The Talk of The Town

The first thing that I refinished from the "Hole" was the little green lawn set that decorates my home page for this blog. Rachel and I found it together last fall. We laughed when it appeared because we had seen it around the neighborhood in someones back patio and commented on the flashy color.

The color wasn't quite what it is now, but close. I spent one day scrubbing with steel wool to remove grease and grime, then we went searching for just the right paint match. They called it "Lime Freeze" at the Ace Hardware, in Old Town, Alexandria. They only had it in an oil based paint, it took three coats to get a good even coverage. When I finally finished, Rachel said:" I hope the neighbors don't hate it". Well not only did they not hate it, but it became the buzz item in the hood! People now refer to us as the girls with that cute green lawn set!

The chairs are not very comfortable, but the look is priceless! The bright green also serves as a beacon to food delivery people. The set has that timeless feel and I am sure it will make the journey to Florida, when we make our inevitable migration south.

The "Wishin' Hole"

The name "The Wishin' Hole" [the mechanical yard at my condo]  is so poignant that to call it any other name would be passing up the incredible magic of the site. So many things have been found at the "Hole" the very next day after wishing for them! It is almost scary! Items have been so different, unique and "wished for" that it simply can't be coincidence. It doesn't just work for us, our neighbors all believe that the place is special, and have stories of their own.

Rachel [my partner of 14 years] was living here in Alexandria for a while before I officially moved form our house in Michigan.  She always had a find from the "Hole" to tell me about. Meanwhile, on my end,  I'm thinking it's all junk and she has turned into a certifiable "hoarder!" I had to eat my words when I saw with my own eyes the cool and useful things that she had found. My favorite was a small wooden table with one small drawer and a cubby space.  It is now my artist table, useful and beautiful. We have also found two brand new, still in the box, grills! Who can't use a free grill?

The fact that the dumpsters are behind a locked fence with an ID activated gate is my feeling as to why people leave valuable things behind; I think they feel good knowing that their neighbors will be the benefactors of the items. Living in a small space also contributes as something new means that something old has to go. Whatever the reason, it has provided me with hours of refurbishing, refinishing, re purposing, and gifting things that seemingly arrive via fate!

Welcome to "Look What I Found!"

Some of you may know me from my adventures in Northern Michigan, as a crazed fishing fanatic. I have blogged for some time about my ice fishing, lake fishing and other outdoor adventures in the rugged wilderness of Northern Michigan on my blog, "Northern Fishing Journal".

In 2011, I moved to Alexandria, VA which is just outside of Washington, DC. That year, I started my new blog, "The Displaced Fisherman" which chronicles my withdrawal from Northern Michigan fun, and my explorations in the Potomac and Chesapeake fisheries.

Well, my newest addiction has had me quite busy. It also produces the same "endorphin" rush that I get when I go fishing....heart palpitations, anticipation, and the constant need to do it again! This addiction is [drum roll please....] DUMPSTER DIVING. Now, I don't always climb into dumpsters....and they are mostly located in the mechanic's yard of my condominium complex (although some of my treasures have come from the streets and people's trash piles). The yard has been nicknamed, "The Wishing Hole" and this will make more sense as you read my new posts....

The wealth of AMAZING things I have found is really astounding. Please stay tuned for detailed descriptions of each of my treasures....and join me in my newest endeavor...."Look What I Found!"