Someone Stole My Garbage

Mercury is retrograde, computers and technology are doing odd things. And so are the gremlins. (I must also add that these photos have nothing to do with this post -- they are of our campus waking up for spring, taken last night en route to French class. And you know me -- have to have pictures!)

My doc appointment was at 9 and knowing the morning could be a rush, I thought I'd get myself together and get the trash out at night. Usually I just have a big plastic bag from the kitchen and sometimes the bin in the garage where I toss bigger things. But trust me, it's all garbage.

I was a little nervous leaving the plastic bag, concerned about raccoons or animals breaking in. Since I had one big bin I'd been filling over the winter with things like the Christmas wreath, unopened junk mail, old dirt from dead flower pots -- that sort of thing -- I put the two bins side by side with the big bag on top. Not a sure bet, but any critter would have to work for it.

Well, rise and shine, throw open the curtains. My two garbage bins are laying empty on the lawn, the big bag is gone. And if case you wonder -- garbage collection isn't till the afternoon. Today it came at 2:30, the company confirmed for me. (2:28, if you want to be specific.) And no, it wasn't even spread out on the streets, like a prank. Just gone. If I didn't see the cans, I would have wondered if I actually put it out.

Now, this was not the kind of trash that people poke about in, finding something wonderful. We're talking about more used and contaminated Kleenex than a soul can imagine from every wastebasket in my house and the car litter bag, too; cat poop; empty soda cartons and clementine boxes; yard clippings; and a hefty dose of science experiments from the fridge.

The township police were amused. I'm just flummoxed.

And if you should think the weirdness stopped there -- think again. Laying on the doc's table the fire buzzer goes off. After continuing for a bit, we decide to evacuate with the rest of the building... and about a half hour later return to complete the job. (Missing a meeting, but that's just that stormy sea called life.)

First e-mail I check -- my collage class scheduled for tonight had had some cancellations and she asked if we could reschedule. By this time, I was so ready for a night off, my answer was "you bet!"

I feel like I'm living in a parallel universe.

Maybe I should go feed the ducks and get some duck therapy (what we here at MSU call our free psychiatric benefits -- a pretty river, hungry ducks).

Stop by at Chopsticks and String if you're interested in a post on the most recent "Maisie Dobbs" book.