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.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
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.
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