Books I'm Not Reading

I can't tell you why I'm always picking up books at tag sales. Tell you what, if you want me to buy your old books you've been trying to get rid of for decades, put a price like "10 for a Buck" or even "5 for a Buck" -- and then you'd have me cleaning up your book table. It doesn't make sense really. I hand my cash to you, I take my new literature collection home and then say to myself, "why why why?" Eventually I donate the books, full well knowing that no one else is ever going to purchase these books from me.

Here's a paperback I bought last season, "Wilt. Just like any other 7-foot black millionaire who lives next door." I did not make up that book title. This little literary gem was printed in 1975 (smells like it), and has many boring photos inside. On the back cover:

Wilt. On court or in bed, can't stand coming in second.

Look what I found...an interesting pic of Mr. C, a very tall man with very short shorts. Frankly, I'm a little worried about the shorts here. You know why.

If you are interested in this book, please email me and I'd do my best to part with it for a buck or less, much less.

Elephant's Trunk

Thanks to Brett for this good lead. There is a heavenly-sounding tag saler's dream in New Milford, Connecticut called "Elephant's Trunk Country Flea Market." Opening day is Sunday, April 5th. I've never been there but you can bet I will be checking this out!

What IS That?!? (Or cute things my husband says)

"What does it look like?" I reply.
"Geez, I dunno. Some weird plant," says my husband.
"Well, yes, it's a cauliflower, of course!"
"What's it for?" he asks with a puzzled look.
"You hang it on your wall. It's a wall thing," I say knowingly.
"You aren't really gonna hang that on our wall are you?"
Silly boy. He should know me by now after more than 16 years together. Of course I'm gonna hang it on our wall. This ceramic cauliflower thingy is perfect for the kitchen. We squabble a bit about the cauliflower. The "whys" or "how much did it cost" (again, just a buck), there's a mention how it looks eerily like a cross...and such...the usual. It's now hanging on my kitchen wall. Where it belongs.

$1 Italian-made cheese tray

You can't just wake up on Saturday morning and say to yourself, "I'm gonna look for a ceramic Italian-made cheese tray." If you do, you won't find it. That's the rule. (Now if you say, "I'm gonna find a never-used-before Thighmaster," then yes, you will find those by the dozens.) But Ital-made cheese trays? No. You'll need some dumb luck. Pictured here is one of my fav finds, for which I paid $1. It's ceramic except for the small wooden plank that sits in a rectangular indentation. The cheese spreader handles are also ceramic and made to look like apple slices. Under the tray it says Made in Italy. It's small, almost not worth using...but I do use it and I love it. (By the way, I've never bought a Thighmaster which would likely do me some good if I did own one AND use it).

Sleepless in Tag Sale Heaven

Unable to sleep. I noticed this past weekend the crocus have sprung up. Purple and white leaves of hope for warmer days. But this morning it was in the low 30s (F). Cold. Teasing us with a beautiful weekend. I had my Michael Kors bag ready to take out on its maiden tag sale voyage last weekend...but what the heck, there wasn't a single sale going on. I tried to tell myself that Goodwill was only a town away and maybe I'd find some glass mixing bowls or McDonald's Batman glasses there. I didn't go. I stayed home and worked in the garden a bit, gathering dried leaves and withered plants. "Next weekend," I thought to myself, "there'll be tag sales next weekend." I'm gonna try to sleep now, knowing the cold will eventually change to warmth and tag sales are bound to happen. Soon.

It Smells Like Tag Sale Season

It's already March 23rd, a day after my father's birthday, and the beginning of tag sale season in New England. I already see signs, though not in my own community. I'm already "on the ready" -- poised to take action and whip my car around to wherever the tag sale sign points. What am I looking for? Something. It doesn't matter. Maybe the Barbie doll I had wanted when I was a tot.

I hear Adele singing "Hometown Glory" and it makes me think of my town. Where are the treasures?

TAG SALE RULE: Plan your route on Friday night.
TAG SALE RULE: Bring dollar bills and coins.