Wicker chicken in a basket
Rock shaped candle
Array of snow globes
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Vanoy St. - Edgewood “Yard Sale and Fundraiser”This relatively small sale in the driveway of a small house in Edgewood was helping to pay for the medical bills and a prosthetic of a woman who was involved in an auto mishap in front of the Decatur YMCA. Strangely I was at the YMCA the day of the accident. Among the stuff there was some stereo components, several shower heads, a large massaging apparatus, a an elaborate wooden box holding a fancy set of metal chopsticks, a clock with images of sushi, a go game, Reminising- the game for people over 30, A boxed set of video tapes entitled “Yes you can make your dreams real”, a fancy Metallica box set of cd’s and a Ouiji board. In a box of books I found a bible, a home brewing guide, “Work Like Your Dog”, “Resume Kit”, “Confessions of a Shopaholic” and “Sexual Magic”
I bought the last book I mentioned.
Miller Ave. - Candler Park “Sale for Winky”
This was yet another fundraiser. It was much larger than the prior sale but this event was for a cat that had been attacked by a dog. It seems that poor Winky, an indoor cat climbed through a hole in the screen porch and fell victim to a wondering stray dog. The attack resulted in high vet bills. No less then three adjoining homes were involved in helping speed Winky’s recovery. The sale was also highly organized as with flyers distributed around the neighborhood and t-shirts printed for the event. Ironically on the morning of the sale finding a parking space on Miller Dr. was nearly impossible since there was this conflicting dog parade event in nearby Candler Park that attracted hundreds of dogs and their owners. I do not know if Winky’s attacker was marching in the parade. Among the clutter assembled before the three homes was a new looking tire, a waffle maker, several smoke detectors, a framed poster of a bottle of wine, a model semi truck, a filing cabinet, a bean bag rocking chair (the concept is almost unthinkable), a weight bench, a chair with three identical clocks resting on it, a bin full of toys and an unopened copy of “The Men are from Mars Women are from Venus Game”
Other things scattered about included a picture disc player (a truly outmoded tech item) some decorative balls covered in feathers and a model of some third world hut.
Among the books I found “The Kosher Creole Cookbook”, a book on Hurricane Katrina, “Taxi Driver Wisdom”, “The Love Songs of Sappho”, “Scavengers in Space” and “The Case of the Lonely Heiress”.
This was yet another fundraiser. It was much larger than the prior sale but this event was for a cat that had been attacked by a dog. It seems that poor Winky, an indoor cat climbed through a hole in the screen porch and fell victim to a wondering stray dog. The attack resulted in high vet bills. No less then three adjoining homes were involved in helping speed Winky’s recovery. The sale was also highly organized as with flyers distributed around the neighborhood and t-shirts printed for the event. Ironically on the morning of the sale finding a parking space on Miller Dr. was nearly impossible since there was this conflicting dog parade event in nearby Candler Park that attracted hundreds of dogs and their owners. I do not know if Winky’s attacker was marching in the parade. Among the clutter assembled before the three homes was a new looking tire, a waffle maker, several smoke detectors, a framed poster of a bottle of wine, a model semi truck, a filing cabinet, a bean bag rocking chair (the concept is almost unthinkable), a weight bench, a chair with three identical clocks resting on it, a bin full of toys and an unopened copy of “The Men are from Mars Women are from Venus Game”
Other things scattered about included a picture disc player (a truly outmoded tech item) some decorative balls covered in feathers and a model of some third world hut.
Among the books I found “The Kosher Creole Cookbook”, a book on Hurricane Katrina, “Taxi Driver Wisdom”, “The Love Songs of Sappho”, “Scavengers in Space” and “The Case of the Lonely Heiress”.
On and near the front porch were a number of artworks including a painting of a boy with clenched fist, a painting of a gnome and an R. Land designed vomit bag. Also visible on the porch was the hole in the screen the Winky jumped thought that led to her fateful encounter with a canine.I bought the book of taxi driver wisdom
East Lake Dr. - Druid Hills “Moving Sale”
There was not a lot of interesting stuff in front of this brick home. The house was scheduled for a major renovation that must have included installing central air since four windows AC units and two windows fans were arrayed near the driveway. Other stuff included a lot of graphic arts manuals and a supply of fancy paper, a large TV with a guide book for TV repair resting on top of it, an unassembled Ikea product of unknown use, a plastic squid, a large selection of large plastic toys and a stack of boxes of tea.
