How much for that puzzle with "only a few" pieces missing?

When we pass a telephone pole that has "GARAGE SALE" on it, Dave breathes a little faster in anticipation. Deals! Junk! Cheap junk! Come on! Erin! Let's go!

And I usually think about scary clown pictures painted on black velvet canvases that have holes poked in the back for two small red eyes to blink when you plug it in, which would look lovely above that velvet-textured orange, tan and brown couch with the pattern of mills on it.

Whew.

So, we don't usually go garage sale shopping.

But we'd happened to end up in Columbus Grove for its village garage sale this year. I know these people. I know the streets most likely to be trying to pawn off that $2 clown painting. I was pumped. Or at least slightly excited.

I set out to grab the best of the best of the castoffs. I got a book for 50 cents and a lampshade. Dave got cookies and Kool-Aid. Ah, well. Garage sales are still fun, anyhow; people open their driveways to haul out junk that's not seen the light of day since the late '80s, in hopes someone is looking for a set of three seat cushions, moldy on the bottom, for a buck and a half.

And others juxtapose items in weird ways: "Meat grinder, $2. Baby swing, $15. Stack of Parkay butter bowls, 25 cents -- make good storege! (sic) Cookies, 25 cents or two for 50 cents." Uh ...

Brings out the best in people.

(Photos: Me staring in disbelief at the junk people are pulling in a wagon. Dave checking out camera stuff that just wasn't expensive enough for his taste and smelled slightly of tobacco.)