Annual townwide yardsale.
Every fall, our town has a community-wide yardsale.
I train for it all year.
Previous years here, here, here.
Before I begin this year’s post, I would like to take a moment to congratulate myself that I did not buy any dishes!
Self has a dish problem, and I am attempting an intervention… shockingly, it was successful!
(translation: I did not see any dishes I needed)
Self also has a problem with vintage linens, but everyone knows that you cannot do anything about a linen addiction.
As I picked up all of the bedspreads at the very first yardsale, Paul was like– don’t you already have those exact same ones?
And I was like— yes.
I also got a few bags of towels— whenever I can yardsale towels or blankets at a great price, I buy them for the animal shelter… there is literally no such thing as too many towels at an animal shelter!!
Then I got a snazzy vintage handbag… because as previously established, Crazy Great Aunt Chic is my thing.
Also as previously established: I have difficulty making reasonable choices; so I didn’t hesitate to waste a dollar invest in a kitten-sized beach chair.
This is why Paul carries the money; so that we only end up with 5 items of total crap, rather than 97.
After I got the chair, of course I also needed a kitten-sized afghan… it would be irresponsible to let them go the beach without a blanket this time of year!
I’m sorry to report that neither of the current kittens were interested in modeling their new possessions.
Now. The day’s best find (objectively) was this cast iron Victorian garden chair… which you’ll either think is fabulous or creepy; it was made to sit by a grave. F.H. Hort’s, to be exact.
The guy selling it got it from a neighbor who was moving, so I wasn’t able to figure out if Mr. Hort was a local resident.
More importantly, this is why I love the Victorians: because they understood the need for fancy things at all times… EVEN IN DEATH.
You DIED, but you still need fancy things.
THIS LOGIC PLEASES ME.
This is called “curtain style” a variety of very ornate cast iron garden furniture from the Victorian era… it’s not super common, and it’s hard to find at a price that is not astronomical.
More facts: it weighs 47,982 tons.
The BEST PART is that it was made in Philadelphia!
It is stamped with the city, AND the same foundry that the giant cast iron garden urn we restored came from!
As we were buying it, Paul said— what are we doing with this?
And I said– well, first we are going to put it in the car… then we are going to take it out of the car… then I’m going to ask you to carry it all around the house, inside and out… then I will probably decide to sell it.
My psychic powers of prediction are awe-inspiring!
I paid $10.
It sold for $200.
Is it “worth” more than that? Eh… maybe. Especially if I had a pair! Detailed iron work like this from the turn of the century is really amazing!!
It was one of those things that I could have sat on for a while, waiting for the right buyer… and sometimes I feel like doing that! But sometimes I’m like WHY DO I HAVE ALL THIS CRAP SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE IT FROM ME.
Finally, my (personal, non-objective) best score was finding a woman who has my exact taste in books… I basically threw myself over the tarp and shouted— mine!
Used books are incredibly exciting to me; I have discovered some of my favorite books through the randomness of other people getting rid of their finished reading material.
I love social/cultural history (i.e. the non-boring kind), family stories, and anything memoir; especially where people do stupid and misguided things to ruin their own lives!
I really enjoy feeling like poor life-choices are a valuable part of existence and that therefore I am doing just fine.
Two FULL bags of books is equivalent to Christmas.
The ONLY time I buy books that I have not read before is if they are super cheap. Like CENTS… if I’m going to spend real money on a book, I need to know that I absolutely love it and will enjoy re-reading it lots of times.
I will languish months and months on the library’s waiting list because it irritates me to buy something and be disappointed.
This is all I left behind.
I LOVE The Big House, (and already own it)… if you have an interest in American architecture, Gilded Age history, or memoirs, I think you will really enjoy it!
Duncan Ragsdale
October 17, 2017 @ 2:54 pm
I have a huge interest in cemeteries for some reason! In Memphis where I grew up there is a historic family cemetery – http://www.elmwoodcemetery.org/photos/. It is amazing. It used to be thought of as out of town in the early 1900’s where families used to take the horse and buggy out to have a picnic. It is now almost downtown because of the expansions of Memphis.
We too have an iron bench from our family cemetery that my Grandmother decided to take it home with her one day and is now a part of the family. Glad to know about your chair.
Love your blog! congrats! It’s terribly entertaining. I share it lots.
Shelly
October 17, 2017 @ 3:00 pm
I would have kept that chair!! You got a steal, $10.00, you lucky duckie!
I have been going to estate sales, tag sales,auctions and garage sales since I was five! I am now 56 and most of my lovely things are old, antiques, etc.
I collect spool cabinets, I have six. Not bragging, just want you to know your not the only sicko that keeps bringing in big beautiful things! 😉 Love your blog and writing. The Big House looks like as good read. Heading to Amazon.
Jennifer
October 17, 2017 @ 3:20 pm
I have a vintage linen and dishes obsession too. I have enough to have a well stocked store, no kidding. I tell myself I will sell them at the weekend flea market, but alas they sit in my vintage suitcases (bins & drawers too) stacked all over the house. Did I mention I really like old suitcases?
Love the piano kitchen island. I have a great old grand with fabulous legs….
