So how is it that I come across all this cool stuff, my raw materials that is turned into something that tantalizes you so? Time, effort and opportunity is the answer. Some of my journeys are long and it is always a roll of the dice for most are a bust, but no risk and no reward.

It is fortunate for me that most just don’t see the potential beauty in the old things that attract me or if they do they don’t have the wherewithal to transform them into a unique and useful piece of art (not my term).

From time to time I look at ads that may have one item listed that I find interesting. The price is reasonable mostly because the item is in poor condition at best and no person in their right mind wants anything to do with it. Since I am not included in that group a road trip may be in order. Of course it is. A rendezvous is scheduled and away I go.

While I most often purchase the one piece I am after, from time to time I find more. Much more and return with a pickup full of, for me, must have items, that I have no idea what I will use them for but eventually they find there way into a piece that someone must have – Like You.

For instance, just this week I found myself headed west at the crack of dawn in search of some old rough cut oak lumber that had been stored in a barn for who knows how long. Ninety miles later I am there as the sun rises and meet with the seller. Yes, he has a big pile of boards alright. Problem, most are checked, warped, bowed or just unfit for my needs. I pick out a few good ones and he tells me that he would prefer to sell the who lot. Not a problem. Did I just drive ninety miles one way for five boards, I hope not. He had a barn full of stuff so I queried if he wanted to rid himself of some other things. He did and I searched. I found a few doors and shutters. Did I have a use in mind? I did not but the doors came from an old school house in western Maryland, century old by the hardware and a couple were hand grain painted. The shutters were century old by the hangers and hinges, that had seen better days, but the wood was flawless, my guess red wood or cedar (I haven’t got into them yet). He gave me a price, I gave him cash and I was on my way with a truck loaded with five, seven foot doors and twelve, six foot shutters. Oh yea, and five oak boards. Success? I think so, but I haven’t developed a use for them yet. Stay tuned, you will see something very cool in the future. Moral? No risk no reward.

A little while ago I saw an ad for an old teak sailboat rudder. I liked it and it seemed reasonable, I guess, since I don’t sail and it is a little out of my bally wick but I took a drive. I showed at the agreed time and liked the rudder. It was in his garage, that happened to be filled with junk. I asked if he had anything else he wanted to sell. He said he recently had a yard sale, that was not exactly a success, so yes he said make a pile. I did. I left with a pickup full. Wood oars, paddles, teak boards, another teak rudder, running lights, brass port holes, a brass rudder and a couple of buckets of brass items and sailboat rigging and a couple of boxes of things that I will have some useful purpose as soon as I figure out what they are. I am a land lover don’t you see. Now that I possess your interest – several nautical items are in your future – I hope. I am sure your very sharp eye noticed that everything is painted or covered with a sickly varnish. Guess that is why it failed to sell at his sale. Moral? My gain – your gain. At least in the future. For sure.