I’m privileged enough to have several ponds around where I live, at least until I get priced out of living here any longer. I’ve been here almost eight years, and it’s one of my favorite places I’ve ever dwelled in my lifetime. 

One of my favorite hobbies is walking around and picking up trash, which I do first and foremost to protect the wildlife. We are blessed to have geese, swans, blue herons, crows, (other little birds I don’t know), turtles, frogs, bunnies, and even some coyotes. I’m probably missing quite a few species.

While I am horrified by the amount of trash that manages to accumulate, since people struggle with securing their trash (and some assholes just throw it directly on the ground, especially cigarette butts, grrrrrr), I take great pride and joy in doing what I can to clean it up. 

Today, I managed to wrangle four 13-gallon bags, several boxes, a flower pot, and a tarp! It was a fun workout that involved a losing battle with some brambles, falling on my ass down a muddy slope while chasing a runaway box, and fretting over potential ticks. Not to mention the runny nose I always get when doing this, and having to pause frequently to hitch up my britches. I love blasting my favorite music over headphones as I go and feeling like a badass!

I have my trusty grabber, which helps me get some, but not all, of the harder to reach debris floating in the pond and hiding beyond the reeds. I do lament the pieces I’m not able to get. I also have a bottle of hand sanitizer to keep me safe!

When I was done today, I threw away that massive pile of trash and went back home with a smile on my face, feeling accomplished as hell!

I have a goal now every year to pick up fifty-two bags. Last year, I reached fifty-seven. And it wasn’t just local to me either, it was all over the state. Here’s hoping for sixty this year!

So, enjoy some before and after pics, my haul, and a bonus swan! 

I’d love it if we could bring back hashtag trashtag, and #detrashed. When humans get together for the greater good, they can really accomplish something!