So let’s discuss here and in other circles we interact with, small and large ways we are trying to make a difference. I think the benefits might surprise us in the long and even short run.
I love this place:
http://www.repurposeproject.org/
Every community should have one.
I donate stuff there that thrift stores won't take, plus it's one of my go-to places to shop for building materials and general random stuff.
@ana we have something like that in Houston-
such a great place to find art parts, or just inspiration.
Shout out to @jsr78 & @blackandwhite & all my other H-town homies
I know garbage day in areas. I'll get my bike ride in and search for treasures. People throw out so much good stuff. I get my exercise and find good stuff. When I find stuff, if it doesn't fit in my bike. I find somewhere to hide it, behind trees and go back later with car to get it.
I found $180 Frozen doll house in great condition for my granddaughter. I found dressers that had crayons and pen ink all over. I looked online how to clean up. They look brand new now. I found tons of clothes. It's very hard to find anywhere to donate clothes to now, so people throw it out in garbage. I give clothes to people I know or donate to churches. One time I found 8 30 gallon garbage bags of clothes. There was at least 3 bags of clothes that still had tags on them. All expensive stores Victoria Secret, Hollister, Aeropostale. Clothes young people wear. My daughter took some. My friend who couldn't afford clothes for her kids took most of it. I found clothes a week before school started, it felt so good to see kids happy that they got new clothes. I find chairs, furniture, electronics, toys, house wares, etc. One time I said to myself I need to buy new mixing bowls. I found great ones a few days later, in garbage. Areas that are having neighborhood or citywide garage sales are great place to look after they end. Lots of people just leave stuff at street. It's funny cause my spirit always guides me which way to go and I always find stuff. I can find things everytime I look.
I love how you are all finding treasures through someone else’s “ junk”.
I just had the unique experience of discovering stacks of 100+ year old sheet music in a similar way. 2 boxes worth. My family has been having fun sifting through this music now for a few days. Mostly vocal pieces but a few piano.
The stories this music could tell.
We have a Taken N Leave in our town that is so extensive and famous it once made the New York Times. It started out as a messy dump with heaps of toys and housewares amidst broken glass, but it has evolved into an outdoor covered free supermarket, with volunteers organizing the drop-offs. Our North Carolina cousins, always make a point of spending the night on their way home from Maine each summer just so they can go there. (We are grateful to the Take N Leave for getting to see them).
Our kitchen is loaded with Take N Leave dishes, cuttlery, fry pans, and all those gimmicky holiday gifts that people barely use. The best part is that you can just take it home and if you don't like it, you just bring it back, no charge. Like that crepe maker and the bread machine.
We almost had marriage blow up once, though, when I was rummaging through the Take-N-Leave Video box and I found old videos I'd taken of our kids when they were little...at the Take N Leave! Then there was the hidden treasures, like the $20,000 cash stuffed in a hollowed out book that someone picked up at the book drop, which is right next to the Take N Leave. He turned it in and everyone waited for the true owner to show up. They never did, so the guy who found the money, a minimum wage caregiver, got to keep it, fair and square.
One must never throw away family videos, especially without spousal consent. That is grounds for divorce, everyone knows that! Haha
Good for the worker who found the money! That is a fantastic story!!
I love the idea of trying out a new find for awhile and if it doesn’t work out, no problem, just drop it off again. And for a book, read it and return it.
You could find vases for a dinner party or wedding reception, use them for the event and then return them. If grandkids are coming for a visit one could find a few toys for their stay. Or they could find their own little treasures!
How fun is that?
Two things to share with you today. #1 I have long wanted to have a functional bidet...since before the Pandemic started but especially then... because of the toilet tissue shortages. I want to save the trees and reduce water usage while getting really clean and saving the stress on my body of the twists needed to attend to oneself. Since I herniated the L4-L5 discs and subsequent left-side sciatica issues? Amazon Prime days search led me to this one. I got it for $23.99 but even not on sale it's only $29.99. Very affordable on a senior Social Security budget. I bought it, my son installed it in 15 minutes and it has been wonderful!!! I love it!!! Maybe if you want to reduce paper product use too you'll find it works for you also. It saves water, reduces paper waste and this one is self cleaning.
#2. Joni Mitchell gave a concert!!!! ahhhhh - it had me weeping... I never thought I would hear her sing again. Oh my!!!!! and Brandi Carlisle and friends...wonderful!!!!
Joni Mitchell gave a concert!!!! ahhhhh - it had me weeping... I never thought I would hear her sing again. Oh my!!!!!
best news i've heard all day. Thank you for posting it. This is the first time she has performed publicly in 20 years. Here we go:
Amanda Gorman, the young poet who spoke at Biden’s inauguration , spoke at the UN yesterday.
She is such a bright star!!
This is worth watching. She would fell at home in our community don’t you think?
https://apple.news/ASUEFfeFIS2WO3x83_jsLxA