Shopping and junking in the Coulee

If you listen closely you’ll hear flapping going on in all of the towns here in the Coulee. Yes, I said flapping, like the wings of those majestic Eagles when they fly over the Columbia River, Banks Lake and Lake Roosevelt looking for a fish or two. What’s this about? Snow Birds. I’m sure you know some snow birds.I know quite a few and now that winter is closing in on the Coulee, I kind of wish I could be a snow bird and go south for the winter months, with a soft landing in sunny Arizona.

Should I have said revving up their engines instead of flapping? Maybe so, but no matter how they get out of the Coulee, in vehicles or in the air, many of our birds are about ready to head out and leave the rest of us here for those long winter days without any yard, estate or even junk sales to keep us entertained. The point is to wish them safe journeys and many happy shopping and junking excursions too.

Over the past couple of weekends, Detective Frankie D. and some other die-hard shoppers made the rounds of a few nifty yard sales, despite rainy spurts and enough wind to keep everybody wondering if the gusts were tearing up more trees and landscaping. By golly! We were tough enough to brave the elements and we let nothing get in our way, not even the dust and road grit blowing up in our eyes and noses could stop us. We didn’t care about the weather, we just wanted to shop.

So, shop we did. In Coulee Dam, Cora and friends hosted a two-day sale on Holly Street featuring an assortment of household items, clothing, handbags and shoes, pretty jewelry and holiday decor and as usual, every single item was in great condition.

Another two-day sale, this annual event hosted by the Grand Coulee Methodist Church, was met with a group of ready-for-action shoppers early on Friday morning this past week-end, who scooped up arm loads of adult and children’s clothing, bedding and other goodies, all set out on tables and on shelves within easy reach. The ladies also hosted a fabulous luncheon, that of, chicken vegetable soup, corn bread and a choice of eight kinds of homemade pie. Plus, all proceeds from this event are well spent on what is known as Women’s Mission Projects, financed by the ladies’ contributions both locally and in other parts of the world.

And finally, here’s the word on the indoor yard sale held in the former Grand Coulee Liquor Store last Saturday. The gals, Marcia, Carlene and Shirley, brought out some of their collectibles (plates, cup and saucer sets, and smalls), holiday themed stuff, vases and glassware, and craft items. Detective Frankie D. left with three sterling sliver chains, a like-new wallet and a leather address book, all for a few pennies on the dollar. Such a deal!

A couple of my yard sale buddies told me that they went out of town to a home located in wheat country, up past the town of Almira where they spent time at a yearly antique (etc.) sale last Saturday. Those of us looking for antiques will frequently spend the gas and effort to get to a sale where there’s great old stuff to drool over. And once in a while, you can bring home a special item that somebody else had in days gone by. This is the stuff that dreams are made of for collectors.

Got your coat and hat handy? More sales in the Coulee this coming Saturday. Let’s hope those flying monkeys from the Land of Oz have left the area. Happy sales.