Fun fur nightmare
We pretty much covered our day at the West Seattle garage sales, except for the very last sale we hit. This was an estate sale, not part of the organized effort, and we just happened to spot their signs. And man, it was a doozy!
Pulling up, we could see one side of the house that looked like it was sort of falling in. The photo sort of gives you an idea of what was going on … it was even scarier in person.
Most of the sale was outside and the stuff was really pretty crusty. They had a bunch of odd metaphysical books, and a ton of unused Shaklee beauty products going back a few decades.
I overheard a woman say that they planned on doing an auction of the house, and she was going to take a guy on a tour to see the place. I very sweetly asked if Jenny and I could come along. I mean, when are you going to get to walk into a crumbling house that is set right on the water? Okay, in our case maybe more often than most … but still. This place was C-R-U-S-T-Y.
The very first thing we saw was the front entry way light that looked like mold was about to make it drop off the ceiling. Scary. Then we spotted the pool … and the view. It was one of the better views I have seen in Seattle.
We were lagging a little behind, and when we walked back into the house we found this organ and crazy wallpaper. Amazing. We were trying to stay on the tour, but it was hard not to stop and gawk a little.
Then I was super stoked to see this huge signed photo of Korla Pandit.
When I asked if it was for sale, she said $50. Hmm… Do I really need a 1 1/2′ x 2′ photo of Korla playing organ in my house?!?! The woman explained that her mom had owned the house and had played with him. They had known each other for 30 years and he had played the very organ we’d just walked past. (It also had his picture on it, although that one wasn’t for sale.)
When Jenny asked if she could take a picture, the woman gave her a really strange look — we thought she was going to say no, but she was just baffled that we’d want to. Then she took us upstairs. There wasn’t much left up there, but we did spot this 1958 Seattle Seafair art.
In the master bedroom, a huge chunk of the ceiling had fallen in. Really huge, like several feet across. The woman explained that her mom had been downstairs when it happened and had just heard the crash. It was right above her bed, so if she’d been up there it could have been really bad. At this point I needed to ask her how this happened … HOW THE HELL DID THIS WHOLE HOUSE END UP LIKE THIS???
The woman was very sweet. She said that she’d tried many times to help her mom take care of the place, but she refused help, and only after she had a stroke would she accept any help from the family.
She then showed me the fun fur tub and said it had a fun fur cover, so you could use it as a bench. Why????
Truly a one of a kind sale. Neither Jenny or I bought anything here, but it seemed like a good sale to end the day on.
And in case you need something like a unicorn chaser after those pictures, here’s Korla in action!
mollye said,
May 14, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
Oh my gawd but this has got to be THE most bazarre sale I’ve ever seen. Who knew? Thanks for sharing the amazement and fun. Mollye
Stuart said,
May 14, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
THANK YOU for introducing me to Korla Pandit! [I knew I should have sat through Ed Wood--Mr. Pandit has a cameo.]
And in case you don’t know: http://www.korlapandit.com/
And please keep up your blog–it’s HIGHLY entertaining.
Danielle said,
May 14, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
I must say…a little creepy!
Mary said,
May 14, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
All weird, but entertaining. I find it strange that they just focus on Pandit’s face while he plays and never show his hands.
karl said,
May 14, 2010 @ 7:23 pm
Oh yeah, I got TWO signed Korla Pandit lp…but that sale was a pure purell sale!
Meghan said,
May 14, 2010 @ 7:31 pm
yes. it’s rare that I am stoked for purell, but this sale did me in…
Debra said,
May 15, 2010 @ 8:32 am
OMG – how did I live my life until now without knowing about Korla Pandit! Love,love, love your blog!
swankola said,
May 15, 2010 @ 5:37 pm
“Do I really need a 1 1/2′ x 2′ photo of Korla playing organ in my house?!?!”
The answer to this question is always yes (but only if it is signed)
Meghan said,
May 15, 2010 @ 5:49 pm
um, yes. it was signed, but the vibe there was really odd and It just didn’t feel right. Also, my home is almost all windows, so I wouldn’t be able to hang it.
but yes… maybe I should have…
Monica said,
May 15, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
Great story – I’d also never heard of Korla Pandit. It’s fun that you got to see the house, too. One time I went to a garage sale at a Lustron house and I commented to the lady about it and she gave me and my daughter a tour. The house was in excellent condition. The house had kind of 60′s decor which was her original furniture and she had a pet bird named Elvis.
Jenny said,
May 15, 2010 @ 7:46 pm
My husband was also bummed I didn’t buy it. But honestly I would have thought about that house every time I looked at it and I think that would have just creeped me out too bad …
Melissa said,
May 16, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Oh my lord, I just wiki’d Korla Pandit. Along with falling ceilings, scenic wallpaper and the fur-shrouded bathtub, this has got to be one of your weirdest adventures EVER. Thanks for documenting it for the rest of us!
swankola said,
May 16, 2010 @ 9:56 pm
I have two Korla Pandit albums (the same one times 2) that I found at a church rummage sale – one on red vinyl, the other on regular vinyl. Both are signed (but not framed). I think Korla pretty much signed every record he ever sold.
The Roving Home said,
May 17, 2010 @ 9:59 pm
Forget Korla. You should have walked away with that picture of a randy Neptune with a mer-whore on his lap while the weird sea creatures just stare at them. Yeesh.
Meghan said,
May 18, 2010 @ 5:00 am
The Neptune / sea-fair item wasn’t for sale. Sea-fair is a pretty big deal in these neck of the woods.
Savina said,
May 19, 2010 @ 3:55 pm
Wow……WOW! The waterfall wallpaper, the organ, the framed organist…..this is marvelous! The Unicorn Chaser completed this oddball experience…
astrid said,
May 25, 2010 @ 5:44 am
wow- that video. i can’t believe i even watched that!! totally CREEPY!!!!!!
and what a house??? but your right, that view is amazing!
perhaps i should start taking pictures of my yard sale/antique store ventures. i live in arkansas, and i now know that odd ball, weird people don’t reside only in the south!!!!!
love you guys-