There was a small addition to the auctioneer's starting spiel on Saturday. They now have a website. And an email mailing list for anyone interested in when auctions are being held, where and with what. I've checked their site. My pictures were better.

As usual, they asked that all small items be removed today. And larger items by Wednesday, since they need the space for new items, and so the carpet layers could work.

To which grandpa snapped, "You know any carpet layers who work?" The entire crew had a less than comfortable laugh over that one, so I assume there is a story there.

This was a combination estate and house-selling auction. Lots of collectables. And, unfortunately, quite a few out-of-town buyers. Few bargains. And Bill, one of the auction spotters who also sells antiques, was working today. He went out with a lot of boxes.

Including the very first. Out came Bill's glasses, a quick inspection, and the first box went to his corner. For a measly $2.50.

They were obviously in a hurry, but it still took most the day. And not the best decorum. The auctioneer and some spotters chuckled out loud when one box went for $10. Bill appeared to be in a special hurry, shoving each new box up front right after another was sold.

"Don't sell the water, will ya'?" grandpa said as he retrieved his water bottle from a box in Bill's hands.

They got to the Disney videos early. Thirty-two classics and moderns, in cases, in near pristine condition (only used when grandchild was over to visit). Sold them choice, with five going for $15 each (some of which sell for over $100 each). The remaining 27 went for $110.

To the auctioneer's daughter.

It was about this time that grandpa ran into her husband, a spotter, with his electric cart.

When #12 won his first auction, grandpa, the caller, stopped everything to ask "How's that new hip, Leonard? Everything working okay?"

Folks aren't big on medical confidentiality out here.

Next up was the usual huge jar of pennies. He asked his son if he wanted to sell those "one at a time?"

Several nice baby blankets and quilts came up. Boy behind us was drawn to one pattern, wanting Dad to bid. But no. "The only baby we have left is you."

Over a dozen Barbie dolls, one still sealed in box. Folks in the crowd made comment about Bill lifting the skirt on his to look at her rear. He got red, but quickly explained that is where the year of manufacture is stamped. Auctioneer gave his spotter a strange look, and remarked "Not everyone knows where to look."

In other words, how did you discover that fact in the first place?

The 1960s era Barbies, in good shape, most clothed, went for $15-$20 each. I have promised myself I will not check ebay to see what bargains we missed.

Jay had a handful of absentee bidder cards in his pocket. The spotters try not to let anyone know when they are "yupping" a bid in their pocket, but wife noticed he holds his hands differently when he's the bidder. Need to watch next time to see if his hands also tell us when he's maxed out on the card bids.

Two Rambouillet ram skulls (domestic sheep) went for $20. Guess I don't have to guard the ones I have in the backyard.

Ever see a grown man jump into a camouflage Eddie Bauer float tube and go "Yee-haw!"?

I have.

Things were actually slow at first, with several oak chairs going cheap (two to a neighbor). When the small antique smoking stand came up, though, things got fast and furious. "All of a sudden we have an auction!" the auctioneer cheered.

When a box of embroidered pillow cases and sheets came up, the spotters spread them out and held them high.

Looking like the Wall of Angels in Laramie.

Yeah, I got choked up. But then had to start snickering as the auctioneer peeked out, under first the left arm, and then the right arm of the spotter in front of him in order to take bids. Back and forth until they were sold.

Another box of clothes was emptied out, item by item, eventually revealing a slinky, short nightgown. Without breaking stride in his listing of the contents, the auctioneer concluded with "and an unmentionable." To which his dad retorted, "but you just mentioned it."

Quite a bit of nice costume jewelry (and one real diamond ring that went for $675). The son-in-law spotter put on one necklace to liven things up.

And couldn't get it off when the item was sold. Not a lot of practice undoing clasps on his own neck, I guess.

Eight or nine jars of marbles, which they spread out through the auction. When one was sold for $15, they called out the winner, "#40." The whole room heard the woman sitting next to #40 spin in her seat and shout "What!?"

The other interesting thing about this couple, besides having a boy who wanted another baby blanket, is that they each had separate bidding numbers. "His" and "Hers" accounts, apparently. Never noticed them bidding against each other, but I suppose it could happen.

One box included a set of Chevy keys. "I guess if you can find the car, you get that, too."

The sale included two 48-star American flags, one of which was an indoor display model, with the fancy (but ugly) gold trim. The other was not. The other came up first.

When the grandson-in-law spotter started to open the tri-fold, grandpa gently but briskly chided him "Don't open that."

Apparently they do not hawk the Star Spangled Banner like a common piece of cloth. Started asking $50 for it, but no takers until he got down to $10. Then bidding between two buyers was extremely brisk, with immediate nods at $2.50 intervals, until it was bought for $50.

Auctioneer said it was good to see some old-fashioned patriotism again.

First thing the wife and I did when we got home, before even opening the door to let the heelers out, was to take that flag from its bag and fold it properly.