The Annual Yard Sale
Last year I had one of the most insane mornings of my life. I got up before dark (unusual) on a Saturday (unheard of) and walked to the Cloverdale “Bottom” Park (that’s the one next to the one with the gazebo) to help with the annual Cloverdale-Idlewild Association yard sale. Even though it was our seventh year living in our beloved neighborhood, it was the first time I’d been in town for the sale. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’d heard stories. Stories of epic tables full of items, vats of clothes, huge pieces of furniture, mobs of people and crazy good deals.
Readers, it’s all true. And the sale is tomorrow at 7 a.m., so you’d best come and see for yourself. And come early. But please don’t be one of those people who shows up at 5 and starts poking around at things while we’re setting up. Because there are a lot of those people, and they really get in our way. Just give us some space and time to set up tables, and then you can have at it.
Last year, somehow, I ended up running the cash box. Even though it was my first year. I think it was because I can do math in my head. Also, my back hurt, so at least this way I could sit down. It was absolute madness. I am pretty sure I’ve never done so much math in such a short time in my whole life. Or bargained over such a diverse array of items. Toys! Lawn ornaments! Mysterious electronics! Fortunately, there was coffee for the staff. Which we needed.
Not everything’s priced when the sale begins, so be prepared to do some haggling. One strategy that works, as everyone who watches American Pickers knows, is to bundle things. Also, clothes are priced by the sack, which is pretty convenient. We’re not going to negotiate one sock at a time.
But seriously, the yard sale is one of the best neighborhood events of the year. It’s a wonderful annual event where everyone can find something gently used to bring home and love. Plus, all the money we raise goes toward supporting neighborhood projects like our annual Spring Concert Series. Just remember that there’s probably going to be a limit to the number of hundred dollar bills I can break: Consider yourself warned!
Kate and Stephen are Midtown residents with two cats, a dog, ten fish, a garden, an old house and a sense of adventure. They write about life in Midtown here and about life in Montgomery at their blog Lost in Montgomery.
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