Random thoughts...

[Brian861]

In lieu of a yard sale I have now set-up tables by the road twice with a sign that said free with a box/can which states donations welcomed and appreciated. Both times 90% of items were removed from the tables with zero money put in the box/can.

I'm not upset but I am surprised that no one would drop a buck or two into the box. These items were typical yard sale stuff but nothing nasty, dirty, broken, or gross.

It's an interesting experiment.

Last 4th of July I set up a table with two coolers with a big colorful sign stating free watermelon, water, and soda. Not one person stopped.

Weird world we live in now. Maybe I'm just the weird one. I don't know.

By the way in all examples I stayed in the house to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable.

Hopefully the folks who took the free stuff put it to good use.

The human condition is an interesting one indeed and it's neat to experiment with it from time to time in a healthy way. I bet if you were actually selling the watermelon, water, and soda, people would actually have stopped. Maybe the being "free" scared them off. Fear of being poisoned and the like.

As far as the yard sale stuff; I think people will take absolutely anything they have no use for just for the fact that it's free. I once lived in a house where the garage was next to an alley. I'd put stuff out there to dispose of later and the next day it would be gone. And not nice stuff either. Stuff that was destined for the dump when I had enough for a truck load. My daughter was young at the time and I told her the Redneck Fairy would come each night to carry the stuff away. Not very nice I know but it was all in good humor between my daughter and I. I never had to go to the dump though .

[Ben Staad]

In lieu of a yard sale I have now set-up tables by the road twice with a sign that said free with a box/can which states donations welcomed and appreciated. Both times 90% of items were removed from the tables with zero money put in the box/can.

I'm not upset but I am surprised that no one would drop a buck or two into the box. These items were typical yard sale stuff but nothing nasty, dirty, broken, or gross.

It's an interesting experiment.

Last 4th of July I set up a table with two coolers with a big colorful sign stating free watermelon, water, and soda. Not one person stopped.

Weird world we live in now. Maybe I'm just the weird one. I don't know.

By the way in all examples I stayed in the house to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable.

Hopefully the folks who took the free stuff put it to good use.

[Ben Staad]

Thanks. Wife moved out today so that was a good start. LOL.

I hope everybody has a nice Fathers Day!

[mhatchett]

I hope everybody has a nice Fathers Day!

[Ben Staad]

I appreciate that.

That sucks, Tim. All you can do is move on, I guess. As John Lennon said,
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.”

[Dave1442397]

I have been fortunate enough over the last 14 years to be able to pursue my passion for collecting small press specialty books. Due to a crazy, soon to be ex-wife, I find myself in a position to step back from my collecting.

It's a weird moment for me. I am losing two things I love dearly. My wife and collecting books.

Just give me a silent, "Atta, Boy." and I will certainly feel the good vibes rolling in.

She put me in a tough spot which is requiring me to buy her out of the house among other things.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." I'm not a very religious person but I remind myself that a few moments of discomfort will ultimately leave me a better and stronger person and that there is always a path forward either from divine intervention or rainbow farting Unicorns. Pick one.

Either way I will still be around and drooling even more heavily at all of the fantastic new books you folks will be taunting me with.

That sucks, Tim. All you can do is move on, I guess. As John Lennon said,
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.”

[Ben Staad]

Thank you. It's great to have this friendly and caring little virtual community.

I’m really sorry to hear that. I got married the first time really young and we weren’t together more than a couple of years, but the divorce was not easy, emotionally or financially. I don’t know your circumstances, but I do know that with the support of friends and family (and maybe a few visits to the CD forum ) , you’ll get through this. And hopefully a triumphant return to the hobby you enjoy so much. My thoughts are with you, buddy.

[Sock Monkey]

I have been fortunate enough over the last 14 years to be able to pursue my passion for collecting small press specialty books. Due to a crazy, soon to be ex-wife, I find myself in a position to step back from my collecting.

It's a weird moment for me. I am losing two things I love dearly. My wife and collecting books.

Just give me a silent, "Atta, Boy." and I will certainly feel the good vibes rolling in.

She put me in a tough spot which is requiring me to buy her out of the house among other things.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." I'm not a very religious person but I remind myself that a few moments of discomfort will ultimately leave me a better and stronger person and that there is always a path forward either from divine intervention or rainbow farting Unicorns. Pick one.

Either way I will still be around and drooling even more heavily at all of the fantastic new books you folks will be taunting me with.

I’m really sorry to hear that. I got married the first time really young and we weren’t together more than a couple of years, but the divorce was not easy, emotionally or financially. I don’t know your circumstances, but I do know that with the support of friends and family (and maybe a few visits to the CD forum ) , you’ll get through this. And hopefully a triumphant return to the hobby you enjoy so much. My thoughts are with you, buddy.

[Ben Staad]

Thanks. I appreciate the advice and encouragement. Luckily our estate is fairly straight forward so (knock on wood) this shouldn't get very messy.

I have had several friends, men and women go through this. My hard hearted advice is this, don't be too nice. Don't give away the farm out of guilt. Make it equitable, get your share, no more, no less. Best wishes as you work your way through this......

[mhatchett]

I have been fortunate enough over the last 14 years to be able to pursue my passion for collecting small press specialty books. Due to a crazy, soon to be ex-wife, I find myself in a position to step back from my collecting.

It's a weird moment for me. I am losing two things I love dearly. My wife and collecting books.

Just give me a silent, "Atta, Boy." and I will certainly feel the good vibes rolling in.

She put me in a tough spot which is requiring me to buy her out of the house among other things.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." I'm not a very religious person but I remind myself that a few moments of discomfort will ultimately leave me a better and stronger person and that there is always a path forward either from divine intervention or rainbow farting Unicorns. Pick one.

Either way I will still be around and drooling even more heavily at all of the fantastic new books you folks will be taunting me with.

I have had several friends, men and women go through this. My hard hearted advice is this, don't be too nice. Don't give away the farm out of guilt. Make it equitable, get your share, no more, no less. Best wishes as you work your way through this......

[Ben Staad]

Thank you. Can't wait for those glittering poofs to come my way. In the mean time I am keeping my nose to the grindstone and making sure to keep my overlords happy with my work performance.

Really sorry to hear it. I have a family member who went through exactly the same situation with the same financial ordeal, and can sympathize with what you're going / about to go through. Hang tough, it will get better, and you'll soon feel those Unicorn farts raining down on you.

[RonClinton]

Really sorry to hear it. I have a family member who went through exactly the same situation with the same financial ordeal, and can sympathize with what you're going / about to go through. Hang tough, it will get better, and you'll soon feel those Unicorn farts raining down on you.

[Ben Staad]

Thank you. It is appreciated.

It's a weird position to be in and at my age starting over is a weird feeling. I know that you and others can relate.

The best advice so far is not to make any big or rash decisions. KISS all day. *Keep it simple, Stupid!". LOL

So sorry to read this. Take care of yourself!

[Martin]

I have been fortunate enough over the last 14 years to be able to pursue my passion for collecting small press specialty books. Due to a crazy, soon to be ex-wife, I find myself in a position to step back from my collecting.

It's a weird moment for me. I am losing two things I love dearly. My wife and collecting books.

Just give me a silent, "Atta, Boy." and I will certainly feel the good vibes rolling in.

She put me in a tough spot which is requiring me to buy her out of the house among other things.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." I'm not a very religious person but I remind myself that a few moments of discomfort will ultimately leave me a better and stronger person and that there is always a path forward either from divine intervention or rainbow farting Unicorns. Pick one.

Either way I will still be around and drooling even more heavily at all of the fantastic new books you folks will be taunting me with.

So sorry to read this. Take care of yourself!

[Ben Staad]

I have been fortunate enough over the last 14 years to be able to pursue my passion for collecting small press specialty books. Due to a crazy, soon to be ex-wife, I find myself in a position to step back from my collecting.

It's a weird moment for me. I am losing two things I love dearly. My wife and collecting books.

Just give me a silent, "Atta, Boy." and I will certainly feel the good vibes rolling in.

She put me in a tough spot which is requiring me to buy her out of the house among other things.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." I'm not a very religious person but I remind myself that a few moments of discomfort will ultimately leave me a better and stronger person and that there is always a path forward either from divine intervention or rainbow farting Unicorns. Pick one.

Either way I will still be around and drooling even more heavily at all of the fantastic new books you folks will be taunting me with.