Ongoing - Second Hand Living

For a several years I've been working on a project loosely based on the second-hand economy. One of my hobbies is buying and selling antiques. I eventually decided to turn my camera on some of the more interesting people I have met.

This is Joe Pick.

I first met Joe at a yard sale he was having on the south shore of Massachusetts. The sale advertised tons of merchandise to pick through. I showed up and was amazed at what he had on his lawn. Boxes and boxes of, stuff. Photos, books, magazines, trinkets, buttons, electronics. There was also furniture and artwork. It was overwhelming. I ended up at a few more of his sales and began asking him about his business. It turns out he is a one man clean out team.

Joe is called in when a home needs to be cleared fast. Sometimes it is because the owner passed away and the family is selling it, sometimes it's a foreclosure, and sometimes it is an older couple that has finally decided to downsize. Joe is usually brought in after the bulk of the items have either been moved or sold off at an estate sale. What is left, the 'stuff' accumulated by people over the years, is Joe's responsibility.  The majority of what is left is basically trash. Broken items, old papers, moldy books. However a lot of that 'stuff' still holds some value. It is literally a case of one man's trash is another man's treasure. Most of it will only sell for a few dollars but it adds up fast when you are cleaning out a few houses a week. Joe used to sell off the remainders from his clean outs at his epic yard sales. But he has moved away from that practice and now uses more traditional retail outlets like antique and collectible shops.

This small series is from an antique farm house on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The house had been sold by the older owners and needed to be cleaned out. Most of the major items had already been sold at an estate sale, so whatever was left was up to Joe to deal with. When I was there two women were looking for some items for their new up-cycled furniture store.

Winter is Going. I Hope.

If you live pretty much anywhere in the United States then you know that this winter has not been a kind one. Arctic temps, brutal storms, you know, winter. Well it's slowly, very slowly on it's way out and I have decided to do a little look back on some photos I shot. From routine storm coverage, spot news, a lot of hockey and a thing called The Donkey Show. The weather and the assignments have kept me on my toes, but that's what makes life interesting.

 Duxbury firefighters and members of the Army National Guard  helped transport residents on Plymouth Avenue on Friday, January 3 , 2013.  The neighborhood experienced heavy flooding during high tide.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Hanover, MA - Pat Sullivan uses a snow blower to clear out a driveway on Franklin Road on Friday, January 3 , 2013. Sullivan, who just purchased the snow blower, cleared out paths for several of his neighbors before finishing up his own driveway.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA -  Hockey fans take in the game between Merrimack College and Providence College at Fenway Park for the Frozen Fenway game on Saturday, January 4, 2014.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA -  Boston Police officers and detectives investigate a shooting on the corner of Blue Hill Ave and Evelyn Street on Saturday, January 18, 2014.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Plymouth, MA - From left Michael Morway, Nicki Hart and Shannon Burgess all of PLymouth, walk down Main Street during the height of the winter storm on Saturday, February 15, 2014.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Boston Bruins center Gregory Campbell (11) and left wing Daniel Paille (20) celebrate after Campbell scored in the second period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden on Saturday, March 1, 2014.  The Capitols defeated the Bruins 4-2.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Boston Bruins right wing Reilly Smith (18) tries to slap the puck down past Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) on a rebound in the third period at TD Garden on Saturday, March 1, 2014.  The Capitols defeated the Bruins 4-2.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Cambridge, MA - Kenneth Miller aka 'Mustard Seed' dances before for the crowd before a performance of The Donkey Show at Oberon on Saturday, March 1, 2014.  The production by the American Repertory Theater is approaching it's 500th performance. Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Boston firefighters work the scene of a fire on E Street in South Boston on Saturday, February 8, 2014.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Malden Catholic senior forward Tyler Sifferien (11) dives in the air as he scores against Catholic Memorial sophomore goaltender Brandon Collett (30) in the second period of the first round of the MIAA Division 1A Championship Series on Sunday, March 2 2014. Malden Catholic defeated Catholic Memorial 4-3.  

Boston, MA - Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) checks Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jeff Skinner (53) in the third period at TD Garden on Saturday, March 15, 2014. The Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - UMASS Lowell senior forward Josh Holmstrom (12) hoists the Lamoriello Trophy after the team defeated UNH 4-0 in the Hockey East Final at TD Garden on Saturday, March 22, 2014.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Plymouth, MA - A member of the Massachusetts State Police looks over a vehicle surrounded in crime scene tape in front of Saint Peter's Catholic Church that may have been involved in an alleged drive-by shooting during a funeral procession on Saturday, March 29, 2014.   Photo by Matthew Healey