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One man's Trash is Another's Lawn Ornament?

© Eileen O'dea

Some one once said; One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure. As a rule, I totally agree. That is until I see someone's throw aways displayed proudly on the front lawn.

I have seen my share of "Tacky Yard Art" through out the years. One of my favorites is a man made out of old car transmissions. I give that piece an A for originality, but I wouldn't want it standing on my front lawn, waving at everyone. One display of old stuff, that always catches my eye is, an old Christmas tree, decorated, all year round. It doesn't even look pretty, but I always look for it when I'm in that neighborhood.

I, my self, have been guilty of turning junk into useful things out side. Take my "wonderful" idea for a, climbing rose, trellis. I needed something to hold up a wild rose bush I had transplanted. I was thinking, what helps things stand? Then it came to me, A PAIR OF CRUTCHES! Being a bit of a klutz as a teen, I have amassed quite a collection of crutches. I grabbed the oldest pair and planted them in the herb garden. A bunch of wire and twigs later, I had my trellis. Immediately I was praying that the bush would hurry up and grow all around it. So my wonderful idea would be hidden. I wonder if the above "artists" regret their efforts. Some how I don't think so. I imagine they're pretty proud of their work.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love to recycle things. I do it when ever and where ever I can. However, there must be a limit. Right? I have a feeling some folks don't see any limits.

In my quest for good ideas for old items, I purchased a book on the subject. It is Better Homes and Garden's Treasure from Throwaways. While there are some good ideas, considering the copyright is 1976. Plenty of ideas I can embellish on. There are also some ideas I can't imagine anyone using. Though I'll bet some have.

Here is an example. Metal-cardboard Lamps. Sound interesting, right? I thought so until I saw the pictures. Even painted nice colors, they would make you look poor as dirt. I can just hear the pity they would invoke. "Oh, the poor O'deas look what they have had to sink to. I had no idea they were so bad off". I really don't want to go that far for recycling.

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