THE RETURN OF THE BLUE BIN DUMPSTER DIVER

I have already chronicled the peculiar joy-cum-horror that is a Goodwill Outlet store in my previous entry, A Dirty Habit Revealed found here, so I won’t elaborate on the experience, only the haul. Suffice to say that it might be the only place in the free world where you may watch a week old baby have its fragile immune system bullied, bolstered and otherwise put to the test while new mother gets a little shopping done. I witnessed this unfortunate scene on a recent outing. The lady was scooping and churning the debris with one giant paw, digging vigorously through rat fecal troughs of discarded clothing, broken glass and black molded long play record sleeves while the other arm loosely gripped her befuddled bundle of joy, who dipped and dangled with the repetitive motion. It wouldn’t have surprised me at all to learn she had traded the baby in the parking lot for the bottom half of an artificial Christmas Tree, a macrame plant holder matted with apricot jam and a Bratz Doll with a duct taped leg. Such are the ways of my fellow treasure hunters.

I endure all of the shame and ignore all of the human suffering for one objective only; the books. Every visit is like a trip to the library on a stolen library card. I walk out with priceless volumes purchased for pennies and I never have to return them and I never pay a fine. Well, priceless may be an overstatement but I value them plenty nevertheless. Here are a few highlights from my last visit to that local dank den of out-of-print pamphlets and under-loved literature.

AMERICAN HISTORY by THOMAS M. MARSHALL Professor of History
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

If the Native American embossed on the cover of this volume of American History published in 1936 looks a little glum, it’s because he has a pretty good handle on how thoroughly screwed his people are.

Seems like the kind of book that might be banned at Washington University in 2018, what with the defeated peoples of color subjugated at the virgin pure hem of the innocent white maiden and all.

A fairly succinct summation of American History in one photograph.
The ad lib Boom! Boom! is in emphatic accordance.

LAUTREC

A lovely collection of the diminutive master’s stunning work discarded no longer.

Those aren’t bedroom eyes they’re making, rather a discussion of who’s going to get up and make the coffee.

Old cookbooks are fascinating, most especially when they were locally published with advertising.

Phone 4444 for your fur storage needs. Try saying that 10 times fast.

Baked beans for fifty!

If you can catch it, I can cook it.

A nice pair of older jugs. (giggle)

I could dine year round on the endless supply in my yard alone, should I choose to.

Our specials tonight are Squirrel Pot Pie and Woodchuck.

SEEGFRÖRNE 63 – THE DIARY OF BIG ICE

Frolicking winter fun in Germany (maybe Switzerland) best I can decipher.
With pasted in personal photographs.

Translation: Dangerous skating

BASIC TELEVISION

I’m hoping to study up and score a job over at Gene Love TV. #goals

I’ll even bring my own tubes.

Might be my favorite Ex Líbrís label.

Old ledger and journal, both empty and awaiting entries.

EUROPA TOURING 1968

For someday motoring through Europe like Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE

Back when aircraft maintenance was achieved with a hand saw.

GERALD GARDNER’S I’M IN CHARGE HERE!

Ridiculing the President; fun then, fun now.

JOKES FOR THE JOHN 1961

Kind of bawdy, right?

A peek inside Charlie Rose’s den.

Goldie was a good daughter.

MODERN HOME MEDICAL ADVISER

From the manure pile to baby’s lips.

Rowers like to watch.

I started sucking my thumb as I read the line, “Fortunate indeed is the child whose parents have learned such functions of the reproductive system that they may derive exquisite pleasure and enjoyment therefrom.”

Oh, damn.

THE COMPLETE AND AUTHENTIC LIFE OF JESSE JAMES

Prop those boys up so I can get a good photograph.

‘It was on Saturday night,
Jesse was at home
Talking with his family brave,
Robert Ford came along
like a thief in the night
And laid poor Jesse in his grave.’

LAFAYETTE RADIO ELECTRONICS 1964 CATALOG
or QUINQUAGENARIAN PORNOGRAPHY