Monday, July 30, 2007

The neighborhood

Melvin, an elderly fellow from South Carolina, uses a walker, upon which rides a red stereo that plays classic rock as he strolls through the neighborhood. Last time I saw him he was blasting "Young Lust" by Pink Floyd, but he turned it off so we could chat as he perused our yard sale items. He couldn't find anything he "couldn't live without," but he bought a biscuit, and I felt guilty charging him dollar, but then again, i didn't want to treat him like a charity case. He just moved here last fall to live with his son, and I suspect his wife came to the yard sale later in the day, but I didn't want to make an assumption just because she was in a red power chair.

Later came drunk lady, who wanted to buy absolutely everything, but settled on an old sarong and a stack of coasters. I probably should have called the cops when i saw her get into her car. AND It was only 11 AM.

Later came the attractive vegan couple who bought a scarf for their daughter to play dress up, and then the middle aged lady who spoke no English and grunted about a photo album. i wanted to see if she spoke spanish, but lost my nerve to try. One guy wanted to negotiate the price of a $1.00 hammer and his kids kept asking me "Where's all the free stuff?"

Two 20 somethings strolled by and drank a mamosa on the porch and bought a biscuit. they said it was the perfect end to their country day. A dog walker checked on my progress on the new Harry Potter novel each time she passed. A girl just graduated from college bought my old camping stove, then stood around awkwardly for 45 minuted not sure what to say.

We made almost $200, and i finished a 750 page book in three days.