That Dreaded Four Letter Word

Let’s face it, words affect us.  Some words make us feel all warm and bubbly inside while others make us cringe.  Some words make us laugh while others make us cry. Some make us froth at the mouth while others may elicit no response whatsoever.

There is one four letter word that always gets to me whether I hear it or see it in print.  I am sure you all know what word I am talking about.  It seems every time I pick up something to read that word is there blatantly staring me in the face.  Whenever I talk to someone that word seems to crop up at least once in the conversation.

Yes, that word does have an effect on me and I’m sure on many of you as well.  SALE!  There, I’ve written it.  What other word has the power to turn people crazy?  What other word makes us want to go out and buy something we don’t really want or need at a price that has been inflated just so it can be marked down to the same price it was the day before the sale began?

I admit that I am drawn to a sale.  I don’t want to miss out on a bargain.  Well, last Friday Kathy and I went to a sale.  This sale happens just twice a year, January and August.  Even though I don’t need more of what is being sod I still end up with a bag full.

This sale is held by out local newspaper.  On sale are books, thousands of them.  All hardcovers are $3.00.  Paperbacks run $1.00 each.  Children’s books are 3 for $1.00.  How can you go wrong?

The newspaper staff spends months collecting books, sorting them, and arranging them for sale.  People flock to the sale.  There is always a line waiting to get in when the doors open.

Usually Kathy and I go in the afternoon when the crowd has thinned out a bit.  This time we were there about 15 minutes after the doors opened because we were going to meet some friends for lunch afterwards.

You can see some of the people milling around when we got there.

The books are all arranged alphabetically by author.  There are special displays for some authors such as James Patterson, David Baldauchi, Nora Roberts, and John Grisham.  There is a section for large print books as well as romance and sci-fi.  There is a special place for biographies and craft books.  No matter what kind of book you like, you are bound to find something here.

There are two rooms devoted to the sale and it seems that no matter what time you go to the sale there is someone else there.

If you were to look around our house you would see that we probably don’t need any more books.  Hogwash.  One can never have too many.  One of the main reasons I like this sale is that it gives me a chance to pick up books by authors I would not usually choose.

So, did I buy any books?  Do you really have to ask?