I put our recyclables (cans, mail) in a paper bag that I throw underneath our kitchen counter. Whenever we get the chance -- and whenever I remember -- I take the bag outside and dump the contents into the bin. My parents just throw the whole thing in, bag and all. To me, these paper bags are reusable, so I turn it over and bring the bag back in.
Normally my folks do this, but since I'm not here, it's up to me, obviously. And I usually don't do it unless there's enough of it for me to go, "Yeah, it's time to throw it away." And then I do -- whenever I remember.
I remember when I go out to water my parents' vegetables. But I have this bad habit of getting sidetracked when I am either blindsided by a new thing I have to do or concentrating intently on the thing I have to remember to do. The latter happened after I dumped the recyclables one day earlier this week, probably Monday: Nightfall was coming very soon (as it is these days) and I had to get in my half-hour of watering. So I folded up the paper bag and threw it onto the deck so I could go around and grab the hose.
That meant that I completely forgot about the bag, walked straight back into the house and shut the door. That's when I remembered the bag, but I thought, "Eh, I already shut the door. It's not like it's gonna rain or anything. I'll get it when I water the plants tomorrow."
Well, guess what happened overnight?
I didn't even remember the bag until shortly before I walked out the door the next day -- "Oh, shit, the paper bag!" And there it was, laying there all folded up on the deck, soggy as shit. And it was a good paper bag too, all pristine and shit. And that mint condition is ruined.
I had no choice but to bring it inside to dry. It's been a few days, and I think it's dry enough where I can put junk mail in it again. But it'll never be the same. And all because I fucking forgot and I was fucking lazy.
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