Shrek Dreck

WHEN: August 2009
WHERE: Shadyside, Pittsburgh
Here's a much-marketed green guy who's overstayed his welcome. Now, blow away.

Every Dog Has Its Day

WHEN: November 2008

WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh
I found this 1950s ceramic poodle planter lying in a trash heap in an alley. Cleaned it up, and found it a new forever home.

Wheels Up

WHEN: August 2009
WHERE: Homestead, PA
Another in the trash-for-clunkers series.

Ball of Confusion

WHEN: August 2009
WHERE: Homestead, PA
As far as I can tell, this is a brown tennis ball that's sprouted a huge two-tone Davy Crockett tail.

Monkey Business

WHEN: August 2009

WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh

This little guy needs to do a better job of blending into the jungle.

Mini-Series: National Park Tragedies No. 3

WHEN: July 2009
WHERE: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
A tennis ball far from home but the wildflowers are pretty companions.

Mini-Series: National Park Tragedies #2

WHEN: July 2009

WHERE: Camp Mather, Yosemite National Park, Calif.

PHOTO: Candi in San Francisco

Candi sez: "What freakish wave washed this tiny boat ashore ... under the mighty pines of Yosemite?"

Mini-Series: National Park Tragedies #1

WHEN: July 2009

WHERE: Yoho National Park, British Columbia

This rather pathetic plastic sandbox rake definitely gets a boost from the scenery: Takakkaw Falls, Canada's second highest waterfall.

Moose, No Longer Loose

WHEN: July 2009
WHERE: East Village, Manhattan
PHOTO: Andrew N. in NYC
With dog, Henry Hudson, this almost looks like one of those fancy old paintings -- the hound and the giant creature he's just nobly brought down. However, Mr. Hudson simply came across this downed moose on the sidewalk.

Disposable Razor

WHEN: November 2008
WHERE: Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh
Remember the frenzy when everybody just HAD to have one of these Razor scooters? Well, it's over.

Still on the Job

WHEN: July 2009
WHERE: Butte, MT
The shop is closed up but this bear is unwilling -- or too drunk -- to leave.

Half Woman, All Tragedy

WHEN: July 2009
WHERE: Troy Hill, Pittsburgh, PA
PHOTO: Larkin in Pittsburgh
ADDED PATHOS: Cigarette butts, busted rubber band
This gal is bottomless -- and topless, though one of her plastic boobs has collapsed.