The passage of seasonal time is ending in Texas. Each seasoned event brings pronouncements that heap luxurious enjoyments on those of us who participate.
Spring is the period of the most startling change. Winter winds blow warm as refreshing rain nurtures the soil, and brings forth new life in abundance of flowering foliage.
Baseball players leave spring training camp with hearts filled with possibility and new hope. These new found feelings help to blight out the realizations of last September. “Play Ball” and “Last Call” are words sprinkled across the stadiums of the country, as fans flock to enjoy America’s favorite pastime sport.
I love the smells of spring, gardens, baseball and hot dogs and moderately warm temperatures.
But what spring means to me is the opportunity to attend garage and estate sales. Looking through an old cluttered box or musty smelling trunk makes my heart leap with anticipation. Sunday afternoons are ideal times for attending these two most interesting and desirable social functions.
There are sections of some newspapers that list garage and estate sales. Just looking at the pronouncements brings a broad smile to my wrinkled, middle-aged face. I usually go early and try to get the “good stuff,” and then go back a few minutes before the conclusion to make an offer for what remains to be sold.
For a few dollars you can purchase wonderful needed items, and have fun doing it. And if you are a collector of things like post cards, old books and letters and photographs, just looking can make one happy.
Next Sunday afternoon, select a pleasant neighborhood and drive the streets looking for yard sale signs. When you find a garage sale, stop your car, get out, visit, and buy things you may or may not need. Don’t throw away what you really don’t need, so then you can have your own garage sale later on in the summer.
Recently, a friend who had just broken up with his girlfriend called to say he was feeling fairly poorly. He told me he wanted to meet some new people, maybe find a lady and establish a good quality relationship. I suggested that he accompany me on a Sunday afternoon outing. He was reluctant at first, knowing that there are things that I enjoy that some fellows might not want to participate in. Events like taking long walks, soaking up moonlight, making preserves, writing poetry, and enjoying live theatre are just some of the examples. But finally, he agreed to go.
I picked him up the following Sunday and informed him we were going to some garage sales. He tried to flee from the car, but I talked to him quietly and promised he would not have to buy anything. I could tell he wasn’t impressed, especially after I showed him the puppy dog that was going with us.
We visited six garage sales over the next four hours. My friend and the puppy dog were the “hit” of the day. Numerous single ladies were attracted to him and the puppy. He was given a whole bunch of their business cards, and made promises to call them just as soon as possible. He told the ladies he wrote poetry, loved pets, went to musicals, and made strawberry jam as Christmas gifts for his friends.
As we left the last garage sale, I noticed the back seat was filled with purchases he had made during the afternoon.
Journeying home, I asked if I could take him one more place. He quickly agreed, and indicated that he would appreciate any other suggestions. His smile was as bright as the 4-foot tall brass spittoon he had purchased at the last garage sale.
I took him to the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Cedar Hill. I told him to go to the self-help and the inspirational book sections, and ask questions of the lady shoppers there on what books to buy to help improve himself. He should tell them he wanted to be a better person, and needed some advice on how to grow spiritually and emotionally.
He lit out from the car without question, and with all the enthusiasm of a third-grader at recess. Then he reached back in the back seat for a recent garage sale purchase, a poetry book. With the book in one hand and the puppy in the other, he darted toward the bookstore. As he approached the front door, he looked back at me and shouted not to worry about him and the puppy. He felt they could get a ride home.
Yep, I really do like garage sales and bookstores. But I don’t need to become any more sensitive or grow more spiritually. I have someone in charge of that in my life, and my “bucket is already full.”

Durhl Caussey is a syndicated columnist who writes for papers across America. He may be reached at this paper or dcaussey@sbcglobal.net or Fax # 972-709-6989.