Signs

Since All Things Are Possible, maybe the direction of civilization can be mapped thru obscure sources. Like, the little signs folks post in their yards. We see a good variety every day, walking about as we do. True, my Pomeranian Chihuahua doesn't read, yet. But, we still note the contrast of messages our dear neighbors like to display.

On a certain spectrum, you can see social attitudes trending from friendly to dangerous, understanding to demanding, and helpful to critically scolding. Do these signs secretly spell out our own destiny?

Or, do we think too much, my doggie and I? Yes, she's catching flies while I'm catching clues, but it's still a very good relationship. It also follows that our kindest neighbors have the most approachable signs: like "Think global, act local. Please don't water our plants and flowers."

Then, the signage tension ratchets up quickly as we turn a corner and see "Stop. No Pee Zone." And, the more realistic but terse "Clean up after your dog!"

Finally, from those inevitably strange or quirky neighbors, the most ominous warnings, or guilt-gilded scolding for all to read and take heed: no slack given for either two or four-legged offenders. Like, "Keep OFF the grass!" And, next door it's "We don't use your yard as a restroom. Don't let your pets do the same here!" Maybe these sign folks have good reasons, some pet parents can be uncaring. Not everyone is poop-responsible, we've all seen it.

With Halloween approaching again, many decorated yards have enough going on to scare off a pooch's urgent intentions, and the grass gets a break. Nothing like skulls or tombstones to keep critters from stopping to chat.

But, we don't need no stinkin' signs. We take our business with us, always. Because, no matter what direction civilization takes, it's universally known that one of the worst energies you can generate is bad doggy poop karma.