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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Our Hero: The Scrap Metal Guy

When you move to a new rural location, there are certain people you should probably get to know.  Local sheep and goat people are important, local volunteer fire fighters are helpful to know, and locals who have lived in the area for a long time can give you reams of useful information.  Without a doubt, however, the most important person we have met is our local scrap metal guy.  Rob is a big strong guy with a big strong truck, and he's helping move mountains.  Mountains of scrap metal, that is.

The barn that I'm working on fixing up for the World's Most Famous Goat (Lucky Nickel, of course), was completely full of (mostly) junk, a large portion of which involved scrap metal.  Likewise, surrounding the barn and in the pasture area around it, there was enough scrap metal to build a small battleship...not that I have time, or need, to build battleships.

Here's her barn, from the front, outside!
And here, my friends, is the inside.  Well, at least a few days ago this was the inside.  Yes, in case you're wondering, that is an old bed frame that for some reason is wired to the back wall.

Rob takes it all.  He's even taking those 5 gallon buckets of used motor oil and other fluids (which he pointed out to me make great mouse traps based on the number of dead mice he found in the bottom as he was pouring the buckets into other buckets with lids on them).  The barn is slowly getting cleaned out - I still have some work to do on plastics and some other detritus, but overall, it's approaching a condition where Richard can do some work to seal up the windows (which have fallen inwards) and ensure that Miss Nickel will be safe.  I have been sorting stuff into piles, and Rob takes it after I sort it.  I've nearly got the entire floor cleaned off now.

Rob is taking all the stuff around the barn too, including old, dead tires, windows with rotted frames, plastic barrels, and all manner of other monstrosities for which I have no need, and for which I have no means of simple disposal.  It's not as if you can take old pieces of farm machinery that weigh over 1000 pounds and just pop them at the end of your driveway for removal.  These things require Rob, and he has been at the farm every day for the last 4 days, except Sunday, and will likely be here for quite a few more days in future.
Here's a few of the outside of the barn (from the back) from when I visited in December of last year, just to give you an idea of what's keeping Rob busy.  There's a lot more under the long dead grass that you can't really see in this picture.
Yes, it needs work...
While the barn is important, there are also great heaps of metal and plastic around other areas of the property.
One of these "heaps" was a very dilapidated livestock trailer, mostly rusted out, and absolutely chock full of garbage. I wasn't sure Rob would take it, given its dreadful condition, but sure enough, he hauled it away on his big flat bed truck.  Now, I don't  have to look at this view every morning.  It's too bad I didn't take a closer shot of the trailer - well....why would I want to?
But let's zoom in on this one a bit....here you go....somewhat grainy, but a better idea of what I've been looking at each day.
Anyway, it's gone now, and all the garbage it contained.  Also gone were some pieces of machinery that Rob says he believes were forest clearing machinery from the 1950s or so.  Huge, heavy, sad hulks of rust, the sort that would take centuries to disappear.

I won't even get started on the future chicken barn.
So, the cleaning and organizing continues, but things are moving forward, and even though I'm quite sure Rob isn't a blog reader so he won't see my gratitude here, I'm definitely going to be thanking him for a long time to come.

14 comments:

Kathryn said...

OMG! Claire, you crack me up! Seriously, most farms in Iowa look like this too. All hail the Scrap Metal Guy! God Bless 'em. I wish I could come help you. It HAS to be more fun than dealing with your docket. I will PM you on FB w/the latest. Best, Kathryn

brokenteepee said...

You must have had one big eye for the future when you looked at this place.

Good for you! (I think)

Texan said...

Whew.... how nice you found Rob!

Michelle said...

I can't believe he's talking EVERYthing; that is such a blessing! Yes, we should all tip our hats to Rob....

Louise said...

Oh. My. God! Claire, this is a gargantuan job! Thank goodness you have Rob the Scrap Metal Guy to help you out. What would you do with all of that crap if it wasn't for him? Holy crow, I'm tired just looking at the pictures.

Marigold said...

Wait! Several things come to mind here. First of all, isn't it important to get to know the local Peanut supplier too? Also, the barn isn't a total loss. I see a first aid kit there ... just in case. Plus, though we love Lucky Nickel and respect her highly, I think Millie, Isobelle and Priscilla would agree whole-heartedly with me in saying that perhaps L.N. isn't THE most famous goat. :) Then lastly, a battleship might have come in useful if it continues to rain. Arks are most likely over-rated anyway. Anyway, good job on clearing away debris! Onward and upward!!!

Lola Nova said...

Hooray for Rob the scrap metal guy!

Oh my goodness Claire, what a job you have! I have a family member who has what sounds like a similar property, by which I mean they are hoarders. Last time I visited I found 4 old rusty cars hiding under blackberry bushes. I can't even imagine having to clean all of that up. Of course, if it was something I really wanted, I'm sure I'd find it in me to do.

You should start keeping a scrap book of the before and after shots, keeping notes of the strangest things you find along the way.

I wish you all the best in this grand adventure. If anyone can do it, you can!

Anonymous said...

Oh my. That looks like it would have been easier to push those buildings down and start over! You really do have your work cut out for you! I think everyone needs a Rob!

Teresa

IsobelleGoLightly said...

So much work! Yay for Rob!

V.L. Locey said...

My stars you have your work cut out for you. I`ve seen a ton of farms here in PA that look just like yours!

thecrazysheeplady said...

Holy cow, what a job. I bet that old farm is glad to see you there!

Leontien said...

Wow
Yes a LOT of cleaning up to do!

and you must have great vision!

Leontien

Tatteranne said...

Oh my! What a challenge. Lauren would love to help you sort and clean as that is right up her alley! The winged girls are having a good summer here! A little warm these past several days-heat index over 100 degrees. We look forward to hearing and seeing your progress. You might need to do further goatification with Lucky Nickel to warn her not to talk to strange bears!!!!!Remember to enjoy the journey!!!

Mimi Foxmorton said...

lol at Pricilla......

And would we expect anything else of our wonderful Claire....?

I'm picturing a small cottage in one of those out buildings where Foxmorton can grow old........

;)