127 Yard Sale Final Notes, and a Sarcastic Story

Like all good things, even mega yard sale-ing must end. The threat of major storms helped us make up our minds, we were heading home instead of sale-ing into Kentucky and then picking up I64W over to Martha Collins. So, we went I40 to 165 and it was dice-y several times with rain, thunder, and wicked lightning. Poor David in the 42' Kountry Star was trying hard to provide encouragement over our walkie talkies as I followed behind in our car. Yes, we RV'd it (forgive all the inappropriate verbs; it's late), and later this week after a tad bit of editing, I will post a video of a violin concerto in the RV.
If you ever decide to try RV-ing, go to our favorite place that we've rented from for over 7 years, www.familyrv-rentals.com in Whiteland, IN. Their units are luxurious, clean, and reasonable. We started with Class C rentals and have moved up to Class A Diesel Pushers--amazing! Plenty of storage room for all of our yard sale finds. Here's a picture of the unit we rented this year, it was the first time we used a gas engine, but when you make a spur-of-the-moment decision to rent, you can't be too choosy.

I wanted to share this funny story (insert big eye roll here) before I close these notes. David is very uncomfortable haggling. Now, this is the guy who can negotiate with the best of them, but when it comes to yard sales, flea markets, antique sales, nope, ain't gonna happen. His opinion is, "they've set up in _______ (insert weather condition), and are selling 'rock-bottom' (his phrase not mine) and the least I can do is preserve their dignity ("preserving is for fruit not people"; my phrase not his). Since Thursday, I have acted as the haggling coach to which he has repeated every phrase back with feigned confidence; "Is this your best price?", or "Would you take a little less for this?" Never never insult, cut down, laugh, or guffaw at an item no matter the condition. Walk away, walk away, walk away if the price isn't right or you feel confused, unsure, or indifferent.
So here's the story: We are in Clarkrange, TN in the park behind the Cumberland General Store looking for silverplate. He calls me over to a large tent that had some silverplate items. I found a small Reed & Barton tray for $4. He takes it and as he walks toward the dealers, I whisper, "Ask if that's the best they can do on the price." Imagine my humiliation when he turns around and says in his so-called library voice (anyone else's normal speaking voice), "Honey, IT'S $4". Me: "I KNOW, ask anyway". He (louder): "Come On, they've worked hard to put on a good yard sale the least we can do is pay them for their trouble!" I notice the two young  female dealers are following this exchange. I can't let it go, "Honey, this is part of it". He to them: "Okay, she wants me to haggle so will you take $3.99"? in his most sarcastic voice. At this point they are cooing and fawning all over him the two little redheads in their cute tight jeans and skimpy tops. "We sure wish more visitors were like you," as they pry the money out of his hand. They giggle and coo a bit more as they hand him the bag. "You come back and see us, okay?" At this point the humiliation has left me  and I am standing there just taking it in. "Are you happy?" I laugh. "Why, yes, yes I am" he replies strutting his way out of the tent.
YOU cannot teach an old dog new tricks! UNTIL he sees something he wants. He sees an item and I cannot bear to even leave the car. He runs back over after a few minutes of conversation, "I tried the haggling, wow, it really works!" Insert really big eye roll right here!
Good night, my king size bed with plush down comforter and heating blanket set on "High" is calling me.

Even though I am a beekeeper, I buy honey wherever I travel. These are 2 jars of comb honey.

Today was fun but for me the finds were few. There were several items such as jugs and silver that I was unsure about. In that situation, it is better to walk.
Today's finds: cotton fringed dinner napkins, faggoted hankies, glass floral frogs, and a piece of turkey blood stitched homespun. Not a bad day!

Bumper to bumper traffic in all directions. It took 2-1/2 hours to go 20 miles.

Tennessee is known for delicious fried pies that can be found in restaurants, gas stations, and all along highway 127.

A look at today's finds!

Close-up of beautiful violin.

Today's purchases are a Karl Meisel violin, sewing basket w/ contents including silverplate sewing scissors, and bone crochet hook, misc. Cookbooks, picnic basket, plus a few other things.

Vendors at Clarkrange, TN. Storms had vendors and 'salers running for covers. Many just called it a day after one storm flipped canopies.

Smoked Boloney is Delicious

Smoked bologna sandwich and bbq pickles for my lunch.

Day One of yard sale-ing begins!
Will head to KY-TN line to the Alvin C. York historical site and work back down to Crossville.
Will post pictures along the way!

Notes from the World's Longest Yard Sale

I'm heading towards the 127 Yard Sale, www.127sale.com, starting tomorrow August 2nd through Sunday, August 5th. One never knows what will be found and there is always an unofficial "it" purchase that every vendor seems to have. One year it seemed that chamber pots were the "it" item, another year birdhouses, and another year, quilts reigned.
When attending an event like this it is best not have a specific item in mind but a loose idea of what you want to look for. If you are looking for vintage costume jewelry mimicking items found on the Titanic, good luck. You will drive yourself crazy and walk away disappointed. But, if you think costume jewelry, vintage or retro (familiarize yourself with these 2 terms), you will probably be in luck. This year I am generally thinking, bee stuff, quilts, and silverplate, oh, cookbooks too.
I will randomly post and maybe put up a video too; giving you an insider's glimpse of yard sale-ing in all of it's kitschy  glory!

For your enjoyment, a video from the 127 yard sale. This fellow is usually in the park behind the Cumberland General Store in Clark Range, Tennessee.