Mounted Goose nesting near firearms 

Men of wealth have two of everything. 

The upstairs rooms reveled more. Here the multitude of plush continued. In a bedroom/office upon a large computer desk was a collection of bobbing and non-bobbing head sports figurines as well as sports oriented Xmas figures. On the floor were several skateboards, an electric golf putting game and a large framed photo of players in Superbowl XX. Some books found in the bedroom included the titles ‘Listening to Love”, “Couplehood” and “The Book of Success”. The twp large bathrooms had their share of plush as well. In one near a stack of thick cotton towels were two bears and a figurine of a demon riding a motorcycle. Off of the master bedroom was a sitting room with a wide window that looked out over the rooftops of the other homes in the development and the midtown skyline. Hanging on the wall was a framed photograph of the Atlanta skyline. In the bedroom closet was a fair amount of highly priced men’s business and casual attire.

The lower level had the most interesting clutter. When I descended the stairs I overheard a man saying “I hope when I die a lot of people I don’t like go poking thought all my stuff”. Here in the basement was more plush and a large selection of holiday décor. Most of it was for Xmas including a pair of snow people labeled snowbirds, a snowman playing a piano and two large metallic reindeer with candelabra on their antlers. On the floor in that room was an unopened box of a kit for making prints of your pet dog’s feet. Another room had a selection of garish Halloween décor featuring smiling plastic jack-o-lanterns and a stunned looking five-foot scarecrow. There was a selection of sports and recreation goods found in the basement including skis, roller blades, ice skates, golf clubs and a bowling ball. On the floor of one room were two boxes of college economics textbooks with a handsaw painted with a pastoral scene resting on top. Nearby was a box of Lps by artist such as Gino Vanelli, Taylor Dayne, Queen and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A door in the basement led to a garage that contained a treadmill, a pair of Realistic speakers, more boxes of golf balls, several bathroom light fixtures in their original boxes, a shop vac, a wooden cutout of one of the Snow White drawfs and a variety of garden chemicals.I bought the realistic speakers for ten dollars.

Strange figure found in basement.



















Pawprint capturing kit.

















Dwarf found in garage.

March 12, 2006

Josephine St. - Cander Park “Yard Sale”

I notice this sale after dropping Cindy off for her monthly poker game. I had failed to bring my notebook and failed to take a proper accounting of all that was there. Josephine is a very narrow street and the front yards are quite small. This front yard and the adjoining porch were filled with books, clothing, video tapes and other stuff. In the boxes of tapes were several martial arts instructional video. The books contained all sorts of financial and spiritual guides including “25 Steps to power and mastery over people”, “How to Stay alive in the woods”, “The Purpose driven life”, “God’s plan for your finances” as well as “The concealed handgun manual”.
Among the martial arts video works was “Nine section Whip chain”. On the porch were over a half dozen computers that the seller doubted he would sell.
I bought several books and videos and a kit called yoga in a box.

3/11/06 Bells, pancakes and backyard wonderlands

My front yard is covered with a thick layer of pink petals from our tulip magnolia. This sign of an early spring is proclaims that the yard sale season has opened. But Cindy first insists I eradicate the petal deluge with a heavy-duty, backpack style leaf blower she has borrowed from a neighbor. After my noise making petal removal I head out for what appears to be the opening weekend of the yard sale season.

Oakdale Ave. - Candler Park “Yard Sale”

My first stop was at a modest sale in the yard of a brick bungalow next to an empty lot that would soon be filled with some large infill monstrosity. There was not much stuff here but near the front door of the house was a wooden rack holding a series of bells the seller had forged from old fire extinguishers. In addition to the recycled bells the yard held a selection of old computer gear, a few boxes of old bicycle parts, a large dog cage, some diving fins and masks and a selection of yard tools. Among the yard tools was one of those backpack leaf blowers that I had used this morning.
I bought nothing.

