Journal of a Living Lady #63

Nancy White Kelly

 

            This has been the most hectic week. We had a yard sale on Friday and Saturday. What work! We had boxes stored in the attic that haven’t been opened since our move in 1994. Of course, I wasn’t able to move boxes, but I did try to help sort through things and price items. It was obvious from the ragged newspaper and droppings that rats had been living rent-free in the boxes from the old barn. What freeloaders.

            The day before the sale, we had three people arrive early. I am not one to turn down good money, so I made some sales and hoped that this would be a sign of prosperity for the next couple of days.

 That same day I sold an advertised World War II German luger taken from an S.S. officer. A few years ago I had traded a nice set of commemorative coins for it. The actual buyer dickered a bit and in the end he bargained me down $50 from my original $300 asking price.

 Three consecutive men came later in the day to see the vintage gun. Each insinuated that I had been robbed. One young man with a rusty old truck and two babies on the front seat said he had come expecting to pay $600.

Oh, well. Mistakes are the cost of education sometimes.

            Before I had my first cup of coffee on Friday, ten people were on the front porch inspecting the used merchandise. Now I expect people to haggle a little at a yard sale, but some were really jerks.

            “What will you take for this old pottery jug?”

            Thinking that surely it was marked, I asked her what I had on it.

            “It says $10,” she answered.

            “I’ll take $8,” I replied. “No less.”

            “I’ll give you $6.”

            “No, $8 is as low as I’ll go.”

            The lady put the jug down.

            Next she picked up a cast iron skillet that was marked $6.

            “Will you take $3 for this?”

            “No, but I’ll take $5.”

            She put the skillet down.

            Finally she picked up the dulcimer that was well worth the $15 that was marked on it.

            “Will you take $7 for this music thing?”

            “No, but I’ll take $12.”

            The lady headed down the steps without buying anything.  I felt like bopping her on the head with that iron skillet. Then I remembered a billboard that read, “ What part of ‘thou shalt not’ do you not understand?” – God

 So, with my Christian up-bringing, killing wasn’t an option.

This lady wasn’t the only cheapskate who wanted to cellar bargain. It went on all day and the next. If I was going to give the stuff away, I would have kept it in boxes and hauled it to the VFW thrift store. At least they give scholarships to deserving students. Our son, Charlie, has benefited from their generosity. We do plan to give the remaining yard sale books and knick-knacks to this veterans organization..

Regarding books, here’s a million dollar question for you. What is the title of the #1 all-time best seller? Gone with the Wind,  Titanic, the Bible, or Little Women?

The correct answer is the Bible. For real.

There is a billboard in  Atlanta that recently reminded me of that fact. In bold letters, it asked, “Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test.” –God

This reminded me of another display I had seen in Tennessee which strongly warned: “Don’t make me come down there.” - God

In my case, He won’t have to. I don’t plan on having any more yard sales.

nancyk@alltel.net   www.angelfire.com/bc/nancykelly