Here's an update on the book rescue project I mentioned yesterday. They're all in pretty bad condition, honestly. I threw away Augustus Smith -- that book was so wet that when I went to work yesterday it hadn't dried out yet, and it was looking very warped and smelling moldy. Into the trash!
I haven't thrown away the Cathedrals book, but I still might. I keep asking myself whether anyone would really want to read it, with the cover looking like that. I think I have saved the ballooning book, but only barely. It's got some warping too. Maybe if I stick it in a bookcase it will be pressed flat over time.
Yesterday The New York Times ran an article about collecting free stuff in the city, and how this is a peak time for those who are into such activities. (They call it "stooping" -- townhouses in New York have front stoops, the steps leading up to the door, and that's where people leave free stuff. It's also where New Yorkers hold their equivalent of yard sales, which are known, naturally, as "stoop sales.") Apparently, with so many people staying home and cleaning up their apartments, and with others moving because their jobs have vanished or gone virtual or whatever, there are lots of castoffs available.
In fact, there are Instagram feeds devoted entirely to stooping. (In a cursory check I found one for free stuff in London, but it's full of debris like half-full Stella beer bottles and lost shopping carts. Not quite the same thing.)
Anyway, I don't need to bring more found stuff home. I have enough trouble managing the stuff we have. Yesterday Dave was trying to find his box of disposable face masks, in order to go to the grocery store, and I could not for the life of me remember where I'd put them. I looked all over, fruitlessly, and eventually he just left with a mask he'd already worn.
I did eventually find them, but in the process of rummaging through closets I realized we have a lot of junk and I am starting a clean-out ASAP. I really wish I could take stuff to a thrift store, but they're all still closed for our lockdown, so I'll hold onto the donations for the time being. I particularly need to arrange a hazardous waste pickup from the council -- we have a closet full of paint, varnish, furniture stain and other stuff, much of which was there when we moved in and probably isn't even useful anymore. I'd like to get rid of it all. God only knows what's in there.
(Photos: Smiley-face graffiti in Billy Fury Way, West Hampstead. The top photo has been run through the Waterlogue app; the original is below.)
Thinking of throwing warped books away? Now that's a surprise. Past evidence suggested that you were very partial to warped reading material.
ReplyDelete(P.S. Only kidding!)
LOL -- of what past evidence do you speak?!
Delete"Love in the Library", "Frolics in Florida", "Making Out in Morocco"...The author's name escapes me.
DeleteWhen cleaning out my mother's house, charity shops weren't taking donations but there were still big bins to put in donated goods. The donations were nearly all of a fabric nature. It is very satisfying to have a good clear out.
ReplyDeleteSo in other words you could donate but not to the shops directly? I think my only option would be to throw stuff out, which I don't want to do if it's still usable.
DeleteDoing the same here though I probably won't have more than two boxes...good luck with the books.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised how much we have! It's funny how when you live in a place for more than five years, stuff just accumulates! (You're good at keeping things spare, though.)
DeleteThe charity shops not being open is one of the things that I miss so much mainly for jigsaws.
ReplyDeleteLike you I am a great one for pouncing on stuff left outside homes and can't wait for car boot sales to start up again.
Briony
x
I do miss a good boot sale, and yes, I really wish the charity shops would gear up again. I suppose when the lockdown eases on shops in April (I think?) they'll reopen.
DeleteYes, Steve, they will open - and be awash with all our cast-offs. I do have it on good authority, and it's somewhat sobering, that most donations (even in "normal" times) don't make it onto their shelves or clothes rails. Why? Because there is just too MUCH stuff.
DeleteHaving said that, you may wish to look into foodbanks which, at least here, also run clothes banks. They are notoriously short of boys/mens wear (jeans etc). When the Angel had a clear out (pre Covid) of perfectly good yet outgrown jeans, shorts, T and other shirts, there was a satisfaction that other youngsters benefitted without being charged and, on wearing those clothes, without being identified as a down and out. On a side note: I can't bear thinking about it, Steve, how shit our society is caring for the temporarily/permanently strapped for even the basics. Which doesn't stop me from doing just that - thinking about it and trying to fill holes where there shouldn't be any.
U
I think it's true, Ursula, that a lot of the stuff given to thrift stores doesn't wind up on their shelves. But I also think they do SOMETHING with it. Sometimes they sell the clothing in bulk to dealers who ship it overseas where it will have some value, or they turn it into industrial rags, for example.
DeleteWhen we lived in San Diego, all we had to do was place something in front of our house with a sign reading FREE and it was gone in minutes. We had a friend who married a very holistic/recycling/natural fabrics/vegan fiend and became one herself. She had not been that way previous to the relationship. They lived a few streets away and she was known for leaving $1,000 purses and Manolo Blahnik shoes at the curb! We had a great GLBTQ thrift store in the neighbourhood, which I thought would be a much better option, but she wouldn't hear of it. So, some very privileged neighbors, I'm sure, had a great time with her discards.
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm surprised she opposed giving stuff to the thrift store, but the neighbors must have been thrilled!
DeleteThey also call it "freecycling" recycling free stuff. I like the idea.