Estoria Ave. - Cabbagetown “Big Ass Sale”

In the AJC this was advertised as a multi family yard sale. But when I arrived a yard sign proclaimed this event as the Big Ass Sale. The sale was big, occupying the grounds of a large corner grass covered lot. The first thing I came upon when I approached the event was a kayak perched upon the top of an ionic column. In the yard a number of tables were spread out containing all sorts of clutter. One contained numerous lamps including one that appeared to resemble a teepee. The seller explained that it wasn’t a lamp but just something that resembled a lamp that he used to cover toilet paper rolls in his bathroom. As I strolled about I came across a two foot tall faux wood plastic nativity scene, a downspout with a dragon’s head, a 10 gallon plastic tub of pencils and two bas reliefs, one representing providence the other liberty. Poking around I discovered a large plastic container of fireworks. When the seller noticed me examining it he quickly placed the cover on the container and pushed it under a table. Were the incendiaries not for sale and being saved for a colorful display at sales end? Useful devices found here included a karaoke machine, a microwave egg cooker, a box of kitchen utensils and a parrot cage still in its original carton. A one table a woman presided over a collection of some very new looking large plastic toys. Another table included about a dozen Kiss and Ozzy Ozborne Lps resting next to a sign for Spam. Outside the fence that surrounded the sale were band saws, table saws and other large tools.I bought two folding chairs to use at Cindy’s booth at the

Kiss and Spam together.











Kayak on a pedestal.













Tub of pencils.

Woodland Ave. Ormewood Park “Yard Sale”

This sale was a benefit for a pottery collective in Cabbagetown. One of the benefits of this sale was that they offered a pancake breakfast for only three dollars. After breakfast I perused the contents of this sale in the front yard of a creaftsman bungalow. Among the stuff there were several telephones, an old framed photo of a woman in a corset playing pool, a figurine of a pig in a bikini, a pair of saddle shoes and some ski clothes. One table had a number of Xmas décor items including some building from a miniature village. The village buildings included a coffee shop, a barn and a gristmill. Some media included an audio book of Clan of the Cave Bear, A Costa Rica travel guide and the “Natural Foods Cookbook”. On the other side of the yard a seller was extolling the virtues of a Pioneer stereo system while he blared led Zeppelin through a pair of headphones.
I bought breakfast.





Vintage photo of woman playing pool.
















Pig in a bikini.

Gilbert St. - Ormewood Park “Yard Sale”

This was a small sale on the front porch of a frame bungalow. Here a woman watched over a box of books with a copy of “ Everything I learned in life I learned from Star Trek”, a coffeemaker, some clothing, some mattes for prints, a Yatzee game, a few plates, a purse shaped like a dog and a wooden salad bowl.
I bought the purse shaped like a dog.

Rosedale Rd. - Grant Park “Yard Sale”

This was yet another fine sale by a master accumulator who a reseller would say never throws anything away. In this case the home looks like the owner never failed to pick anything interesting he found in the street and took it home.
The front yard of the home was somewhat orderly with rugs thrown over chairs and other furniture. But the drive way led shoppers towards the realm of chaos in the back yard. Here it was more folk art environment than yard sale. It was difficult to tell where the seller’s normal backyard décor ended and the sale began. This was especially true in the garden (if one could call such a place a garden) area where old bottles, dolls, strange ceramics, furniture and some greenery were mixed together in an astounding display. An old shed dominated the back yard but it was so full of excessive clutter it was difficult to even tell where the building and its contents began or ended. Among some of the many wonders found there were large tiki faces, insane happy looking Easter figurines, a pear headed figure wearing a sailors outfit, a large pink crane arrayed with Xmas lights, a large plaster headless ballerina, strange nude paintings. There were countless heads and masks, piles of mugs, mismatched plates, disjointed chandeliers, broken appliances and heaps pf large plastic toys. As I wondered about the seller told me that I should could comeback sometime and spend more time with him and his clutter.

The happy faces of Easter.














Nude with dark hands.



















Naval pear.














Large bird among the clutter.













Face found in garden of wonders.

One my way out I spoke with a younger man who was helping with the sale regarding the presence of a sign Nazi in Grant Park. It seems like this deranged soul was tearing down all the sale sign then throwing them into the yards of the sellers. Why are there haters of yard sales? Do these deranged individual fail to see the beauty of such sales and the beauty of the signs?
I bought an inflatable dog.

Why must urban artwork fall prey to the sign haters?

Starwood Dr.- Kirkwood “Yard Sale”

This Craigslist advertised sale was one of the most difficult to find for a nearby sale. It was the wrong way down a one-way street. When I got there two women were watching over a moderate amount of stuff in the front yard of their frame bungalow. Among the stuff there was women’s clothing, a large massager, two shower massagers, a snow globe from the movie Fargo, a yoga mat, a red plush monkey, a commercial coffee maker, a hammock and two large plastic bins filled with bottles of creams and cosmetic lotions. The sellers told me not to take a picture of the tub of lotions. I did take a photo of the large painting they had of a cat.
I bought the snow globe.

