Dead Man's Chest episode #1

[B Halverson]

This is a workshop and related belongings of a Mr. James Bradbury. He was a draftsman at a company that made brass and iron pipe fittings and valves for steam and plumbing etc.. He was born in 1901 and died in 1973. His old home sits relatively untouched since his death because it has stayed in his family and those using the house have not had much interest in cleaning parts of it out, luckily for us one of those untouched parts is the basement where he had a workshop. Because an old friend of mine is the grandson of James and the current resident there, I was able to photograph this old workshop, and thought some others might like to see this time-capsule.

 

[B Halverson]

 

[bonneyman]

Wow, what a treasure trove you've got there!

I think you need to change your user name to Capt. Blackbeard!

 

[B Halverson]

Wow, what a treasure trove you've got there!
I think you need to change your user name to Capt. Blackbeard!

It is all still there in James Bradbury's old home. I would like to see it stay there and stay safe. It's only real value is in being what it is right now. Once it is removed from it's resting place and history and scattered into the hands of those with no connection to or memory of James Bradbury, it will not exist anymore, it will be worthless. Eventually it will be destroyed, but it will not be by my choice.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Lot of history there

 

[alfadan]

Stuff like that always make me think that when we put a tool away or set it down, that could be the last time we touch it, and how it could make loved ones feel some day.

Morbid perhaps, but still makes me think.

 

[ZRX61]

What's that "Mechanics" book in the drawer?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Reminds me of my dad's garage after he passed.

 

[3baygarage]

That Hollands!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Wow that’s a very cool piece of history there. I love old timey garages and equipment. Thank you for showing off his collection and preserving it.

 

[B Halverson]

Stuff like that always make me think that when we put a tool away or set it down, that could be the last time we touch it, and how it could make loved ones feel some day.

Morbid perhaps, but still makes me think.

Socrates said the life unexamined is not worth living, so you are doing well. I have a friend who is one of the top unquestioned film camera repairmen in the world. A few weeks ago he wrote me about all the cameras he has gotten in for repair that have partially exposed rolls of film in them, which let him know that those who loaded the film in them never thought it was going to be the last photos they were going to take. My own father died two months ago at 87 years old after lifetime of being a mechanic, and my brother and I are having to face the task of disturbing his garage and barn and property, and having to think of how everything is there how he left it and that he can no longer enjoy doing the things he enjoyed doing there, all the while listening to his favorite major-league team he had followed since the 1940s. It all should make you realize every day and everyone is special, a perspective that is hard for humans to keep in sight.

 

[alfadan]

Socrates said the life unexamined is not worth living, so you are doing well. I have a friend who is one of the top unquestioned film camera repairmen in the world. A few weeks ago he wrote me about all the cameras he has gotten in for repair that have partially exposed rolls of film in them, which let him know that those who loaded the film in them never thought it was going to be the last photos they were going to take. My own father died two months ago at 87 years old after lifetime of being a mechanic, and my brother and I are having to face the task of disturbing his garage and barn and property, and having to think of how everything is there how he left it and that he can no longer enjoy doing the things he enjoyed doing there, all the while listening to his favorite major-league team he had followed since the 1940s. It all should make you realize every day and everyone is special, a perspective that is hard for humans to keep in sight.

Indeed.

 

[driftpin]

Seeing all those tools, like the manual drill braces, and the bits, he was doing it 'slow and steady.'

If I died suddenly, I suspect my wife & adult children would probably call some removal company to clear things out.

If I was mortally-ill, I don't know if I'd have enough time and the energy to get rid of things. I think I'd call a few friends and ask them to "come and take what you want." However, they may not be much different in age than me. They may be in the 'de-acquisition mode' themselves.

 

[ZRX61]

Stuff like that always make me think that when we put a tool away or set it down, that could be the last time we touch it, and how it could make loved ones feel some day.

Morbid perhaps, but still makes me think.

Driving & riding motorcycles is like that. One day you'll take your last ride or drive. Some people know before they put on the helmet or seat belt, others have no idea. My mom turns 88 next month, she just gave up driving a few months ago. She was still driving a manual, never owned a slush box.

 

[hobie18]

My mom is right behind yours. But finally got a slushbox. First one. Drives it like it was a model t.
Shuts car off to get out and open the gate. The concept of Park is never goong to enter the equation.
Cheers!

 

[Leviton]

Thanks for sharing this.

 

[bmwrd0]

When my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, we had to have what is called a "better two years too early than two seconds too late" conversation with him, where he had to give up his shop and other dangerous things. And he did have my brother and I go through it with him, but after about 10 minutes I had to stop him as it was just too sad.

They moved away from the property within the week, so he wouldn't have to face this every day.