Leftovers Anyone?

I seldom leave a restaurant without leftovers. The white styrofoam leftover containers are a welcome sight the following day when looking for a quick bite to eat. As much as I love leftovers, I know the white styrofoam container is an environmental nightmare. Unless thoroughly washed (who does that?) and recycled, these containers end up in a landfill - some websites estimate for up to 500 years. Neither are cheery thoughts - washing the containers or sending them to the landfills.

Often, upon returning home, I immediately move my leftovers to a glass container. Some people think nothing of heating their food in the leftover styrofoam container (ahem, Kevin). I hope it's safe to do so, but for peace of mind, I always transfer my food to a glass plate. Does the combination of heat and styrofoam taint the foods flavor? Maybe. I simply don't like the idea of styrofoam containers.

I've thought about bringing my own container to a restaurant. I'm not kidding. Does that sound over-the-top? Maybe, but is it much different than bringing your own bags to the grocery store? Some states have banned plastic bags: You can bring your own or purchase their reusable bags. The trend to reduce waste is a worthy goal; eliminating the use of styrofoam leftover containers would be a big step. The mass quantities of styrofoam being dumped into landfills must be staggering. 

Why doesn't the restaurant industry develop an eco-friendly system to eliminate the use of styrofoam containers? Throw-away leftover containers cost restaurants money - stealing from their bottom line. Is it possible to instead use that money to invest in re-usable containers? Collapsible (space saving) silicone containers would be an excellent replacement. They have more up-front costs. But maybe such a change could add to the restaurants bottom line.

Here is my proposal. (Big business guru that I am.) A restaurant would invest in reusable containers. Promote the idea like crazy. (Offer at no cost to the customer for a limited time.) 

Collapsible containers.

When the check is presented, the customer would be given the option to purchase a reusable container (assuming there are leftovers). If purchased the customer would receive a discount on the meal. All subsequent meals could then be discounted if the reusable container is used.

Obviously, this is an over-simplified solution to a post-meal random thought. I don't know if my idea is economically viable for restaurants, or if anyone would buy into it. I'm no business wiz, but couldn't a large corporate restaurant chain (Olive Garden, Applebees, Red Lobster, etc.) team up with a large container manufacturer (Dart Container Corp.). Together they could crunch some numbers and figure it out. Both companies could take it on as a cause, helping the environment while simultaneously enhancing their public image.

Until an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution comes along, (which I've no doubt it will someday) white, styrofoam leftover containers will bloat our landfills and dirty our earth. Why wait any longer?

Garage Sale Remorse

After 15+ years of garage sales, I had my last one in 2007. Annual garage sales were necessities at our house. With three active, growing boys, the closets, toy bins and plastic storage tubs fill up quickly. There was no end to the constant recycling of clothing, games, toys, sporting equipment, etc.

Each spring, much like the annual appearance of the first robin, the cars were moved into the driveway and the garage thoroughly cleaned. I would gather as many tables as possible and build my own tables using whatever was available - any flat surface would do. Preparation also occurred inside the house. I rummaged through closets, cupboards and drawers; I had to make constant decisions and sort material into piles. What is it worth? Should I trash, keep, sell, give or donate?

One particular item was a large 3-ring binder full of Pokémon cards. The Pokémon game emerged in the late 90's. My youngest son (Eric) was one, among many Pokémon players and collectors. Pokémon cards remained on his gift lists for many years. The game consists of playing cards - each a fictional creature called "Pokémon" which Humans, (known as Pokémon Trainers) catch and train to battle for sport. Collecting and trading these cards was serious business. There were multiple years of "serious business" in the 3-ring Pokémon binder.  

The 3-ring Pokémon binder had been repeatedly dragged in and out of a closet for years. I doubt he had looked at the collection for years. I didn't hesitate about placing the binder in the "sell" pile. Now I wish I could transport back in time and make a different decision.

The Pokémon binder sold quickly - for less than $10. A woman familiar with my family purchased the set for her grandchildren. I remember feeling a twinge of doubt as the purchase was finalized. When Eric (and his two brothers) eventually heard of the transaction, (days later) they were shocked and full of disbelief. I then learned that numerous cards in the binder were valuable. 

A stock photo, but this looks a little like Eric.

Some were highly sought after by collectors. Many were gifts for birthdays, Christmas' etc. My three sons ticked off the name of the best cards as though they had just played the game the day before. A quick Google search revealed some individual cards were each worth much more than $10. It was irrelevant that Eric was well beyond the age of playing the game. The collection had taken years to amass. What had I done?
 
