
PLaurie Mustard / Winnipeg Free Press
This vintage radio was given to Mustard by a friend, and now he’s going to return the favour and give it to another friend.
While writing this on Tuesday all Im asking is that by the time youre reading this the snow has melted enough to stop my latest rescue, Great Pyrenees mix Clementine, from jumping over the fence.
Please. Oh please. Thank you.
In other news, happy to report the spring purge is well underway, as I continue to sell and giveaway stuff I enjoy having around, but really just dont need anymore.
For example, it wasnt easy, but I decided to sell an amazing chess set this week. Ive had it for years, cant remember when and where I bought it, no doubt a garage sale or auction, and got it mainly because I thought the grandkids would love having a giant set to play chess with. They did, till they didnt, and I have no interest in playing chess anymore, so it just sits.
So why keep it? Part of the reason I liked having it is because its so unique I loved showing it to people. Done enough of that too, so out it goes.
However, I thought it might be worth showing it again, to you. Its homemade, and very well done, so I thought seeing it might inspire some of you to build one of your own. People love looking at this thing. The case holds the pieces, and opens out to become the board. The pieces range in size from the pawns at 5 inches to the King at a towering 10 inches, so you really feel you have an army in front of you. The board is 27.5 inches square. Would love to know who built this, and where they got their inspiration from. Well done. Gold star.
Stuff Ive bought, I generally try and get my money back out of, and I have no aversion to making a profit on it as well, if I can remember what I paid for it. Good luck with that.
In the giveaway department, by the time you read this, I will have delivered a beautiful old radio to a great friend for use in his shop, which is loaded with similar vintage goodies. Works like a charm, perfect for an old football player to listen to Bomber games on.
Ive been intending to deliver this for two years. Someone gave it to me knowing Id keep it or find a good home for it. Mission accomplished. I just have to get it there. Hint: hes my editor and lives out of town, but its always worth the trip.
The endless purge. Downsizing of course is one of the goals, but theres another one in there thats a lot more fun than just reducing the amount of clutter in your home.
If you have stuff of value, that youre just holding onto almost because its become a habit, dream up something new you want to add to your home, then figure out what youd have to sell to buy it. Now thats fun.
Part of the reason Im choosing longtime belongings to sell is because Ive bought something to bring home, but I want to pay for it with money from selling things Im no longer getting a kick out of.
No lady, you cant sell your husband.
So bye, bye chess set, and a few other things, because I bought a 1958 Edsel Ranger, restorable I suppose, but what I want it for is to put in front of my caboose like its the locomotive, and have it so people can sit in it to chat, listen to the radio, and pretend theyve gone back to the 50s. I might even put a big-screen TV on the hood occasionally to create our own drive-in theatre experience.
So Im leaving you with an assignment this week, to go through your home, pick out what you can sell, decide on something to buy, and get it done. Heck maybe even give something away. Lemme know how it turns out. Happy weekend!
Comments and column ideas welcome!
lmustard1948@gmail.com