Thursday, May 9, 2019

Four dollar bag


You can find treasures at church rummage sales if you have patience, a sense of adventure, and have a plan.

I recently shopped a sale and purchased a four dollar bag. This is known as a "bag sale." At the end of the rummage sale, brown shopping bags are sold for a set price for anything that you can fit into the bag. This can be a great deal if you know what you are looking for. If you fill your bag up with junk items that are worthless you have thrown away four dollars. 

If you haven’t shopped a bag sale before these are some tips:
1. If possible, scope out the sale first. Know the layout of the sale and where the items are that you are interested in. 
2. It helps to have a wish list of items you want. For example, if you are interested in books, check out the book area first. Have a list of books you are looking for or a genre you are interested in.  
3. Put heavier items at the bottom like books or housewares. 
4. If you are buying clothing or fabric items, roll clothing or items before you put them in the bag to save space. 
5. Use clothing or fabric to wrap breakable items and place those at the top. 
6. Slip in last minutes items like lightweight books or dishes on the side of the bag and then carry the bag from the bottom. 
7. Negotiate the price on items that don’t fit in the bag. 

Work with what you have and use your resources. 

I found some great treasures during my latest bag sale adventure, like this large straw bag. As a shopping tactic, I will find a bag or box to use as a shopping cart. 



The straw bag was too large to fit in the "sale bag." I asked to buy it for half price. Anything that can't fit into a bag is usually sold for half price or a reduced price. The cashier told me I would have it for free. I was prepared to buy it at half price but free is better. 

These are the items I purchased at the bag sale. Up first, books. This was the “kitsch” find of the sale, “The Catholic Saints In Cross Stitch: THE BOOK” by Nancy Bandzuch. 


Minnesota history books published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. I'm interested in Minnesota history and this was on my book list. 

Two Country Living magazines and the 2019 Farmer's Almanac.
  
Are you bored yet? 

This is where it get's exciting. (Just kidding) But this was a great  find. 

Items:
Glass tumbler
Handmade pottery tray
Pizza tray
A multitude of vintage and antique ladies hankies
And a colorful tin



I found a two shirts, one is a t-shirt from Lowertown, Saint Paul. The other shirt is a black cut-out shirt. 


The last find of the sale was a large carry all bag. Good for summer picnics, the farmers market, beach, etc. 






Tuesday, April 23, 2019

except resistance has left the building

I deleted my Disqus account "expect resistance." This was the handle I used for my five-plus years of posting on Disqus." Life post Disqus is good. I have more time to focus on other things. 

One of my hobbies before and post-Disqus is studying Minneapolis history. I am reading, "The King of Skid Row John Bacich and the Twilight Years of Old Minneapolis" by James Eli Shiffer. 



An interesting history of a bygone era of Minneapolis before the urban renewal of Minneapolis.

Minneapolis' vanished history: Life on Skid Row, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/05/27/books-king-of-skid-row


Sunday, June 24, 2018

Back to the 50s, 2018

A few photos from Back to the 50s, 2018.



From the swap meet









Thursday, July 28, 2016

Message board

Post a message at the fluxus message board. 


Photo from MIKI Yoshihito on flickr. 


Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Should I or should I not?

I'm toying with the idea of starting a disqus channel about birdwatching and nature stuff. I'm over extended the way it is so not sure it's a smart move. Anyway, I'm posting some links here in case I start the channel. 

Photographer's remarkable hummingbird images taken using handheld feeders. http://www.treehugger.com/animals/close-up-photos-hummingbirds-tracy-johnson.html



Saturday, March 5, 2016

Addicted to EagleCam

I admit it, I'm addicted to watching a pair of Bald Eagles raising their young at the Minnesota DNR EagleCam. Watch the EagleCam at http://www.webcams.dnr.state.mn.us/eagle/.

A video about the Eagle Cam. 

2016 is the fourth year of the EagleCam. From the DNR, "This is the fourth year DNR’s Nongame program has streamed live video from a bald eagle nest. The pair, which has used this spot for many years, has started to visit the nest after a few months absence. Last year the first egg was laid on the 19th or 20th of January, with all three being laid by the 25th of January. Eagles typically incubate their eggs for about 35 days. Although the nest has at times looked chilly, even covered in a blanket of snow for a while, Bald Eagles in Minnesota have adapted to laying and caring for eggs in these conditions. The male and female take turns keeping their eggs warm and dry in a deep pocket in the middle of the nest. Please check back often to see how the nest is doing, observe interesting behaviors such as parents switching off incubation duties, feeding, and protecting the eggs from the elements." More info at http://www.webcams.dnr.state.mn.us/eagle/

Bald Eagle chicks. (So cute)



There are eagle cams around the U.S. For a full list see, http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle4.html







Friday, February 19, 2016

Plastic bottle hacks

Got some extra plastic bottle around and wonder what to do with them. Make something. From the simple to complex there are a ton of ideas out there. 

The leaf lamp from Fab Art DIY is the most detailed use of discarded bottles. 

This DIY plastic bottle holder is beautiful and functional. 

Photo from "Cool Creatives." 

Instructions are at, http://coolcreativity.com/handcraft/diy-plastic-bottles-holders/

Reuse your bottle to garden. Directions are available at "Instructables." 

Photo from "Instructables."

For more ideas see Life Hack, http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/30-mind-blowing-ways-upcycle-plastic-bottles-home-and-the-office.html

"Crazy Russian Hacker also has some great ideas, plus a very cute dog in the video.