Before inputting the Buggy Town Auction into Google Maps, Evelyn asked if there would be rides. “No, it’s just animals to buy,” I told her. The next question, coming from a kid, was obvious: “Are we buying one?” I explained that we’d need a fence, a barn, and food, to which Dave added, “And we’d need to talk about it first.” Then, the tilt of his head showed a memory had surfaced. “Well, unless Mom walks in the door with a duck, then there’s no discussion.”
I did do that. Literally walked through the front door with the dirtiest white duck imaginable. How couldn’t I, the poor thing be picked to death?
If you haven’t been to a country animal and farm tools auction, boy are you missing out. The culture and rules remind me of a Catholic or other ritualistic church. Funny thing, now that I think of it, most of the seating in the pop-up tent and extra-large barn was church pews.
Dave, Evelyn, and I stayed long enough to watch our friends bid on and win a mini bunny and to see the going rate for a peacock ($200). I was surprised at the $25 rate for a Muscovy duck, as I paid nowhere near that when I had mine in Washington.
I also tasted my first-ever boiled peanut, something I’ve seen countless times around here being sold in gas station parking lots. Inside the peanut’s casing, the water is warm and salty, and coupling it with the nut’s stiff mashed potato consistency, it tastes a little like Thanksgiving potatoes with a dollop of butter.
Scrolling through the auction’s Facebook page, I saw that chinchillas have made their way to the bidding stage, and that reminded me they’re my number one pet desire for now. That cute dust bath they take and how silky smooth their hair is quite irresistible. Anyway, any larger livestock or fowl requires more effort than I’m willing to give (for now), but a little rodent in a cage is in my wheelhouse. So too was a lovebird—until I pulled up a YouTube video to play their bird sound. Waking up to that every morning would piss me straight off.
I might go pop in a hot bath. Being in that cold barn, even though it was a couple of hours ago, has me needing a warm-up. Thanks for dropping by; see you tomorrow. Love, Jaclynn
PS Enjoy these videos: one of Evelyn mimicking the auctioneer and the other of our friends bidding on their bun bun.
Going On 40 