Yard Sale Addict

Iverson St.- Candler Park, “Multi family sale”

Two small sales faced each other across Iverson. The usual spring-cleaning clutter is now starting to show up at sales. The south side sale was more upscale. Here I found books such as “Building the Timber Farmhouse”, “Wine country bike rides” and “Starving to death on 200 million a year”. Items of interest included a shower curtain (never used) with pictures of sushi on it and an ice cream maker.
The north side counterpart was more of a jumble with a large box containing partially used rolls of gift-wrap, curtain rods and tennis rackets. A hula-hoop and a kerosene heater sat on the grass-awaiting buyers. A box on a table labeled “very unique T shirts” contained shirts saluting two wars Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom.
I bought nothing.


Oakdale Ave. – Candler Park “Yard Sale”

This sale was in front of the dour looking apartments from the 1960’s that are now advertised as retro apartments. Most of the stuff was children’s books, toys and clothes. There were also some homemade dolls from Africa and an espresso machine.
I bought nothing.

Oakdale Ave. Candler Park “Yard Sale”

This was a large sale in the yards and driveways of two adjoining homes. Under a dogwood tree in full bloom the torsos and legs of various manikins were randomly arranged. The sale of manikin parts for many is a rite of passage where a young man or woman affirms ‘yes I love strange junk - but I no longer want it to be the keystone of my household décor’. Other rejected décor items also under the flowering tree included a bowling pin with a rod through it and a metal base. It is evident that there were plans to make it or remake it into a lamp but the project was into its attempted lamp phase when the owners had some cathartic moment of decorating in a Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn that led them forever away from the beauty of such found objects. Among other items scattered about were a mobile with a bride and groom, a sponge bob T shirt, a container of baby powder, some shoes that looked like bees, a swag lamp that resembled a meteor a CRT monitor for $10 and an old Apple Power book. One small pile of assorted junk featured some old fireworks named hen laying eggs, and a view master reel from REM. Reading material included several books on laproscopic surgery, “Patient Heal Thyself”, “The Tara Cookbook” which contained a recipe for Ma’s Elderberry pie, and two pamphlet size books “Avocado Bravo” and “How to cook with Budweiser”. The latter featured such delights as Chocolate beer cake and jellied vegetable salad.
I purchased the last two books for 10 cents each.


Oakdale Rd. - Druid Hills “Estate Sale”

In front of a large colonial revival mansion was a sign warning early birds to stay back or otherwise the homes alarm would be set off. I was taken with the seller’s attitude regarding the dreadful early birds but on the other hand I had some doubt that this was truly an estate sale of the occupants of this stately manor. The stuff for sale sadly was not inside the home but arranged in the rear driveway and back to the garage. While I normally chastise sellers for presenting fraudulent estate sales, this one if fraudulent had enough strange goods to redeem their crime. The initial remarkable goods I discovered was a fine selection of faux foods ranging from the often seen plastic sushi to a cup of tea to a selection of plastic donuts and a bagel smeared with way too much faux cream cheese. On the table next to the wonderful inedibles was a very ornate large jar of pickled vegetables with an asking price of $35. Ornate jar or not this was by far the highest asking price I have ever seen for used food. On some other tables I found a wine opener with a bust of Bach next to a large ceramic scorpion. Also on that table were a number of large bizarre Santa/Kris Kringle figures. Nearby a man carrying a toddler in his arms remarked to his son. “…Your mother would really like that Christmas crap”. I had visions of the following Yuletide season when the young boy spies his grandparents Xmas tree and remarks “ look mommy Christmas crap!” Other items on tables included a framed photo of Sugar Ray Leonard, a witch costume and a rear view mirror still in its box. Inside the garage I discovered a bevy of old world looking marionettes and a Russian icon. In a box in the driveway were two deflated blow up alligators, a box contained empty Vesace boxes and two disassembled ceiling fans.
I bought nothing.


Shepard Lane- Woodland Hills “Yard Sale”

This small sale on the worse cut through street in town was typical of a sale being run by a man. On one of two tables in the yard was a selection of old dusty camera gear some of it obscure, possible rare but unlikely valuable. On another table were a box of small flashlights and a Travis Tritt scarf. A case in the yard displayed three paintball pistols and one paintball rifle. Also in the yard were two old BMX bikes. The seller tended to yard work while I browsed his stuff.
I bought nothing.

McLynn Dr.- Morningside “ Yard Sale”

It was just a little past ten when I reached this sale but the early crowds I met at the other sales had faded away. Here an older couple watched over the meager remains of the sale in their driveway. Among the stuff was a nose hair clipper still in its original box from Brookstone, a selection of CDs and videotapes of Queen, a Cd of classical music with ocean sounds mixed in and road maps of Sweden and Nova Scotia. One book I examined was entitled “Answers” one of its answers was -”you’ll need to consider another way”
I bought nothing.

Highland Ave.- Va. Highlands “Yard Sale”

The stuff here was well picked through when I arrived. Among what remained included a bread making machine, a pair of snow skis, some cheap soft luggage a four poster bed and some glassware.
I bought nothing.

Blue Ridge Ave.- Poncy Highlands “Yard Sale”

When I arrived here the sellers were sitting on the porch in what I call the relaxed stage of a sale. A lot of the junk is gone, the crowds have died down, and they just watch stuff slowly dissipate for a few coins to whomever pass by.
What remained included an occasional table covered in small picture frames, a beer making kit, a terrifying painting of a clown and a book entitled “In a couples world.”
I bought nothing.

Seminole Ave. Inman Park “Yard Sale”

A few piles of clutter were spread over several blankets in the courtyard of an old apartment building. A middle age woman seller tells me that she bought most of this stuff in Little Five points. Then I had a dreadful vision of the homes of people who ONLY shop in Little Five Points. Some of the clutter testifying to this includes a string of Flamingo lights and copy of Lost Souls on DVD. Spread across a bush is a large American flag; next to the bush is a vintage souvenir pillowcase from Guantanamo Bay. Next to it was a cache of postcards sorted into small packets tied up with twine. I make her an offer on the cards and took all of them for $5.


McLendon Ave. - Candler Park “Yard Sale”

There not much left at this sale I encounter on my way home. The tables lining the street mostly contain kids books, kids clothing and toys. Next to a pair of Bratz figures I notice a book entitled “Ritalin is not the answer”
I buy nothing.

Page Ave. - Candler Park “Yard Sale”

Once again children’s stuff dominates. Besides an array of kid’s stuff including an entire bedding and curtain ensemble of an overly cute night sky. I also find a large commercial Bunn coffee maker, a window unit air conditioner in a wheelbarrow and two sofas.
I buy nothing.

Chamette Dr. - Virginia Highlands “Estate Sale”

Later in the afternoon while returning from the Kroger with Cind


y we visit this sale in a small brick home. Dominating the living room is a strange distorted clown painting. Sadly I do not have my camera to capture the twisted image. In the adjoining den is another remarkable piece of framed artwork. This one being a large photo portrait of a woman with a bouffant hairdo with a lei draped around her neck. Since it’s nearly 3 PM there is not much left in the home. A table near the front door displays a collection of nearly two dozen frog figures, some are smoking cigars others are playing golf. A box in a back room yields a plastic angel figure with out stretched arms and the words “dispatch me” engraved across its base. Also in the box is a small replica of Oral Roberts pointed prayer tower. Some media remaining includes “How to win at gin Rummy “ and a cassette entitled ‘What a man thinketh”
I buy nothing