Computer without a buyer
Angels and voodoo dolls.
Woopee cushion and epoxy.
Hub Cap City seranades yard sale customers.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Saturday 10/22/05
The Little Five Points Halloween parade is today and large crowds are descending upon the nearby neighborhoods but once again those wanting to rid their homes of excess do not seem to want to capitalize on the crowds. What has happened in this city? Is it fear of Avian flu, impending hurricanes or the economic and political malaise that has settle upon our nations? Once again a short report.
Lake Clair Court – lake Claire “Yard Sale”
This was in the driveway and garage of a large home built several years ago in an infill cul de sac. As I have stated in earlier dispatches you can take the cul de sac out of the suburbs but you can’t take the suburbs out of the cul de sac. This sale featured like nearly all infill homes a large selection of infant and children’s items. Outside the garage were two boxes of books in them I found “Exercising your way through Pregnancy”, “Confessions of a slacker mom”, “Osage Indian Murders” and “ William Bennett’s “Book of virtues”. Near Bennett’s opus to moral quality was a box of PC based Las Vegas games. Some stuff gathered on top of a table included a clock with images of vegetables in place of numerals (The clock was set at 20 minutes after carrots), an embroidered picture of a Cathy cartoon character eating with the caption “cramming for exams” and an incense burner shaped like a wigwam. There were also the usual unneeded kitchen appliances such as an espresso maker and an ice cream maker. The toys gather there were dominated by a large plush snowman. The most bizarre plaything was a blue elephant head with a five-foot plastic flexible trunk. When a blower was turned on the trunk blew out little plastic butterflies. The seller told me her younger child liked to put them in her mouth and she was afraid her child would choke on the blown insects.I bought nothing but did get to see a demonstration of the butterfly blowing elephant in action.
Lake Clair Court – lake Claire “Yard Sale”
This was in the driveway and garage of a large home built several years ago in an infill cul de sac. As I have stated in earlier dispatches you can take the cul de sac out of the suburbs but you can’t take the suburbs out of the cul de sac. This sale featured like nearly all infill homes a large selection of infant and children’s items. Outside the garage were two boxes of books in them I found “Exercising your way through Pregnancy”, “Confessions of a slacker mom”, “Osage Indian Murders” and “ William Bennett’s “Book of virtues”. Near Bennett’s opus to moral quality was a box of PC based Las Vegas games. Some stuff gathered on top of a table included a clock with images of vegetables in place of numerals (The clock was set at 20 minutes after carrots), an embroidered picture of a Cathy cartoon character eating with the caption “cramming for exams” and an incense burner shaped like a wigwam. There were also the usual unneeded kitchen appliances such as an espresso maker and an ice cream maker. The toys gather there were dominated by a large plush snowman. The most bizarre plaything was a blue elephant head with a five-foot plastic flexible trunk. When a blower was turned on the trunk blew out little plastic butterflies. The seller told me her younger child liked to put them in her mouth and she was afraid her child would choke on the blown insects.I bought nothing but did get to see a demonstration of the butterfly blowing elephant in action.
McLendon Ave. – Lake Claire “Yard Sale”
Directly across the street and up a steep driveway was another sale. As I made my way up the drive to the yard I relised I had visited this same site last year almost to the week. I had read last October’s entries in this journal the previous night and discovered that they were selling the same box of auto organizers I had mentioned a year ago. Aside from the organizers there was a lot less stuff than the prior year. Among the clutter in the yard was a print of a Noah’s ark scene, a child’s toilet seat, a breast pump, some old faucets, mini blinds and the ever present disassembled ceiling fan.
I bought nothing.
Tuxedo Dr. Lake Claire “ Yard Sale”
This sale was in the AJC and I had expected more to be in this driveway then there was but on a day like today you settle for what you get. I headed directly towards a bottle of Chateau Elan Blush wine but was sadly told it was not for sale but was just put out to demonstrate how a wine bottle holder worked. Looking around I found a battery operated Language Master translator, a copies of “Analysing the Presidency” and “ Chicken soup for a Woman’s Soul”, some fire place tools, two Tae Bo VHS tapes, a microwave oven and a pair of inline skates. While I was there I was happy to see buyers bringing their children in Holloween costumes to the sale. While there I ran into two other Saturday yard sale regulars, a local musician/writer and the food critic whose sale I had reported on several weeks ago. We discusses the lack of sales and could not comprehend the decline in quantity and quality. After the discussion I decided to head east towards Decatur.
Columbia Dr.- Decatur “Garage Sale”
After driving around being misled by small signs promoting a children’s 5K literary run, I came across this sale in the parking lot of a home remodeling business off Columbia Dr. Most of the stuff here appeared to have been unloaded out of the back of a truck in the parking lot. I was immediately not impressed with what I saw. The few notable things were a box set of the Left Behind books, an ever present disassembled ceiling fan, a box of mugs, a bunch of purses displayed on a step ladder and a Believe in Yourself journal that had never been filled in.
I bought nothing, but I am now considering doing a photo series of disassembled ceiling fans.
Patterson Ave. - Scottdale “Yard Sale”
I had seen this ad in Craigslist and wanted to see what a Scottdale sale would feature since I work near this former mill village. The sale was in the yard of one of actual old mill houses. When I arrived I found it was hosted by a local artist that that I see around clubs and galleries. Like any local artist she was in need of money and had the usual arty things for sale. Among the items found in her yard and porch was a bag of prayer clothes and other items sent to her by faith healers, a bowl of Xmas balls that she had painted, VHS tapes of films such as Bird, The Cooler and House of Sand and Fog. There was also a stack of food and wine magazines, a very big flatbed scanner, a copy of “The Thinking Cat’s Guide to The Millennium” a container of small rubber ducks, a naïve commemorative plate of South Carolina and a drunken figure with a light up nose leaning on a lamppost.
I bought nothing.
Directly across the street and up a steep driveway was another sale. As I made my way up the drive to the yard I relised I had visited this same site last year almost to the week. I had read last October’s entries in this journal the previous night and discovered that they were selling the same box of auto organizers I had mentioned a year ago. Aside from the organizers there was a lot less stuff than the prior year. Among the clutter in the yard was a print of a Noah’s ark scene, a child’s toilet seat, a breast pump, some old faucets, mini blinds and the ever present disassembled ceiling fan.
I bought nothing.
Tuxedo Dr. Lake Claire “ Yard Sale”
This sale was in the AJC and I had expected more to be in this driveway then there was but on a day like today you settle for what you get. I headed directly towards a bottle of Chateau Elan Blush wine but was sadly told it was not for sale but was just put out to demonstrate how a wine bottle holder worked. Looking around I found a battery operated Language Master translator, a copies of “Analysing the Presidency” and “ Chicken soup for a Woman’s Soul”, some fire place tools, two Tae Bo VHS tapes, a microwave oven and a pair of inline skates. While I was there I was happy to see buyers bringing their children in Holloween costumes to the sale. While there I ran into two other Saturday yard sale regulars, a local musician/writer and the food critic whose sale I had reported on several weeks ago. We discusses the lack of sales and could not comprehend the decline in quantity and quality. After the discussion I decided to head east towards Decatur.
