Digging through Grandma's Attic
Port Deposit's "Grandma's Attic" Flea and Antique Market

   I remember as a child trying to find those places where my mother would hide or store my favorite toys. Many I had outgrown but she, in her infinite wisdom, was going to save them for when her grandchildren were to visit. We had a large attic space the kind that you could stand up in and as a child jump up and not hit the ceiling in most areas. This led her to stack most everything in the those old wooden boxes so that the weight of the contents would not collapse the ones giving lower support.

There was one time while I was being baby sat that I finally got my chance to visit the museum of my youth. Much to my surprise most of the boxes contained not my treasures but treasures from my mothers youth stashed away neat packed in paper so old that cars ad had prices that even I  though were not bad at 10. I spent most the afternoon looking at items that had to be so old that I wondered how old my mother really was?

Years have past memories have faded as to why the items were stored. But I found myself cleaning out her attic to make space for things that she now at a much older age would not need and did not want; the clutter of old boxes stacked was disturbing her sense of cleanliness. So I took those items to dispose of them. 

Hmm… I thought after about the fifth box. There must be someone who would value these things. But in saying so, I receive the usual “If you are going to take them, take them now because I do not want them here.” 

Grandma’s Attic
One year the town through held a yard sale flea market called Grandma’s Attic. Held the Saturday after Easter the sale either by the early promise of spring or just a reason to get out of the house brought hundreds of people to the town looking for treasure. I had treasure. During the course for a few short hours I sold things for prices that made my mother speechless. Old washing boards, wood burners, faded mirrors, and a cabinet cupboard stand—that sparked bidding wars.

I learned a few things about attic storage. Keep the original Boxes, Stuff everything with old newspapers, magazine etc. Save those items no matter how broken that still intrigue your eyes.  and always thank your mother if she was a pack rat.