On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
August has kicked July to the curb. In a way, i am glad that August is here. Our daughter will be coming for a visit soon and we are looking forward to it. I’m also looking forward to spoiling our granddog, Ollie.
Each year one of our local Methodist churches holds an enormous rummage sale. Except they call it a Bazaar. Whatever the name, it is a huge event held at the fairgrounds. It takes them a week to set up in the covered buildings.
This is a two day event, Friday and Saturday. My husband and I got an early start for us, we were there by 11:00 am. Thankfully, handicap parking was provided along with volunteers pointing out empty spaces. Otherwise we would have needed to park a fairly long way from the event and my husband wouldn’t have been able to handle to walk.
Once inside the buildings, my husband headed toward “man” things and I went straight to my favorite area, the kitchen and dining wares. I must give them kudos on their organizing skills. Every section has volunteers and a check out station.
I sorted through a collection of sharp knives. In the past, I have found my favorite brand of kitchen knife, Rada. I was in luck and found one and it was only 25 cents. Next I moved to the table with plastic items. At previous bazaars I have picked up pieces of Tupperware in great condition. I did find a very nice orange round canister but it was $8.00 and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t think what I would use it for. But then, I spied this interesting green container. I examined it and discovered it was a Tupperware piece I had never seen. I had to have it. It cost me a whole dollar. I haven’t found a use for it, but I am sure I will. If you know what it is, let me know!
My husband joined me in kitchen ware. A few days previous he mentioned he was looking for a small stainless bowl to use in his shop. I told him the bazaar was sure to have one. In fact he found two for the grand sum of $3.00.
He also found an item in the electronics he was considering purchasing. He was hesitant because the volunteers had told us that Saturday everything would be half off. I urged him to buy now as it wasn’t expensive and it was something needed.
Speaking about the half price sale on Saturday, I had found two ice cream makers, each marked $35.00. I didn’t need one, but it would be nice to have a spare. My husband and I decided to return for the Saturday half off. There was an item in electronics he was interested in and I would get an ice cream maker.
We didn’t linger among the other areas. The facility is not air conditioned. The heat plus the wall to wall people was a bit much for us, but it was good to see the excellent turnout. The proceeds are used to fund missions
We were later arriving at the bazaar on Saturday, not realizing the sale ended at 1:00 pm. We arrived around noon. Which was a bad thing but also a good one. So much had been sold! The volunteers were closing out their areas. The item my husband was hoping to buy was gone and the ice cream freezers were sold. But…the round orange Tupperware canister from the previous day was still there. When I picked it up to look it over, the volunteer said I could have it for 25 cents. Sold!
At home, I left the canister out for several days while my mind pondered its use. Then I remembered my aunt Geroleen. She keeps her coffee filters in a specially designed container that has a small tool with a rubbery end. No trying to separate the filters, the tool does it.
I remembered that I have a bar eraser. I cut a small amount of the eraser off and stuck a sturdy toothpick into it. It worked like a charm. Then it didn’t. The eraser I used was a white one and it crumbled. I’ll try a regular eraser next.
As I put the container into the cabinet with the canister I keep coffee grounds, I smiled as I realized the two canisters were meant to be together. Just like in the 70s. Did any of you own these pieces?
After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
In addition to blogging, I’m a general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books
My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.
Old Things R New 