How many books we sold at my daughter’s yard sale depends on whether you mean the ones I wrote or the ones I read. Either way, I came back with a lighter load.

I’ve concluded that for most people yard sales aren’t worth the time and effort: It’s like putting all the work into setting up a small business, then shutting it down again after just three days. But in this case I got to hang out with my daughter and grandkids, so there was that.

I’ve had a few outdoor book signings, which always brought the obvious worry-the weather would stink. It’s related to the garage sale rule: If you hold a garage sale, the weather will be horrible for a garage sale.

(I just made that rule up, but I’m not the only one who’s noticed.)

For my daughter’s yard sale, the strangest thing is happening: If the weather holds, it will be perfect weather. For Thursday through Saturday mostly sunny, temperatures high sixties to low seventies. (This is assuming we survive the next couple of frigid days, of course. There’s no time of the year when I like getting this close to a record low.)

If I sell some of my new books and some used books, I’ll be happy. If I don’t lose my whole stock to a downpour, I’ll be pleasantly shocked … as opposed to the way I’m usually shocked.

Surrealists riddle: What do you call a book signing that’s not a book signing? A yard sale.



Told you it was surreal. No, seriously, it’s more a yard sale that I’ll have some books at: Both old and new books, and old books. I’m on a surrealist roll!



My daughter’s having a yard sale at the same time as the Kendallville city-wide garage sale, May 21-23, at her place at 521 East Diamond Street (I’m told the people next door will be having one, too). The main attraction will, of course, be the yard sale, with stuff like kid’s and adult’s clothes, and extras like twin bed headboards and one of those sandbox turtles that make you wonder if turtles would be at home in there. Also a double stroller because—twins.



Anyway, I’ve already taken over four boxes of old books from around the house, and as you avid readers have already guessed, yes—it did break my heart. But I need to de-stuff myself (not literally—ew), and it was time for me to give up on the idea that I’d someday go through and read all those books again.



Also, Charis has graciously allowed me to sell the books I actually wrote, both the newest one of my older ones, and thus the second lame surrealist joke. So, it can also be called a book signing, or quasi-book signing. I’ll probably be there from after school until around 5 p.m. both Thursday and Friday, but I’ll firm up the times for me and the sale as we get closer. Stop and browse! Just because I don’t need more stuff doesn’t mean you don’t … especially if you have kids.