I bought some of the fancy paper to use at work.
There was not a lot of interesting stuff in front of this brick home. The house was scheduled for a major renovation that must have included installing central air since four windows AC units and two windows fans were arrayed near the driveway. Other stuff included a lot of graphic arts manuals and a supply of fancy paper, a large TV with a guide book for TV repair resting on top of it, an unassembled Ikea product of unknown use, a plastic squid, a large selection of large plastic toys and a stack of boxes of tea.
I bought some of the fancy paper to use at work.
Highland View – Va. Highlands “Street Sale”
It’s getting to that point in the season when neighbors are getting together to have joint street sales. The first house on the block was a moving sale while four others were homeowners that simply wanted to clean out their residences of excess junk. The moving locale had a pod parked in their driveway with a gigantic Xmas wreath leaning against it. Other things in this yard included an elaborate coffee maker, a Zen garden kit, glassware, exercise gear, and a set of golf clubs. Some books there were “Get out of My Life”, “Stranger in the House”, ‘”Slave to fashion”, “Confessions of a Shopaholic” and “the Ultimate Bruce Springsteen Quiz Book”.
It’s getting to that point in the season when neighbors are getting together to have joint street sales. The first house on the block was a moving sale while four others were homeowners that simply wanted to clean out their residences of excess junk. The moving locale had a pod parked in their driveway with a gigantic Xmas wreath leaning against it. Other things in this yard included an elaborate coffee maker, a Zen garden kit, glassware, exercise gear, and a set of golf clubs. Some books there were “Get out of My Life”, “Stranger in the House”, ‘”Slave to fashion”, “Confessions of a Shopaholic” and “the Ultimate Bruce Springsteen Quiz Book”.
The other homes featured a wide selection of clutter. One yard had a large collection of cow figurines. One notable figurine was a Xmas cow in an outhouse. Other stuff in the yard included a bulldog mask, a rug shaped like a duck, two bronze jack-o-lanterns, and a gallon bottle of glue. There were several noted original pieces of art including one large abstract signed by Fancu. At another sale across the street a British gentleman watched over a large pile of toys that included a realistic looking toy Dirt Devil.
I bought the bulldog mask. The woman who was moving gave me a large pilates exercise machine for free. She said she could no longer use it because of a back injury.
I bought the bulldog mask. The woman who was moving gave me a large pilates exercise machine for free. She said she could no longer use it because of a back injury.
Clement Ave. -Virginia Highlands “Yard Sale”This final sale was up a long driveway and outside the rear garage of a large brick home. Most of the stuff there was dirty and looked as thought it had been in the garage many years. Among the stuff there were some popular novels, a can of multi color hair spray and the wing of some large unknown bird in a plastic bag.
I bought the wing for 25 cents.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Sunday 4/9/06
Saturday was a blowout. There were tornadoes late Friday night and all yard sale signs were stripped from their post. When I drove around on Saturday morning I could not find one sale. Sunday saw great weather so I got on my bicycle for a ride over to Midtown in hopes that some of the cancelled sales being held near the Dogwood festival would be happening.
5th Street - Midtown “Yard Sale”
After a long bike ride that took me from Edgewood to Grant Park and Up to the Tech campus I headed through Midtown hoping that some of yesterdays canceled sales might be happening today. This sale was in the front yard and side driveway of a home that was broken up into several apartments. The seller told me she had just come back from living in Hawaii and was clearing some clutter out of this building. The iron fence in front was covered in Mardi Gras beads, and a sled was hanging from the fence near the stairs. In the front yard was a tub full of bottled water in hope of sales to Dogwood festival goers, another tub filled with plush animals and a third with spools of ribbon. Two tables in the front yard held some candles a coffee maker, some glassware and a hair curler. There was a lot more stuff around the side but most appeared to have that look of junk that was stored in a basement for too many years. Here I found some clothing, a few CD, a pair of walkie-talkies and some luggage.
I bought a bottle of water.
