A Picking Primer

  
 

Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Linda, and I'm a picker. (And no, that's not a portrait of me on top of that pile of trash).

If I see something at the curb that calls my name, you can bet that I'll try to drag it home. That instinct goes into overdrive in the spring, particularly in my little corner of Central New York. Although my husband probably thinks otherwise, I'm fortunate enough to live in a town where there is sanctioned trash-picking, otherwise known as Spring Cleanup.

 

Spring Cleanup is a six-week long event during which residents can toss almost anything to the curb. Well, not everything. Here are the no-no's (and I quote from the official cleanup notice): "We cannot pick up the following hazardous items: tires, batteries, gas tanks, barrels of any kind, propane tanks, tree stumps, freezers, refrigerators, toxic containers, medical supplies or waste, lawn chemicals, asbestos, shingles, pipe wrap, air conditioners, microwaves, TVs, concrete, computers and any other building materials of any kind from your home."

So I guess you're out of luck if you're looking for a barrel of toxic medical waste inside an asbestos-lined refrigerator.

 

Over the years I've come across just about everything else, including everything pictured in this post, as well as three upright pianos, lots of artifical Christmas trees and wreaths, numerous toilets (always leave those behind), a vintage dress form, kitchen cabinets, etc.

 

So on the eve of 2011's Spring Cleanup, I present my picking primer:

1. Pick early and often.* The picture frame and the anniversary cake topper above illustrate this point. I found both last night in an area that isn't up for pickup for two more weeks. Although the designated pickup day is Monday of each week, stuff starts to appear during the preceding week and often before that.

* With gasoline pushing $4 a gallon around here, I may have to redefine "often,"  particularly when the designated area isn't that close to my home, as it is for this first week.

2. If I don't grab it, someone else will. This means that I've learned to go with my initial impulse. If I have regrets about a pick later, I can always put it out at the curb during my cleanup week. And some other picker always takes it.

3. Avoid upholstery because it's rarely worth the time and trouble of trying to rehabilitate someone else's stinky old furniture. And, yes, I have learned that from experience too.

  

4. Try to use my imagination. Something that looks like a ratty old lampshade can be repurposed to be a photo display rack a la Pottery Barn. In fact, I had better take another look at the Pottery Barn catalog before I head out.

5. Never drive by storage containers without taking a second look. I always pick up those plastic drawer units, which fit really well under a dorm room bed. Better to get them free than pay $10 each for them at Walmart.

Finally, I'm prepared to break all these rules because every year Spring Cleanup is, as Forest Gump's mama might say, like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.

Ready to roll? I am. Actually, I've been ready for a year now. Let's go picking.  

 

P.S. If there is good stuff, I share the wealth with a giveaway every week. Check back with me early next week to see what's up for grabs.

 

Comments

[Lauire magpie ethel]

I'm watching and crossing my fingers for you. So enjoy this time of the year and your snippets into the spring pick-up world. GOOD LUCK!

[Ivo Beutler]

Whew! You're lucky; your car can hold all that stuff. Anyways, good luck to your spring picking. I hope you'll get all the treasures to keep and some to share. =)