Columbia Dr.- Decatur “Garage Sale”
After driving around being misled by small signs promoting a children’s 5K literary run, I came across this sale in the parking lot of a home remodeling business off Columbia Dr. Most of the stuff here appeared to have been unloaded out of the back of a truck in the parking lot. I was immediately not impressed with what I saw. The few notable things were a box set of the Left Behind books, an ever present disassembled ceiling fan, a box of mugs, a bunch of purses displayed on a step ladder and a Believe in Yourself journal that had never been filled in.
I bought nothing, but I am now considering doing a photo series of disassembled ceiling fans.
Patterson Ave. - Scottdale “Yard Sale”
I had seen this ad in Craigslist and wanted to see what a Scottdale sale would feature since I work near this former mill village. The sale was in the yard of one of actual old mill houses. When I arrived I found it was hosted by a local artist that that I see around clubs and galleries. Like any local artist she was in need of money and had the usual arty things for sale. Among the items found in her yard and porch was a bag of prayer clothes and other items sent to her by faith healers, a bowl of Xmas balls that she had painted, VHS tapes of films such as Bird, The Cooler and House of Sand and Fog. There was also a stack of food and wine magazines, a very big flatbed scanner, a copy of “The Thinking Cat’s Guide to The Millennium” a container of small rubber ducks, a naïve commemorative plate of South Carolina and a drunken figure with a light up nose leaning on a lamppost.
I bought nothing.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Ponce De Leon Manor –“Yard Sale”
Ponce Manor is a strange dead end street and community within Druid Hills. I’ve never been sure how it came about but the end of it looks like it’s a detached part of Roswell. This sale was at that end. In the driveway and garage of this oversized Tudor style home I found some wicker furniture, a Nordic track machine, a Mt. Vernon commemorative plate, a kit for making a model of the George Wythe House in Williamsburg and an embroidery kit for making a faux old flour bag.
I bought nothing.
Ponce Manor is a strange dead end street and community within Druid Hills. I’ve never been sure how it came about but the end of it looks like it’s a detached part of Roswell. This sale was at that end. In the driveway and garage of this oversized Tudor style home I found some wicker furniture, a Nordic track machine, a Mt. Vernon commemorative plate, a kit for making a model of the George Wythe House in Williamsburg and an embroidery kit for making a faux old flour bag.
I bought nothing.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Tasers, Paintball Pistols and a Figurine of Sick Children
This week I expected far more sales in Candler Park and it’s adjoining neighborhoods with the annual Fallfest in the park this weekend. But it seems few wished to capitalize on the heavier traffic in the community. My friend and reseller Terry had her sale up again, but she’s been open nearly every weekend for the last two months selling her own finds to folk waiting for tables at the Flying Biscuit. But today the rank and file residents were not out in their yards divesting themselves of clutter on this Saturday Morning.
Iverson Ave. – Candler Park “Yard Sale”
A medium spread of clutter was in front of and on the porch of this two-story frame house. On the porch I found a large framed photo of the liberty bell, along with two smaller framed prints one of the Auburn creed, and another that simply posed the question “What is Auburn?” In the yard I found a bowling ball, a George Foreman grill, kneepads, a pair of inline skates, a disassembled Solaflex machine, a large pair of speakers, a pair of microwave ovens and a very large dog travel cage. Among the books I saw “The Gay Kama Sutra”, “The Buck Stops Here”, “Finding True Love in a Man Eat Man World”, “Idiots Guide to Golf” as well as several Tom Clancy novels and old management textbooks. On a table there were a few dozen CDs. The CDs included works by Garth Brooks, Boston, Clint Black as well as several DJ club mixes.
I bought nothing.
A medium spread of clutter was in front of and on the porch of this two-story frame house. On the porch I found a large framed photo of the liberty bell, along with two smaller framed prints one of the Auburn creed, and another that simply posed the question “What is Auburn?” In the yard I found a bowling ball, a George Foreman grill, kneepads, a pair of inline skates, a disassembled Solaflex machine, a large pair of speakers, a pair of microwave ovens and a very large dog travel cage. Among the books I saw “The Gay Kama Sutra”, “The Buck Stops Here”, “Finding True Love in a Man Eat Man World”, “Idiots Guide to Golf” as well as several Tom Clancy novels and old management textbooks. On a table there were a few dozen CDs. The CDs included works by Garth Brooks, Boston, Clint Black as well as several DJ club mixes.
I bought nothing.
Lullwater Rd.- Druid Hills “Yard Sales”
In front of two smaller adjoining Druid Hills homes I found a selection of clutter in the driveways. The first driveway had boxed sets of not too old National Geographics, a large exercise ball, a University of Alabama mug, an exercise mat, a box of something called Calpirinha mix, two food choppers and some door knockers. Resting on a table was a Gorham figurine of two overall wearing boys clutching their stomachs. Upon close inspection there were two corncob pipes next to the boys. Perhaps this was some anti smoking totem. Media included, “Kayaking” a set of Earl Nightengale CDs entitled “How to improve your memory”, “The Womanly art of Breastfeeding”, ”The Champion within You”, ”Practical Black Bass Fishing” and a small book called “What Every Woman should have”, there was also a Delta airlines sales learning CD.
The second driveway had less stuff. There I found a Cat in the Hat hat, a pile of golf clubs, three trashcans, a wooden mantle and a bassinet.
In front of two smaller adjoining Druid Hills homes I found a selection of clutter in the driveways. The first driveway had boxed sets of not too old National Geographics, a large exercise ball, a University of Alabama mug, an exercise mat, a box of something called Calpirinha mix, two food choppers and some door knockers. Resting on a table was a Gorham figurine of two overall wearing boys clutching their stomachs. Upon close inspection there were two corncob pipes next to the boys. Perhaps this was some anti smoking totem. Media included, “Kayaking” a set of Earl Nightengale CDs entitled “How to improve your memory”, “The Womanly art of Breastfeeding”, ”The Champion within You”, ”Practical Black Bass Fishing” and a small book called “What Every Woman should have”, there was also a Delta airlines sales learning CD.
The second driveway had less stuff. There I found a Cat in the Hat hat, a pile of golf clubs, three trashcans, a wooden mantle and a bassinet.
Lullwater Rd- Druid Hills “Multi Family Sale”
This sale was cancelled due to rain last week. The sale was in the yard of a large colonial revival mansion that sits high at the end of a long steep drive way. At the top of the driveway I found a very large plastic kids puppet theatre that was marked sold, a rack of Mardi Gras beads with a sign saying that proceeds were going to disaster relief, Next to it were some snow skis. At the end of the drive some children were selling homemade Halloween décor. Most of the stuff for sale was in the yard and the bulk of it was toys. Among the toys I found yet another spin art kit, a bubble gum making machine, a children’s ice cream maker, an oversized tomahawk, an even more oversized Tonka truck and countless piles of small plastic playthings. Up on the porch were a few pieces of furniture, a guitar amp, an oversized pepper mill, a poster from the Freud museum and a naïve painting of a riverboat.
