Auction

My husband goes to farm equipment auctions quite frequently. Occasionally, I go along, because there is a certain "something" about these events that draws me.
And because, he asks me to go along with him.



This particular one was a consignment sale (as opposed to a farm liquidation sale - which depress me.) deep in the Virginia boonies - Charlotte Courthouse, VA. The courthouse building there was designed by Thomas Jefferson, and it is where Patrick Henry first gave his famous "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech.



Anyhow. AHEM....

There were about 1000 people at this sale. There was a huge representation of the Amish community, also - the Ladies were serving up food in a huge white tent. OH! The food in that tent - it was coming out in streams, on paper plates and bowls, by the hoards of people flocking in there for whoopie pie, home made breads, cake, cookies, sandwiches, soup, coffee, numerous other pies whole and by the slice, candy - everything. I found myself unable to resist buying a couple of the most fluffy, light, perfect lemon-filled jelly doughnuts. And a whoopie pie. And.... well, unhealthy foods I will not mention here. If you have ever sunk your teeth into an Amish delight of any kind.... you know what I am talking about. ESPECIALLY the doughnuts. Look, I had an Amish girl give me the recipe for doughnuts one time, and I made them - sort of. But they're still not the same as the real thing. And that is ALL I have to say about Amish food at this time. My mouth is seriously watering just thinking about it..... Moving on.....



I attended my first auction with my husband just before we were married, and was amazed at how these things are not just a sale of farm equipment.... they're like a social event.



There is something so quaint, and so sold fashioned about some of the sales I ave been to. Like the one today, for instance. It was so cold - and windy, and miserable all morning. Yet, 1000 or so people came anyway. It reminds me of how it must have been in days gone by - a community gathering you didn't want to miss, because they didn't happen very often. Events like this must have been the highlight of rural folk's social life. I know, I know - us simple minded country folks; we don't get out much! :)

There is a sea of trucks parked in a field - kind of like the county fair! Farmers don't come alone - they bring their families. Wives, Kids, pets....


(This dog's name was Brutus. Like my cat. He was such a cute dog.)

.... They come in droves; and stay all day long.



Friends; neighbors; extended family all meet up and spend the day together, selling, buying, getting a great deal, talking, catching up, bonding, sharing a doughnut and a cup of coffee. I was even more "transported" to a simpler time of long ago, when I saw the horse drawn buggies pulling in and out.



Did I mention that there were around 1000 people or more there?



There were a few times, the crowd of camo and carhart closed in around me, so I couldn't even see through the coveralls and jeans to know what was going on.



We go to find good deals on things we need on our farm, of course; but half of it is just getting out and being with 1000 other like minded rural farming folk.

This sale was a bit different from others I'd been to; no only because of the Amish element, but because there were livestock at this one! There were two baby bunnies I really wanted, for $8. Kevin might have bought them for me, but before I could even get a photo of them they were sold. There were horses, alpacas, a hog, and sheep, as well.



Who were not very happy about my close proximity to their truck, I must say. They were very suspicious of me, to say the least. And when I visited the hog, she was not exactly thrilled, either. Oh well.

There were also (surprise!) Antiques at this sale!



A whole, glorious tent full of them. But I resisted. We were not here for more vintage/antique stuff for me... we were here for a backhoe.

There were some really tempting very early blue canning jars with bubbles in the glass, and other desirable imperfections in blue jars. I still have never laid eyes on the rumored "violet hue" jars.......



At some point in the morning, I looked up on the hillside, and saw the Amish boys, enjoying an impromptu game of volleyball. It was just so cute.



And at the end of the day, Kevin and his farming partner bought what they were after...



... for an excellent price. So, although I had to get up at a completely unreasonable hour on a Saturday, it was cold, I had no sweet tea all day, I broke my hair elastic and my hair was all over the place all day, I now have windburned cheeks, and I didn't get my bunnies -

It was a fun day. :)