Tag: Cans

Taking Shelter

On By trashonthemonocacyIn Monocacy River, Wildlife8 Comments

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The boys’ shelter has survived the change of seasons, evolving from a barren, winter structure into a hidden hermitage, surrounded and softened by the island forest’s leafy undergrowth. While in the past I’ve found evidence of white-tailed deer visiting the shelter, and once even discovered the remains of a pizza party (not the deer that time, I’m assuming), last week I only found this lonely Horned Passalus Beetle (Odontotaenius disjunctus), which objected very noisily (or stridulated, for the entomologically-inclined) when my oldest son picked it up for further investigation.

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As I am a more of an etymologist than an entomologist, I advise that you visit this site if you are interested in more information about this beetle. In the meantime, I’ll just sit here,

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or maybe pick up these cans.

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American River, American Beer

On By trashonthemonocacyIn Current Events and Issues, Monocacy River1 Comment

 

Or not.

Judging by the trash I gather, Budweiser (and, even more often, Bud Light) is by far the most popular beer consumed along the modest stretch of the Monocacy River that I patrol. The cans are dressed patriotically this summer, the traditional “Budweiser” even sporting the new name “America” through the November election. (You heard about that, right?) The cans even feature the lyrics of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which has special significance in this part of the world, where the author of the lyrics, Francis Scott Key, worked and is buried. (In a curious non sequitor, the local mall and minor league baseball team are named in his honor). Never mind that this all-American beer is now owned by the Belgian company AG Inbev. Free trade, mergers and the vagaries of Capitalism: you can’t get more American than that.

Trashology

On By trashonthemonocacyIn Environment, Monocacy River, TrashLeave a comment

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Yesterday, just for fun, I recorded the brand of every piece of trash I gathered.  I was exploring new territory, an open meadow with lots of prickly shrubs that I usually avoid (see the sign above), and the quantity of cups and cans overwhelmed me.  There was much more than I could carry:

Deer Park Water

Mountain Dew (Diet and otherwise, many times over)

Dairy Queen

Sheetz

Monster Energy

Bud Light

Wegman’s

Harris Teeter (migrating trash, apparently)

Powerade

7-11

Coca Cola

Domino’s

Olive Garden

Utz

Starbucks (for Tammy, whoever and wherever she is)

Pepsi

Tropicana

Rockin’ Refuel

Fanta (orange)

A&W Cream Soda

Gatorade

McDonald’s

Rita’s Italian Ice

I brought all of these home, some for the trash can, but most for recycling.  Unfortunately, the city only gathers the recycling every other week, so I always end up filling the recycling can, bin and extra cardboard boxes of my own to overflowing.  I’m a little concerned about how much more trash warmer weather will generate. I might have to start begging my neighbors for recycling space.