Nelms Ave.- Lake Claire “Yard Sale”

The poster for this sale said you could get a free lobotomy with the coupon. I did not see a coupon. There was not a lot of stuff in front of this small frame house when I arrived around noon. Among the stuff remaining was an electric eraser, a coffee maker, a small TV, a food processor and several African masks. There were also several original artworks of disturbed looking people created by the seller.
I bought nothing.

March 10, 2006

N. Decatur Rd. – Druid Hills “Estate Sale”

The ad for this sale made reference to a nonagenarian who never threw anything away. While this peaked my attention and caused me to head directly to this address as soon as I left work on Friday, the clutter laden home was filled but the owner had thrown some things away. True trash houses where nothing is thrown out are far worse then what was here. True trash residences are far too unsanitary and dangerous to hold any sort of sale in. Most of the time they are cordoned off with police tape while the authorities remove animal carcasses, disassembled automobiles, empty cat food cans and things best left alone.
When I arrived at this brick Tudor home, it was evident that earlier buyers had already removed so much clutter that there were only a few reminders of the never throwing anything away claim. Overall I would say I’ve lived in worst places. A few touches of eccentricity such as one bathtub filled with women’s shoes and another tub packed with ballroom dancing trophies did speak of an over accumulated life but most of all the home just bore evidence of a woman in her 90’s who just wasn’t taking care of the place and liked to keep things.

Upon entering the living room I found the estate sellers set up near tables covered with all manner of animal figurines. On the floor was a magnum bottle of champagne wearing a hand knitted cover. More ceramic animals were also found in the dinning room. On the table was as a vintage devil costume with a hand made miniature pitchfork hewn from small tree limbs. A box containing biblical paper dolls spilled out onto the same table. Art found in the same room included a montage made from a wire basket with dried flowers and shells and a print of a tiger. Some lps and 45s were stacked on the floor and the table. The singles included original works by Chuck Berry and Dion as well as Eps of covers of hits from the 1950s. The lp collection was more eclectic with albums by artist ranging from Yes to Boots Randolph.
As I made my way to the rear of the home I peeked into the bathroom with the tub filled with women’s shoes. The room was in much disordered as a pile of linens and cloth items of unknown origin were piled up around the toilet. A door torn from its hinges leaned against the wall.
The kitchen was filled with the usual old cooking fodder. Piles of cookbooks were stacked on shelves. Loose recipes were scatted about the cabinets. I found one vintage recipe for salmon roll.

Bottle with hand knitted cover.



















Bath tub filled with shoes.


















Bath tub filled with dancing trophies.

The main bedroom had a large organ, a bed covered in clothing and shelves overflowing with books. Many of the books were mysteries and westerns among the titles I saw were “Vengence Valley”, “Murdock’s Acid Test”, “Murder By Contract”, "The Right Murder", “The Legal Problem Solver”, “Many a Monster” and “Trial by Gunsmoke”. Near the organ was some sheet music, one was entitled “101 easy ways to play unforgettable hits”. Some artwork in the room included a paintings of a girl with a chipmunk, a vintage car driving in the snow and a alpine mountain scene. The rear bedroom was filled with clothing. The beds were buried beneath a layer of cloth and Halloween masked were placed on the bed post.

Reading mater from bedroom.



















Disheveled bed with mask.













Mountain scene.

A narrow spiral staircase marked with a sign telling visitors to be careful while using them, led to a single room on the second. Here I found a pile of Xmas décor, a plaque with a varnished crab on it, more books and women’s clothing. In a closet were stacks of old jigsaw puzzles and games. Among the games was “Big Business”.

A game for coporate America.











Mounted varnished crustation.

The stairs also led to a large dark and gloomy basement. There I found the standard thing all nonagenarians accumulate – old ball jars. In the gloom I also found a strange looking mug with a man’s face on it, a wooden machete from Puerto Rico, a goblet with a home made Santa Claus head, a wagon made from a case of Coca Cola and a large bed frame.
Since it was late when I arrived here I did not have enough time to fully examine all the contents of this mother lode.
I collected some needed items for my artwork including the crab and some dance trophies and paid. I had intended to return the next day. But other accumulations were waiting to be perused.

Santa head on a goblet.














Wooden machete from Puerto Rico.













The ever present Ball jars.

