We seem to be the dumping ground for stuff no one wants. In other words, we tend to end up with random objects that people are trying to get rid of. I think I’ve even written about it before, but it has only gotten worse as the years have passed.
It either has to do with owning a truck and once it’s in our truck it’s our problem or because of the light pole in front of our house. That’s the location of our free pile. It’s really one of my favorite activities just to see what or if someone will take them.
Every time someone takes advantage of our free pile, I think, “There can’t possibly be anything else we could ever put out there,” then we end up with someone else’s stuff. Right now there is an antique couch from my mother-in-law. She had to downsize and the leg on the couch is broken. The thrift store in her area wouldn’t take it because of the damage and since it was in my husband’s truck, it became our responsibility. It was a shame to take it to the dump, being an antique and all, but it was the easiest solution at the moment. However, when he got to the dump it had just closed, so he had no choice but to bring it home.
He had an appointment the next day and wouldn’t have time to stop after work and the idea of hauling around a couch for several days was unappealing. I decided we should put it in the free pile, either someone would take it, or the impending rain would ruin it in spite of our efforts to keep it dry, and it would get trashed and be dump-worthy after all.
It’s an emotional choice to leave furniture in the free pile because it’s only slightly more dignified than being rejected by thrift stores. We watch it sit there for days on end, covering it every evening, keeping track of the weather app on my phone to keep it dry during the day until someone deems it worthy to adorn their living room. We don’t blame anyone for not taking stuff. I mean if we got rid of it, there must be something wrong with it. So though it’s physically easier to leave it by the light pole at the end of our driveway with a free sign on it, it’s a bit stressful hoping someone will take it. Although, admittedly, the anticipation of waiting for an object to disappear is part of its entertainment value. Clearly, I need to get out more.
To me a thrift store has all the power. Even though you’re giving them something for free, it’s an exercise in rejection. I understand they don’t have repair services, but sometimes, they need to look beyond one aspect of damage and think outside the box of possibilities. Someone will want it enough to fix it. I’ve certainly seen far worse trash on their “showroom” floors than some of the furniture we’ve hauled in that they’ve rejected. I have a special understanding of these things, I’m a furniture aficionado (which is an elegant way to say I have a high furniture turnover rate in my home).
I’d put out an all-points bulletin here in this column, because I know someone will read this and wish they had a nice, antique couch. But by the time this is published the couch will either be claimed or at the dump. My message to all my family, friends, and neighbors is to dump your own trash. I’ll find other things to keep myself entertained.
Gretchen Leigh is a stay-at-home mom who lives in Covington. You can read more of her writing and her blog on her website livingwithgleigh.com or on Facebook at “Living with Gleigh by Gretchen Leigh,” or twitter @livewithgleigh. Her column is available every week at maplevalleyreporter.com under the Life section.
