A little something for me

Sales have been slow, so I was pretty tight with my bidding at the auction tonight. They sell box lots last now and I don't usually hang around, but I had only bought a couple things to sell and it was only 10pm (not bad actually) so I hung around.

There are huge rolling racks holding the boxes so I poked around as they were finishing up selling furniture. Up on top what do I find laying there among some baseball bats, but this shooting stick.

While you can tell what it's for, I never would have known what it's called, except that Mrs. Blandings posted about one she bought last year. Hers is a bit fancier, leather and bamboo if I remember right, but this one has a certain utilitarian charm. Cast aluminum with a canvas seat, and leather handles aged by time and human hands. Seems like just the sort of thing that would be handy to keep in the back of the Rover, especially for 20 bucks.

At the end of each auction the ringmen collect bidder numbers and throw them all into a box. The number drawn then wins 20 bucks, or what I like to call the endurance award (sometimes this particular auction runs past midnight). I tossed my card in the box and I'll be damned if Jason didn't pull my number. It's like I got my shooting stick for free.

11 comments:

Raina Cox said...

It's 3:25am in New Zealand and I've already learned my "something new" for the day.

Karena said...

Very cool! I never would have noticed it! I would still love to go to the auction with you sometime David!

Toad said...

tres chic

Mrs. Blandings said...

Completely terrific - you'll love having it.

ChrisToronto said...

I just love happy endings!

Scott in Iowa said...

I'm still very puzzled as to what this is exactly. Obviously you sit on it, but...why?
I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that it sounds like I'm the only one here who doesn't get it.

David said...

You're not the first to ask Scott, here's an example. My office has a team in the local adult kickball league. I don't play, but I go and watch and drink beer. Rather than sit in the bleachers, I can take my stick and sit behind the dugout to chat with my friends when they're at bat.

soodie :: said...

David, what is this thing called!!!! is it one of those things you sit on in the park? like Eloise and her nanny in 'Eloise in Paris'?

David said...

Shooting stick! I'm guessing they were a hunting party accessory? I can kind of picture old british men in tweed jackets sitting on them lighting their pipes.

Anonymous said...

Did you make a wall sconce out of it?
If not, what is that round part at the bottom?
Sorry for the stupid question.

David said...

It's a little round plate that's hinged, so when you stick it in the ground you flip the plate up and it has a stopping place.