7th St. - Midtown "Yard Sale"
This sale was a bit smaller than the prior one but the stuff appeared to be a lot newer. Piled up in a driveway I found a box of books one of which was “Beer Drinking Games” a large framed print of Munch’s “The Scream” and an original oil painting of w woman in a leotard. Three celebrity dolls still in their boxes included an Aaron Carter, a Beyonce and a James Dean. The Dean was selling for $10 while the newer celebs were just $2 each. There was a rack of men’s shirts, some computer games, a voodoo kit and a plastic Jesus. Leaning against a fence was a large golden paper mache’ xmas nutcracker figure.
Highland Ave. - Inman Park “Moving Sale”
This was the largest sale of the three sales and had stuff inside and outside this small home on Highland. In the frnt yard two women watched over a large collection of plastic toys and children’s clothing. Among the toys was a large yellow plastic car racing set with a figure eight track. Near it was a set of toy drums with a flame motif and a pile of plush toys topped with a Twinky Winky, the noted Teletubby with questionable gender issues. Also outside was a large box filled with jars of silkscreen ink and two stacks of faux plaster books that may have once held up a coffee table.
Inside the house was a mess with lots of art, art supplies clothing and a sink with dirty dishes. A small bookshelf housed “What to expect in the Toddler years”, “Witchcraft in Europe”, “Creativity”, “Baby Let’s Eat” and “The Penny Whistle Party Planner”. In front of the bookshelf was a pair of small gel plastic jellyfish. Above the shelf was a lamp with a fake fur shade and a bongo drum. In the back rooms of the shotgun home was a closet full of clothing including a USPS mail carrier’s shirt. A wide selection of painting and artwork hung about the rooms including a magic eye print, a oversized abstract and a painting of a clown.
I bought nothing.
Friday 4/7/06
Mt. Royal Dr. “Estate Sale”
I went here to meet the photographer from the AJC who was taking my picture for a feature story on yard sales that’s coming out later this week. After capturing me in various poses examining selected items, I began my inspection of the assorted clutter. The driveway of this small ranch house off Briarcliff Rd was dominated by a large gray sectional sofa. Behind it was a disassembled ceiling fan placed on a chair. Two large wing chairs also occupied space in the driveway. Also outside was a Sony amplifier and a large curved brush that the seller said was for use in the shower.
Inside the sellers were set up in the living room. That area contained mostly a vast selection of popular hardcover novels by writers such as Steele, McBain and Crichton.
In the dining room was a full set of china, some candles, an old Yashica camera, a Decatur Federal Ashtray and a poster of Ellis Island. On the wall was a remarkable large portrait of a lady in a resplendent dress holding a camellia. In the window of the same room was a old bottle containing a clear liquid labeled “Pain Oil”
In onw bedroom was a cookie jar in the shape of an obese policeman , a tea set with images of German cities, a Singer sewing machine and two overly happy ceramic Easter bunnies.
There was a partial basement below the home that held a variety of clutter. There I found some broken Hummel figurines, a piece of wood labeled “From the Yew tree at Stokes Poge Church, a cypress knee, some mugs, a ceramic horse and some Halloween décor. Some music features lps by Rita Coolidge and Diana Ross while one cassette simply bore the hand written label “Jimmy’s Demo”. Several others cassettes were labeled “feel good rock”. Also in the basement was a radio shaped like a world globe with rusty battery contacts.
I bought nothing.
Barnsley Gardens- Where Preston shot Harry
I had planned to take Cindy to Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile over Spring break but she had a show at GSU and I needed to get my photo taken for an AJC story so we stayed in town. On Thursday we did get a chance to take a day trip to the much closer Barnsley Gardens near Adairsville. Barnsley is a resort/corporate retreat built on the grounds of an old plantation that had fallen on hard times. Upon our arrival I found the rows of overly neat faux Victorian cottages and the empty crouquet courts reminded me of the village in the TV series The Prisioner. I had vision of visiting corporate execs being chased by large balloons when they wandered too near the edge of this placid settlement. The gardens themselves around the ruins of the original plantation house were well kept but not as extensive as I had hoped. But Barnsley was sadly lacking in the principal feature that had drawn me towards Bellingrath- young ladies clad in antebellum dresses waving at visitors to the lush gardens. But the Barnsley’s museum housed in the home that replaced the ruined mansion did yield some interesting history. The centerpiece of the historical display was the ancient blood stain on the floor where one Barnsley scion had shot his brother. It seems that in the 1920’s brother Preston a prize fighter with the moniker K.O. Dugan was arguing with his brother Harry over a mule (a common argument in the south at the time). The disagreement escalated and K.O. pull out a revolver and did in Harry. There was no information on what happened to the mule but the blood stain remains on the pine floor and a poorly aimed bullet remains lodged in a door.