I felt horrible. I enlisted a relative to contact the buyer. I offered to pay her (the buyer) more then double ($20) what she'd paid. I hoped she would understand my mistake. When contacted she initially expressed doubt and explained she'd already given the collection away. Reluctantly, she agreed to retrieve and return the binder for the $20. I was relieved and grateful that I could set things right.

Days later, I happily and triumphantly brought the 3-ring Pokémon binder home. I wasn't present when the binder was eventually examined by my sons, but I soon heard the shocking news. The binder had been picked clean. All the highly sought after "valuable" cards had been removed. Are you kidding me? I know I let a few choice words fly. As wrong as I felt this was, I didn't pursue the situation further - maybe I should have. It's bad enough that most of the collection (especially the missing cards) were gifts or purchased with birthday money. What bothers me most (and still does) goes beyond monetary value: it was a part of Eric's childhood that I carelessly "sold off." (The binder was never mine to sell in the first place.) I'll always regret that.

In the grand scheme of life the incident is minor. I get it. But 8 years later, I still find a need to remind myself to not feel guilty. I've never had a garage sale since. Maybe that's why.

"Show up, Shut Up, and Wear Beige!"

"Show up, shut up, and wear beige!" That was the humorous reaction of a friend of mine when I shared the happy news of my oldest sons engagement. It was the first time I heard this saying. Her explanation went something like this:

"In the good old days, a bride planned her wedding with her mother, her parents paid for the whole shebang, and the groom just showed up with his family, smiled, and said 'I do.' 

Beige or not, this is lovely.

In fact, the old adage for mothers of the groom was: 'Show up, shut up, and wear beige!' " 

(The "beige" reference a subtle warning to not upstage the bride or mother of the bride.)

I laughed at the absurdity of the statement. But as the mother of three boys, I admit, a question of unease flashed through my consciousness: Surely adherence to that old fashioned adage was long gone? My friend and I talked, laughed and eventually agreed that no one need worry. It was an out-dated attitude. 

The Happy Couple.

Sure enough, the happy day came and went and just as we assumed, everything was perfect.

 

Many years ago, it was implicitly understood that the groom and his family politely defer to the brides family regarding all planning and preparations. It was the standard, accepted practice and not considered negative. As wedding preparations ensued, the mother of the groom happily completed her assigned tasks. Content to wait for the big day, and basking when it finally arrived.

It's likely there were also situations that didn't go so smooth. Opinions and personalities would clash. Good ideas and bad ideas would be in the air. Disagreements over tiny details. Perhaps a bit rocky at times, but eventually issues were resolved, ruffled feathers smoothed over and all forgotten by the wedding day.

For real?

Regardless of current day expectations, both scenarios are plausible and still occur. Just watch any of  the wedding themed reality shows on Cable TV. The depicted scenes are so over-the-top, one wonders how scripted the "reality" is. I prefer to believe my reality - weddings are happy and joyous occasions.

In any event, marriage is one of life's biggest and happiest milestones. With the endless planning and preparations it is

natural that some of the days and situations get a little crazy. Take a deep breath and embrace the crazy. All of it. It is those unforeseen moments that live on as fond memories and stories for a lifetime.

Last month, years after first hearing "Show up, shut up and wear beige," I once again smiled. I am happily anticipating another wedding in November - my youngest son. I am not concerned about lingering notions regarding "Show up, shut up, and wear beige!" I know the day will be perfect. 

November 2016!

 

I Just Want Them Gone

Bright red "desirable" lady bug.

Where have all the ladybugs gone? When I was a child, ladybugs were a welcome sight. They were harmless, cheerful little critters. I'd pick them up, let them crawl on my hands and arms, eventually giving them a gentle flick into the grass. Times have changed. Don't be fooled that those orange beetles you see now-a-days are the same, charming ladybugs. You are most likely seeing an Asian Beetle Bug - in my house AKA a Stink Bug.

Orange Asian Beetle - AKA stink bug.

These unwelcome visitors infested the front of our south facing home last September. They were drawn to the bright and warm exterior.  We were unable to enjoy our porch most of the remaining warm fall days due to these pesky bugs. They were everywhere, sunning themselves on the siding and patio furniture. The majority were flying about. They are clumsy flyers and don't care where they land. Mistaking your skin for a leafy green plant they also bite. The bite is no worse then a pin prick and one's knee-jerk reaction is to slap them off your body. Thus threatened, they instinctively excrete an acrid, foul smelling yellow substance that can also leave a stain. 

