The things you buy at auctions

As you may remember, I have been trying my hand at auctions lately.  While I enjoy the lower prices and the excitement of bidding, there is a downside: you often end up with things you really didn't want.  This is because they were in the same box with the thing you did want.

Usually, in fact, I will bid on a box lot and end up with the one wanted item along with a dozen unwanted items.  I still got a great deal for that one item...but I have to take the rest of it home anyway.

Case in point: I really wanted this beautiful beaded purse -- all shiny pearls,

so chic and in amazing, not-one-pearl-missing condition!

But, it came in a box with these pheasants.

Now, there was also this cool, very old hat thing in the box, which I can still sell.

But...what am I going to do with those pheasants?

And this old camera?  Now, granted, it is a cool old piece.

But, I know nothing about cameras like this.
And I'm not really eager to educate myself right now.

Here's another example: a VERY old covered box, about the size of a bar of soap.

It is aged velvet over wood, with fantastic old bouillon trim

and a beautiful porcelain cover.  But, it came with...

him.  Also very old, made of wood.

 And rather creepy.

As well as this kitschy musical souvenir from Lourdres.

It plays -- what else? -- Ave Maria.

Edit: Ben was excited about getting a Thinker sculpture; he's having fun with it!

The Stuff You End Up With is piling up much more quickly than The Stuff I Wanted --

alarmingly so!  What's a girl to do?