When Estate Sales Break Your Heart

Last Friday, my sister-in-law and I went to an estate
sale at a very old house; we didn't buy anything. 

But on Saturday,

Howard and I went back to the sale, because I wanted these:

Picture from the estate sale ad, by Jerry's Antiques and Estate Sales.  Jerry, by the way, is great fun to chat with.

Royal Copenhagan plates.

The "Flute Half-Lace" pattern, in green.

This pattern dates back to 1775, and is still made by Royal Copenhagen,

and by many other manufacturers under other names: Finlandia, Denmark, etc.

In blue.  These were green.  Green!  For about $20 for 11 plates, I wanted them.

But as we walked up the steps to the house, a gentleman walked

down the steps, carrying those plates.  Dang.

The thing about estate sales: You snooze, you lose.

But that's not the heartbreak part of this tale.

No, the part that broke our hearts is that this house is being torn down.

The new owners want a place with lots of glass.

This house, from 1806, is too old, they say.

Too old.  After all, who could bear to live with an entry like this?

When Howard and I last saw this front parlor, that beautiful fireplace was lying on the floor.

I hope it's headed for a wonderful new home.  It's not original to the house, but it's lovely.

If I'd had an extra couple hundred dollars (stop laughing, Howard), I'd have taken that mantle.

Gorgeous old wood.  I hope someone took it.

Yes, it is heartbreaking that a gracious, beautiful home,

that has sheltered families for many generations,

will be torn down because it is old.

Don't get me wrong.

I have nothing against new houses.  Believe me, living in an old

house often makes the thought of new construction very appealing!

But surely, surely, this couple could have found some empty land

on which to build their glass and steel dream home.

And not destroy this bit of old New Jersey.

Well, now that I've depressed everyone, I need to say goodbye.

My friend Emily and I are going shopping!

She is getting a rare day on her own, without her twins;

wonderful husbands are valuable assets.

Speaking of wonderful husbands, Howard and I did buy

something from this estate sale; I'll show you tomorrow,

and share the results of yesterday's jaunt to Philadelphia's Main Line.

Enjoy your Tuesday -- Cass

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Confession: Those pictures of the house are not mine; they are from a real estate listing.