Writers' Corner: Community Catapult
I was driving by a cluttered yard where a homeowner was struggling to clean up their yard. It was very cluttered, and it occurred to me there might be a quicker way for them to get rid of their extra stuff.
It was then that I thought of the catapult. Your trash could be someone else’s treasure, especially if you catapult it into their yard. You never know. They might welcome free stuff flying into their yard, maybe.
Your extra hammock, picnic table, or grill could be someone else’s in no time. Don’t worry about trying to sell it, or advertise. Just put it on your handy dandy backyard catapult, and watch it disappear! Yard trash could be someone else’s. Preferably someone who has money to hire a dumpster. Seeing unwanted things flying away could ease your anxiety and make you calmer in all areas in your life.
I suddenly realized this didn’t have to be just inanimate objects you no longer want. There might be people in your life that could benefit from being elsewhere, and you could benefit too. Especially if it's relatives or people you did not invite into your life on purpose, you just got stuck with them.
Got an ex-husband hanging around? Your ex-husband of today could be someone else’s husband tomorrow. Maybe even post a free sign on him. He doesn’t even have to go to a good home. He can take his chances. That goes for mean in-laws too. Maybe you could send them all together. It could be a three-for-one ride catapult.
Has your Aunt Betsy stayed in too long in your spare bedroom? Are there too many doilies hanging around? She brought her stove with her and Avocado Green is taking over the kitchen? Be creative and help her find new friends.
Sick of arguing with your kids? Your trouble-some kids could be someone else’s problems tomorrow, and you could save time and aggravation. Tomorrow night you could go to sleep with just the sound of crickets chirping, or even frogs.
Tired of going to therapy to fix your dysfunctional family’s problems? Save your money, and catapult them away. Go somewhere exotic with the extra money.
Got an annoying stray cat hanging around? Cat-apult them away to a better place; far away from you.
Is a pesky salesperson or cult hanging out on your doorstep? Let them be free and fly away with some help. Catapult them away to a new destination. It will save them a car ride and gas.
Of course, we want to avoid accidents, so we could set up various trampolines to give them a safe landing. Maybe we’d want to do the catapulting at a slow time like three O’clock in the morning. Maybe we could synchronize it so there wouldn’t be sky bumping and accidents. Everyone could have different times. It could be called community catapulting. Everyone could sign up for different times.
Be warned, there could be dangers. The catapulting could happen to you too. Be aware of the signs. Your family has made you your favorite meal. They dress you in your best, and urge you to pack a few things in an overnight bag. You are led to the backyard, where they kiss you, repeatedly. Their eyes are wet. “Just stand here,” they say as they cut the ropes. Bon Voyage!
Author’s tip: When you get a wild idea, run with it and write it down.
Author’s bio: Toni Meek likes to keep her feet firmly on the ground.
— Sturgis Writer’s Mill is a community of writers who constructively encourage, support and challenge each other as they discover their unique voices. Any opinion expressed is solely that of the author.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Writers' Corner: Community Catapult