In the driveway were a few boxes of books. In them I came across “The Oxford Dictionary of Opera”, “The Little Encyclopedia of Superstitions” and a boxed set of “Baby’s First Impressions” on VHS. There was also a disassembled Nordic Track machine in the driveway.
I bought nothing.
This sale was cancelled due to rain last week. The sale was in the yard of a large colonial revival mansion that sits high at the end of a long steep drive way. At the top of the driveway I found a very large plastic kids puppet theatre that was marked sold, a rack of Mardi Gras beads with a sign saying that proceeds were going to disaster relief, Next to it were some snow skis. At the end of the drive some children were selling homemade Halloween décor. Most of the stuff for sale was in the yard and the bulk of it was toys. Among the toys I found yet another spin art kit, a bubble gum making machine, a children’s ice cream maker, an oversized tomahawk, an even more oversized Tonka truck and countless piles of small plastic playthings. Up on the porch were a few pieces of furniture, a guitar amp, an oversized pepper mill, a poster from the Freud museum and a naïve painting of a riverboat.
In the driveway were a few boxes of books. In them I came across “The Oxford Dictionary of Opera”, “The Little Encyclopedia of Superstitions” and a boxed set of “Baby’s First Impressions” on VHS. There was also a disassembled Nordic Track machine in the driveway.
I bought nothing.
Merrill Dr. – Decatur “Moving Sale”
This sale was in the rear carport of a 1950’s ranch home. On the side of the carport was a large road case the size of a small car from a local audio-visual company. The sellers told me they did not know what it was worth. In the carport I found a pair of paint ball pistols some old management and nuclear physics textbooks, a bible, some men’s clothing, a novelty liquor pump that resembled a vintage gas station pump, some old chrome kitchen appliances, a copy of “How to Live Longer”, a small old laptop, a selection of small signs, more Mardi Gras beads, two aquariums, a box of old cell phones, a gavel and a self described portable ashtray. I pondered what ashtrays are not portable.
I bought nothing, but told them that new road cases can be very expensive.
This sale was in the rear carport of a 1950’s ranch home. On the side of the carport was a large road case the size of a small car from a local audio-visual company. The sellers told me they did not know what it was worth. In the carport I found a pair of paint ball pistols some old management and nuclear physics textbooks, a bible, some men’s clothing, a novelty liquor pump that resembled a vintage gas station pump, some old chrome kitchen appliances, a copy of “How to Live Longer”, a small old laptop, a selection of small signs, more Mardi Gras beads, two aquariums, a box of old cell phones, a gavel and a self described portable ashtray. I pondered what ashtrays are not portable.
I bought nothing, but told them that new road cases can be very expensive.
Ridley Dir. – Decatur “Yard Sale”
There was a lot of older clutter in the yard of this bungalow not far from the noted corner of Ridley and Scott. One of the first items I came upon lying on a table was a Taser. At least it was marked “taser” but I could not make out the actual brand of this possible knockoff brand stunning device. I asked the seller if it worked and they replied that it did. But they told me they took the batteries out so no one would get hurt. Other stuff on the table included large Santa shaped candles, a model rocket, a weather radio, glassware and playing cards. A box of VHS tapes yielded a copy of “ How to Irritate People” as well as two videos of marching bands; “Massed Bands on Parade” and “Edinburgh Military Tattoo”. A box of books featured a number of war and military titles such as “Nine Days to Dunkirk” there was also an old copy of the “Pets Allowed Hotel Guide”
Scattered about the yard was a large selection of basement fodder that included no less then three disassembled ceiling fans with their blades stacked in a large aquarium, a fan driven gutter cleaner, a chain saw, some old luggage, a box of lamp harps, a large coil of coaxial cable, a bag of beanie babies and three drill presses.
I bought nothing.
Artwood Dr. - Druid Hills “Yard Sale”
In the driveway of this brick home I found a stack of Playboys, a weight bench, some men’s shirts, Men’s Health magazines, a copy of the “Idiots guide to beating debt”, some Sean Hannity books, a NEC TV, a copy of “The Purpose Driven Life”, “The Dummies Guide to Job Interviews”, “Road Map to Ecstasy” and a muscle building guidebook. Under a table was an old word processor, a sign that said “Life’s too short not to be Irish” and a nail dryer. Some LPs nearby included works by Aha, Queen and the Jesus Explosion.
I bought nothing.
Just a little further down Artwood was another sale. There I found an old Power Mac, a copy of ‘How to Use Your Time to Get things done”, a garbage disposal and a ceiling fan.
I bought two books here “Discriptionary: A thematic Dictionary” and “The Dictionary of Bias Free Usage” for a dollar each.
There was a lot of older clutter in the yard of this bungalow not far from the noted corner of Ridley and Scott. One of the first items I came upon lying on a table was a Taser. At least it was marked “taser” but I could not make out the actual brand of this possible knockoff brand stunning device. I asked the seller if it worked and they replied that it did. But they told me they took the batteries out so no one would get hurt. Other stuff on the table included large Santa shaped candles, a model rocket, a weather radio, glassware and playing cards. A box of VHS tapes yielded a copy of “ How to Irritate People” as well as two videos of marching bands; “Massed Bands on Parade” and “Edinburgh Military Tattoo”. A box of books featured a number of war and military titles such as “Nine Days to Dunkirk” there was also an old copy of the “Pets Allowed Hotel Guide”
Scattered about the yard was a large selection of basement fodder that included no less then three disassembled ceiling fans with their blades stacked in a large aquarium, a fan driven gutter cleaner, a chain saw, some old luggage, a box of lamp harps, a large coil of coaxial cable, a bag of beanie babies and three drill presses.
I bought nothing.
Artwood Dr. - Druid Hills “Yard Sale”
In the driveway of this brick home I found a stack of Playboys, a weight bench, some men’s shirts, Men’s Health magazines, a copy of the “Idiots guide to beating debt”, some Sean Hannity books, a NEC TV, a copy of “The Purpose Driven Life”, “The Dummies Guide to Job Interviews”, “Road Map to Ecstasy” and a muscle building guidebook. Under a table was an old word processor, a sign that said “Life’s too short not to be Irish” and a nail dryer. Some LPs nearby included works by Aha, Queen and the Jesus Explosion.
I bought nothing.
Just a little further down Artwood was another sale. There I found an old Power Mac, a copy of ‘How to Use Your Time to Get things done”, a garbage disposal and a ceiling fan.
I bought two books here “Discriptionary: A thematic Dictionary” and “The Dictionary of Bias Free Usage” for a dollar each.
Arizona Ave. Lake Claire “Yard Sale”
This sale was well picked through when I arrived. A lot of the stuff looked like it had dragged out of the basement several times for sales in the past. In front of this craftsman bungalow I found books on old house remodeling and computer programming, some classical LPs as well as an album of truck driving songs “High Balling Hits”. I also found another copy of “The Womanly art of Brest feeding”. In a case on a table was an unopened packet of Ross Perot trading cards. There were also old telephones, a decorative bottle of peppers in vinegar, three Wiley Coyote shampoo bottle tops, two card shufflers, a pair of Kreshes and a clarinet. Some larger items include a disassembled weight bench and a kerosene heater.