March 5, 2006

Leonardo Ave. - Lake Claire “Moving Sale”

I happened by a sign for this sale near my home while out bicycling on this springlike Sunday morning. The sale was inside a nearly over restored brick bungalow that had recently been sold. Inside there was not a lot left when I arrived. Just a few things were remaining in each room of the home. In the living room was a sofa, a curio cabinet, a large wooden carving of an angel, a paper cutter and a computer power supply. In the kitchen and dining room were swim fins, a mixer, some mugs, a microwave oven. All that was in one small room in the rear was a computer desk a mirror and an oversized chair. Out back for sale was a wheelbarrow and some garden tools. I do not know if the owner was selling the four large koi that swam about a pond in an attractive rock garden. Inside a narrow staircase led to an empty wood paneled attic the only thing found there was a painting of a man with a dog.
I bought nothing.

March 4, 2006

Hampton Terrace – Lake Claire “Yard Sale”

This morning I went to the school system’s reading bowl were my students excelled in their literary knowledge. On my way home I stopped at this sale in my neighborhood. In the yard of a large duplex a woman watched over the odd and sparse remains of her sale. A large table sturdily constructed of plywood and cinderblock was covered in popular fiction and non fiction from the past ten years. Among the titles were works on the Clinton years and a selection of mysteries. Another less sturdy table contained some ugly creations someone had brought home from one of those paint your own ceramics bars. I also encountered old electronics, an ugly souvenir hat from Acapulco, a package of sock savers, a Part O’Brian hurricane glass (how ironic that one of the trademark drinks of New Orleans is the hurricane) and some Halloween costume knives and hatchets.
I bought an armload of assorted low priced clutter to use for my show at the Contemporary.

Hand painted creation from ceramics bar.













Well built yard sale construction.

March 3, 2006

Tupelo Dr. - East Lake “Moving Sale”

Knowing I would miss most of the sales on Saturday morning I headed after work to this sale I found in the AJC.
There was not much left in the yard and Porch when I arrived at this small frame bungalow on a quiet street in East Lake. On the grass in front of the home were a few small rugs, some assorted patio furniture, glassware and some kitchen items. On the porch were a few piles of hardback popular novels, a pair of binoculars, a big plush spider, an old photo album some linens and an ET figure.
I bought the photo album.

March 2, 2006

Scene from a shed full of wonders.

Livingston Dr. Avondale Estates “ Estate Sale”

This was the third phase of an estate sale I covered in this journal last month. I had missed the second phase held in this small clutter infused bungalow two weeks ago. When I spoke with one of the resellers about phase two I was saddened to find that I had missed what paper collectors had said was one of the best divestments of ephemera they had seen in Atlanta for many years. This phase featured the opening of the shed/workshop behind the home. The shed was nearly the same size as the house. Before I headed to that building I examined some of the multitude of books that covered the walls of one of the bedrooms. Most of the books were political tomes with an emphasis on the Kennedy dynasty. Mixed among the camelotelia were cookbooks, works on religion, dog breeds and military history.

Most of the stuff in the other rooms I had seen on my first visit. I did notice that the Indian figure constructed from yard was no longer wrapped in clear plastic. One new item I found in the bedroom was a plaster school science project depicting the human nasal passage. Much of the homespun Xmas stuff such as Styrofoam snowmen I had seen before was still for sale. Dozens of commemorative plates still hung unsold in the dinning room along with a large framed photograph on an outhouse. On a table in the same room was a structure made of wooden dowels labeled with life’s milestones such as marriage and baptism. In the kitchen a lot of the unopened old cans of beer were no longer on display.

Nasal passages in plaster.



















The dowels of ones life.















Outhouse photo.

















Yarn Indian revealed.

The shed/workshop was a wonder. At the entrance was a old for sale sign with two wooden reindeer standing behind it. Inside the entire raw wooden structure was covered with tools, hardware, signs, cans, bottles and something I’ve never encountered before. The later being a small working model of a gallows. Upon examination it appeared to have been constructed as a student project at Avondale High School in some earlier era. The model featured a noose that could be tightened and a trap door the swung open with the pull of a lever. Every surface in the shed was covered in some form of debris. A multitude of jars and plastic bags contained an endless assortment of nail, screws, clips nuts, bolts and assorted hardware. Along one wall were several oxygen tanks, road signs hung from the beams. Cans and bottles of long forgotten soft drinks were fitted into nooks and open spaces. A container of rat killer rested near a large cup of Coca-cola. All manner of hand tools lay piled about. A crude model of a lighthouse sat amid several power drills. Old coverless copies of Popular Mechanics sat bound together with twine. A box of spent 38 caliber bullets was on a shelf next to a prybar. It was a remarkable wonderland.
I bought some books to use in my installation.

Rat Poison and soft drink.



















Sign at entrance to the shed.















Working model of gallows amid the clutter.













Bullets and prybar.