Guidance from the local hardware store
Ironing boards, step ladders, front door mats and bags of compost get stacked outside Beattie Trading on Darling Street every morning and taken in again each night. Our local hardware store is old fashioned, and all the better for it.
I have no idea of the owner’s name and I hesitate to ask, fearing to shatter the illusion. Since the day I met him three years ago, when a large white beard appeared behind a paint pot, he’s been dubbed Mr Christmas.
Guidance from Mr Christmas is freely available, and it’s not the sort of guidance you’d expect.
Alongside the home wares and gardening tools lined up along the pavement, Mr Christmas adds a blackboard. Each day a new message is chalked on it and those messages never fail to lift my spirits.
I recently started photographing them. Here are a few of my favourites:
Mr Christmas smiles when he’s not posing for photographs.
10 comments on “Guidance from the local hardware store”
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I'm a writer based in Australia with a passion for gardening, remote places and people with a story to tell.
Strawberries in the Desert 
Love it!
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Love your name for this inspiring old man, Deb. What a lovely thing to do!
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Sometimes I don’t understand his messages. I’ve found out it’s because he’s a Tigers supporter and the weekend boards are about football!
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This is what we need more of in this world! Mr. Christmas sounds like a great guy. 🙂
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He’s gorgeous and stepping into his shop is like entering a time machine 🙂
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I love that kind of shop – a rarity these days, unfortunately.
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Beats Bunnings. Mind you I have trekked out to our local a but in past weeks. We do need a Mr. Christmas!
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Sure does beat Bunnings, and I’m equally sure you’re pretty sick of that place!
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Oh my goodness! You have discovered Kris Kringle in his off-season digs! I love it:).
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ha, so funny to think of him in his off-season digs, I wonder where he keeps his costume?
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