Tree topples

June 24, 2013

The hp printer lolls in the corner, incapable of making a decision whether to join the heap at the Recycling Center-collected mounds of abandoned, discarded equipment to be shipped overseas, torn apart in valuable pieces and sold, or be willing to sort out the challenges of a new productive life. Of course it is about money. Now like items can be bought for less than $100, thrown “away” at the first sign of a glitch. I am not ready to part-out this hp printer/copier/fax. Righteous indignation controls me and forces a conversation with the Office Max sales clerk. The middle-aged man has an open-communication transmitter wire framing his pocked face. I have to admit I have no idea what type of cartridges it requires. If I had anticipated this office store visit, I would have lugged the product into the store. My pre-planning mode had obviously not been caffeinated sufficiently at the time I left the house.

After requesting a sub-standard trademark box from their line of products, I delight in anticipation of a working printer. Consider all of the things in my “IN” file that require my attention, to print and label, sort and pass along willy nilly.

At this particular juncture, the potted plant dirt specs and spilled water are wiped away from the top of the unit, cartridges inserted and printer is plugged into the computer. It remains to be seen how technically savvy I am when a document is ready for print.

Another storm wails through the neighborhood and I am concerned about the trees. Water-logged, large solid canopies crash down into the yards, crushing grass, flowers, hopes, and dreams with one burst of defiance. It is tempting to lose sight of the opportunity to laugh in the scene of unfortunate events. No one was killed in the storms that I am aware of. People pitched-in to help a woman, a few doors down, to rip through an enormous tree with a staggering chain saw, remove all of the thigh-sized branches from the top of her house, saw it into manageable pieces and hopefully haul it off for another use (recycled paper for the printers?) Witnesses scoured the streets, meandering on sidewalks in a dazed-and-confused fashion. Cement, roots, sod and brush scattered in and around the city streets. Cars were diverted, zig-zagging from one thoroughfare to another. Stop lights were out of order and places of business half-heartedly begged for income with sparse conditions and creative alternatives.

Everyone is talking about the rain, destruction and devastation. There is a friend, relative, neighbor, family member in the community of people who has been struck by the storm. I am very fortunate.

Spoke with my friend, Natalia in Brasil yesterday. It was her birthday. She relays the living conditions and mental well being of Dono, still residing in Canada, is in question. I am concerned about the lack of compassion. Dono has gained a significant amount of weight, is sorrowful and despondent. What can my friend do? She is in dire straits herself, is in no financial condition to help her mother, can only listen in sympathy and encourage her brother to find some help. A companion, friend, caregiver or volunteer to make her days a bit more presentable would be amenable. I will Skype her myself tomorrow. Until then, send your well wishes and prayers.