I bought nothing
Aldophus St. Lake Claire "Moving Sale”
There were so few things in this yard I had to ask if they were having a sale. In the yard I found a copy of the Trailer Park Tycoon game, two Atlanta Public Library books, a rebel flag belt buckle, some women’s clothes and a dinette set.
I bought nothing.
Later at home while browsing through the two books I purchased I decided that both would be helpful in my writing. But the books were in some ways contradictory. The Descriptionary tells me the Achilles Heel is one of 1050 words and phrases everyone needs to know. Yet the Dictionary of Bias free usage tells me not to use the phrase since it gives a male bias. It suggest using the term instead “chink in ones armor”. I am surprised that any bias free guide would ever encourage the use the word chink.
This sale was well picked through when I arrived. A lot of the stuff looked like it had dragged out of the basement several times for sales in the past. In front of this craftsman bungalow I found books on old house remodeling and computer programming, some classical LPs as well as an album of truck driving songs “High Balling Hits”. I also found another copy of “The Womanly art of Brest feeding”. In a case on a table was an unopened packet of Ross Perot trading cards. There were also old telephones, a decorative bottle of peppers in vinegar, three Wiley Coyote shampoo bottle tops, two card shufflers, a pair of Kreshes and a clarinet. Some larger items include a disassembled weight bench and a kerosene heater.
I bought nothing
Aldophus St. Lake Claire "Moving Sale”
There were so few things in this yard I had to ask if they were having a sale. In the yard I found a copy of the Trailer Park Tycoon game, two Atlanta Public Library books, a rebel flag belt buckle, some women’s clothes and a dinette set.
I bought nothing.
Later at home while browsing through the two books I purchased I decided that both would be helpful in my writing. But the books were in some ways contradictory. The Descriptionary tells me the Achilles Heel is one of 1050 words and phrases everyone needs to know. Yet the Dictionary of Bias free usage tells me not to use the phrase since it gives a male bias. It suggest using the term instead “chink in ones armor”. I am surprised that any bias free guide would ever encourage the use the word chink.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Sunday 10/9/05
Irwin St. - Old 4th Ward "Moving Sale"
After dropping Cindy off for her poker game in Inman Park I stopped at one sale in the old 4th Ward. This was in front of a newly built cinder block house that I had called bunker-like in a post back in December. When I arrived officers from the APD had just maced a man three doors down who had gotten out of control. While I was there rummaging through the clutter paramedics came and took him away.
At the sale was a selection of men’s clothing, a PC of which the seller was not sure of the OS, books by Ayn Rand, on home building and how to make money in real estate. Along the street were a gas grill, a sink some mirrors and a table saw.
I bought a shirt and a tie.
After dropping Cindy off for her poker game in Inman Park I stopped at one sale in the old 4th Ward. This was in front of a newly built cinder block house that I had called bunker-like in a post back in December. When I arrived officers from the APD had just maced a man three doors down who had gotten out of control. While I was there rummaging through the clutter paramedics came and took him away.
At the sale was a selection of men’s clothing, a PC of which the seller was not sure of the OS, books by Ayn Rand, on home building and how to make money in real estate. Along the street were a gas grill, a sink some mirrors and a table saw.
I bought a shirt and a tie.
Rained out and locked out
Today my visitations were curtailed by the dismal wet weather which caused several sales to be cancelled and by locking myself out of my car. I have learned a lesson. When you go to a yard sale take your keys with you. But at least it did not rain on my walk home.
Saturday 10/8/05
Lullwater Rd. - Druid Hills ‘Cancelled Sale”
When I drove up to this well advertised multifamily sale I found only a sign stating it was cancelled due to rain.
Oakdale Rd. - Druid Hills “Garage Sale”
This sale was in the back driveway of a brick Italianate mansion. When I arrived the seller was still setting up. But there was not a lot to set up. On a table was the Archrival game, a hand held car ionizer, a copy of “Atkins for Life” and a Smoothie Pro smoothie maker. Next to the table was a large wine rack. Near the garage was a rack of men’s shirts and a small table missing a leg. On another table was a selection of children’s books and a guide to making paper airplanes. On the ground I found a Spin Art Kit, a large bag of Beanie Babies and a pamphlet entitled “How Some Americans came to hate the National Government”. It was published by Emory University.
I bought nothing.
Highland Terrace – Virginia Highlands “Moving Sale”
This inside the house sale had started the day before so I don’t know how much I missed at this event. Inside this totally renovated brick Tudor home was mostly a selection of large furniture pieces that occupied much of the floor space of a large vaulted living room. There was a smattering of smaller objects throughout the three-level home. In a main floor bedroom I found a massive disco ball resting on a king size bed. On the lower level I found most or the rooms nearly empty except for some artwork of men without shirts, a rack of men’s shirts, a lava lamp and a sombrero. Some furnishing on that level also included a white leather sofa and matching chair and a large four poster bed. Facing the bed was a new TV placed on top of a vintage TV.
The upper level contained a finished attic that contained nearly nothing.
Under a table in the living room I found a small stack of Lps that contained works by Mary Martin, Ethel Smith and the Sons of the Pioneers. Other stuff found on the main level was a old framed photo of the Maine state pier, a cap from Stainmaster carpet cleaners, a basket of very large pine cones, a large cross set with faux jewels and a pair of tennis rackets.
Outside on the sidewalk were piles of old yard tools, some boxes of switch plates and other assorted basement fodder. An old bicycle had a stack of sofa cushions upon it.
I bought two shirts. When I got to my car I found my keys were locked inside. I then walked home, a journey of three miles. It did not rain on my way home. But I did see an interesting sign along the way.
Candler Park Dr.- Candler Park “Yard Sale”
After walking home I went out to buy cat food and stopped at this sale. On the porch of this craftsman bungalow I was met by a toddler shuffling about on snow skiis. There was not a lot of clutter left at this late time. Among the items I noticed were some Excel guidebooks, a coffee maker, a pile of sweaters and a very old cell phone, the type that you carried in a pouch.
I bought nothing.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Back into the Yards of Clutter
As I return to my weekend excursions into the divestments of my neighbors I notice a few things have changed as it’s a new and dreadful morning in America as a great city struggles to rebuild and gasoline prices peak to record high levels. Almost the prices that people in other civilized countries have been paying for years. Here in my corner of the nation life goes on signs go up and clutter appears in yards. The amount of sales has tapered off to some degree since my last dispatch. With the multitude of fund raising activities requesting all sort of donated goods it appears a lot of stuff destined for yard sales has made its way to help the disaster victims.