Adairsville a short distance away is a pleasant albeit unremarkable burg. A line of storefronts facing the railroad tracks houses the usual collection of antique stores and small restaurants found in nearly every small downtown these days. The one remarkable business at the end of the block was Ed’s Karaoke, not a bar with a karaoke but just a little family singing joint. I did notice by way of a sign posted on the door of city hall that this municipality did still have the good sense to observe religious holidays in these humanist times. The sign proclaimed that the city of Adairsville would be closed on Good Friday.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
4/1/06
Yesterday I had noticed lots of signs and ads for sales in my neighborhood but was afraid I would not be able to visit them all since I planned to march in the peace demonstration that started at noon. But in the morning there was a steady rain and most of the sales were cancelled anyway. But a few sellers persisted and the skies cleared in time for the march.Arizona Ave. – Lake Claire “Inside the House Yard Sale”
There was a large wooden cut out of a clown welcoming shoppers to this event in this frame bungalow near the land trust. When I arrived there was a sign taped to the front door saying “went for coffee be back in 10 minutes”. I perused some of the clothing and toys on the front porch while I waited for the sellers return. Among the stuff out front was a women’s bike and a pair of kids moon shoes. When the seller returned with coffee in hand I entered the house. Inside were three rooms where the divestments were on display. On top of a book shelf near the door was a very large plush wolf. On the bookcase I found a copy of Don Quixote and a Hawaiian language guide. Near the books was a carton on plaster of Paris. On another bookcase were three bike helmets, a full set of the Left Behind books and a few bottles of massage oil. In another room I found a box Digest-tible Tea and a set of dice with words that said “I – need – some – fun – for - myself” and a lamp shaped like a cartoon frog’s head. Other stuff included a pack of tiny Tarot cards, some unopened rolls of gift-wrap and a few umbrellas.
In a room off to the side I found two copies of the book “The Right Way of Living”, The Worst Case Scenario game, several backscratchers, a can of foot powder and a bottle of Nair.
I bought the moon shoes.
Arizona Ave. – Lake Claire “Inside the House Yard Sale”
There was a large wooden cut out of a clown welcoming shoppers to this event in this frame bungalow near the land trust. When I arrived there was a sign taped to the front door saying “went for coffee be back in 10 minutes”. I perused some of the clothing and toys on the front porch while I waited for the sellers return. Among the stuff out front was a women’s bike and a pair of kids moon shoes. When the seller returned with coffee in hand I entered the house. Inside were three rooms where the divestments were on display. On top of a book shelf near the door was a very large plush wolf. On the bookcase I found a copy of Don Quixote and a Hawaiian language guide. Near the books was a carton on plaster of Paris. On another bookcase were three bike helmets, a full set of the Left Behind books and a few bottles of massage oil. In another room I found a box Digest-tible Tea and a set of dice with words that said “I – need – some – fun – for - myself” and a lamp shaped like a cartoon frog’s head. Other stuff included a pack of tiny Tarot cards, some unopened rolls of gift-wrap and a few umbrellas.
In a room off to the side I found two copies of the book “The Right Way of Living”, The Worst Case Scenario game, several backscratchers, a can of foot powder and a bottle of Nair.
I bought the moon shoes.
