bowling trophy

I discovered today that the tiny IODE thrift store across from the Value Village on Whyte Avenue closed. It didn’t have much stuff and the turnover was really slow, but it was dirt cheap, immaculately kept and the volunteers were really friendly. My favorite memory of this place: One time I found an uncharacteristic donation of prog rock LPs (Focus, Gentle Giant, etc.). As I was flipping through the stack of records, the elderly lady at the till excitedly told me “There’s a Jethro Tull in there!”

Help Me, 3D Jebus

We got in too late Friday night to offload Gary’s stuff at the storage place so we’re doing it this morning with a crew of Gary’s uncle Laurie and friends.

Uncle Laurie

Advice.

Bundles of records. Gary got rid of about half his record collection this year so this is only half what he usually has to move.

The crew. With so many studly dudes helping out we’re done in no time. Laurie lends Gary ‘n me his truck so we can tootle around town.

We’re in good company with dashboard Jesus and friend. First stop: Chinatown for some snacks.

Then we pay a visit to our Tiki Central pal Slacks Ferret at the community art centre where he works.

His latest painting The Birth of Pele is hanging in an exhibition of staff works.

Time for some thrifting.

The eyes on this plaster dalmation at the WINS store weird us out. It’s not for sale - too bad.

This also weirds me out - inverse plaster Jesus. If you hold it the right way it looks as if the face is jutting out instead of an impression in the plaster. There were a bunch of these at the BFM, including…

this one that was painted gold. Another weird thing is that if you hold it sideways

you get what appears to be a profile.

Good luck on the new job, Gary. I hope there are interesting thrift stores in Cranbrook.

Donuts & Giant Pumpkins

Today is moving day for Gary, a few dozen tiki mugs, a whole lot of ace paperbacks, and about 2500 LPs (as well as assorted furniture, clothing and such). He’s moving to BC to start a new job with an ad agency in the mountain village of Cranbrook. I offered to help him move as long as I didn’t have to do heavy lifting, and so I am driving the rental truck. The household effects will only be going as far as Calgary where they’ll be put in storage until Gary’s settled in new digs.

Red Deer

The Donut Mill, an iconic Gasoline Alley landmark.

Tiger

Venetian Cream

Rainbow Dip

Rolo

Decisions…

Outside Red Deer, we’re passed on the highway by a pickup truck hauling the biggest pumpkin we’ve ever seen (I had a clearer picture, but I erased it by mistake - d’oh!).

Bobbie Gentry: Fancy

Also-rans:

Generic Canadian Talent Library sleeve (in this case the record is Guido Basso’s “Love Talk”).