Saturday 10/1/05
Page Ave. - Candler Park “Yard Sale”
Not wanting to use any more gas than possible I stick close to home this morning. This sale is watched over by a Vietnamese woman. As I approach another woman is buying a large wooden bas relief of a Vietnamese village scene. The seller remarks that her family brought the item from Vietnam. I wonder if this wall décor was something that her family smuggled on a raft crossing the South China Sea and protected it from pirates who raided refugee flotillas? She sells it for only $15. There are two other Vietnamese pieces of art remaining that may have come over on the same boat. Also in her yard are copies of the “DaVinci Code”, “Girl Interrupted”, “How to Teach Your Baby Math” and “The Jane Austen Book Club”. Nearby, on a Table I yet another copy of WCIYP. There is also a collection of small decorative bottles and an empty Seven Habits Organizer.
I buy nothing.
Page Ave. - Candler Park “Yard Sale”
Almost directly across the street is a slightly smaller sale. Here I find a tea set, some office supplies, and a set of candles in small wine glasses that contain such scents as Merlot and a Jim Bean hat. Further testifying to the decline of high protein diets I find a George Foreman grill. Lying on the grass are three framed Chinese ideograms representing tranquility, wisdom and happiness.
I buy nothing.
Glendale Ave. - Candler Park “Yard Sale”
A large sign leads me to this sale on the walkway and porch of a craftsman bungalow. There I find several desk lamps, a few pillows, a paper shredder, a black metal bed frame and a bulletin board.I buy nothing.
Not wanting to use any more gas than possible I stick close to home this morning. This sale is watched over by a Vietnamese woman. As I approach another woman is buying a large wooden bas relief of a Vietnamese village scene. The seller remarks that her family brought the item from Vietnam. I wonder if this wall décor was something that her family smuggled on a raft crossing the South China Sea and protected it from pirates who raided refugee flotillas? She sells it for only $15. There are two other Vietnamese pieces of art remaining that may have come over on the same boat. Also in her yard are copies of the “DaVinci Code”, “Girl Interrupted”, “How to Teach Your Baby Math” and “The Jane Austen Book Club”. Nearby, on a Table I yet another copy of WCIYP. There is also a collection of small decorative bottles and an empty Seven Habits Organizer.
I buy nothing.
Page Ave. - Candler Park “Yard Sale”
Almost directly across the street is a slightly smaller sale. Here I find a tea set, some office supplies, and a set of candles in small wine glasses that contain such scents as Merlot and a Jim Bean hat. Further testifying to the decline of high protein diets I find a George Foreman grill. Lying on the grass are three framed Chinese ideograms representing tranquility, wisdom and happiness.
I buy nothing.
Glendale Ave. - Candler Park “Yard Sale”
A large sign leads me to this sale on the walkway and porch of a craftsman bungalow. There I find several desk lamps, a few pillows, a paper shredder, a black metal bed frame and a bulletin board.I buy nothing.
Iverson Dr. Candler Park ‘Yard Sale”
Standing guard over this sale is a large Mexican made Knight in Armor. This sale is a larger event than the others but they have not put everything thing out yet and seem a bit disorganized. On a table is a Halloween candy bowl with a hand that tries to grab at you, a Super Scrabble game, a framed poster from the movie “Lost Boys” and a plush parrot. On the porch is a box of books some titles includes “The Feng Shui Book” and “The Vulnerable Therapist”. There is also a monitor for $30 and an Abs Works exercise device still in the box.
I buy nothing.
Oakdale Ave. Candler Park “Moving Sale”
This sale in the yard and drive way of a small ranch house next to a wonderfully eerie Second Empire frame Victorian mansion. Among the clutter gathered there is a Scottish Gaelic language course package, a copy of “Decoding Gender in Science Fiction” a set of kneepads, a stack of surfing magazines, “Final Cut Pro for Dummies” and a manual for restoring a 58 to 72 Impala. In the rear of the sale are some shelves containing several still in the package Lord of the Rings and Spawn characters. Also on the shelves are copies of or the graphic novel Minerva, Warhammer and Collectors Universe magazines. On a table I find a Gumby antenna topper still in its original package, a copy of an Elia Kazan Biography and several posters for the film Jeepers Creepers.
On the ground are two large 35mm film reels. I ask what is on the film and the seller says he does not know. He told me He acquired them from a local talk show host who had used them as décor in his home theatre. The talk show host had bought them at a yard sale years ago and also did not know what was on the reels. The seller said the leader of the film showed a hippie next to a Volkswagen. Parked near the pair of film reels was a 69 Doge Dart.
I bought nothing.
Rocky Ford – Kirkwood “Moving Sale”
There was a for sale sign in the yard of this brick bungalow hosting the sale. In the driveway and yard I found A Stevie Nicks T shirt, two oversized Chinese paper fans, a pile of cheap luggage, a dinette set and a blender. Books included works on art history and philosophy.
I bought a Braun coffee maker nearly identical to the malfunctioning one I have in my kitchen, for two dollars.
I also clocked my mileage this morning a found I had driven only 6.4 miles. That included the side trip I made to the Target and Kroger on Moreland .
There was a for sale sign in the yard of this brick bungalow hosting the sale. In the driveway and yard I found A Stevie Nicks T shirt, two oversized Chinese paper fans, a pile of cheap luggage, a dinette set and a blender. Books included works on art history and philosophy.
I bought a Braun coffee maker nearly identical to the malfunctioning one I have in my kitchen, for two dollars.
I also clocked my mileage this morning a found I had driven only 6.4 miles. That included the side trip I made to the Target and Kroger on Moreland .
Monday, September 12, 2005
On Hiatus....
I am on hiatus this week and next. This does not mean I am not going to yard sales, I am just not writing about them. If you are having a sale donate all your leftovers to one of the New Orleans relief efforts. If you’re thinking about having a sale, don’t. Instead give your stuff to a shelter. I’m taking next week off as well but plan to write about some of the links on this site next week.
A year in the Yards of Clutter.. Part II - My Purchases
In the past year I have recorded visits to 238 yard and estate sales. That number would be higher if I counted the few dozen I attended but did not document. In those 238 sales I purchased the items listed below. In my excursion thorough the yards of clutter I attempted to unveil the lives of individual through what they are ridding themselves of. Now as I examine what I have gleamed from these sales and brought into my home I can now look inward and examine my own life based on what I purchased.
Books
I bought more books than anything else. I’d like to think that I’m an avid reader but I often buy more than I have time to read. Here’s what I acquired in those 12 months.
“How to Speak Good English”- A small book that I purchased as a gag. The 1932 work is amusing at times. I don’t know where I put it.
"You are worthless... Depressing nuggets of wisdom sure to ruin your day." This parody of inspirational books scared Cindy and she told me she didn’t want to see it any more. She was afraid it would cause her self-esteem to disintegrate. I think I hid it in a closet.
“ Satan’s Little Instruction Book” This parody was not as amusing as it should have been. I think it’s still in the back seat of my car.
“Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable” - This is a work I added to my home reference shelf.
“Vern C. Gorst Pioneer and Grandad of United Airlines” I bought this for a dollar then sold it a few months later on Ebay for $26.00.
“Island of the Colorblind” I read this Oliver Sacks book this summer.
“A History of Reading” I started reading this work a few weeks ago but haven’t gotten into it.
“The Pillow Book” I purchased this book of Asian erotic art with the intent of reselling it. A lot of copies are up for sale on the Internet for around 10 dollars. I was hoping it could go for more.
“Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads” - I read this wordy work on the history of taxidermy and natural history museums this summer.
“Thou improper and thou uncommon noun” Another work I added to my reference collection. This work is on the etymology of words that were once names. It makes good casual reading.
“The Cat Horoscope Book” - I’m not sure when my cat’s were born so this work is not too useful. I’m not sure where I put it.
“Sex American Style” - This large illustrated paperback set on my coffee table for a few weeks. I read about half of it.
“Foucault’s Pendulum” This is a book I’ve been meaning to read for some time, but I haven’t started in yet.
“Modern Humor for Effective Speaking” The jokes are not that funny in this 1945 work. Here’s an example from the chapter entitled Fighting Forces- An enthusiastic young selectee was being given an intelligence test.
“What” asked the examiner “does R.F.D. stand for?”
The light of recognition shone in the lad’s eyes, and he answered proudly:
“Relano Fankin Doosevlet”
“The Panama Canal” - As a child of the Canal Zone I could not help but purchase (for one dollar) this 1913 work with a distressed cover. I considered selling some of the maps in it on Ebay. But did not want to cut up the work. I have perused a few sections of the book.
Clothing and Accessories
I always think I’ll end up with more clothing purchases from sales. But when I looked back I did not add a lot to my wardrobe other than sunglasses.
Ray Ban Wayfarers – I wear these all the time a great deal for $1.
A pair of Ray Bans - An even better deal for 25 cents
A pair of Ray Bans - I think I lost this pair. I haven’t seen them in a few months.
A pair of men’s shorts - I think I’ve been wearing these this summer. They were only $2
A long sleeve shirt - For a dollar I bought this shirt but I can’t recall what it looked like. I think it’s in my closet.
A suit – I paid ten dollars for this suit just a few weeks ago. I need to get the pants taken up. It’s on a hanger in my closet.
A pair of two-tone dress shoes - These look sharp and cost a dollar. I’ve worn them to work several times this school year.
Cufflinks shaped like Georgia – I think they’re in a drawer. I haven’t seen them in a while nor have I worn them.
Ultra suede sport coat - I paid $10 and have worn it many times to work. Aside from the Ray bans my most used clothing purchase.
Art supplies and materials
This year I had a photo exhibit, Cindy had a show in Florida and sold art at several neighborhood festivals and I put together a video studio for my students. Thus we were in the market for a lot of materials.
Two boxes of large format printer photo paper. – I ended up not using this paper for the prints for my show. The boxes are unopened.
2 video cables – I picked these up for a quarter and took them to school. I may have used them in the studio.
Roll of Wallpaper – I used this as a backdrop most of last year at school. I’ve replaced it with some photo backdrop paper I got on Craigslist.
I bought the following artwork for the frames, which I used for my Makeshift Memorials show.
A large etching of a cross-eyed woman.
A print of an iridescent jungle scene.
A print of a cheetah.
Two bird prints.
A print a cattleya sknneri from the New York Botanical Garden.
All the prints were tossed out when I placed my photos in them.
Two wooden frames without prints
A painting of a horse called Midnight - I gave this naïve pet painting to Claire Butler to add to her collections.
A piece of artist linoleum – I gave it to Cindy to create linoleum prints. I paid fifty cents for this the art supply stores want around $30 for the same sized piece. Her prints sold well at festivals.
A pair of easels - These are very lightweight wooden easels that can in handy to display art at festivals. I got both for four bucks.
Household and décor
Commemorative plate from Cristus Gardens in Gatlinburg – I have a few commemorative plates hanging in my kitchen. But I can’t remember if I kept this one or gave it to someone. It’s not in my kitchen.
Commemorative plate of the Edaville Railway – I also do not know what I did with this plate.
Two old Pyrex mixing bowls - These replaced bowls that were broken or lost. We use them on a regular basis.
Sword – Cindy told me she wanted a sword for a sculpture. She did not use this one. It’s now under my bed.
Food and Beverages
I low to see consumables at sales, I did not buy any food but I did buy wine.
Whole Foods brand French Merlot and a bottle of Fritz Haag Riesling – A good deal on wine the Merlot was OK, the Riesling was quite good.
Music
I find I am a very picky music buyer. I do not buy as much as I used to.
Link Wray and the Raymen/ Mr. Guitar/ Original Swan recordings – A double CD I thought I would listen to this more but I only played one disc once.
Autographed Lester Maddox Lp – This was a famous Lp that I could not resist when I saw it. I do not have a working turntable so I have not listened to it.
Bossa Sempre Nova – This collection commemorates 30 years of Bossa Nova. I’ve put it on once or twice.
Best of Clyde McPhatter CD – I like this recording and have played it at least six times.
Laura Pausini/ le cose che vivi – Italian pop singer, it doesn’t have a lot of substance. I’ve listened to it a few times expecting it to be better than it is.
El Raunch Oh! Grande../ Latin songs for gringos – Mae West, Artie Shaw, Marty Robbins and others. It’s dumb but fun. I’ve put it on many times.
Strictly Rhythm’s Latin Thang – Latin goes hip-hop a strange mix.
Clasicas de Colombia – Traditional music from Columbia. I listen to it sometimes when I fix breakfast on Sundays.
Ephemera
This is one of the few things I really enjoy collecting. But my collection is not a serious one.
Postcards – I bought a stack of 20 at one sale. They are now mixed in with the rest of my collection.
1966 Delta Airlines in-flight magazine – I though I might sell this on Ebay. I might get a higher price if Delta goes under.
“Avocado Bravo” – A booklet on cooking with avocados from the 1960’s. It’s filed with my other booklets.
“How to cook with Budweiser” – One of my favorite finds of the year. Now filed away in a safe place. But I do plan to use some of the recipes.
Piedmont Airlines bag – More airline memorabilia I hope to sell on Ebay. It took me four months before I remembered to get it out of my trunk.
“Moscow’s Master Plan” – Cold war propaganda. This large booklet is in a bookcase.
Canadian vacation scrapbook – I took a lot of stuff out of this and filed it in my collection. I have the plundered scrapbook in a closet.
3.5 by 2-inch picture of Cristobal in the Canal Zone – I don’t know the origin of this card, but for a quarter I could not let this Zonian item go. It’s in my files.
1968 copy of Atlanta Magazine – I bought this because it has Julian Bond in a fashion spread. I want to show it to friends but I don’t know where it is at the moment.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
A year in the yards of clutter and the driveways of divestment
One year ago this week I began keeping this on line journal of what I encountered in my weekly habitual visits to yard sales in Atlanta neighborhoods. Before I began writing I saw my activity as a waste up time, gas and effort. As stated in my heading I seldom buy any thing at these sales. This is not to say I am not entertained by my visitations to these sites of divestment. I have laughed, cried, shuddered, been appalled, insulted and amazed at the stuff I have seen. I have discovered secrets, viewed the debris of people’s passing passions and saw evidence of lives in transition. I examined the fragments of lives well lived and lives misdirected. Perhaps I have found all people have so many sales in their lives. I will even be so bold to say that men and women have seven sales in their lives.
