Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
Click on Mark Twain to jump to Troutbirders book review blog

Sunday, March 10, 2013

The 21st Century


So Troutbirder has slowly been creeping into the 21st century.  He had already learned the minimal functions of the computer and the cell phone (but no more than minimal - except how to blog). He avoided all the latest pads, players and other techy things, though he was given an e reader for Christmas. Tweeting, twiting, facebooking and the like were not for him.  He had given ebay a try some years ago and thought it too complicated.  Finally,  a breakthrough occurred on Friday. Informed by Mrs. T that a thorough consolidating or eviction was necessary in the garage and shed he thought forlornly of a spring garage sale till someone our friends Stave and Jewell's son in law  (Chris) explained to him the concept of something called Craigs List.  He decided to give it a try……  
By Sunday he had sold an unused electric trolling motor and had several inquiries on a “Vintage” kerosene railroad lantern. Researching how old the lantern for sale actually was even allowed him to delve into the arcane subject of railroad history…J
The kerosene lantern was a portable, efficient light source, that could be easily seen.  Even after electric flashlights began showing up, some railroad workers still preferred the lantern because it lasted longer (i.e. no batteries), gave better light (i.e. the flashlight was too directional), and I've even read about where multiple lamps were used on cold nights to provide for some warmth.  At any rate, lanterns have enjoyed a long history with the railroad and today have become collector items for those fascinated with the railroad as a hobby.

Oh  and the spring garage sale is canceled and Mrs. T. even suggested I should put her “vintage” Zeiss Ikon  camera up for sale. I’m sure old camera collectors in the Rochester, Minnesota area will soon be bombarding me with emails about a deal!  Maybe I can handle the 21st century after all.
 

13 comments:

  1. i have bought on ebay - never sold - so you're ahead of me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I buy lots of stuff onebay, but ha e never sold and never tried Craig's List. Thanks, dear, for the wake up call.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm VERY slowly entering the 21st century. My cell phone is a very basic model...no texting, etc. I'm very proud that I started a blog....however Tina from In the Garden had to actually come sit with me to teach me, and I'm still learning. I've never even visited Craig's list. You are way ahead of me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. We have used both Craigslist and Ebay in my household, but haven't become sellers...yet!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good luck with your sales. We have been downsizing I find kijiji works well. The old lanterns are certainly from another age.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I still don't buy or sell on the web. You are quite advanced.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good luck with the sale. Craig's list can be a great tool!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've used Craigslist but only for finding people to help me move. You've given me an idea! Thanks, TB! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love your RR lantern...wish I could find one around here...If you still have it and want to mail it somewhere, let me know...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would say that you've handled the transition to the 21st century very well. I have yet to try either ebay or Craigs List. That's a neat lantern you have listed.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think Craigs list is giving ebay a run for their money. Much easier to list and sell quickly than weed your way through all the tech stuff of listing on ebay. I was an ebay seller in the early days of the company but wouldn't even try and do it today -- the features have grown exponentially -- it makes me tired just reading all that you need to do to get a listing on. Sounds like you are on your way to selling it all. Gives me incentive to list and sell some things.-- barbara

    ReplyDelete
  12. Way to go! We have shied away from those lists so I guess we are still stuck behind.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh..the Lantern is beauty..hope you put a good amount on it! :)

    ReplyDelete