Steve’s Adventures…Insulatoring.

Posted on June 6, 2019 by

56 Comments

Hello everyone and welcome to another adventure of a different type.  This one is with my Dad at a time when he really enjoyed collecting insulators.  I am going to do a post one day introducing you to the joys of collecting these fascinating little items.  But at the time of this adventure with my Dad, I was not too thrilled about collecting them, Dad was however, so we often went on these little adventures looking for these glass and porcelain things.  Sorry I don’t really have any pictures from those adventures, wish I did, but neither of us had a camera at that time.  Sigh.  But here is one of our adventures for you to enjoy.

IMG_3709
This rather large purple insulator came from Australia.

Right now it is very nice and sunny and warm, just the kind of day that Dad and I like for insulatoring. So off we went. It was a wet year, unlike this one.  After a mile of walking we really didn’t have much to show for our efforts. Only half a dozen very common types, but at least they were in nice condition. Then came a marshy area. Some poles had been cut down and were left lying in the water. Complete with cross arms and insulators. Unfortunately they were out of reach. If we could only reach out to that grassy clump we could get a number of insulators. Hmm.

IMG_3707
This was a popular style used around here to hold telegraph wires in place.

Dad found part of an old pole. We stood it up and dropped in towards the grassy clump. Whump! Splash! We did it. Amazing. Go out and get them, said Dad. Why me, I asked? Because you’re smaller and I will sit on the pole so it won’t move, replied dad. Pole is solid, I said, and you have better balance, and also it was your idea to go insulatoring today. Fine, said Dad. And off he went. Made it easily. He started taking off the insulators. I sat on the pole watching.

Good and solid, as I tried to rock it. Then it moved. Just slightly. Got Dad in the back of the legs. And he sat down. On the other side of the pole. With a noticeably loud schlump! He was waving his arms. I can’t get up, he called. Why not, I asked? Don’t ask questions, just come and help me, he yelled. So I found a stick and walked over to where Dad was sitting. Wow, you’re in deep, I said. Haha, said Dad. I tried poking my stick under him. What are you trying to do, asked Dad? Pry you out, said I. BONEHEAD! Odd that he would be enjoying this. That’s gooey mud, I said, I think you are sinking deeper. Very funny, said Dad. Maybe if I lift your legs, I said. Which I started to do. AAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! Don’t lay down, I said, that’s water behind you. Put my legs down, he said.  Hmm.

IMG_3708
Different styles made by Brookfield glass company, also used around here.

Here, I’ll roll you over. Nooo!!! Dad’s arm went underwater that time. Now you’re getting wet, I said. BONEHEAD, said Dad. Double odd. AAAAAAA!! What’s that, asked Dad? I put the stick under you when I rolled you over. It actually worked. Sort of. Dad managed to pull himself out. Wow, look at the size of that hole you made, I said. Haha, said Dad. Since you’re here, help get the rest of these insulators, said Dad. Nothing much exciting here, I said. Get that one, said Dad. Can’t reach, said I. Move closer, said Dad, it’s solid. I did. It wasn’t. My feet disappeared. AAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!! Wet feet, I said. Oh, said Dad. I think he did that deliberately. Finally we were both back on solid ground again.

IMG_3710
This style is known as Mickey Mouse by collectors and was used for electrical wires.

 The gulls were squawking overhead. Just like they are now. I really enjoy that sound. A real sound of summer. Muffin is enjoying here patch of sunshine by the window. Sun and a nice breeze too. Nice. If the weather is nice, get out and enjoy the outdoors.  I hope you have enjoyed this little adventure.  Until next time, enjoy the remainder of your day and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

© 2019 Steve McLeod.