The Seven Yard Sales of Man
The first is that of Youth. The ex-student thrust into the working world needing cash and selling their college textbooks and the meaningful music of their young days. Their yards are filled with trifles they once though important gag gifts and trendy clothing.
The Lovers combine their households and sell the redundant clutter. The inferior small appliances owned by the man, the Taiwanese hand tools of the woman. But the woman dominates the sale forcing the divestment of ugly artwork, men’s magazines and overtly masculine items of home décor.
The New Parents make space for the crying and wailing infant and rid their homes of all things unhealthy old and soiled. Space is needed and free time and leisure have vanished. Exercise equipment, dusty books are put up for sale. The initial materials of childcare and maternity are sold. Books on pregnancy, baby monitors, cribs and strollers litter the yard.
The Upwardly Mobile household moves to a grander habitation leaving behind the basic furnishing that speak of a lower station. Books on topics political, thick tomes from graduate studios and self help manuals that are no longer needed line the driveway.
The Family with children selling donuts and lemonade amid a wide yard of collected clutter. Tarps filled with plastic toys no longer needed, the broken action figure, the doll with missing shoes sit alongside the clothing of adults that are now too tight around the waist. All this mixed with the jetsam of hobbies forgotten, music no longer listened to and books unread.
The Empty Nest where the children have moved on and life is simplified. Cupboards are emptied of multitudes of small appliances. Electronics that old hands and minds could not seem to master, gag gifts given at milestone birthday parties are scattered about the porch mixed in with the clutter cleaned out of an old desk. Trophies of jobs no longer worked at and travels nearly forgotten are piled together and pillaged by rude early bird shoppers.
The Estate, the final sale where the owner is no more and the clutter is all that remains. The wake is held, the body interned and the sum total of what one man or one woman have accrued as they ventured through this mortal coil makes its final journey. It is watched over by professionals and picked at by scavengers. Some hope to profit and gain by their finds. But others may take one item home, place it on a mantle and admire it till it is forgotten and the cycle continues.
The Seven Yard Sales of Man
The first is that of Youth. The ex-student thrust into the working world needing cash and selling their college textbooks and the meaningful music of their young days. Their yards are filled with trifles they once though important gag gifts and trendy clothing.
The Lovers combine their households and sell the redundant clutter. The inferior small appliances owned by the man, the Taiwanese hand tools of the woman. But the woman dominates the sale forcing the divestment of ugly artwork, men’s magazines and overtly masculine items of home décor.
The New Parents make space for the crying and wailing infant and rid their homes of all things unhealthy old and soiled. Space is needed and free time and leisure have vanished. Exercise equipment, dusty books are put up for sale. The initial materials of childcare and maternity are sold. Books on pregnancy, baby monitors, cribs and strollers litter the yard.
The Upwardly Mobile household moves to a grander habitation leaving behind the basic furnishing that speak of a lower station. Books on topics political, thick tomes from graduate studios and self help manuals that are no longer needed line the driveway.
The Family with children selling donuts and lemonade amid a wide yard of collected clutter. Tarps filled with plastic toys no longer needed, the broken action figure, the doll with missing shoes sit alongside the clothing of adults that are now too tight around the waist. All this mixed with the jetsam of hobbies forgotten, music no longer listened to and books unread.
The Empty Nest where the children have moved on and life is simplified. Cupboards are emptied of multitudes of small appliances. Electronics that old hands and minds could not seem to master, gag gifts given at milestone birthday parties are scattered about the porch mixed in with the clutter cleaned out of an old desk. Trophies of jobs no longer worked at and travels nearly forgotten are piled together and pillaged by rude early bird shoppers.
The Estate, the final sale where the owner is no more and the clutter is all that remains. The wake is held, the body interned and the sum total of what one man or one woman have accrued as they ventured through this mortal coil makes its final journey. It is watched over by professionals and picked at by scavengers. Some hope to profit and gain by their finds. But others may take one item home, place it on a mantle and admire it till it is forgotten and the cycle continues.
Estates of living food critics and deceased Catholics - 8/27/05
Somehow knowing that I have completed one entire year of documenting what I have witnessed on Saturday mornings for the past 12 months, I went out today without any care of finding anything remarkable or about what I might encounter. But I did find two very different estate sales, one for a living restaurant critic the other for a non living Catholic.
S. Ponce de Leon – Druid Hills "Estate Sale"
I find I have a certain amount of hesitation when I go to the sale of someone I know. Especially when it is someone who knows that I will be exposing the contents of their sale to the world or at least any one in the world who chooses to view this site. While my intent is to conduct a social scientific examination of sales contents, I often feel I am offering a critique the event. The privacy invasion that I present is one that I feel I am welcome to. Since at one time I considered doing a web site that would reveal the contents of medicine cabinets I had examined at parties. While this seemed a novel with some social worth, more then likely I would just end up losing a lot of friends or never being invited to their homes for social events. This sale was in the home of a local restaurant critic who I often see at yard sales. An avid admirer of all things found at sales this seller was forced to move her massive collection of yard sale clutter to a new location due to the expansionist policies of Paidea School.
Ignoring her pleas not to reveal too much of her life through her divested clutter I went ahead as always to offer no bias or special treatment.
In the tri-level condo most of the major furniture and useful household objects had been removed leaving a wide selection of clutter accrued from yard sales as well as other more normal things simply no longer needed. I headed immediately to the kitchen in hopes of seeing what neglected foodstuffs were for sale. In the cabinet I found a container of sea salt, a jar of instant Café Bustello, a container of Shichimi red pepper mix, a half filled bottle of soy sauce, a jar of Parade peanut butter, plum paste, a bottle of clear Karo syrup and a variety of spices.
In the living room shelves, the floor and all available surfaces were covered with the flotsam and jetsam of countless yard sales. On shelf contained dollhouse bathroom fixtures. On a table was a copy of the Talmud in French and some Braniff Airlines playing cards. Nearby on the floor were an old pair of roller skates and a large plastic Gumby figure of undetermined use.
A large selection of books included many titles in French, as well as "Waste not Want not", "Joy of Motherhood" and "Girl and a Gun". Below the books were stacks of Atlanta Magazine and Gourmet. On one wall were two frames embroidered images of terriers. Two boxes of Lps yielded works by the Judds, Bronski Beat and Danny Kaye. A tower shelf of CDs held what seemed to be an entire collection of "Les Belles Chanson François" from the 1960’s to the 1990’s.
From the living room I headed down a narrow staircase to the basement. There I found more delightful confusion. On the floor were several posters for the Ottoman Empire a group fronted by a pizza magnate that featured the violin work of the late Daniel Pearl. Among the clutter on the lower level were several Barbie dolls and a Where’s Elvis jigsaw puzzle. Further back in the basement I found Pilates and Abs exercise VHS tapes, Halloween and Ester décor, cassettes of Balalaika music, a plastic talking parrot, a Paidea t-shirt, some large old bones, an old PC, a grass skirt and a lot of feathers.
