garage sale finds Archives - View from the Front Porch

21 08, 2023

Garage Sailing

By judythemorgan|2023-08-19T17:48:16-05:00August 21st, 2023|A Writer's Life, Writer's Life|1 Comment

Unfamiliar with the term garage sailing? No surprise. I made the word up to describe the habit of perusing garage/estate sales.

A habit or addiction that I share with many others. I can’t resist a sale sign stuck by the side of the road. I’ve been known to make U-turns on busy streets to follow the arrows.

Do I need anything? Heavens no!

My house is overflowing with stuff and I should be downsizing not collecting.

Should I be writing my next book? Of course. But the thrill of the hunt is too hard to resist.

You just never know what you might discover while garage sailing. And, if the seller is motivated to get rid of stuff, the prices can be cut-rate.

Finds are hit or miss. One time I scored flowerpots for $1.00 that retail for $30 or more. I’ve replaced broken water glasses with matched sets or found the exact glass.

Another time I found nothing. No treasures or great buys, but I met interesting people, who shared fascinating stories. That was still a win for me. I store away lots of ideas for character traits and plot twists.

Outdoor sales where I live are held pretty much year-round. Spring and summer temperatures near broiling this year cut down on my garage sailing. Not too many sales and way too hot to be outside shopping.

I fed my habit from Facebook Marketplace and other online markets in the air-conditioned comfort of my home.

But it wasn’t nearly as much fun.

I’m looking forward to fall and cooler temperatures so I can garage sail again.

19 02, 2021

House Guest

By judythemorgan|2021-02-03T16:21:03-06:00February 19th, 2021|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

The tree in the middle of our front yard finally had to be cut down. It had been slowly dying for several years. I was sad mainly because a family of woodpeckers lived in it. I enjoyed hearing them and wondered where they would go.

The man who cut the tree down left a rather tall stump that just cried out for a bird house (at least that is what I heard).

I put in a request to my mother who is an avid garage saler. I figured someone was probably getting rid of a bird house for a good price. Sure enough she brought one to me.

Beekeeper Brian thought it was a little silly, but he put it on the stump because he loves me.

I smile every time I look out the window or pull up to our house.

One day I saw a bird perched on top of the house. I wondered if perhaps it might take up residence.

Over the years we have had several different house guests. The most recent was Bill, the Chinese student, who spent four years with us and is considered one of our children.

Since he went off to college and our daughter Rachel moved to Huntsville, it has just been Beekeeper Brian and me. We’ve grown accustomed to being alone in the house. Perhaps it would be best if our next guest moved into the bird house out front.