ReplyDeleteYes! There's actually a web site called Freecycle. I've used it in the past -- it's kind of a pain to arrange collection times and that kind of thing, but well worth it to not throw stuff into the trash.
DeleteI have lots to donate too whenever they start picking up this stuff again. I like the watercolor version of the painting much better than the original. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteThat watercolor app, called Waterlogue, is really amazing. If it would work on your phone you should try it!
DeleteWhen I was first in NY (and very poor) most of my furnishings came right out of the street. You could find out what days bulk pickups (ie furniture) were and then hit that neighborhood. When I left forty years later I recycled lots of stuff right off my stoop.
ReplyDeleteThat's the great thing about being in a densely packed city -- you can just set stuff out and people will take it. My part of London is a little more spread out, so I'm afraid if I put stuff out it would just sit there for days.
DeleteI read that article too. Sounds like the pickings in NYC are far superior to what we might have here in North Florida. Although every now then someone leaves things at the dump...
ReplyDeleteI was surprised at the lack of good stuff at Goodwill yesterday. I thought it would be overflowing with treasures. Not so much.
You've found some good stuff at the dump in Lloyd! I'm pretty impressed with your salvaging!
DeleteI saw that article in the NY Times. I was amazed at some of the things people found. I was inspired by your quiet time in the garden yesterday so I went to the botanical garden and sat in the cafe area and listened to the birds! It felt great.
ReplyDeleteOh, good! I'm glad you got some outdoor time.
DeleteWe have a few really cool items that we picked up off the street. But mostly people just put out stuff that should be taken to the dump here. Still, we've got to keep our eyes open for the true gems out there. Nice photos.
ReplyDeleteYeah, sometimes trash is just trash! LOL
DeleteI have always had an eye for things that people discard. It used to be necessity. These days, it is more that I just can't stand to see things go to waste. My thoughts are always ' some one will need this...and someone usually does. I know someone who makes a decent living from collecting, remaining, refinishing and repainting.
ReplyDeleteI hate wasting things, too. Especially stuff that looks unusual or stylish.
DeleteIt used to be like that in the university districts of most cities. There was a always free furniture to be found in Seattle around the colleges. I don't want any more stuff and should get rid of a bunch. So, I avoid places where I might be tempted. I imagine a stoop sale would also be a social occasion.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is walking the dog -- I'm often tempted by things I see when I do that!
DeleteOh just put your excess "stuff" out on the sidewalk. It will be picked up immediately by someone looking for free goods. Or better yet I read this around the holidays. Put it in an Amazon box and seal it up and someone will steal it.
ReplyDeleteHa! Love the Amazon idea! Serves them right. I could leave stuff out front but I hate for it all to sit there in view of the neighbors.
DeleteThere is an app called Nextdoor, that is like Facebook but limited to your specific area. I've put a lot of stuff up "free, come get it" and people do. Even a mattress went which really surprised me - bedbugs!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that app! I've used Freecycle in the past. Yeah, I wouldn't use an old mattress. Ugh.
DeleteWe have groups that pickup charity donation items from one's home. Can you schedule something like that where you are? They call me when they will have a truck in my neighborhood and I leave the items on my front porch for them in labeled bags and boxes. Easy-peasy.
ReplyDeleteWe have Freecycle, a web site where we can offer stuff to the public, but I'm not aware of a charity that does pickups. I'll have to look into it.
DeleteMy son does dumpster diving and found those expensive cars(only needing a battery) for his little girl. I told him he is going to find bed bugs if he keep it up. (lol) I usually shop at thrift stores but now there's none open. I have bought name brand new clothes for very little dollars. I wouldn't advice you to pick up a bed mattress. That is really a home for bed bugs. My ex neighbor did that and picked up bed bugs. I can't find any thrift stores open since the pandemic.
ReplyDelete`
Oh, I love a good thrift store! But yeah, I've been known to do a bit of dumpster diving myself, as long as the stuff is clean and functional. Bedbugs ARE a worry and as I said below, I'd never take an item with upholstery or pillows.
Deleteyou are at war with yourself. one part of you loves to bring stuff home and the other part hates clutter. when UT Austin went virtual last year and kids moved out of their apartments and back home, so many of them just dumped their furniture out on the street and my granddaughter refurnished the communal living/dining areas of her apartment after the roommate who owned it all took it with her when she moved out.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine throwing out all my furniture. I don't think I'd have done that even in my college years.
DeleteI thought this post was going to end with a garage sale or a stop sale!
ReplyDeleteSorry to disappoint! I've actually never seen anyone do that in London. The closest thing here are "boot sales," in which people load up their cars with stuff and gather in a parking lot for a sale.
DeleteI definitely wouldn't take a bed or a couch or a chair home--anything with upholstery. When I needed an inexpensive bed, I bought it at a Salvation Army thrift store. They only accept stuff that's nice, and even then, they give it a thorough cleaning.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Yeah, I agree -- anything with upholstery would be off-limits for me, too.
DeleteInstagram shots of stuff- some crazy good!
ReplyDeleteI know! It's remarkable how cool some of that stuff is. Of course, in Manhattan, you're going to get good, stylish trash.
Delete