This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more information.
Big news today, groovy freedomists. Our good friend Fritz over at The Retirement Manifesto was invited to a Stacking Benjamins‘ roundtable and he DOMINATED IT. Just check out the link below and find out for yourself. Joe, Doug, and Joe’s mom will never be the same.
Hacks Behind a $39 Utility Bill (plus the Evil HR Lady)
And once you’re done listening to Fritz exchange barbs with Jamila and Len Penzo, you can watch another episode of Talking Trash with Mr. Groovy. In the below video, I’m picking up trash in Crooked Creek Park again. And while I’m picking up that wonderful Tar Heel refuse, I explain how Linda from Brooklyn Bread inspired me to be a better steward of my time. Enjoy.
Final Thoughts
To paraphrase a supposed quote from Abraham Lincoln, “No American is so tall as when he or she stoops to pick up trash.” And no one better exemplifies this civic spirit than Claudia from Two Cup House. She was recently in Chickies Rock County Park on litter patrol and she came across a container of stage blood (see picture below). Yep, that’s right—stage blood. I’ve heard of Shakespeare in the Park, but I’ve never heard of Walking Dead in the Park. Thanks for sharing, Claudia. You know, picking up trash is like a box of chocolates (guffaw, guffaw). You never know what you’re gonna find.
Okay, groovy freedomists. That’s all I got. May your weekend be filled with the tranquility of a hammock repose or the debauchery of a Roman bacchanal. It’s your call. Grease for peace.
I’m loving this series! It is far more interesting than I expected it to be haha
I was also a big fan of the Manson book. It’s really nice to get a totally different perspective on life every now and then.
Thank you, Matt. Your kind words really mean a lot. And I totally agree with you about Manson. The man’s a whack job, but he makes a lot of sense.
“We’ve got it pretty damn good over here.” THANK YOU for saying that. We’ve got a few good friends/family members who are/were military members, and every time I see what they sacrifice to keep us safe, I can’t help thinking the same thing. Right now a good friend of ours is several states away from her newlywed husband for six months to train to fly C-130H’s. Not fun, but she does it for her country. We do have it pretty good over here.
Amen, Laurie. “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” And no one personifies this adage more than our military service people and their families. I remember visiting the Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia about 20 years ago for a tour. Our guide that day, who was an active navy man, concluded the tour by saying the following:
“I’ve been all over the world. I’ve seen how the majority of people in this world live. I’ve seen how the majority of people in this world are treated by the powerful. And all I can say to you is this: thank your lucky stars you were born in America.”
I’ll never forget those words. We won the lottery by being born in America. I just hope our children’s children can say the same. Thanks for stopping by, Laurie. It’s always great hearing from you.
Wow – what powerful words. Words all should hear. My dad was a marine at Cherry Point in NC, and I can’t wait to visit there and see all of the vigilance first hand. And you know we’ll be stopping by the Groovy house when we do. 🙂
I’m holding you to that, Laurie. Just let me know when you’re visiting the Tar Heel state next. I got to get you out there on litter patrol. There’s nothing like NC trash.
A very thought-provoking post – great ideas. I think I’m going to try the 2-day screen free – but I’ll make sure I time it so it doesn’t interfere with me reading your latest!
It really worked for me the past couple of weeks. I figured I’d start with two days. If I can keep it going for another three months or so, I’ll try three days. Good luck on your end, Elle. And by all means, don’t let your quest for reduced screen time limit the amount of time you spend on this blog. That would be a crime against humanity! Thanks for stopping by, Elle. You made my weekend.
Downloading the podcast now! thx for sharing. I will listen today.
great link to the attention post. Loving it
Thank you, AT. You’re much too kind.
Thanks for the shoutout! Chickies has a lot of trash, so I’m going back again this weekend with a couple of bags. 🙂
You might like the Chrome extension, StayFocusd. It’s helping me throughout the day to stay on task!
Thanks, Claudia. Never heard of the extension StayFocused. I’ll definitely give it a whirl.
So good Mr. G! Well done on getting some reading accomplished. My son bought me Mark Mason’s book for Christmas then borrowed it to read before I had the chance. I know he enjoyed it too, but he’s yet to return it…kids.
Fritz did do a marvelous job on Stacking Benjamins. Thanks for introducing me to Linda’s post.
Have a great week! I look forward to the next Talking Trash!
I couldn’t book Mark’s book down. I read it in a day. The man definitely has a unique mind. And, yes, Fritz was marvelous on Stacking Benjamins. He’s so natural on the mic. Love to hear what’s coursing through his brain. Great stuff. Thanks for stopping by, Amy. Always a pleasure. Cheers.
Thanks, Mr. G. and Linda for the great reminder. I could use a little less screen time myself. I’m going to try it out this weekend.
I think you’ve got a hit on your hands Mr.G. Have any of the networks called yet?
Linda certainly knocked a little sense into me. I mean, I wasn’t addicted to screens and social media. And being a blogger, spending hours on screens and social media is an occupational hazard. But things were getting out of hand. So stepping back a couple of days a week made sense. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. And, sadly, the networks execs aren’t knocking down my door yet. One day.
Oh my God – Mr. Groovy, I’m dying over this! So much goodness here… where to even begin? Thank you so much for this amazing call out – I am very honored if I was able to inspire you in whatever small way. Knocking out three great books in two weeks instead of going into an internet coma – bravo! And more than anything, I love, LOVE listening to you while you pick up trash. I can’t tell you how it literally filled me with joy to watch – a person just putting good into the world. You seriously rock, my friend. My kids were doing this over the weekend as well at Prospect Park’s “It’s Your Park Day.” They were so proud, as they should be. It is a simple, but powerful act. Bravo, bravo, bravo.
THANK YOU, Linda. I really was sinking into an internet induced coma every day. I would spend hours just feeding my brain the dietary equivalent of Mountain Dew. And your post knocked me out of my stupor. In a little over a week, I read three books. Right now I’m in the middle of two more (Tools of Titans and The Wright Brothers). It feels so good to look at and feel actual pages from actual books. A pox on those damn glowing screens. Thanks for saving my mind from the ravenous maws of our hulking media and tech giants. You’re my hero.
P.S. Kudos to you and the kids for making Prospect Park a little nicer. Not only does a tree grow in Brooklyn, so does civic pride.
Wow, I’m honored – thanks SOOO much for the shoutout! Moving into the new cabin today. Will watch “Trash 2” tonight. I LOVE the concept, and can’t wait to do some “Trashin'” with you here in Georgia!
You deserve it, my friend. Great job on Stacking Benjamins. And good luck with the move today. Don’t throw out your back. I need you in tip-top shape for our upcoming battle against Peach State litter.
The Peach State doesn’t stand a chance against Mr G’s awesome “picker”! Gotta get him a separate recycling bag to save those cans, tho! (Tee hee). Loved the video, watched it this morning!
Book Reviews by the TrashMan! (Or, perhaps, “Trashy Book Reviews”!).
Oh, man, I forgot all about recycling. I may have to start using two bags.