Sharon Casey
October 17, 2017 @ 3:22 pm
The chair is fabulous and I’m fairly certain we are married to the same man. Or maybe they all have a list of the same questions to ask whenever we wives but used stuff.
Marianne in Mo.
October 17, 2017 @ 6:01 pm
Love the purse (although my grown daughters would shudder if they saw me carrying it!) I would hug it and squeeze it and call it Georgie! It speaks to me. And I loved the fancy chair. What a sale you made on that one, although I’m sad I didn’t get to hear Paul groan while he carried it inside, outside and all around the house! Tee-hee! We just don’t get goodies like you have there….we get hoards of childrens clothing no one wants, broken tools and other things and stuff that was once given away free but are now $3 or more each. REALLY PEOPLE??? Do you NOT want to get rid of your junk? Are you proud of it?
Melanie
October 17, 2017 @ 6:17 pm
This long link should bring up a picture of the handsome Frederick Herman Hort (1841 – 1904) Philadelphia Pennsylvania. https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/88119767/person/44570983822/media/8e9325a3-a49c-4b3b-8ce9-a53d47c17d18
Lynn
October 17, 2017 @ 6:26 pm
I just figured something out that was SO OBVIOUS!
I am a crazy great aunt (thought those darling little nieces and nephews are not allowed to use the Great-but, maybe I should-after all isn’t being Great a good things?). You always give me something of importance to ponder.
Sharon Hurley
October 17, 2017 @ 6:30 pm
I love the cast iron chair. I have a bench in a similar pattern marked “Hinderers Ironworks”, New Orleans. Would love to know more about it, particularly the value. I paid $5 at a yard sale in about 1993.
Mary Zuchowski
October 17, 2017 @ 7:06 pm
Would you pleases add me to your newsletter? My sister sent this one to me and I loved it! Thanking you in advance
Mary Zuchowski
mryzuchowski@yahoo.com
Pat
October 17, 2017 @ 7:17 pm
I follow only one other blog. The other is a psychologist. (Don’t ask.) No matter what, yours is entertaining and even better: self-deprecating. Your husband is a living saint and your observations and sense of everything abandoned and ready for re-creation wonderful!
Mary Nelson
October 18, 2017 @ 12:08 am
Your posts are so much fun. I certainly identify. However, I would have kept the chair. I have too many chairs because I have a chair fetish, but this one could go outside.
Mary Nelson
October 18, 2017 @ 12:09 am
Your posts are so much fun. I certainly identify. However, I would have kept the chair. I have too many chairs, but this one could go outside.
Cathy Wright
October 18, 2017 @ 1:09 am
I am wondering if you have read a very old book entitled “Neighbors Needn’t Know,” by Syliva Golden (1953-ish). I read it SO long ago that I don’t even remember much about it, but you make me think of it. I don’t know why….
Christy
October 18, 2017 @ 6:46 am
Before I saw your last comment, my first thought was… “The Big House” is one of the few she left behind??
Trish
October 18, 2017 @ 7:26 am
This is a great post! I do so love me a good bargain – I once got a brand new pair of Tod’s loafers for $10 – still in the box. I literally paid my cash and sprinted out the door of the resale shop and jumped in a taxi thinking someone would be running after me yelling – stop, we meant $100. Of course, that would still be a bargain but, honey, I didn’t have that much cash in the coffers at the time. Onto books, LOVE The Big House – and you definitely need to check out Anne Fadiman’s The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. It’s one of my favorite books of all time, and Anne happens to married to George!!!!
Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
October 18, 2017 @ 9:41 am
I do not know what the chances are, but I am re-reading The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, RIGHT NOW!!!! This is maybe my third or fourth time? And it is still just as good!
AND I had NO idea they were married!! Your comment was so surprising!
Jayne
October 18, 2017 @ 9:43 am
I love love LOVE reading about your adventures. My husband is privileged to be subjected to oral readings which inevitably end with him saying “Just because someone else does this, it doesn’t make you more normal.” Sigh, how sad his would be with no piles of creatures running about and rotating crops of project furnishings.
Melissa
October 18, 2017 @ 10:40 am
Please tell me you’ve read “Culture and Comfort: Parlor Making and Middle-Class Identity, 1850-1930 ” by Katherine Grier. It is fantastic!
Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
October 18, 2017 @ 11:12 am
I HAVE NOT READ THIS!
HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?
Just ordered a used copy on Amazon… thank you for correcting this horrible deficit in my life.
JAZZ HANDS,
VEB
Melissa
October 18, 2017 @ 11:14 am
IT IS MY SWORN DUTY.
Hooray for used copies!
Tamara Littrell
October 18, 2017 @ 1:23 pm
You had me at memoir and stupid, misguided things. I’d love to send you my book….”When the Dust Settled”. Do you have a PO Box, if your funny about giving out your mailing address.? (Promise I’m not a stalker or a thief of GFT.) Looks like we have a lot of the same taste in books.
Tamara
Kelly
October 18, 2017 @ 3:00 pm
I love how you shop! I just gotta get good at finding that one item to sell so it will pay for my great finds that I keep!