February 11, 2024 ~ Sunday (Sunny, snow is melting and it’s the Superbowl ~ so what?!))
It snowed yesterday in my little corner of the world. I am not glad for it, other than it brings our thirsty trees and ground much-needed moisture; but I am thankful we only got the 5 or so inches … as it was a drier snowfall … and not the foot or so we could have gotten, if the system had more moisture in it. Be grateful for small blessings.
I just went out and swept off my car and windshield before the snow got too heavy (melting in the sunshine) and broke the glass. It’s happened before. I’m sure there’s a mathematical explanation/equation about the ratio of the weight of the snow, the psi, and the curvature of the glass, etc – but I don’t know what that is … and honestly, I don’t care.
Apathy. I seem to have a bit of it today. And, sadly, I feel it’s become a national epidemic. The unrecognized malaise of far too many. The invisible divider. Uncaring. Not caring. I’m too busy. I don’t want to help. Not my circus/not my monkeys. The “don’t bother me” attitudes.
The definition for that word – is lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. Yup, pretty much sums up what I am finding everywhere … in the baristas at my local Starbucks, just about every wait staff or service person I’ve encountered in the last too many years, health professionals and their assistants. Sadly, too many people I know. When did this become pervasive? No one gives a shit anymore.
And, speaking of which … I was out walking the other day, pre-snowfall, and I was with Mac (my lab) and he did what dogs usually do while out on walks – he pooped. So, being a responsible dog owner/walker, I used my doggie bag and picked it up. Knowing we had a ways to go, I thought I’d find a garbage can that was out on the curb – ready to be picked up the next day. I figured, if it’s out on the curb, no one would really mind if I dropped the tied bag in with their other garbage. I spied a can … walked over to it … and on the lid was a rather large sticker reading … DO NOT PUT YOUR DOG’S POOP BAGS IN MY GARBAGE CAN!
Okay … got the message. But really? Is that necessary? Your can is filled with YOUR garbage already, waiting for the disposal company’s truck to arrive in the morning … why does it matter? I don’t live in an area where 75 people would be dropping off bags of “doody” in anyone’s garbage cans … so, really, why the ugliness? Why not a sticker that reads … YOUR DOG’S POOP BAGS ARE WELCOME IN THIS GARBAGE CAN. Why not? It’s better than leaving it on the sidewalk or someone’s yard. And, honestly, I’m not a good body “fluids” person, so carrying around a bag of dog you-know-what for a mile is supremely nauseating to me. Everything about it makes me want to puke. Almost. Seriously. (You should have seen me potty training my kids!)
Anyway – what happened to neighborliness? What happened to CARING about your fellow man? You need a cup of sugar? Sure, come on over. You need help shoveling your walk? I’ll come by. You need your plants watered or your cat looked after when you’re out of town? Sure, sure, and sure. The weather is turning, do you need something at the grocery store? I’m going. What happened to us?
I have one neighbor where I live now. I live in an odd/mixed area of the historic town here. I’m zoned residential/commercial so could do a dog grooming biz, since I’m zoned for it, if I wanted to. I did, at one time, but couldn’t because the city council said I couldn’t give a dog a bubble bath here. Something in the by-laws or rules or something said that I could do surgery here, but I couldn’t give a dog a bath. Huh! And when asked why not – I was told it was the way it was. Apathy abounds on so many levels. Not caring enough to change things or look into the odd ruling means I couldn’t do what I thought I could do … and I couldn’t have a dog bakery either. Another ruling. They could have changed it but no one really cared to. I’ve been around these issues (in the past) and it’s not worth me pursuing anymore.
In any case, I am surrounded by healthcare buildings and a house or two that have been changed into offices … a few apartment buildings and duplexes across the street – where I never see any signs of life. And then there is the hoarder next to me. I haven’t seen him in a good 15 years. He has a guy living in a shed (I kid you not) in his yard and I see him … seems like a nice guy. And we’ve chatted, exchanged wayward mail, petted the dogs but that’s about as far as we’ve gone in neighborliness. And it kind of makes me sad. But, I’m solo and don’t know this guy, and (judging) if he were really normal, would he be living in a shed? How neighborly do I want to get? But, I miss neighbors. I miss that connectivity. I miss that built-in camaraderie and oneness and helpfulness. There were still the local oddballs on the island on my little road … but for the most part, we all had each other’s backs. I just don’t see that all that much anymore.
And I find that very sad … but I can also relate. I find it creeps into my life and those around me too easily of late. Yeah – as I said, I’d like to be neighborly but is it safe? There was a guy this week, in his bathrobe, walking along … and I just hoped he’d continue on his way. Is unwillingness to get involved the same thing as apathy? I want a solution and help for homelessness … but I don’t want it done next to my house. Is that apathy or hypocrisy? Is there that fine of a line between all of those things?
Today is the Superbowl and honestly, I could care less. Apathetic? Perhaps to some, but I’m not a commercials gal or a professional sports person. I think they are all stupid. We have children starving in this country. We have BIG problems with unstable housing, food deserts, aging/aged/ailing, healthcare, addiction, education, inequality, environmental issues … need I go on? And there are grown men running around a field chasing a ball, risking brain injuries, making MILLIONS … and millions are watching them do so. Some are there – having paid thousands for a ticket (each) and at least $30 for a beer and a slice of pizza. I’d love to see some of that money go into education and food programs and housing assistance (etc) … it’s big bucks for everyone – except those that really need it. I find it rather disgusting.
In any case … it’s something I wrestle with … those fine lines of apathy and the could-care-less attitude, charity, and neighborliness.
I just want you to know, if you are out walking your dog and are near my house – your dog’s poop bag is always welcome in my garbage can.