An amorous boar, a willing sow, my stepdad…and “The Talk!”

A Memory from my Youth I suppose I must have been around 13 or 14 when Pappy, my step-dad, decided it might be a good time for “The Talk”. I named him Pappy because at about the age of four, I realized he wasn’t my Dad and so I came up with the name of Pappy and it stuck, but that’s a different story for a different time. We were standing at the pig pen, just leaning against the fence, … Continue reading

Help! I lost my paycheck…and it’s floating out in Yokohama harbor!

I had the pleasure of serving four happy years in the U.S. Navy from April of 1965 to April of 1969. No, seriously; they were happy years. I had an opportunity to figure out who or what I was, made some very good friends whom I still think about, ran across a few weird sailors and had some great adventures! I left the Navy with great memories. What more could one wish for? One of the most unusual or strangest individuals I ever met while serving … Continue reading

What is a Salvage Auction?

Simply put, a home or building salvage auction is nothing more than a form of recycling. Like anything else, man made structures have a life span. There comes a time they have outlived their usefulness and become obsolete. While the building may come down, there can be many components of the building that can and should be saved. Many times an older home will have been updated with new windows, siding, doors, heating systems, cupboards, and many other features. There … Continue reading

I’d Rather Shop at K-Mart (Tips for a successful auction)

“I don’t like auctions. They aren’t fun.” “What I want always goes for too much money.” “It will be the last thing they sell.” “Auctioneers are all crooked.” “I’d rather go to K Mart!” Ever hear comments like these? Pay attention auctioneers, this could be your untapped market. There are a vast number of people just waiting to be converted to auctions. They just do not know it! Ever wonder why they feel this way? Many times these are the … Continue reading

Judy, the Bull Thistle Patch… “and a Brave Young Cowboy”!

Growing up on a 70 acre farm in Fulton County, Ohio, there was never a lot of money, but plenty of hard work and good times. As far back as I can remember I always wanted to own a horse…what small boy doesn’t, but the money just wasn’t there, so I quickly learned to ride the cows! Now, most of the cows didn’t really care for a twelve year old boy climbing on their back and yelling; “Hi Yo Silver”, … Continue reading

The Day I won the Cow Poop Fight

When I was about thirteen or fourteen years of age, and old enough to know better, I managed to accomplish one of the neatest things ever for a farm boy growing up in NW Ohio in the 1950’s. I got the best of Big Phil in a cow pie fight! Now this may not sound like much of an accomplishment, but to a scrawny, young farm boy with absolutely no athletic ability, hitting the toughest kid in the neighborhood square … Continue reading

I Do Love Camping!

“Honey, you’re gonna love tent camping”, says my Rebecca to me as she labored to convince me that this would be a great recreational stress reliever for a healthy male just months away from receiving his red, white and blue Medicare card! Rebecca’s daughter, Gretchen and her husband Rich, along with daughters Meghan and Maureen had been tent camping for several years and at some undetermined point in time, Rebecca and Gretchen had decided it would be great fun if … Continue reading

The Best Auction I Never Wanted!

The basement reeked of cat as my wife and I followed the owner back up the stairs. Going upstairs was no blessing because the aroma of cats was even stronger in the main living area. I remember tapping on Rebecca’s shoulder to get her attention and shaking my head as I mouthed the word ‘No’ to her. I did not want this auction. Everything was dirty, had an odor, and I had not seen much of value that I could … Continue reading

They Came to Say Goodbye

D C Club wasn’t much to look at. Area old-timers believe it had been in operation since the 1930’s and was possibly the oldest such establishment in Lenawee County. A dark and dingy little beergarden, some would even call it a dive. Many would call it by the other name it was known as; Just a Friendly Little Bar! A nondescript little place with a seating capacity of only 49 people with seemingly not much to offer. The floor was … Continue reading

So What Happens to the Leftovers?

Whew! Wipe the sweat off your brow. Wash those dirty hands and don’t forget the pain medication for that aching back. Perhaps soaking in a tub of hot water will help. The good news is that after weeks of frustrating hard work, tough decisions, and haggling with family members of “who gets what,” you are finally done. Well almost. What in the world are you going to do with all this stuff? You finally were able to divide up the … Continue reading