My friends know me as a pretty "green" person; "écolo" en français. I am a fervid, and I mean, FERVID, supporter of reduce, reuse and recycle.
So that nice, sturdy table at curbside, that I saw when I drove by several times on my way to work, became the object of my attention. I wanted THAT table. Covered with a pretty tablecloth, it would do as my new patio table.
A friend had popped down to have dinner with me. I suggested maybe we could go get the table under cover of darkness. I want you to know that I draw the line at "dumpster diving!" However, I WILL pick up at curbside. It is just that I AM a l-i-t-t-l-e shy about picking up other people's trash, in BROAD DAYLIGHT.
"Let's go right now!" she replies. It wasn't far. When we arrived and tried to lift the table, we realized it was REALLY heavy. Plus the awkwardly shaped trapezoid top, made it impossible to get it INTO the trunk, despite our repeated efforts. We couldn't get it into the back seat either. By this time, I can't stop laughing. I keep collapsing into fits of giggles every time we try to lift that table. It is SO awkward to handle.
When we first arrived, I had knocked on the door of the home. I knew the table was at the curb for garbage pick-up but I thought it would be polite to ask permission anyway. There was no answer. In the process, my phone fell out of my little holder around my neck, bounced down four steps and landed hard on the cement path. In spite of having a decent cover, I NOW have a crack on my Smartphone screen, darn it!
Also, I must confess that I had had a Coors Lite while awaiting my friend's arrival. It had been a really hot day. I don't drink that type of beer, but it had been a long time since I had had a Lite beer. It will be even longer .... next time. That beer was as I rememberd it, rank and tasteless. Furthermore, it makes you totally silly in no time flat!!
People are gawking at us, as they drive by. Vimy is fed-up with waiting around, and decides to go sit under the table. My friend will NOT give up trying to get the table INTO the car. Then another friend whizzes by on her bicycle and I yell out, "Come and give us a hand Janet!" God bless her! She turns around and does just that. So now we are three women trying to get this awkwardly shaped table into her Volkswagen Jetta. No better luck!!
A truck slows down, turning into the driveway next door. Shoot! We thought the driver was going to come and give us a hand. Obviously NOT! He disappears into the back of the house. Well, that doesn't deter my visiting friend. Not ONE BIT!!! Despite my repeated, "No, just forget it! Let's just leave the table", she takes off in search of the man. She is nothing if not intrepid! Janet and I stand around, me still laughing, Vimy barking at passersby and Janet probably thinking, "What am I am doing here with these two crazy women?"
My visiting friend returns with the driver of the truck. He reaches the conclusion that the table legs need to be taken off. He goes to fetch a tool. It doesn't work. He goes back for his ratchet set. Janet decides to keep on cycling. She knows she is not leaving us in the lurch. She cycles away, after a hug and a thank you from me.
Then a fifth person shows up - the owner of the table! He has been sneaking peeks at us from his backyard. I wave him over. He gets the lowdown as I thank John (we are on a first name basis now!) and invite him to drop by for a Coors Lite anytime. LOL The owner gives our Good Samaritan a hand to lift the table into the trunk. It is a piece of cake to do NOW, with the four table legs removed.
I will have to get hold of a ratchet set now, so I can put those table legs back on. Being "green" is hard work! Umm, I wonder if there is a ratchet set curbside somewhere....
No comments:
Post a Comment