The Scavengers Are Out

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It's neighborhood clean-up time in northeast Fresno. This annual event is Fresno's way to help folks dispose of larger items. Weekly trash collection only allows us to dump things that fit in our bins. The clean-up lets people get rid of tree limbs, couches, lumber, furniture, scrap metal and just about anything that isn't electronic or hazardous.

Folks pile their waste and garbage on the street just in front of their houses. Most of the piles contain trimmings from pine trees & miscellaneous junk. But when the trucks arrive tomorrow to haul it all away, the junk will be almost all gone leaving just the branches behind.

Most items get scavenged within a few hours. Need to get rid of some old junk metal? Someone will drive by to turn it in to recycling. Trading out your toilets for new ones? Someone will grab them and try to sell your old ones. That broken dresser no longer has a place in your garage? A scavenger will find something to do with it.

Monday night, I had forgotten this annual scavenging ritual. When I saw the beat-up pickups circling through our neighborhood with old dressers and scrap metal in the beds, I wondered what was happening. Then I recalled that it is scavenging time. This really is a great opportunity to find some hidden treasure or make a couple extra bucks. Even Julie scavenged a couple things last year -- one of which is now a beautiful bench on our front porch.

On the spiritual side of things, we all need the occasional clean-up. If you could take out the metaphorical garbage in your life, what would be sitting out in front of your curb? Getting rid of unneeded items is a good thing. I just hope no one would come along, though, and take our metaphorical trash home with them!

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