There was a large wooden cut out of a clown welcoming shoppers to this event in this frame bungalow near the land trust. When I arrived there was a sign taped to the front door saying “went for coffee be back in 10 minutes”. I perused some of the clothing and toys on the front porch while I waited for the sellers return. Among the stuff out front was a women’s bike and a pair of kids moon shoes. When the seller returned with coffee in hand I entered the house. Inside were three rooms where the divestments were on display. On top of a book shelf near the door was a very large plush wolf. On the bookcase I found a copy of Don Quixote and a Hawaiian language guide. Near the books was a carton on plaster of Paris. On another bookcase were three bike helmets, a full set of the Left Behind books and a few bottles of massage oil. In another room I found a box Digest-tible Tea and a set of dice with words that said “I – need – some – fun – for - myself” and a lamp shaped like a cartoon frog’s head. Other stuff included a pack of tiny Tarot cards, some unopened rolls of gift-wrap and a few umbrellas.
In a room off to the side I found two copies of the book “The Right Way of Living”, The Worst Case Scenario game, several backscratchers, a can of foot powder and a bottle of Nair.
I bought the moon shoes.
McLendon Ave. - Lake Claire “Yard Sale”On Friday there were flyers stapled to utility poles up and down McLendon advertising this event. But when I first stopped here at nine AM it appeared the sale was cancelled due to the rain. When I passed here again an hour latter there was a sign saying the sale was inside the house. On the front porch was a chair with a broken cane seat taped to the chair was a booklet with instructions on repairing the cane. Inside the home was cluttered and crowded. All the goods that were now kept inside because of the rain were piled up in a small living room and dining room. Poking around were about a dozen shoppers making their way through narrow paths between the piles. It was also hard to differentiate what was being sold and what were the day-to-day living accoutrements of the sellers. To make things more chaotic the seller’s dog was delighting in all the confusion running amok between the shoppers and the clutter. Among the stuff there were several Mr. Peanut figures, some men’s clothing, cookware, a toy pig catapult, two plastic brains, a painting of a nude man and an old adding machine.
I bought a paid of NYC salt and peppershakers. Latter while driving past I picked up the broken chair and the pamphlet on cane repair from a free pile in the street.
7th St. – Midtown “Yard Sale”By midday the weather had cleared up and I went down to the King Center to walk in the Anti-war march. On the way to the rally in Piedmont Park the March passed near this sale so I stepped away form the crowd and checked out what was here. The sale was in back of a two-story duplex. The seller was unaware that the massive march was proceeding around the corner down Charles Allen. Arrayed behind the house was a pile of trolls, a painting of a bearded man, some women’s clothing, two car radios, a pair of speakers, a boom box and some glassware.
Not wanting to carry anything to the rally, I bought nothing.
3/31/06
N. Morningside Dr. - Morningside "Moving Sale"
It’s the beginning of Spring break so the first thing I do is head to a sale after work. This event is inside a small Tudor home in Morningside but the sale is limited to a selection of objects in the three front rooms of the house. The ad in the AJC said this was the sale of two pack rats. The women holding the sale had some interesting stuff but there was far from enough there for them to truly label themselves packrats. I told them that I was hoping for find narrow paths that wound around five foot high piles of clutter.
This home mostly contained a fair amount of cutesy retro knick-knacks and such. It was not bad stuff but not up to the full mettle of a true pack rat accumulation. Among the stuff were a number of elf headed figurines, a plush elf, a plush Famous Potato character, retro dish towels, chef figurines, a pair of bronzed baby shoes and some big eyed dog prints (by Gig not the more respected Keane). In the room further back was a rack of women’s retro clothing and an antique TV in an old wooden cabinet.
I bought a small cookbook for cooking with leftovers.
It’s the beginning of Spring break so the first thing I do is head to a sale after work. This event is inside a small Tudor home in Morningside but the sale is limited to a selection of objects in the three front rooms of the house. The ad in the AJC said this was the sale of two pack rats. The women holding the sale had some interesting stuff but there was far from enough there for them to truly label themselves packrats. I told them that I was hoping for find narrow paths that wound around five foot high piles of clutter.
This home mostly contained a fair amount of cutesy retro knick-knacks and such. It was not bad stuff but not up to the full mettle of a true pack rat accumulation. Among the stuff were a number of elf headed figurines, a plush elf, a plush Famous Potato character, retro dish towels, chef figurines, a pair of bronzed baby shoes and some big eyed dog prints (by Gig not the more respected Keane). In the room further back was a rack of women’s retro clothing and an antique TV in an old wooden cabinet.
I bought a small cookbook for cooking with leftovers.
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