In praise of garage sales

Dear Editor,

I held a three-day rummage sale last week and it reaffirmed my faith in my fellow men and women.  In these politically turbulent times you might wonder about that, so here are my observations:

* More than 100 people visited my garage to look over an assortment of the usual and bizarre; virtually all were friendly, respectful people of good humor.

* Most were senior citizens - like me - ready to socialize.  I learned a bit about local history and the land we built our house on.  It enlarged my sense of community.

* I wore my camo “Harris/Walz” cap throughout; no one said “boo” about it one way or another, much to my delight and political peace of mind.

* You can put almost anything in a box marked “FREE” and most people will pick through it.

* I sold everything from a pickle jar holding a set of four old casters to an RV oven and stovetop, demonstrating once again that there’s a buyer for everything; one person’s junk is indeed another’s treasure.

* Second only to auctions, garage sales are the giants of the recycling world.

* Garage sales are the very best way to get a clean garage, proving that even men clean the day before the cleaning lady gets there.

* Everyone comes looking for nothing, but expecting to find something.  It’s a bit like life.

So, if you find yourself fearful and depressed about the present-day state of humanity, hold a garage sale.  It’ll reassure you about the basic goodness of  people, and the common sameness of us all. 

Jim Bach, Dodgeville, WI