Redneck Has No Borders

I lived in Maine for seven years. Before that, I lived in Dallas, Texas for a few years. Both states are a culture shock between one and the other. I know Mainers don’t get Texans and Texans definitely don’t get Mainers. But growing up in New Hampshire, I have New England blood and completely understand Yankee ingenuity. And I proclaimed that this chair, pictured below, was a perfect example of this. However, Mr. Basketmaker was quick to point out that this was not any kind of “ingenuity” — it’s total redneck.

Not sure what I’m talking about? Look and see what I mean…

In preparation of our 2nd Annual Penny Pinching Pickers competition with our friends Karen and Eric (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, see last year’s competition here), we decided to visit a few thrift stores on Saturday. And at one of my favorite thrift stores when I lived in Maine, a store operated by the Nine Lives animal shelter, we came upon this chair, sitting proudly outside, beside the road.

Only a Mainer would process that a broken arm rest can be repaired by drilling several holes into the plastic, placing a small log on the surface and tying it down with cable ties, threaded through the drilled holes.

I’m not sure if this solution is more comfortable. But, again, I will say that this unique chair, with a price tag of $3 I might add, is the perfect example of Yankee Ingenuity. However, Eric says it’s a redneck creation, and proves that a “hillbilly” has no borders. As Eric stated to me “I know I have embraced my inner redneck because Lynne and Karen walked right by this exquisite example of a country-bumpkin-inspired lawn chair without even a first glance”

He questioned how seasoned pickers like Karen and myself (but I am in no way on the same level as Karen — she is a true, expert picker) walk right by this one-of-a-kind piece? He was mighty proud of himself for grabbing my attention and pointing out my oversight. All I could say is “Why would someone do that?”

He quickly explained that the arm on the chair was broken, and it was a simple “solution to the problem”. Extending the life of an object using whatever means are available to you that given minute, is one important trait of a rural redneck collectible.

What do you think? (I apologize in advance for the haphazard writing of this post! We left Maine this morning, picked up Chance and had to pack some leftover belongings I left at my parent’s home, in the van, and It’s after 11 pm, and I’m sitting in a hotel room somewhere in Pennsylvania. I need some sleep!)

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