dual personalities

I had a fairly eventful week, which is to say that one or two things happened to break the mind-numbing monotony. For starters, the furnace died and we spent two cold days huddled around space heaters while we waited for the new one to be installed.

We didn’t quite achieve Ron Swanson’s level of cold, but we were chilly. The hardest part was trying to look occupied while big men traipsed through the house and made ferocious noises in the basement. It all worked out in the end, and we are now both toasty warm and ready for winter. There’s nothing like losing something and then getting it back to make one feel grateful — and we do.

While sitting around at home basking in the warmth, I bid on a couple of dressers at an online antique auction.

I’ve never attempted to bid at an online auction before, but since I know and trust the local auction company, I figured I would try.

Unfortunately, the pieces I wanted went for more than I was prepared to pay (especially considering the 13% buyer’s premium), so I controlled myself and ended up with nothing. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that bidding restraint is essential! It is possible to find the right piece at the right price if one is patient.

Having failed at the auction, I got in the car and drove to the Market Barn (“antique mall”) in Malone, NY.

Actual antiques were in short supply but I did have a good time poking around, and I bought a nice little ceramic lamp for $10. It now sits on my parents’ desk in Tim’s room.

Thanksgiving is upon us, and for many of us it will be odd one. Although the DH and I will be alone on the day, we hope that sons 1 and 3 (and possibly 3’s plus one) will drive up for a meal on Saturday. Arrangements are pending. Maybe we should break with tradition and eat curry for Thanksgiving. Why not? It would be easier than cooking a turkey and fixings. Nowadays, people seem to want to recreate or overturn traditions, rewrite history, and generally blow conventions to hell. What’s the harm? Discuss among yourselves, but consider — as if you were at an auction — what price you are willing to pay.

However you decide to celebrate Thanksgiving, do so with a heart full of gratitude!

*“Be happy, noble heart, be blessed for all the good thou hast done and wilt do hereafter, and let my gratitude remain in obscurity like your good deeds.” Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo