Rummage is one of those interesting words that can be both a noun and a verb–and two kinds of a verb, at that, both transitive and intransitive (and even a sort of an adjective, as in a “rummage sale”). All of you grammarians out there got that, right? All of you non-grammarians don’t give two hoots in a hot place about the word anyway, right?
So what brought this to mind was the Big Annual Rummage Sale at the Y last week.
What a TON of STUFF all gathered in one big place at once!!! Whooee!
Causes one (at least this one) to reflect upon the amount of STUFF we all have in our homes–indoor, outdoor, even in our cars. Stuff that at one time, apparently, we saw some need or desire for or were given as a gesture of affection or obligation (or maybe revenge) or distraction.(“Sorry I didn’t do what you wanted but, here, I brought you a do-hicky.”). And, of course, there’s a bunch of things that were simply outgrown–shirts, pants, shoes, jackets, socks, jammies…not a whole lot of underwear turns up, thank goodness, there are issues with that which we will not go into..
Aside from items of clothing, which come in handy when prepping for school at any level, outfitting for specific tasks ( Ya need hip waders for what biology class?), or preparing for humorous Christmas gifts, one can find culinary tools–pans, timers, thermometers, spoons, spatulas, etc.–and electrical devices for producing just about any menu offering you’d like (or not) to put on your table.
The table to put these things on might very well be available, as well as a cloth for covering the table, tableware to eat with (unless, God forbid, you are a “hand-to-mouth” sort of eater, in which case, look for napkins.)and possibly some piece of decor–fake flower arrangement, candle holders, casserole trivet, whatever to give your place a little up-scale class (sorta).
Wanna go to bed after all this exertion? Plenty of bedding shows up here in colors and patterns you wouldn’t believe, pajamas too. Pillows are “iffy” unless they’re in with the kids’ stuff and have ducks & bunnies on ‘em.
Your decorating needs can be met if you wander into the section marked by Christmas garlands, Easter baskets, Thanksgiving turkeys or Fourth of July flags featuring pix of fireworks.
Antiques? You want antiques? Grandma’s dishes and glassware, tableware and cooking utensils are all lined up there on the tables; take your pick. Same goes for her wardrobe on the racks in the middle of the room–dresses, coats, hats & jackets, prom gowns and slinky nightwear–whoooeee. Guys can find much the same variety ( not much slinky nightwear for them, alas), either hanging there–suits & coats, good shirts, etc.– or in the piles of jeans and trousers and shorts , even boots & shoes.
Then there’s the electronics stash–TV’s, radios, cords & connectors and STUFF.
And furniture.
And pictures in frames.
And jewelry.
And medical apparatus
And books…and books…and books
Get there next time; it’s all in support of the Garrettsville Family YMCA, Community with a capital C.
