I've been working on giving stuff away via Freecycle in Carlsbad, New Mexico. I would never have guessed we even had one here, if a blogger friend elsewhere hadn't inclined me to look.
So, props to blogger friends!
narrative below the fold.
What have I given away lately? Well, first I started with books, because I am an Internet book dealer and I want to move to the Pacific Northwest, and I have a lot of books that I don't want to ship or even keep.
I posted on the carlsbad freecycle site about southwestern history books, because those are hot around here. I figured I'd get some contacts that way when I do some more book culling.
Five people responded and four wound up coming over for books.
The first was a war vet with back problems. I didn't meet him, though he did send a lovely email of thanks. He doesn't live quite in Carlsbad. A friend of his picked up his military and southwestern history book boxes while I was unavailable. I got back this email about "Thank you so much for working with Freecycle, and especially giving books!" I felt thrice-blessed.
The next person was a woman who wanted a variety of books; southwestern history, other history, Christian books, other metaphysical, art. I garnered up a bunch of stuff for her. She showed up with her daughter, a determined child who had no interest in me, but gazed intently at the books on the screen porch, and set upon them immediately.
Mom was a nice lady, a bit shy. I pretty much left them to have at it, and they carted off their portion of the booty. It was nice.
The next person was the historian guy, who wrote me and said he was an avid reader of non-fiction and had a cadre of historian friends. Very organized email. I got him together about nine boxes of history, biography, war history. I didn't connect with him, but he came and got it all and sent me an email about how he'd NEVER seen anything like this, and so happy!
Ironic for me, because these are just the leavings of my book business. Or perhaps, more fairly; ironic for books.
But I am happy that he is happy, and I will continue to keep him on my list for freecycle, because I like it when people say thank you, especially when they do it in style.
Meanwhile, I moved on to my gardening freecycle contact resources. The Carlsbad Community Garden sent a rep today; very neat woman who came to get many of my used pots, my seed collection, two boxes of horticultural books, and a goodly bag of vermiculite. She came with her little daughter, who was very determined to help move the stacks of plastic pots. I gently pointed out that I wasn't entirely sure that I hadn't gotten the widow spiders out of the pots (they like stacks of plastic pots in the shade, here) though I didn't think there were any there, because the webs are so obvious, and I did find one and took her out..Mom said "If she gets bit, I may leave fast, but I won't sue you!" and "She's used to being outside." (the little daughter)
Wow. I wasn't even thinking about being sued. I said in return; "How 'bout we just skip all of that?"
Meanwhile, the little daughter kept stalwartly running the pots. I figured what I needed to do was point out to her (not Mom; Mom was obviously way up on the uptake) that sometimes there are critters in the holes of plastic pots; you should be aware of that.
Little daughter just went on, and I'd bet real money she heard and processed everything I said.
When we all got the pots and grape starts and the artichoke set and the seeds and everything outside the fence, I let my border collie out, because he DOES like to knock over little kids, and this was a little kid. I know, she would have liked it, but I have to be careful; sometimes there are rocks or cement.
I talked to Mom some more; that was really cool. Daughter, meanwhile, brought up to me a tennis ball she'd found, that was in a container I'd given them, to give back to my dog.
I did. Daughter is VERY quiet, all three feet four of her.
Mom isn't too pushy, though.
I thanked daughter; I know Casey missed that tennis ball! Mom and I had some more nice conversation about our dogs.
Daughter pointed out that Casey wanted me to throw the ball!
I sort of ignored her, because I didn't see that Casey had the ball again. I figured he'd lost it, like he loses balls a lot.
Talked to Mom some more.
Daughter pointed out AGAIN (but very subtley) that Casey had the ball.
I threw Casey the ball.
Mom and daughter finished putting all the pots and stuff in the car.
Mom and I talked some more.
&&&
Later, another Freecycler. She came for the apricot tree and the fig cutting. I gave her some Echinocereus cacti and an Hesperaloe.
Really upbeat, kind of shy woman, but nice. Black veil in a shawl over her head. Long skirt to her shins. Awkward speech.
We talked for some time about horticulture. She told me some things I had not heard about, about fig tree propagation.
Some kind of religion with the dress? I don't know. She knew her plants, though. And she's involved with the community garden here too, she said.
Well, how do you like that? Not too shabby, Miep!