Something surprising happened the other day, and I’ve been meaning to share it here. Whenever I’m walking or driving around the neighbourhood, I always find myself looking at people’s gardens. It’s kind of automatic… but I don’t stare too long, just to avoid looking like a nosy neighbour!
So the other day, on one of these usual routes, I spotted something odd—a wagon wheel, completely out of place.
But what do I mean by “out of place”?
Well, if you’ve ever noticed, these things are always set up in a flower bed, perched on a little hill in the garden, half-covered with plants, or displayed somewhere proudly. They always stand out! And honestly, they deserve to…..they look amazing.
But this one… it wasn’t. It was just there, leaning awkwardly against a low wall in front of a house. Slightly tilted, kind of abandoned… almost as if it had been placed there in shame.
After I passed by, it hit me like a bolt ……..”Wait… was that put out for rubbish collection?” And suddenly, my mind started racing with questions:
- Should I go back for another look?
- Should I go back and ask?
- Would that be too intrusive?
- Why would someone throw that away?
- And what if it’s actually meant to be decorative, and I just go up there assuming it’s junk? That would be embarrassing…
Before I knew it, I was already turning back. Once I got there, I stood for a moment, checking it out again. No one was around. (No, I didn’t just grab it and run…) So I decided to knock and ask the owner.
No turning back now!
— Good afternoon… (deep breath, stalling for time to pick the right words) uh… this wagon wheel, are you… um… getting rid of it?
— Yes!
— Can I take it?
— Of course!
Boom! Scored an absolutely gorgeous piece, and now I’ve got about a hundred ideas of where to put it….at home, in projects… For now, all it’s done is give me even more decisions to make, but I’m thrilled to have found such a great piece!
But that was the easy part. The real challenge? Getting it home. This thing weighs a ton! real solid wood, crazy sturdy, and really heavy.
It was made to roll, so roll it will…….to the car, then home, then maybe even further out into the world… who knows? 🙂
Ever found something like this?
