Yes, I know it's a holiday weekend, full of remembering (at least for 
some) and the welcoming of summer (for many more). For me, however, it's
 Tag Sale Season again, that glorious time of the year when other 
people's castoffs become my treasures. On any given weekend, while the 
city is bursting with street fairs in many different neighborhoods, the 
country (well, at least the country where we have relatives) is bursting
 with tag, barn, and garage sales in every little town and village. We 
could be in the city acquiring spices, manicuring tools, and socks, all 
of which will be available on another set of blocks next weekend if you 
miss them. Instead, we are in the country, acquiring used books and 
jewelry, random kitchen utensils and tools, sheet music and more, all 
for less than what it would cost to snack at that street fair.
 
What's the appeal, you ask? Something for close to nothing, perhaps 
(and, believe me, my kids speak right up when they feel things are 
"overpriced"). The thrill of the chase, certainly, because you really 
can't tell, from an ad or even sometimes from the curb when you drive 
up, whether a sale will be a good one for you. And an odd feeling of 
recycling, when you see things have a second life instead of just ending
 up in the trash heap because they no longer fit their owners (or fit in
 their owners' homes).
 
So, rather than a beach (way too cold where we are) or a cookout, this 
has been our kickoff to summer. And when we go back to the city, it will
 be with some new reading, a bit of new music, and a whole lot more fun in the
 kitchen.
No comments:
Post a Comment