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Sunday 26 March 2017

The mailbox

It is not standard issue, a rectangular box planted on a post outside homes in rural Prince Edward Island. Islanders are often creative with their mailboxes. The most interesting ones are usually at the end of long driveways leading to a country farmhouse. We have seen some unique mailboxes but the most unusual one thus far is on the side of the road across from a farm in Lower Bedeque.

This mailbox spent its best days as a lawn mower, the ride-on type. 

 

Such movers are common on this island where people have large swaths of grass to mow, making hand moving time consuming. This little mower cut many blades of grass by the look of it. Today it is well maintained and stands waiting, regardless of the weather.

This Ford mailbox also has newspaper holders, the yellow and green pockets under the machine. A lever on the right side is lifted to indicate you've got mail. The mail is deposited in a covered pocket under the front engine area. 

 

Someone looked at the old mower and said, "Mailbox," and there it stands. A creative way to recycle!

34 comments:

Celia said...

Lots of imagination as well as planning and work to get a sturdy base for these. Love them.

Elephant's Child said...

Big smiles. Some of our country mailboxes show similar ingenuity. In town they are mostly utilitarian. And dull. Ours included.

Tabor said...

Your postal people are very liberal in accepting all types of boxes.

Debbie said...

I'll just say it is interesting and leave it at that. I see a lot of "different" ones in this area, mostly on farms. I love mine, a big beautiful post with a pot in the back for flowers!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Marie. Very creative! I always did admire creative mailboxes. If a mailbox doesn't adhere to postal regulations here, you won't get your mail! My husband always bought the cheapest, plainest, mailbox you can buy. Now we don't have mail delivery to our home, so mo mailboxes in my development. Our development has it's own little post office and our mail gets delivered there. Andrea

Anonymous said...

Oh how fun! Great post.

DJan said...

I love that unique mailbox! Someone decided to repurpose a beloved old friend, it seems. :-)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Definitely the most unusual postbox I've seen Marie, I bet the postie loves this one ☺

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Not easily stolen either.

troutbirder said...

That's what I call creativity. Darn, I took my lawn mower to the iron scrapyard and got 5 dollars for it...:(

Marie Smith said...

It is firmly in place, that's for sure, Celia!

Marie Smith said...

Around the city here the mailboxes are standard as well, EC. This one in the countryside stands out for sure.

Marie Smith said...

That they are, Tabor.

Marie Smith said...

This one is the biggest I've seen so far, Debbie. Not dainty or pretty for sure!

Marie Smith said...

Andrea, we have door to door delivery in western PEI.

Marie Smith said...

This mailbox was worth some photos, Mildred.

Marie Smith said...

It is a beauty for sure, Jan.

Marie Smith said...

It catches the attention of passers by, I'd say, PDP.

Marie Smith said...

That's for sure Debra. I think the base goes into the earth's core!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

It certainly was innovative to mount an old mower and repurpose it as a mailbox.

Mage said...

It's wonderful. Thanks for these little windows into the PEI world.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Well, that is about the most creative mailbox I've ever seen, lol! Amazing the ingenuity of people, I never cease to be amazed :)

Marie Smith said...

Who know what other uses a lawnmover can have, troutbirder?

Marie Smith said...

It really was, Judith. We had to stop and have a look.

Marie Smith said...

Life in the country, Mage!

Shammickite said...

That's a very special mailbox.... dual purpose too.

Marie Smith said...

It is pretty creative alright, SUI.

Marie Smith said...

Very versatile Ford product, Shammickite!

Anonymous said...

I've never seen anyone but our new home have it this way. Our development is gated so they do the central post office with a different address for each of us (which is really a post office box number in disguise) for privacy. Andrea

Marie Smith said...

It sounds like a secure area. Just a nice walk to get the mail!

The Furry Gnome said...

That's the most unique mailbox I've seen!

Marie Smith said...

Me too, FG.

Bill said...

What a wonderful post. A very creative way to reuse an old piece of machinery, don't have to worry how to get rid of it.

Marie Smith said...

So true, Bill. Disposing of things today is more complicated than it used to be.