More Stuff You Don't Want or Need

I love living in the South, but especially during the fall and spring when folks are making the big push for outdoor events and of course that includes garage sales.

Now I must confess, I have grown up being a flea market junkie, and yes I still practice that crazy act, but that is after all, PROFESSIONAL JUNK, and normally at an entirely different level than the amateur junk you find at garage sales.  It is especially rewarding when you find an entire group of neighbors who go together and pool their piles of unwanted junk together - that's when the real fun starts.

First when they are sorting and organizing folks realize that they absolutely NEED that piece of junk their neighbor has just deposited, so the ritual starts.  They haul back almost as much different junk to their houses then they brought to clean it out!  Then the non-participating spouses show up early the day of the sale and even more valuable junk gets moved to another house, still within the group, so that when the real buying public gets an opportunity to view this valuable junk much of it has already disappeared.  Don't worry however, soon it will reappear for another sale.  Yet like a strong magnetic pull those addicted, like I am, still come searching for that valuable item I never knew I needed or wanted until I see it pop up at that sale.

It is especially attractive to visit these sites just prior to or right after a full house renovation, when it has been decided that EVERYTHING MUST GO.  Man it's like grilled corn on the cob at the county fair - nobody can resist that!  My wonderful wife has gone so far to deter me from this practice that she has hidden my car and pickup truck keys (yes pickup trucks are MUCH better for hauling the valuable items in larger quantities) so that I can't get out early to aquire the best and most valuable items.

One more valuable piece of advise, if you have a hobby as I do, like boating or flying private airplanes, by all means find a specialized sale of just those wonderful unwanted items.  Now not only can you get new "stuff" but everyone there wants to talk about their stuff that is just a valuable - literally it can take almost a full day to cover just two or three booths worth of specialized junk at this places. And trust me a pickup truck or large trailer is mandatory for this version.

The weekend is about upon us, don't take my word for this, pack up and go out this very weekend and just drive around your own neighborhood - you too will see that wonderful Southern Fall (and yes spring time also) tradition in full action.  If you can't find a good neighborhood sale then proceed to the nearest flea market (up I-85 to Jefferson Ga is the closest)  and check out the professional version.  I'm certain you too will be amazed as I am.........see you on the road.....

These are my thoughts, what are yours?

Steve