DSC_0324, originally uploaded by Shirley Buxton.
When our grandchildren come to visit, the first place they want to go is to the “dump.” Only in the past few months have we here in Crestline had trash pickup, so the regional dump has been open at no cost to all the people on the mountain. In recent months, after lots of local controversy and feisty meetings, this policy has changed and we now have mandatory trash pickup with trashcans hanging around our trails and streets. But, the dump is still open and that’s where my grandkids love to go…truth be known…so do I. Oh, we don’t actually go prowling around where the dumptrucks deliver their wares: on the dump property is a huge thrift store. It used to be called ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE, but now is labeled DROP ‘N SHOP.
It’s a large metal, warehouse type building, and instead of actually throwing away their castoffs, people take them to this store. Nothing is priced, but there is a sort of order to the place, with furniture in one area, dishes and housewares sorted, books, and TOYS….plopped in a huge box. When we arrive, each youngster grabs a shopping cart, wheels it to the toy area, and begins digging around, exploring, and exclaiming and mounding up their cache. Pat has retired as manager now, and the new girl is not quite as generous with her prices, but Pat used to charge a quarter for a sack or box of wonders my grandchildren had gathered. Still, even with inflated prices of the new management, for a dollar or two, each child walks away grinning.
A couple of weeks ago, I found this cello there and bought it for ten dollars. It’s rather beat up and I don’t believe it is playable, but I wanted it to display on one of my potshelves in our bedroom. Gentry and Chloe cleaned it thoroughly.
We have very high windows in our home and they are difficult to clean. Jerry is so good to work at this, uses long extension poles and does a great job. He wants to climb around on ladders, but I won’t let him too much. The window over the shelf where I would place the cello hadn’t been cleaned in ages, so while Chloe and Gentry were here, Jerry brought in a ladder, and up went Gentry, cleaning, polishing and vacuuming up there. Then we placed the beautiful instrument. Quite a treasure from the dump, wouldn’t you say?
Shirley Buxton 
25 replies on “Treasures from the “Dump””
I found this page from a Google search after my father called me up and asked me to find a copy of the poem “The Touch of the Masters Hand” for him. Apparently he had kept a copy in his wallet for the longest time and it had recently become very deteriorated and he wanted another copy. As he was speaking he started reciting the poem and his voice wavered and I could tell this short poem story really meant a lot to him. For anyone interested if you Google the title above or the poet ‘Myra Brooks Welsh’ a treasure trove of LINKS about this poem come up and I believe the SONG was also mentioned. hope that is useful!
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Shirley what ever happened to the Violin you played when we were kids? I used to enjoy hearing you play but probley never told you.
Love,
Jr.
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[…] portable basketball hoop set up, lots of food laid in; plans to make ice cream, walks in the woods, a trip to the “dump,” maybe to the lake, and to the […]
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Good afternoon, Rhonda, and thanks for visiting my blog.
I am not familiar with the book you have mentioned, but I will keep it in mind, and if I come across a place to purchase or borrow one, I will post it here.
God’s blessing.
Shirley
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That poem was published in a book I’m trying to locate. The book also contained Eugene Ware’s last poem “Washerwoman’s Friend”, and various poems by unknown authors “I Met my Master”, and “What Then?”. My father (who is 70) memorized all of the poems in the book as a child of 5 when his mother was bedridden and read to him to keep him out of trouble. Unfortunately, he can’t recall the title! I would love to find this book if anyone can remember details around it.
Thanks so much!
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Sorry, I don’t know.
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I love that poem. I’ve heard it sung (a little differently from the poem), too, by a “fella” whom I believe made the song famous (whose name I can’t recall). Anyone know??
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As I read this post I began quoting that poem in my mind. Daddy used that one a lot when preaching to the lost. It touched me every time too. I love the cello. What precious memories for the kids.
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Ashish C, thank you for your comments. I too prefer the old name for the thrift store…but then they didn’t consult with me.
I’m not sure about the badge? What badge?
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THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER’S HAND (Original poem)
By Myra Brooks Welsh
Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
to waste much time on the old violin,
but held it up with a smile
“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“A dollar, a dollar”; then two!” “Only two?
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
Three dollars, once; threedollars twice; going for three..”
But no, from the room, far back,
a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
and tightening the loose strings,
he played a melody pure and sweet
as caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
with a voice that was quiet and low,
said; “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?
Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
and going and gone,” said he
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand what changed its worth.”
Swift came the reply:
“The touch of a master’s hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
and battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
much like the old violin,
A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,
a game – and he travels on.
“He is going” once, and “going twice,
He’s going and almost gone.”
But the Master comes,
and the foolish crowd
never can quite understand the worth of a soul
and the change that’s wrought
by the touch of the Master’s hand.
Here you are, Dean. What a message of hope for all of us who are scarred.
Love all of you.
…………………………………………
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twas battered and scarred but the auctioneer cried
“Who’ll start the bidding for me??” anyone remember the rest??? hambone
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Helen and Joanne, yes its lots of fun. Where people actually “dump” is on a huge cement slab, covered by a metal roof, and I’m sure people are not allowed to walk around in there. You back up your truck and toss off your trash and I’m not sure what the workers do from there. They must process it somehow and haul it to another place on the property.
The kids and I head for “Drop ‘N Shop!” across the driveway. I’ll take some pictures when I’m up there one day.
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This sounds like so much fun.
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Wow, that is great! I remember as a kid going to the dump. We went looking for aluminum cans. My dad let us ride on the running boards every once in awhile. We thought it was the best.
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I like string instruments. I’ve unfortunately not heard much cello playing in my day. It’s too bad this cello is likely unplayable. Wouldn’t it be something if it could be fixed and Bro. Buxton were to play a tune from the roof?!! HAW!
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Oh, the codes not showing. [ img src =”URL} ] something between two
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The cello looks kewl. Btw, I like the old shop name. 🙂
I’d like to tell you that you could use a Text-box for the badge (which you probably have done) If you have, then all you need is to get a code linking to the badge, something like – etc. [Gave spaces so code is visible]
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Thanks Carol, Sha and John for being here. Yes, the Master Cleaner is Jesus. It’s His birthday season…time to rejoice.
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What a treasure to find in the dump. It reminds me of how Jesus saw me when he took me from the trash heap and cleaned me up and set me up high.
What a super spiritual lesson in this post!
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Thanks so much for commenting on the blog. It’s really and truely wonderful to see that people are reading 😀
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Looks great, Sister Buxton! I like the analogy too, about the Lord cleaning us up. That’s His specialty.
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You’re welcome, Susanna. Thank you also for being here. Hope you come often.
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Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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That’s the truth, Eva. Covered with all sorts of filth and grime, we come to Him, His blood cleanses us, and we are pure are the driven snow.
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How Beautiful. The cello is one of my favorite instuments. It looks beautiful. Chloe and Gentry did a great job.
This reminds me of the Lord, How He cleans us up and has a place prepared for us in Heaven.
Have a wonderful day. God Bless!!
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