Some time ago, last spring actually, the American Pickers emailed me and asked if I would mind being on TV if they came to my area.  They wanted me to hook them up with local people in the South Haven area/region that had unique collections of “stuff”.

I scrambled around and found 3 people that had some pretty cool collections.  I approached each of them and asked if they would mind showing the History Channel’s American Pickers television show their collection.  I was met with a resounding “hell no” from all three of them!

Vintage Oil Cans and Collectibles

All three collectors were first concerned about security and privacy allowing television cameras on there property, and secondly, they all thought the pickers screwed the people they bought from!  I had to agree, it may be fun to watch on TV, but to actually have them at your place, nosing around in your collection, might be a bit much.

Oh well, it was interesting trying to find local collectors, and I even got to see some of the collections, but I wouldn’t want to show the world my stuff either.

I did some picking of my own this weekend.  I found a truly one-of-a-kind plumber’s tool box.  It was a wooden box covered in metal and leather with brass hob tacks in the most interesting design!  Cost: $10 and it was full of tools and parts.  I had to have someone help me load it, it was that heavy!

I also found a really cool 100 year old trunk that was covered with canvas and old with ornate metal pieces all over the thing.  Cost: $10!!!  So I am the local picker.  I pick for my antique store called Booth 21 at Sweet Pickins Antique Mall.

In the same kinda note, I am going to attempt to restore my old WheelHorse lawn tractor.  I am not much of a mechanic, but how hard can it be?  I will take photos of everything as I take it apart, label the part, and then piece by piece, fix, repair, replace and put it back together.  If it was made out of wood I would have no problem. (I’m a woodworker)

“Landing Goose”

Well, I am going to start the planning of a new home office structure and put it next to the garage.  It will be 12′ X 16′ so I don’t have to acquire a building permit.  This will be a quality constructed, insulated, and finished off “barn” that can double as a storage shed for a lawn mower and a motorcycle, or be my new place of employment.  I’ll be posting about that this summer. I need to let my arm heal a little more first.

Later,

Thomas Fouts
Woodworker, Author, Photographer

]]> http://www.thomasfouts.com/american-pickers-im-a-picker-in-america-local-picker-is-me/feed/ 0 http://www.thomasfouts.com/vacant-lot-in-holland-mi-for-sale/ http://www.thomasfouts.com/vacant-lot-in-holland-mi-for-sale/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:24:49 +0000 MeMyself http://www.thomasfouts.com/?p=512 Fantastic Vacant Lot in Holland MI is Now Available!

This ultra conveniently located vacant lot in Holland has become available recently.

It is within walking distance to medical buildings, gas stations, stores, restaurants, and even an ice cream place to get a cone!

The hospital is close by, just down the road, along with banks, schools, and pharmacies.

Beautiful wooded lot with large trees and even some wild raspberries and walnuts!

178 West 35th Street, Holland Michigan

I grew up in this neighborhood when I was a kid.  We had a blast!  This is a great area for children or it is great and quiet if you are slowing down.

That’s what I am trying to say – it is one of the best locations in Holland Michigan for convenience – period!

You can jump on the highway right down the road, buy a new car, shop for groceries, watch a soccer game, fix your car, and go to the bank, all within a short distance.

Some of the best schools in Holland are just a few blocks away!  You have Holland Christian Schools, both the High School and Middle School, plus an elementary school right around the corner.  Then you have Holland High School a few blocks to the northwest with Maplewood Elementary School a few blocks away. (that’s the grade school I went to and it’s still standing!)

This lot can be the location of your new home.  I fully endorse this quality southside neighborhood.  I still have friends living in the area that have not moved since we were kids!

Don’t hesitate.  This vacant lot in Holland, MI will go quick at this price!

Only $27,233 for the best location in Holland Michigan!

Contact me at knifearooni@gmail.com for more information or a walking tour.  Or, visit http://vacantlotinholland.com

Thanks,

Thomas Fouts (former neighborhood “wild one”)

I found a little eensy weensy cruiser-type Kawasaki road bike that fits my short stubby legs.

It’s a brand new 2009 Kawasaki 125 cc road bike so it hardly fits the “cure” for a mid-life crisis requirement.  But all I want one for is to cruise the back roads, gravel roads, and an occasional trip to the post office.  It was on the dealer floor marked way down, probably because they haven’t sold it since 2009.  We were there to look at John Deere lawn tractors, didn’t even know they had motorcycles!

Anyway, the minute I saw it, sat on it, closed my eyes and imagined me cruising down a country road on a hot humid summer night, it was mine!

