Old Dishwasher, Free

Not the subject in question

I drove past a house a couple weeks ago that had an old dishwasher out in front with a sign on it reading, "Free." It made me laugh. I presume that this household got a new dishwasher and balked at the cost of having the old one hauled away. "Are you kidding me? This thing cost $350 in 1976! I'm not going to pay to have it thrown away."

I drove past yesterday. It's still there. Seeing it made me aware of other "free" items hanging out in our neighborhood. If you're looking for a mattress, I know of a free one leaning against a tree.

The cynical part of me sees this as people trying to shirk their responsibility to properly dispose of their property, but can I see it differently? Is this an expression of hope? Is it a beacon of syncronicity looking for a chance connection to someone with the exact same model year dishwasher who will lovingly salvage the working parts from this curbside machine to make his own machine whole again?

Perhaps, but it is also delusion. When someone needs a part, they don't rely on chance. They go to a junk yard and look for it there. Dear neighbors, do the right thing.

photo: runs, needs motor by zappowbang