From the basement I headed to the second level. There I found one room with the bulk of the advertised Elvis collection. Dominating the Elvis materials was a large statue of the King in Vegas attire with a missing arm. Near this Elvis de Milo was an Elvis entombed in a water filled bubble. Other objects of note in the Elvis room were a purple wig, some plush bears, a lava lamp and an old zip code directory. Another room upstairs featured a framed John Lennon poster on the wall, a guide toe] NYC restaurants and a hat that said ‘Change your attitude". The final room on that level was a bedroom with the bed still remaining. Piled next to the bed were stacks of Atlanta restaurant menus, the nighttime reading of a food critic. Propping open the bedroom door was a box containing some old road maps.
I considered buying the road maps but had no money on me so I bought nothing.
Virginia Ave. – Va. Highlands "Yard Sale"
This was a small sale in the driveway of an apartment building. There I found some Pottery Barn looking white cabinets, a dinette set, a ceramic snowman, a bread maker and some college finance textbooks.
I bought nothing.
Virginia Ave. _ Va. Highlands "Yard Sale"
A little further down Virginia I came across a slightly larger sale in the yard of a brick bungalow. On the ground was a framed and glass covered completed jigsaw puzzle of a violin near it was a painting with the image of a man that seemed to be fading into another dimension. Other clutter there included some kids books, a pile of cheap plastic luggage, two canes, a Donald Trump biography, the Internship Bible, a copy of the game Outburst Junior, a stack of old LBJ bumper stickers and a giant drinking goblet from Northwestern University.
I bought nothing.
This was a small sale in the driveway of an apartment building. There I found some Pottery Barn looking white cabinets, a dinette set, a ceramic snowman, a bread maker and some college finance textbooks.
I bought nothing.
Virginia Ave. _ Va. Highlands "Yard Sale"
A little further down Virginia I came across a slightly larger sale in the yard of a brick bungalow. On the ground was a framed and glass covered completed jigsaw puzzle of a violin near it was a painting with the image of a man that seemed to be fading into another dimension. Other clutter there included some kids books, a pile of cheap plastic luggage, two canes, a Donald Trump biography, the Internship Bible, a copy of the game Outburst Junior, a stack of old LBJ bumper stickers and a giant drinking goblet from Northwestern University.
I bought nothing.
Noble Ave. – Morningside "Estate Sale"
Roman Catholicism has always been a minority religion in the south. Even in a somewhat cosmopolitan city as Atlanta the icons and artifacts of Catholicism have always been looked on with wonder and bewilderment, as was some sort of hoodoo. While the influx of northerners and even the presence of a major BVM apparition site have toned down this attitude it continues to persist.
This was the estate of an erstwhile Catholic. The 805 ad mentioned many religious items but did not name the faith. I presumed the religion to be Catholicism since the only protestant religious items are plastic praying hands, bibles and plaques of the 10 Commandments. Judaism does have its implements but they are always referred to as Judiaca. Upon arriving at this two story colonial revival brick home a sign indicated that this was only phase one of the sale indicating that there was more clutter than the reselling pros could handle. I first headed to the second floor past a framed copy of the Nicene Creed and went into a small bedroom. There I found a box of old neck ties, some women’s clothing, boxes of Xmas tree balls, a small ceramic dog, a high quality nativity set, some swizzle sticks, boxes religious themed Christmas cards, rolls of gift wrap and a stethoscope. On the walls were a painting of a seated girl and another of a teddy bear. The other bedrooms were sealed off so I then headed back down stairs. Heading to the kitchen I passed a naïve-framed painting of the Virgin next to a votive candle. In the kitchen I found a small stash of old food for sale. Gathered in the cupboard were a bottle of vinegar, a jar or Ragu Rich and Meaty sauce, a few cans of soup and a jar of salad olives. Other clutter in the kitchen included a drawer filled with cutlery, a dust buster, an avocado green hand mixer and a sign the read "The diet stops here".
In what may have been the dining room I found a table with a selection of a half dozen crucifixes. One of the crosses was one of the popular (at least among Catholics) extreme Unction kits. The kits features a crucifix that slides off from its base to reveal a vial of anointing oil and a few other items so that the household will be last rites ready. Here the cross was opened reveling the vial, but it seems that the vial was not opened. So this kit like every other I have seen did not see action. Near the crucifixes was a bottle of Lourdes water. That appeared to have been opened since the bottle was only two thirds filled. Near the Lourdes water were two wall mountable holy water founts.
In the living room the estate sellers were watching over what they presumed were the more valuable goods arranged on a series of tables. Among the stuff found there were a trio of ceramic altar boys, a concrete yard statue of St. Francis, a small guitar, a hunting knife, a wooden figure of a monk sipping from a goblet, a large silver punch bowl, and a framed print of a young John Paul II. Some books there included "The Egg and I", "Gentleman’s Agreement" and a biography of Omar Bradley.
I bought nothing, but hope to return for phase two.
Cumberland Cir. Virginia Highlands "Yard Sale"
Not far from the Catholic estate were two small uneventful sales next to one another. Here I found two old trunks, a large ceramic cat, some women’s clothes, a broken wicker chair, some cheap cameras, baby shoes and another of those unused picnic sets.
I bought nothing.
Cumberland Rd. – Virginia Highlands "Yard Sale"
This sale was in the yard of a brick bungalow it was presided over by a young couple and their child. There I found some women’s clothes, a talking Mr. Wonderful doll, some cheerleading trophies, several shirts from Delta Technologies, a spice rack still containing spices and Cartoon Network party lights. Reading matter included books on Pascal and other old computer languages, some college textbooks, and a copy of "Beginning Your Marriage".
I bought nothing.
McLendon Ave. - Lake Claire "Yard Sale"
This sale was inside the fenced in yard of a small house not far from my home. The sale feature a number of books on spiritual topics including ‘Malcolm Boyd- Gay Priest", several titles by Martin Buber and "Latin for Idiots". Also found there were a pack of "Women of the Old Testament Cards", a Sony cassette deck and VCR.
I bought nothing.
Not far from the Catholic estate were two small uneventful sales next to one another. Here I found two old trunks, a large ceramic cat, some women’s clothes, a broken wicker chair, some cheap cameras, baby shoes and another of those unused picnic sets.
I bought nothing.
Cumberland Rd. – Virginia Highlands "Yard Sale"
This sale was in the yard of a brick bungalow it was presided over by a young couple and their child. There I found some women’s clothes, a talking Mr. Wonderful doll, some cheerleading trophies, several shirts from Delta Technologies, a spice rack still containing spices and Cartoon Network party lights. Reading matter included books on Pascal and other old computer languages, some college textbooks, and a copy of "Beginning Your Marriage".
I bought nothing.
McLendon Ave. - Lake Claire "Yard Sale"
This sale was inside the fenced in yard of a small house not far from my home. The sale feature a number of books on spiritual topics including ‘Malcolm Boyd- Gay Priest", several titles by Martin Buber and "Latin for Idiots". Also found there were a pack of "Women of the Old Testament Cards", a Sony cassette deck and VCR.
I bought nothing.
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