We repair what your husband fixed; and don’t sleep with a drip....call your favorite plumber.
● On an electrician’s truck: Let us remove your shorts.
● On the back of a septic tank truck: Caution-This truck is full of political promises.
● On the back of a family car: Caution: Teenage driver....totally stressed mother.
Surprise seniors’ holiday
A friendly travel agent looked up from his desk to see an old lady and gentleman peering into to the shop window at the posters showing the glamorous destinations around the world. He had a real good week and the dejected couple looking in the window gave him a rare feeling of generosity and good will.
He called them into his shop and explained with a big smile, “I know that on your pension you could never hope to have a holiday, so I am sending you both off to a fabulous resort at my expense, and won’t take no for an answer.” He then took them inside and asked his secretary to write up two flight tickets and book a room in a five star hotel. Then, as can be expected, they gladly accepted, and were off to paradise.
About a month later the little old lady came in to his shop. “And how did you like your holiday?’ he asked eagerly. ‘The flight was exciting and the room and the resort were lovely”, she said. ‘I’ve come to thank you, but one thing puzzled me.....who was that old bugger that I had to share the room with?’
Always remember to keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down, but we should keep this in mind if we are one of those grouches. Have a great week, all of you.
HAMMERTIME