Burns my Biscuits

Dennis the Menace On the Loose?

Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Forgive me if I come off as sounding like a grumpy old man with nothing better to do than complain about the trivial things in life . . .like, for instance, trash in my front yard. Coke cans, candy bar wrappers, a half eaten bag of popcorn, a wrapper from a Big Mac. Where does it all come from? And it obviously migrates from the sidewalk, into my yard, and then finally all the way to--GASP--my front door.

I know it's not me. I know it's not my wife.

Well, when you add up the evidence (soda, candy . . .basically junk food remnants), it points to one, and only one, type of culprit . . .kids/teenagers. Yes, there I said it. Kids are junking up my yard, likely on the walks to and from each other's homes (summer) or the bus stop (fall, winter, spring). It's a year-round problem, these pesky teens and their high-calorie containers littering my yard.

And this, my friends, really burns my biscuits.

Have common courtesies been left at the front door of one's home when they step afoot into society? I would find it hard to believe these kids (okay, and likely some adults) toss their trash in their own front yards. Maybe I'm wrong, but the notion of "well, if it ain't my yard, I don't have to worry about it" seems to be in play more often than not. Even worse is that I live in a nice, simple neighborhood in which it would seem the bounds of proper etiquette would rarely be broken. So why trash in my yard? Or in my neighbors? Kids, can you please find the trash can. Otherwise, I'm going to stakeout the streets and catch ya. And when I do, why I oughtta . . .

Seriously, l'm tired of sounding like Mr. Wilson.

Comments 5

Friend 30 Jul, 07:45 AM

Mr, Wilson,
I too find these items in my front yard, however, there is one more answer. When using the trash can, some items are not put in a trash bag. When the garbage truck rolls through and they toss the contents of the can into the back of the truck, the wrappers, cans and small items tend to fall out. The truck rolls on while the compacting is happening, leaving a trail of trash. I pick up numerous items on trash day but, there is always more that make it's way to my door.So maybe we have a few different things to blame for all that trash.

Laney 30 Jul, 08:13 AM

James, you are on a roll, I think I a better name is Mr. Manners

Lynn 30 Jul, 08:39 AM

Looking out a window many years ago, I watched a woman with 2 children standing at a bus stop. After finishing her fast food hamburger, she dropped the wrapper on the ground. The two children finished their meals and promptly did the same thing. The part that really bothers me about this is, there was a trash can within 3 feet of where they were standing! Young people need examples to follow.

martha 31 Jul, 05:52 PM

You're right,some people and their kids are a mess. Mine's leaving for college soon and I'll miss that mess. If you pick it up, you look like a big man. If you complain,,you look small.You choose. Griping to yourself or wife is okay. Now GUNSHOTS in front of your house, that would be a YIKES!

Lori 4 Aug, 11:25 AM

It makes me crazy as well--what a sign of disrespect, as if the earth is not shared by us all. I think the government needs to come up with a campaign similar to the "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute" campaign of the 70s.