I left the confines of home & office for an auction. A friend & I met my folks, die hard antique collectors & sellers, there at 7 am for the all-important preview. Never mind the fact that I only had $20, and that I knew the cold brats & burger fare would be nothing but an expensive way to make my stomach quiet down, if not taste better than the wax paper they are dropped into, I was excited. A whole day away from the husband & the kids, *plus* the chance to look at some truly uncommon items.

This auction was huge, being the contents not only of a life-time of collecting, but of an antique store as well. Lovely bits of this and that. It really didn't matter what your passion for collecting, there was something there for you: books, art, pottery, coins, jewelry, furnishings, glass, sports memorabilia, light fixtures, rugs, clothing, toys, paper - gads, name it!

This one was so large, they had two auctioneers going at the same time: one inside, one outside. And it was held for two days this way! Heaven.

We arrived early, but with so much to offer, you really couldn't view all of it.

Did I mention it was large?

Without boring you with my continued rapture, let's move on... to the focal point of this piece, the fainting couch...

Once they began to action the furniture, I went to watch. I say watch, because I only had $20, remember? For me, the furniture sales are like accidents: I *know* I shouldn't watch, but I can't help myself. This is because I can't afford to bid, let alone store the stuff, but seeing entire oak dinning room sets (huge tables, 12 chairs & side boards) sell for $150 is just shocking. Every time, I watch in amazed horror as someone besides myself gets such great deals.

There are always heart-breaker pieces too. Ones that you will never see again, they are so rare.

This time there was a lovely piece, dark wood with glass doors, not on the original 'base.' But the entire front is carved, even the front edges of the shelves - and the top! Oh, the top is carved into a pair of dragons, facing each other, with an ornate shield between them. Lovely. I realize that if I remove it from the wrong base, I can set it on the floor & it will then fit in my house...

Another man is looking at it too. I ask him if he will be bidding & we chat about the piece briefly before the action begins. He doesn't bid, but it sells for a mere $450.

My $20 and I have to watch, mute, and hope for another day...

Anyway, as usual, the pieces are going for small sums, and I am up front, but my bidding 'paddle' remains in my purse... Until this old trunk comes up. He starts the bidding at $20. No one bids. He drops to $10. No one bids. At $5, still no one bids, so he says "A buck & go then" -- that's when my number flies up & I get this huge old trunk for $1!

I now have "bidder's high."

Fueled by my good fortune, I continue to watch the other pieces go, feeling smug with my great buy...

Then he comes upon an old fainting couch. Huge carved oak legs, leather covered, and though the leather will need to be replaced, the frame is sound, as are the springs etc. The bidding is started at some price, I was not paying any attention, I was romancing about the 1920s or so when this piece was made... Missing an old crappy one I had owned years ago. Something about them is sexy & comfortable, in a practical way. I muse how this would be great in front of the window...

"No?! How about $50 then..." starts the auctioneer. Apparently no one is bidding. I am rapt with attention. No one bids, so he drops it, then again, so I blurt out "I'll give you $10!"

Some other sap has yelled the same, so I become the $20. Then there is a $25, I go to $30. Then a $35. The auctioneer turns to me, asking for his $40... I look over at where the other bids have come from. I can't see the bidder through the people... Will this person keep bidding?

I nod, and go to $40. Both the auctioneer & I look to the other bidder for the $45 - he is eager for it, I am not. At this point, the other bidder says "Oh, it's you! Hun, you have it."

It is the man I was talking about the dragon piece with!

Later, he came up to me & said he didn't know it was me, and he is happy I got such a deal. I thank him, still a bit in shock - now I have to go borrow $21.