"What is IT?" at Lake Cachuma

OK, so here it goes: Family and I head out and arrive at Lake Cachuma Campgrounds the 4th of July weekend. As soon as we pull in I notice a sign saying that there will be a garage sale the next day (Saturday)to benefit the Nature Center there. I thought, "Alright, something fun to do!" (All collectors and vintage enthusiasts get their kicks off of digging through stuff and finding great deals.) So, I set in my mind that THAT was what I was going to do Saturday morning. So, hubs was so kind as to come with me. He's one of those husbands who would be waiting outside a store while the wifey shops. So, there's a method to my madness. Look at everything to the right and go the perimeter. That way I shouldn't miss a thing! After all hunting and digging through stuff is how one finds things. First off I find this wonderful little sewing machine item. I did not know what exactly what it was. Through some research and a wonderful plethora of knowledge over at Etsy Vintage Lovers Team I got what I was looking for. Turns out that this is a Jewel Antique Hook Rug Needle Loom Shuttle, used for making rugs. Looks like now it would be a beautiful decorative object for that sewing business or sewing room. Finding relics like this makes me appreciate the rugs and carpet I have now. So I will be listing that later today at my shop site Holey Gwackamoley! Now here comes the interesting part. Now IF you were at a garage sale and there are mostly older men and women working it whom also donated items wouldn't you think that someone would know about one particular item? Well, as I neared the end of my garage sale-ing I saw guy things like tools and fishing gear. One item was just sitting there begging me to be curious. I thought, "Hum, I wonder what IT is?" Then after picking it up one older gentleman chimed in and asked, "So, what is IT?" I looked at him, shrugged my shoulders and answered, " I don't know. You mean you don't know?" Then another volunteer worked would ask the same thing of me. Then another, then another. Someone said, "Oh, that's the item everyone has been talking about and wondering what IT is. I thought that if so many older people don't know what it is then I was going to find out. I picked it up and proceeded to check out. (They had a wonderful organized set up that made garage sale-ing FUN!) Even the check out lady asked me what it was. I was laughing inside. Proud of myself and wondering what knew things I was going to find out about this item. I had some speculation. So, I buy the two items and hubs and we head off to the general store to get something to quench our thirst on that HOT day. As soon as we walked it (items in hand) the younger gentleman there asked me what IT was since he and the volunteer workers were talking about it the day before. I was amazed that it was such a conversation piece in such a small and friendly community. (I was so glad that I bought it!) I thought to myself, "Now I have to write about this in my blog" So, here it is. So, just after that the older gentleman who worked at the general store said, "Oh, that's a hod." What??? HE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS????? WHAT????!!!! So I asked more about it. He said that it is used to carry prepared plaster to the workers who actually plaster buildings. It totally made sense then!!!! IT is a "plaster hod" carried by plaster hod carriers who then hand it off to the plasterers, sometimes up a ladder or scaffolding. For some reason Popeye the Sailor Man comes to mind....(I think in one of his cartoons there was a plaster hod in it.).. I digress.....So, sure enough IT is a plaster hod. Looks good enough to use today but really it looks like it would make a great home decor planter inside or out in the garden. OK, so there you have it. If you want to check it out just click on this link to my shop: Holey Gwackamoley! I still have to list it.
Thanks for reading and thanks to the volunteers at Lake Cachuma Nature Center!
Julie~
Holey Gwackamoley!