This Sears trash can sits on our deck in June 2017, just before I washed it. But wait---there’s more! I have to explain why I washed it and how that relates to my being a recovering pack rat.

Ages ago (1980s? 1990s?) this trash can went into service at our house. I vaguely remember lugging it out to the curb on trash collection days, firmly gripping its handles. It was not pleasant work. But that drudgery ended when the City of Renton mandated a standard type of container. At that point the container was transferred to “waiting for its next function” status.

With its original purpose denied, I stored it in our side yard, out of view behind a fence. I could not bear the thought of getting rid of it because---as every pack rat believes---one never knows when something might come in handy again.

Years passed. Every time I saw the can I hoped to find another use for the thing. But eventually I began to think I was hoping for something that would not materialize and entertained thoughts of getting rid of the trash can.

Finally my thoughts were transformed into action. On the day of a city-sponsored "Stop and Swap" event I took this picture, washed the container, and gave it away at the event. Getting rid of the thing was but a “baby step” for a recovering pack rat. Every such act brings me a little closer to getting that coveted Pack Rat Recovery Merit Badge.

Geotagging shows where I gave it away.