Second Hand

Second Post. I'll write about Second Hand.

I love second hand things. Some people hate them. I love them. I had a compliment today from someone I admire about my coat. I wanted to tell him I'd bought the lovely Banana Republic coat from a second hand store, but kept it to myself, smiled and thanked him.

But you can know...it was a great resale shop find.

In the words of Barbara Streisand:

Father has a business strictly second hand
Everything from toothpicks to a baby grand
Stuff in our apartment came from father's store
Even things I'm wearing someone wore before
It's no wonder that I feel abused
I never get a thing that ain't been used
I’m wearing second hand hats
Second hand clothes
That’s why they call me
Second hand Rose
Even our piano in the parlor
Father bought for ten cents on the dollar (I have a second hand piano - love it too)
Second hand curls
I'm wearing second hand pearls
I never get a single thing that's new
Even Jake the Plummer, he's the man I adore (I thought it was Joe, the Plummer)
Had the nerve to tell me he's been married before!
Everyone knows that
I'm just Second hand Rose
From Second avenue
I'm wearing second hand shoes
Second hand hose
All the girls hand me their second hand beaus
Even my pajamas when I don ‘em
Got somebody else’s ‘nitials on ‘em
Second hand rings
I'm sick of second hand things
I never get what other girlies do
Once when strolling through the Ritz a girl got my goat
She nudged her friend
And said "Oh look there my old fur coat"
Everyone knows that I'm just
Second hand Rose From Second Avenue
From Second Avenue NU!

I can still hear my Mom singing that tune around the house as I watched on in admiration while she mocked Barbara Streisand without reservation. She used to love resale shops too. Still does. While growing up, she tried to persuade (force) us to like them. One year, as winter was approaching, and all my friends were coming to school with new jackets, I asked my mom for a new coat. I was told that new that year would have to be just "new" to me. I think I cried knowing I'd be showing up in an ugly used coat. But I got over it and changed my attitude, and gave it a try. We searched and searched...and searched. But found nothing. My reward for changing my attitude was to go to the mall and buy a brand new coat! I can still remember that thing. Ugly 80's coat!. A navy blue wool jacket with strange leather epaulettes that snapped into place. What was I thinking? Should have gone with the second hand. Probably still be wearing it today.

But it did spark my love for resale--although I don't think the fan was flamed until after high school when I was spending my own money. Thanks Mom, for such a gift! The gift and the art of resale finding. Finding a new store is a gift and an art. Any finding something in a new store, or old, is a gift and an art. One that my twin and I have perfected, almost.