Category: antique

Uncle Frank and the Jar of Coins

Posted in 4th of July, antique, California, carnival, cats, cousins, Des Moines, grandfather clock, memoir, mom, money, uncleLeave a comment

(re-run) I grew up with three uncles, one in Colorado, another on the other side of the state, and one near my home town in Des Moines, Iowa. Uncle Frank was older than the other uncles, but since his daughter, Nina, was my age, I hardly noticed.  He was married to my grandma’s younger sister. … Continue reading Uncle Frank and the Jar of Coins

Estate Sale, Free for One Hour

Posted in antique, California, estate sale, free stuff, friends, lawyer, memoir, scavenger, ski club, tea cupsLeave a comment

(re-run) A friend in our 100+ member singles’ ski club sent an email last night.  “I am the lawyer for an estate in Walnut Creek. House must be cleared out. Everything free for one hour tomorrow – 12:30 to 1:30.” I saw the email and responded, “I am looking for tea cups!” The next day… Continue reading Estate Sale, Free for One Hour

How Thrifting Improved my Day

Posted in antique, California, Carmel, dentist, friends, humor, memoir, Monterey Bay, neighbors, Peru, retail, shoesLeave a comment

(re-run) Okay, I admit it. I’m a thrift store junkie. So when I go to my fave beach town, I make sure to stop at every thrift store at least once. That makes for six stops, nine if I venture down to Carmel. This trip I stayed in my town. I wandered into Second Chance… Continue reading How Thrifting Improved my Day

Uncle Frank and the Jar of Coins

Posted in 4th of July, antique, California, carnival, cats, cousins, Des Moines, grandfather clock, Iowa, memoir, mom, money, uncleLeave a comment

(re-run) I grew up with three uncles, one in Colorado, another on the other side of the state, and one near my home town in Des Moines, Iowa. Uncle Frank was older than the other uncles, but since his daughter, Nina, was my age, I hardly noticed.  He was married to my grandma’s younger sister. … Continue reading Uncle Frank and the Jar of Coins

Spring Cleaning in February

Posted in air purifier, antique, Australia, cleaning, fundraiser, Jack Russell terrier, koalas, memoir, music, nursing home, pollen, rain, singingLeave a comment

(re-run, pre-pandemic) It started with a koala bear.  A bunch of them.  Some musicians were having a fundraiser for Australia, the fires, and the koalas.  It was a donation at the door.  Two and a half hours of music, and I knew three of the performers. We got there early and sat in the third… Continue reading Spring Cleaning in February

Whatever is Meant to Be

Posted in antique, books, divorce, fate, memoir, qué será, soup, termites, truck, trucks, waitressingLeave a comment

(re-run) I’ve been on the hunt for bookcases for a while now. I have ten tubs of antique books sitting in a damp garage near the beach, and it would be good to get them into the house. I sold all my beautiful bookcases when I was getting divorced. I knew the new smaller house… Continue reading Whatever is Meant to Be

Estate Sale, Free for One Hour

Posted in antique, California, estate sale, free stuff, friends, lawyer, memoir, scavenger, ski club, tea cups2 Comments

A friend in our 100+ member ski club sent an email last night.  “I am the lawyer for an estate in Walnut Creek. House must be cleared out. Everything free for one hour tomorrow – 12:30 to 1:30.” I saw the email and responded, “I am looking for tea cups!” The next day my friend… Continue reading Estate Sale, Free for One Hour

The Story of my Picker

Posted in antique, antique store, antiques dealer, drugs, memoir, pick-up truck, picker, refund, restaurant, shoplifting, store, teens1 Comment

When I had a shop, it attracted lots of individuals who wanted to sell me antiques. Some of them had good stuff. Others had junk. Many wanted too much for their inherited mementos. One old guy brought me cracked and chipped tea cups and got mad when I wouldn’t buy them at any price. A… Continue reading The Story of my Picker

Uncle Frank and the Jar of Coins

Posted in 4th of July, antique, California, carnival, cats, cousins, Des Moines, grandfather clock, memoir, mom, money, uncleLeave a comment

I grew up with three uncles, one in Colorado, another on the other side of the state, and one near my home town in Des Moines, Iowa. Uncle Frank was older than the other uncles, but since his daughter, Nina, was my age, I hardly noticed.  He was married to my grandma’s younger sister.  They… Continue reading Uncle Frank and the Jar of Coins