“I’ll just show you where the key is and you can come help yourself to whatever you like.”
Never, never say that to me. Please. Ever.
Y’see last weekend I responded to an ad about some old vehicles being sold as part of a farm estate sale, much too near to me. So I went out for a look, thank GOD they all sold as a bunch to one person, but I saw other stuff there that I felt needed rescuing, and then they said, “Yes, big job, and everything in the house has to be cleared out as well.”
So of course I had to go see what was in there, during which the nice man said, “We (the family) have already decided on what we want to keep (gave me the rundown) then added, “So if you see anything you want, just take it. Outside too. It’s all got to go.”
That’s when he delivered the “key” line.
Oh, dear. And oddly enough, there turned out to be a couple of things there I thought maybe I should rescue. I mean if they’re going to go to the dump or be scrapped, I may as well take them home and pass them on to someone…someday.
Consider, that over the past couple of weeks I found homes for a gorgeous Heintzman upright grand piano I hauled home, also a beautiful old pump organ. Gave them to people who were thrilled to get them, already have a video sent to me of the teenage daughter learning to play that fabulous piano. Does my heart good. And I’ve just found a home for one of my other piano rescues as well, going soon.
Mind you, I gave away the pump organ because a very nice lady gave me another one. So, yeah.
But, from the farmyard, how could I not rescue the two 70’s Honda motorcycles, dead, for parts only, but useful as can be to someone who needs those original parts, me included. Can’t scrap stuff like that. Also outside, by now will have hauled home a 1973’ish RUPP GO JOE, designed to be both an ATV and a snowmobile of sorts. Fibreglass body, looks like a mini Corvette. On the trailer.
And inside, although there’s a piano in there I sadly won’t be rescuing, unfortunately there’s a carload or two of “treasures” I did rescue.
“Sure you guys don’t want the records?” I ask. (big pile of lp’s and 45’s) “Nope, take’em away.” I did, along with some old lamps, a wooden rhino, old kerosene lamp parts, unique dolls that I thought should be saved for someone, a great big old Medalta #12 crock with handles that a friend took home… “They’re great for use in the living room to throw comforters in,” said she. Great. At least it will be used.
So much more…interesting useful stuff that you couldn’t PAY most people to have in their homes. But I will find homes for them. There are other “preservers” like me. We are not alone.
One of the most interesting things, sitting under a pile of junk (there, I said it), was a good sized wooden box/chest. Now this is in a very poorly lit little cubbyhole of a room. Very limited visibility. So when I opened it, and focussed for a few seconds, I saw what appeared to be a dead animal. Closed the lid, carried the trunk and contents out into the sun, opened it again and found what appears to be a very old handmade quilt of sorts with buffalo/cow hide on one side, flannel on the other. Wow, now there’s a piece of history. This belongs in a museum!
My cup, house, and garage, overfloweth. So much fun! My thanks to the family. May this never happen again.
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