Crazy Crap Item #248: The part where the Caseys update a holiday tradition

I have remarked in the past that I have a remarkable facility for hanging on to garbage that later proves useful. Not a pack rat, I. I'm delighted whenever I can jettison needless things that are clogging up my space. But I've grown to respect a certain instinct I have for detecting needful things amongst the dross -- a pang that tells me, "Hang onto that. It will prove its worth."

I was struck by just such a pang recently, only to have it come to fruition mere days later. Raking I was, and tidying my backyard in preparation for the winter. As I sorted through the dregs and ends of vegetable matter, I came across the rather sad, bedraggled remains of an old bird feeder. Installed by the previous owners, it hung from a hook on our porch until the rope finally gave way, its mouldering roof and rusting suet baskets too disgusting even for the local wildlife.

Not too disgusting, however, for the local children, who immediately saw its worth. A barn it could be. A house. A tiny fort. The plastic panes that held the seed in could be endlessly removed and replaced. Thus it was played with until pieces of it began to fall off, and Jack, Sam and company discovered other delights.

As I was raking, it was this sad specimen of avian eateries that crossed my path. I picked it up to pitch it in the trash. Then I stopped. I imagined the next wave of wee ones -- Nolan, Caroline, Brady, James, Miles -- and pondered the fun hours I would deprive them of if I gave the birdhouse the boot. It just seemed to hold still too much in the way of wonderment, so I tucked it back under the porch.

Flash forward a week, and I've just returned from a four-day Thanksgiving sojourn. I check my email, and what to my wondering eyes should appear but this missive from my neighbor Ann:

Hi Kay,

Jack and I were setting up the manger scene yesterday and we thought we'd like to get away from the tin foil this year. We went outside to scout for more natural materials to use. We searched in our garage and yard. The Cancillas invited us to search in their garage and yard as well but to no avail. However, on the way back from the Cancilla's we spotted something under your deck. We apologize for not asking your permission but we just couldn't wait, we got so excited. Check out these photos and you will see why. We will be happy to put it back under the deck at the end of the season.

How was your trip? Restful and relaxing I hope.

Ann

Behold the splendor.

p.s. Those keeping track may recall that this not the first time that the Caseys' nativity scene has made an appearance in Crazy Crap. Behold!