I loved the MDOT litter campaign slogan that was promoted throughout the state of Mississippi by former First Lady Pat Fordice.

I thought “I’m Not Your Mama” was genius because we should not have to tell others that littering is wrong.

As a member of Girl Scout Troop 229, I learned at a young age that littering was disrespectful.

And it was instilled in me every time we trekked out as a troop to clean up behind others.

Although this was not one of the more rousing aspects of being a scout, it did serve a purpose.

It instilled in me a sense of stewardship to community.

Now, when I see someone purposely litter, I want to scream, “Pick that up!” but I know that I am not their “mama.”

However, this week, the “mama” in me went a little crazy.

I was driving along Wisconsin Avenue when a car that was at the three-way stop at John Allen pulled onto Wisconsin. The passenger rolled down the window and tossed out a fast food bag and a corrugated cup holder.

I began to blow my horn at them in an attempt to get them to stop their car.

All I could think of is “How dare they litter!”

Well, the car did not stop, so as soon as I got through the three-way, myself, I began to chase them so I could get their tag number. I am not sure I knew what I was going to do once I got it, but I was determined to try.

The car pulled into a parking lot off Wisconsin where several businesses are located. They stopped momentarily at the corner of one of the establishments, and I pulled up beside them.

The windows were darkly tinted and it was difficult to make out anyone, but I did manage vaguely to see the passenger who was sipping on her drink.

Luckily, it had not been tossed out, too.

I motioned for the driver to roll down the window.

I was ready to give this literbug a piece of my mind, but all this person did was speed a way.

I did manage, however, to pull out my cell phone, and I was able to snap a picture of the car tag number on the light grey Honda Accord.

It was a Warren County plate.

After I calmed down from the chase, I realized that it had probably not been a very smart thing to do.

Nevertheless, when I saw that litter flying onto the road, I had become unglued.

Ironically, as life will do, a day later I experienced another moment of passion.

At almost the same place where the Honda had discarded its trash, I saw an older gentleman picking up garbage.   

My heart smiled, and I realized there is sometimes balance in the universe.

It is against the law to throw trash on the road, and if caught first offender fines in Mississippi can range from $50 to $250.

I did not stop to thank the man who was picking up trash, and now I feel a bit of regret that I did not expend the same amount of energy for a good deed as I had for the litterbugs.

Remember, someone else should not be responsible for your trash, so be respectful and don’t litter.

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.