Category: Antiques, Collecting, Country, Country Living, Country Pleasures, Humorous, Insulators, Outdoors, Thursday, UncategorizedTags: , , , , , , , ,

56 Comments on “Steve’s Adventures…Insulatoring.”

  3. It’s always great to remember good adventures with our loved ones 😊 sounds funny despite the risk your dad was facing and I really couldn’t guess what are those insulators even if I have the definition 🤔
    But they look so good and their colors and shapes are so cool also 👍😊 very original hobby actually, thank you for sharing this unique experience 😸🌞

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I’m glad you liked it Huguette, there will be more in the future. Something nearly always happened while we were out together, but amazingly we never really got hurt from any of it! I will explain the insulators more in an upcoming post. My Dad and I always would laugh over these things afterward and to see it was just hilarious at times! I’m doing a series on thanking my readers and would like to include some of the nice things people have said about me and my blog, could I use some things that you have said for this series? I always like permission before using things that people have said. Enjoy the last of your evening and perhaps you are already off for the night, if so, talk to you tomorrow!😃😺

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      • I’m sure these were some great adventures! Looking forward to reading the future posts about these adventures and the insulators details as well 😀 And you are so kind to ask! of course you can use anything that has been said, for me it’s public information but still, so kind of you to ask 🙂
        Have a great day and yes I fell asleep yesterday to be able to wake up today haha 😺😺

        Liked by 2 people

      • I’m going through my notes on our adventures and there should be some good ones coming up. I’m glad that I kept notes, so much easier than trying to remember details of so many adventures!🤔 Thank you for your permission, much appreciated.😀Sometimes I wish I was like a giraffe that only sleeps for 20 minutes a day!🦒 I could get so much accomplished. Oh well, have a wonderful day Huguette!😃🌞😺

        Liked by 1 person

      • Haha really! Only 20 minutes 😆 I wish that too if I’ll not wake up grumpy 😁 so little time, so many things to do!
        Keeping notes always help a lot! We can’t recall everything in details that’s for sure
        Looking forward to reading these posts and have a great and sunny day 😸🌞🌞

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ever see a grumpy giraffe? Amazing for such a large animal to sleep so little and normally for only 5 minutes at a time. If I didn’t keep notes, most of our adventures would be lost or mixed up!😂Enjoy your day!😃🌞

        Liked by 1 person

      • Never saw one actually hahah so I don’t know 😁😁
        Glad you kept these notes! we should all do!
        Have a great day as well 😸😸🌞

        Liked by 1 person

  4. This was great, a lovely memory with your dad.
    Well penned too. You make a movie in my mind, and I am so happy you mastered that, so easy to read, thank you.
    Enjoy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Lillian!! That was very nice to say. I have many such memories of times with my dad and will be sharing more over the summer.😃😺

      Like

      Reply

  5. I loved the pics and the story behind it! It sounds like your Dad was a real jokester and y’all had a great relationship together! My Mom collected those things, too, back in the day, but none were as beautiful as the ones you have! She collected a lot of things! And this story has really inspired me to maybe write about some of the adventures we had like that growing up! Thanks for that! Hope you have a wonderful day! 😄

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks Renee! Yes, Dad really was, we had a lot of great times together and so many adventures out collecting insulators, something happened nearly every time we went out! I will be sharing some more of these adventures over the summer. You should write about your adventures, it’s always a good thing to share. Enjoy your evening!😁😸

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. So that’s how you treat your elders huh? U R lucky he didnt push you in and leave you! I remember finding those in the road ditches when I’d be out exploring. I didnt know people collected them though. Fun story! Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. What an unusual hobby Steve! Your dad did great job collecting this stuff. I would never guess that they are so beautiful. ☀️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks for reading this Margo! Yes, they really are very beautiful and decorative items now, and so many different colors and shapes. They look great in a window, especially in winter when there is not much color around. It took me a while to get interested in insulators and having my dad’s collection I have way too many now!😂Enjoy your day!😃🌞

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • I think they may work as lights, aren’t they. I am making lights with beautiful coloured bottles, I put some Christmas lights inside and they are look so gorgeous and cosy. ☀️

        Liked by 1 person

      • Yes, I have used Christmas lights in insulators and made a very nice outdoor display with them that way. I also made some indoor lamps with them too but keep selling them. Now I want to make one for myself this summer. Great idea using bottles too! Have a great evening Margo!😃🌞😺

        Liked by 1 person

    • I will be doing a post shortly giving an explanation of these weird and wonderful antique items. Plus more pics of different ones. They came about originally to hold telegraph wires to poles, simple put, in all their applications it is just to hold wires in place, also for phone, electrical, not used anymore with the new use of cables they are no longer necessary.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

Steve’s Country Archives
Translate Steve’s Country

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Steve`s Country on WordPress.com