DR. TRYON'S COMP. CASTOR OIL PILLS

     THE ONE THING I FIND HIGHLY FASCINATING, NOT TO MENTION AMUSING, IS THE OLD-TIME, QUACK MEDICINE REMEDIES CON ARTISTS SOLD TO  INNOCENT PATRONS AND PASSERSBY.
     THIS IS AN EMPTY PILL BOX THAT CONTAINED DR. TRYON'S COMP. CASTOR OIL PILLS FOR "WHATEVER AILS YA!: HEADACHES, BACKACHES, POTENCY, THE MANGE, EXTRA ENERGY! WHATEVER YOUR AILMENT IS, THIS LITTLE MIRACLE WILL DO THE TRICK!" 
     LOL...COULDN'T YOU JUST SEE A PUDGY, LITTLE MAN IN A FANCY SUIT, STANDING ON A WOODEN STOOL IN FRONT OF HIS TRUCK.
     THEN, HE INTENTIONALLY PROMISES TO CURE EVERYONE OF ANY AILMENT THEY HAVE ALL FOR THE PRICE OF TEN DOLLARS. THE INNOCENT TOWNSFOLKS PAY, AND HE MOVES ON TO CON THE NEXT TOWN.
     THE ONLY THING HIS MAGIC PILLS ACCOMPLISHED IS THIS FRONT-PORCH TALK: "BACK IN 1925, A RASCALLY VARMINT TRAVELED INTO TOWN ON A SUNDAY AFTER PRAYER-MEETING IN THE DEAD OF JUNE."

THE HAIR-GROWING GLEEP

     This collectible oddity's a real hair...er...I mean...eyebrow-raiser.

     I purchased "The Hair-Growing Gleep" at an estate sale a few months ago. He works like the Chia Pet. You place seeds in the top of his head and watch them grow out like hair. 

    The reactions I often received from people were priceless. I was told the Gleep was everything, from a pencil holder to a yard gnome. But, of course, I never told them any different.

    From now on, I have a new conversation piece to last a lifetime. 

VINTAGE LIFE-SIZED FOLK ART FIGURE

        For my first blog entry, I searched through my entire antique repertoire for just the right debut piece to share. The first of anything has always got to be the thing people will remember more than anything else. Needless to say, I didn't have to look far to find just the right gem.

     I found this life-sized folk art carving at a flea market in Virginia a few years ago. This guy had a great deal of character and needed a home. When people walk onto my front porch, he's the first thing they see.