Trending
Last Sunday was a beautiful day with warm temps and a mix of sunshine. It was also a perfect day for a Sunday drive. Now lately I have not enjoyed driving so much since there are road issues and, well, driver issues that can make being behind the wheel a real challenge.
But on this particular day, my husband took the wheel and off we went into the hills of Brooke County. Our destination was an old country house where an online auction would be taking place the next day. The house and its aged, but interesting contents were available for previewing prior to the online auction.
As a kid, my mother often took us to country auctions where we could run free and enjoy a glass or two of lemonade while Mom bid on assorted items. So I was no stranger to our Sunday drive destination.
When we drove up the driveway to the house, we realized there are a lot of people who enjoy the adventure of auctions. The warm, springlike day probably brought more people out as well.
There were quite a few visitors already there walking the property inside and out. I knew going in to just bide my time as my husband and others headed to the basement where a huge electric train layout platform had been erected years ago.
And then there were scores of boxed items -- many related to electric trains -- that were divided into lots.
Each lot was numbered and you bid online according to the lot that caught your fancy. I looked around at those for a few minutes before heading upstairs to check out the rest of the house and its contents.
I left my spouse to indulge in a bit of childhood reminiscing as he checked out train cars and Marx Toy items with others. He had plenty of company as there were others who also sought a piece of their childhoods.
Upstairs there were the usual household items and furniture. Each piece represented something important to the people who once resided in that home.
After speaking to several other visitors who came to the site, it was clear that the things we hold dear will not leave our younger generations with the same affection.
Thus people are turning to auctions to clear out homesteads that no longer serve a particular family or individual.
I'm not sure what will happen to all the items that aren't sold, but a large dumpster outside told me that it, too, served a purpose.
Visiting that auction site gave me renewed impetus to head home and clean out a few drawers and closets. After all, who really needs all that old Tupperware or lace doilies?
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.