Tomorrow I go to test ride it and sign the papers.  I have to buy a helmet first, even though Gov. Snyder repealed the helmet law in Michigan just about a week ago. (my wife’s requirement) (she is usually right too!)

I will be cruising on the beast Monday as soon as the motorcycle  insurance goes into effect.  Pictures will be forthcoming.

On another note, do you need a new chicken coop, or are you planning on building one?  This chicken coop plan book is just what you need.

Small Chicken Coop Plan – Need one?

I am in the planning stages of a 12X16 chicken coop structure.  I am having the concrete contractor give me a bid on the foundation, but I’ll probably do it myself.  It will be unique.  Everything always is on our rancho!

I’ll be posting some shots as we go along.

Addios,

Thomas Fouts

Author of The BetesBuster Plan

You should assume that the owner of this website has an affiliate relationship to the providers of goods and services mentioned (links) on this website and may be compensated when you purchase from a provider. These are quality and trustworthy proven products, but you should always perform due diligence before buying goods or services from anyone via the Internet or offline.  These products have a 100% money-back guarantee.

Hocking Hills State Park

For Spring Break 2012, we drove from southwest Michigan to Hocking Hills, Ohio in about 7 hours.  We stopped several times along the way to walk the dog and have a snack or two.

In our first stop in Ohio, we stopped at a large park and walked into the woods and fields.  Before we even turned around to head back we had already taken 6 ticks off our clothes!  I am sure glad we put tick preventative medicine on Kash last week.  Turns out we could not find a single tick on him, but we ended up finding 10 of them by the time we got back to the van and them 2 more in the van!

When we found our destination address, we started up the narrow, steep gravel driveway.  I had to really gas it to make it up the hill to the cabin!  Learned real quick that I need to start up the hill a little faster.

Once we arrived at our super cool log cabin, we immediately went in to find it better than advertised!  It was beautiful, and private.  Complete with a hot tub on the deck and satellite TV!  We immediately unloaded and then sat down for a quick 14 minutes to take everything in.  Kash, our Border Collie-Aussie absolutely loved the place.

What a great place for a survival cabin!  It got me thinking about having our own place like this if shit-hit-the-fan or we had a natural catastrophe.  It got me thinking about a program/course that is online that teaches you what 37 things that disappear off the shelves first in am emergency.

Back to the vacation.  Sorry, I get side tracked easy.

We took off to see if we could get a hike in before sunset.  Turns out the Hocking Hills State Park was just a short drive away.  We went to see Old Man Cave.  It was awesome!  Reminded me of a hobbit fairy land or some peaceful zen setting.  It was better than expected.  Kash loved it and Shelly oohed and ahhed while I snapped photos like starving dog in a butcher shop!

Shelly and Kash

Back to the cabin to watch the National Championship basketball game.  That’s why we wanted satellite TV in a cabin.  We watched the game while munching our snacks we bought at the little local store on the way back.  The dog curled up by the fireplace and zonked.

The next morning I woke up to a low throaty growl.  Kash was at the window staring at a deer looking back at him!  It was only about 40 feet away.  Kash has only seen fleeting glimpses of a couple deer, so this was a real treat for him.  I took a few pictures and Kash never broke his stare or low growl until they passed out of site.

We then headed out after a hot shower and quick breakfast to Ash Cave.  Another better-than-expected natural scenic beauty.  It was where horse thieves kept the stolen horses before selling them.  At least that’s what I was told.  Then we went to a haunted old town that disappeared a while back.  It was tough to find and interesting roads to get there, but we were determined.  It has a 100 yard long abandoned train tunnel that passes through the hill.  Built in 1903, it has survived due to it’s quality engineering and brick masonry.  We did not see any ghosts, but did see Kash jump in the river.

Then we went to Conkles Hollow.  This was a real treat for the eyes and mind.  A concrete sidewalk winds back into the ever narrowing mossy “hollow”.  With big bus sized, moss covered boulders, and peaceful water falls off to the side, the sound of falling water added to the surreal scene.

Once we arrived at the end of the sidewalk, the trail turned into a path and narrowed down until you came to the end of the canyon where a beautiful waterfall splashed into the pond that fed the meandering creek.  An awesome sight that was well worth the walk and the drive.

I ended up taking about 700 digital photos on our trip and loved every minute of it.  Still one day to go, but I’ll hold that one until later.

Still have sore legs,

Thomas

DISCLOSURE: You should assume that the owner of this website has an affiliate relationship to the providers of goods and services mentioned (links) on this website and may be compensated when you purchase from a provider. These are quality and trustworthy proven products, but you should always perform due diligence before buying goods or services from anyone via the Internet or offline.  These products have a 100% money-back guarantee.

I just had to share this with you today.