A cluster - not our house, but you get the idea.     

Somehow, many of them managed to enter into the house last fall. This past November I noticed a cluster of them nestled in the upper corner of the living room ceiling (too high to reach). Soon I found them in most every room of the house. I spotted them crawling on the window sills or flying around the lights – hearing the "ting" of their shells hitting the fixtures. Eventually they'd drop somewhere (once in the butter dish) and soon perish - unless I got to them first.  That was then. Now, it is March and I am STILL dealing with them. I am well beyond the gross stage. They've pushed me very, very close to F-bomb status.

Unwelcome sight in my upstairs studio - ugh.

I have no problem killing bugs, especially non-native, invasive species. But there were so many. Using a tissue to capture each one seemed wasteful. Besides, I wasn't crazy about the ensuing stink and possible stain. I decided that sucking them up with a hand vacuum would be the most efficient method. Bad idea. The vacuum cleaner triggers the stinky defense mechanism. The odor distributes itself via the vacuums air exchange system, blowing the stench back in my face. Nice. Now it's personal. Time to get creative. This is where things take a turn.   
 
If you were to enter into our house today, you'd notice small pieces of blue painters’ tape stuck to the walls in some of the rooms. The hanging end would be folded into an unusual accordion shape. You'd be seeing my solution: With a piece of tape, I gently push on the bug (dead or alive) until it sticks, but not so hard to crush my nemesis. With fiendish delight I watch their legs wiggle uselessly. The cagier bugs play dead and lie motionless. Once secured, I fold the tape, seal the edges and stick the tape back up on the wall. It isn't pretty, but it works. Mission accomplished. 

Bring it on.

I started using the tape as a last resort, knowing it would be a clean and easy way to manage a temporary pest problem. I never imagined I would still be engaged in stink bug management in March. I am seeing fewer stink bugs as spring nears, but still discover enough to use the tape almost daily. Scientists and weather people provide multiple reasons why these pests are worse some years. I don't care about "why." I just want them gone. I want tape free walls.  

So where are the "real" ladybugs? Blame it on these very beetles: Non-native invasive Asian Beetle Bug, (Stink Bug). I'm not aware of definitive studies, but some web sites suggest the lady bugs population is declining (maybe even becoming endangered) due to the larger, more aggressive Asian Beetle Bug - and its voracious appetite, part of which includes our native and true "lady" bug.

Distinctive black "M" near the head distinguishes the Asian Beetle Bug.

No such marking on our charming native lady bug.

Say Good-Bye Already

Good advice isn't always easy to swallow, even when you know it's right.  An initial reaction of denial and insult is natural. It's easy to puff up ones chest and think, "What? No way." However, once the ruffled feathers are smooth and ones IQ returns...acceptance is inevitable. This is good.

Last weekend I had the benefit of having my blog read (and critiqued) by a professional writer/editor. He was complimentary: "Your writings have a down-home breezy feel to them, quite charming." How nice is that? I am  appreciative of his positive sentiment.

Among other suggestions for improvement, he offered the following: "Please, please, please quit using so many exclamation points." Did you notice? Not one, not two, but three "pleases". Ouch. He drove home this advice with a quote from one of his former journalism teachers: 

"At birth, each person is given one exclamation point to use in life, so use it wisely."


 Elaine from Seinfeld needs the same advice.

After mulling over his feedback, I opened my blog and re-read some of my posts - exclamation points now removed. Something magical had happened: The statements, sentences, everything improved. Where I thought it would detract, it now was better. Wow. (By the way, I really wanted to put an exclamation point at the end of that "wow" - it's like an addiction I am going to have to get over.) 

Did I hide any around the house?

I was surprised that something this simple and obvious could improve the quality of a sentence. Along with my surprise, I cringed thinking about how guilty I've been of "exclamation point" overload. The good news is that this is a habit that can be easily fixed. Knowing you have a problem is the first step. I'll start by going into all previous blog posts and removing exclamation points. 

Even though I felt humbled, there is nothing wrong with making mistakes and not being perfect. Solid, concise (quality) writing is not easy. As long as I keep an open mind and willingness to learn, I am okay with small embarrassments.

 I hope this editor continues reading my blog and provides additional constructive criticism. He gave me more advice then I've described in this post. I will reference his advice often. Many thanks to him. It might be baby steps, but I will always strive to improve.  

Finally, this is where I say good-bye and farewell...to the exclamation point. Until we don't meet again.

 



PS: Click here for a site that includes a helpful exclamation point guideline: "To exclamation point or not to exclamation point."