An Alabama grandmother's advice

Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe:
This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook - with spelling errors and all.

WASHING CLOTHES
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water.
Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.
Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles - 1 pile white, Sort colored, color work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard and boil, then rub
colored don't boil just wrench and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore wrench  water in flower bed.
Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside  down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs.
Brew cup of tea,  sit and rock a spell and count your  blessings.
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I think I will paste this over my washer and dryer.
Next time when things seem bleak, I'll read it again, kiss that washing
machine and dryer, and give thanks.

Books!!

This is a small list of the books that made into the pitch basket. Actually two baskets so far. If any tickle your fancy let me know and they will make their way to you.

M.Y.T.H. INC. in Action, Robert Asprin
The First Wives Club
God Stalk, P.C. Hodgell
Sweet Myth-tery of Life, Robert Asprin
Knee Deep in Paradise, Rhett Butler (this is very good)
Another Fine Myth, Robert Asprin
Frostflower and Thorn, Phyllis Karr
The Sinister Pig, Tony Hillerman
The Wizard of Rue Morgue, Simon Hawke
The Day Diana Died, Christopher Andersen
Where is Joe Merchant?, Jimmy Buffett
The Phoenix Guards, Steven Brust
The Music of the Spheres, Elizabeth Redfern
A Marriage made in Heaven, Erma Bombeck
Memoirs of a Geisha, very very good

Book, books and more books

It is hard to give up books, even books that I didn't like, didn't finish,(very rare) or never read (once or twice a decade).

But when we moved into this house, I promised Tom that I would get rid of some books. We lived in a much smaller place and most of my books were in boxes in the basement or behind the bed, in closets, well, you get the picture.

I have always had a library card, no matter where I lived but sometimes after reading a good book, I knew I would want to reread it and I would buy it. Nowadays,I buy most of my books. The library tries but they have waiting lists and I don't like to wait. And I have some particular favorites that I have to have. I read them over and over. Any of the Harry Potter books, anything by Elizabeth Peters, Terry Pratchett, and a whole arm long list of others.

I sorted through carefully and only put the ones I didn't like for sale. About 400 that time. I still had a even more left. Tom swore he couldn't tell I had gotten rid of any. Of course he was looking at the bookcases, not for the boxes that were now gone. Since then I have gotten one new bookcase that is crammed full, and there are two large laundry baskets overflowing. So it is time again.

What kind of things do you read? If you are like me, you will have certain favorites but will read anything in desperation. hehe

I have lots of mysterys, sci-fi and fantasy in my pitch basket so far. I'll post a list this weekend and if you find anything you want, I will send them to you. Okay?

It's spring!!

It was 80 here today. I opened windows and left the doggy door open. The dogs were so thrilled, they spent most of the morning outside sunning and sniffing. I, however, was stuck inside. We have decided to clear out the spare bedroom and return it to use as a bedroom again. We have been pitching stuff in there and telling ourselves that we will do something about it soon.

Goodwill is going to be very happy with us. I have decided to be ruthless. If I can't remember the last time I wore something or saw Tom wear it, it is going to be pitched.

Tom mentioned having a yard sale and saving stuff for that. But you know, I have never sold many clothes at our yard sales. Books, software, knicknacks, but not clothing. I made close to $200 once, mainly on books. I read a lot of sci-fi and fantasy and evidently a lot of other people do too. They came out in bunches. And the mysterys darn near started a fight.

At the end of the day I had about 5 books left out of probably 400. So I am hoping that they will come out this time too. I have been selling books on Amazon but it is a bit of a hassle. I have to package them and go to the post office. I can make more by selling on Amazon but sometimes I guess I just feel lazy.

Yard sales are a big deal around here. So many people show up early that usually there is a note on the ads, NO EARLY SALES! We had people buying stuff out of the boxes we were bringing out of the house last time.

Is this a regional phenomenon? Do you have such devoted yard sale junkies? What is your best yard sale find?