Settling in to a schedule

As some of you know, we lost our nephew, Jerry, in February.  He was just 50 years old and died from complications from an asthma-induced heart attack.  Jerry was quite a guy, and we really miss him.  Jerry had the best laugh ever!!

Bruce is trying to help his brother Neal deal with Jerry’s estate.  Jerry was a collector extraordinaire.  He owned a commercial building in a small town that he had filled to the brim with pieces of equipment relative to the business he planned to open (chemical in nature…polymers).  He had just purchased a farm home located across the street from Neal’s Christmas tree farm where he helped his dad out in the wintertime.  He also had numerous lawn mowers, cars, and at least three semi-trailer trucks that were filled to the brim. 

These photos were taken in 2005; I understand it is even more packed inside now.

Bruce usually works for Neal on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Sometimes he “bush-hogs” (cuts down) the weeds, etc. at the tree farm (after spraying with tons of mosquito repellant as they are as thick as molasses there!) and sometimes they work at Caledonia moving “stuff.”  As of late they have been spending hours and days trying to get a tractor to run.

And me ???

I have also begun “working” for Neal.  He owns his own antique shop Stony Point Antiques (another type of collector extraordinaire!!), participates in several booths at a local cooperative, and has two barns-full of merchandise (including a full sized Wells Fargo stage coach).  I am taking pictures of his “stuff” and putting ads on Craig’s List for him (he is computer challenged). 

Below you will see various aisles of his store in Hilton.  Can you find what you are looking for?

Shelly - this one is for you -

Art by Diane Dengel

And for my "bookish" friends - 

And Dianne, when I saw this, I immediately thought of you.  Do you want me to bring it back?

Brother Dave,  what about you?

Neal  has something for everyone!!!

I have also been helping my girlfriend Patti and her sister Nancy prepare for a garage and house sale.  Nancy is a collector extraordinaire of clothes and still had merchandise left over from a craft/hobby/floral business that closed over 5 years ago.

After observing what being a collector extraordinaire can do to people, I cannot begin to tell you how happy and stress free I am since I downsized my “stuff.”  I keep preaching to all these folks here, but I don’t think they are listening!!

Can you tell they are sisters?  From your left: Carol, Patti,  and  Nancy

And I am an honorary sister!