I’m still basking in the after-glow of the 127 yard sale. This big ol’ party was a gathering spot for strangers who share a love for antiques, junk and great deals. Isn’t it funny how a yard sale can turn strangers into a ragtag community? The camaraderie was contagious. Complete strangers shared memories over retro memorabilia, showed each other their purchases and gave recommendations on where to find a really good deal.

It was a couple of anonymous gents who helped push my car up a muddy incline. Of course, they may have had ulterior motives since they pulled into my parking spot as soon as I vacated it. But I’d like to think they’d have been just as helpful if they hadn’t need a place to park their truck.

At lunch, a crowded lunch spot—The Pig-n-Catch—necessitated sitting family style with other yard sale travelers. We sat with a couple from Wisconsin. What fun we had sharing our treasured finds over a shared plate of fried pickles. It was my idea for Mr. Wisconsin to order the pickles. He’d never heard of such a thing, if you can believe that. “Oh, you have to try the fried pickles,” I prodded. “You know, we fry everything down here.” He was hooked at the first bite.

Our lunch would have been humdrum if we hadn’t met our new friends. It’s amazing what you can learn about people over a plate of barbecue. Loving grandparents – he’s a novice guitar player and soon to be banjo picker; she a doll collector. We ran into them later on down the road and greeted one another like we’d known each other for years.

Obviously, we humans were not created for isolation, but instead for community. And it doesn’t take much to bring people together. Just a simple yard sale. I wonder if we’ll run into Mr. and Mrs. Wisconsin next year?