Of course you read The Beachcomber. So you consider yourself generally well informed, locally speaking. If there’s something else on Vashon Island that needs knowing or news breaking, you’ll find it out at your favorite coffee purveyor, where other regulars offer appreciation, group therapy and relevant facts. That’s why it may come as a mild shock that you could be missing what’s really going on around here.
For example, ask yourself this. Did you know two kombucha babies came out of the jar last night and are available for adoption, or that the search is on for a kombucha mother if anyone has a spare? Kombuchas often make it above the fold, as it were, on Vashon. And were you aware that one of your island neighbors needs multiple used Turkey Basters, (capitol “T,” capital “B”), if anyone has extras hanging around?
They’re all ripped from the headlines on Vashon Freecycle, an online Yahoo group open to anyone who is willing to follow a few simple rules and join the group’s commendable mission of keeping usable stuff out of landfills.
The simple rules include that every subject line of ever message must begin with OFFERED, TAKEN, WANTED or RECEIVED. No exceptions. They mean it, too. I have yet to do this right in an attempt to get rid of some old kegs that have been in the back field since we moved here. It was my incredible luck one day to see someone WANTED kegs. Unfortunately, WANTED didn’t want kegs with holes in them, so they’re still part of our landscaping.
Here’s the other requirement, equally simple, really. All OFFERs and WANTEDs require your neighborhood (Burton, Dockton, etc.) in the subject line. Which is why you know that what’s WANTED in Dockton is small maternity pants, someone in Gold Beach OFFERED a 1920s upright piano, a doormat is needed in Burton, and three plastic buckets are available in Cove. This is also why I know it was my Maury Island neighbor who WANTED some plywood scraps and RECEIVED a size 12 wedding dress with a dirty hem. (I admit to being curious rather than informed about what is going on over there.) Group managers include the time to the minute when they post it, making it all late-breaking news.
So that’s the what, where and when that legitimizes Vashon Freecycle as a news source. But how about the who and how? You are told who, because rules require the poster’s name, email or phone number. Which leaves the how. That’s determined after you connect, except in cases like free worm casings, where they probably say up front whether they load or you bring a shovel.
Of course sometimes even when you are informed you are in the dark. Here’s one that still puzzles me, and probably the mother-in-law too. “WANTED: My soon-to-be daughter-in-law has an idea for a wedding decoration using an old door. If you have one please email me.” And others that make you want to stay in the dark: “Have just found out our two mice are of the opposite sex and we would like to separate them. Need a small tank to aid in the task.” Wouldn’t life be nice if you could solve your mice problem that easily?
To me, that’s the magic of Vashon Freecycle. On a daily basis, it offers to fix problems I didn’t even realize I had or create opportunities I hadn’t known I wanted. Like this. “OFFERED: two inexpensive litter boxes used as planter boxes. The white one has a little dirt in the bottom I didn’t have a chance to wash out but it is just dirt.” Litter boxes as planter boxes. Imagine that! Or on a grander scale: “MANURE! We’re full again! We’ll load it into your truck.” And there’s always the inevitable one-upmanship in pungently full glory: “OFFERED: The highest grade of poop. No bedding, no wood shaves or straw, naturally fed, garden gold.”
I can’t guarantee you will always feel happier and smarter after scanning the recent Vashon Freecycle listings. But when you see eight new messages on your email, you might feel a bit giddy at the prospect of being at the top of the news chain and potentially contributing to sustainability on Vashon. However, there’s always this type of posting to take you down a peg and make you thankful you have a regular seat at the Roasterie, where you read The Beachcomber. “WANTED: If you are reading this post, you know what a Plecostomus is. We are seeking a family who will be engaged with caring for him.”
Make that espresso a double shot.
— Margaret Heffelfinger is a local painter and writer. Her weekly Saturday Backyard Bouquet is
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