Dust.

So – now that it’s warming up a bit, the dust is coming out from hibernation. It drove me nuts in the summer to see thousands of liters (liters…I’m such a European wannabe) being poured on steps and in front of businesses to get rid of dust. The water dries…and it’s dusty again! A big water truck sprays the roads at night. Again, the water dries, and the dust is still there! (Do they make street-wide shopvacs?). I don’t know which is worse – tracking mud into little shops or having dust fly over all the merchandise. As it was an exceptionally dry winter here, I’m really hoping that different means of combating dust will surface...because water outages are no fun (off topic).

[Where does it come from? There are roads and sidewalks and fences (concrete-esque walls)…and next to no grass, bushes, or trees in public spaces. Do green spaces absorb dust?]

I’m venting about this because something nasty occurred to me today. I was sweeping off the steps to the place where I’m working. They were covered (slight exaggeration) with dust and garbage with a capital “GAR!!!” (litter…don’t even get this “Keep PA Beautiful” badge-wearer started). It was a windy morning and, like every time it’s windy, litter somehow found its way in the front area of the business. As I was sweeping (and dust was a-blowing in many a-direction), I smelled urine in the dust. Hmm - gents and/or small kids sometimes take leeks along some roads (not even comparable, though, to sightings in India). Roads are covered in dust. Dust blows around. Dust gets in my skin, covers my glasses, and suctions to my hair. Gross. Nasty. VILE. No wonder people always take off their shoes in homes. And no wonder people don't want to touch the foul stuff...even with 10-foot broom.

Okay, I’m done. Apologies for using blogspot as a vent spot.