Val McCullough: ‘Us’ and ‘them’ thinking deepens the chasms in society

One of my favorite household tasks is putting out the garbage.

No kidding.

Even before my husband, Bill, died, garbage and recycling were my responsibility.

I had to wrestle Bill for the privilege of wheeling the City of Loveland’s trash and recycling containers down our driveway to the street.

It bothered Bill because trash tasks are generally relegated to husbands or kids. But I treasured being on garbage duty because of its secrets.

Ridding our house of garbage gave each week a clean start.

First on our list was ridding our refrigerator of the food Bill was “saving.”

The most famous of his dishes was a soup he kept reheating well for a week or two. He’d throw a few bits of food in it each week — reheat — and then start the clock over.

Did I save him from the brink of food-borne