“Free” Stuff and Grandmas Magic Pennies

Don’t know how I’ll tie those two together but they were both on my mind today. For one reason or another I nostalgically wandered into a “five and dime” store I used to visit with my mom and grandmother.

I was between five and seven ( I’ll save you the math, it would have been in the early ’50s )and we were living on Laurel Canyon in Pacoima CA. Not in the canyon but in the middle of the San Fernando Valley. Grandma and Grandpa Blanchard lived less than a mile away and Mom and Grandma would often take me to the Woolworth Five and Dime in San Fernando.

The trip would start off when Grandma would walk through the front door and, after a big hug, dig out of her purse a stack of seven or eight brand new dazzling bright pennies. She would dramatically place them in my hands saying, “These are for you, use them to buy something special at Woolworth’s”. I would carefully stash them in my pocket eagerly anticipating my purchase.

I don’t remember selecting any particular toy but I do remember taking my selection up to the cashier and proudly offering the entire stack of pennies as payment. There was never any math or agonizing decisions between one toy or another because whatever I chose, that stack of pennies was the exact amount necessary for the purchase. It was truly magic and I was not going to question it.

Looking back, I’ll bet Grandma got those pennies back from the cashier for recycling on the next trip.

This is where I’ll hopefully insert a brilliant segway, but I’m not holding my breath. Until then…….

Speaking of free things. You know how you see old furniture out on the curb with a “free” sign on it? Well in true Alaskan form, Homer has it’s own version of that recycling.

Yes, not just one but TWO free boats. I’ll just provide photos of the, let’s say, less desirable of the two.

All fiberglass with just a few through hull fittings.

And minor hull repairs are needed.

What a great back yard project. Hell, I’m sure the neighbors won’t mind if you make it the show piece of the front yard.

I’m not showing the details of the other boat because it might prove too tempting for some of my friends. I can’t think of a better way to say, “Darling, I want a divorce”.

Stay safe out there.