Eco-friendly

The Mississippi River runs right down the middle of the Twin Cities here and while it doesn't technically divide the two, it's close enough for most people to see it as the dividing line.

Like the lake in Chicago or the bay in San Francisco, the river helps to define the towns and most people here have a pretty strong attachment to it.

When you think of how far the river flows and what it stands for in terms of American iconography, most people think twice when they see the spraypainted messages near the storm drains warning against polluting.

Not that I saw the storm drains and thought, "That'd be a great place to dump an old car battery!" but it keeps me honest. I keep track of crap blowing around the yard and making sure that nothing too nasty drips on the garage floor or driveway that could make its way to the river.

Then, I drive home two days ago and what's going on near the curb of the local gas station? Some lady pouring the last 1/4 gallon of gas from a plastic gas can right down the storm drain.

It's hard to believe Earth Day isn't a bigger deal in the United States.

(Image from BackyardStyle.com)