Auction
I just returned from the estate auction of an eccentric old man who lived down the street. He was always very reclusive. In the twenty-seven years I lived on this block, I'd only ever see him mow his lawn or tend his flower garden, and then he'd disappear back into the house. I don't think we ever spoke.
It was interesting to see what he owned. I felt a kindred spirit. He had drafting tools, precision measuring tools, and lots of machining and engineering books. He was quite a tinkerer and packrat. Four hot water heaters in addition to the one installed in the house, four push mowers (plus the deck of a fifth), two riding mowers, a huge cache of copper and steel pipes, including two huge condensers that suggested moonshining. Five TVs in a house with only four rooms, and he apparently kept every computer he ever owned. Blueprints from his years at International Harvester. And on the door to the living room, a cast iron plaque stating that he'd designed and built the house himself, "with tlc", in 1958.
But he was also paranoid. He had numerous alarm systems, sensors, lights, and sirens installed all over the house, as well as in boxes in the garage. Three generators, including one hooked to the house mains so his power would never go out. Three automatic handguns, all like new, and jacketed hollowpoints for each. Numerous holsters of various types. I found his concealed carry permit in a box of speed-loaders.
I want to be a tinkerer when I'm old, but not paranoid.
We got some pretty good deals: a drill press for $40, a reel mower for $35, and a box of metal files and a really cool old drafting chair for $4 each. Hooray for the drill press! Now I can get back to making the molds for my ukulele sides.
It was interesting to see what he owned. I felt a kindred spirit. He had drafting tools, precision measuring tools, and lots of machining and engineering books. He was quite a tinkerer and packrat. Four hot water heaters in addition to the one installed in the house, four push mowers (plus the deck of a fifth), two riding mowers, a huge cache of copper and steel pipes, including two huge condensers that suggested moonshining. Five TVs in a house with only four rooms, and he apparently kept every computer he ever owned. Blueprints from his years at International Harvester. And on the door to the living room, a cast iron plaque stating that he'd designed and built the house himself, "with tlc", in 1958.
But he was also paranoid. He had numerous alarm systems, sensors, lights, and sirens installed all over the house, as well as in boxes in the garage. Three generators, including one hooked to the house mains so his power would never go out. Three automatic handguns, all like new, and jacketed hollowpoints for each. Numerous holsters of various types. I found his concealed carry permit in a box of speed-loaders.
I want to be a tinkerer when I'm old, but not paranoid.
We got some pretty good deals: a drill press for $40, a reel mower for $35, and a box of metal files and a really cool old drafting chair for $4 each. Hooray for the drill press! Now I can get back to making the molds for my ukulele sides.