Everything old is new again

The moral of the “Toy Story” saga is that toys, or things, have feelings, too.

Of course, in reality, (we hope) things don’t really lead lives apart from when we use them — so, if things really don’t have feelings, why does “Toy Story” make so much sense?

The answer: Our feelings are what animate things, giving them meaning.

And if this is true, then there are gobs of sad and hopeful and tired old things just waiting to be nabbed at the White-Pool House’s fourth barn sale fundraiser, hosted by the White-Pool House Friends.

For example: a mallard desk lamp, $3; a parrot cage with accessories (but no parrot), $175; a drink set with a carrying case from the Watergate Hotel (possibly from the same Watergate Hotel that hosted the Nixon scandal), $10.

Photo By Joshua Scheide|Odessa AmericanJoan Hemke, of Memphis, Tenn., looks over some items for sale Friday, July 30, 2010 in the barn at the White-Pool House in Odessa, Texas.

“All of us have things we need to get rid of, but some things here are real treasures,” said Faye Roper, former chairman of the White-Pool House Friends. “This is vintage jewelry. I used to own an antique shop, so I know how valuable some of this jewelry is. You’ll get a good price for what’s here.”

A “good” price is an understatement.

Lynette Grow found a bracelet watch for $3, whereas she said she would’ve paid upward of $30 to $40 for the same one at a boutique shop. Grow is a third-grade teacher from Ogden, Utah, and was in town visiting White-House Pool board member Bobbie Duncan, who she knows through their involvement in the National Education Agency.

“I can never pass up a yard sale, and this is a mega yard sale,” she said. “Everything old is new again.”

Grow said the barn sale is a great way for the White-Pool House to make money.

“You can find a treasure here and come away with something, rather than the board just asking for donations,” she said. “And it supports a good cause. I just love that house.”

The sale will continue from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and most of its items will be discounted.

Roper said things left over from Saturday’s sale would be donated to St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church, and clothes would be donated to Mission Odessa and other nonprofit organizations.

“They donate things to us, too,” Roper said. “It’s the kind of thing that keeps nonprofits running.”

IF YOU GO
>> What: White-Pool House barn sale. Antiques, books, records, kitchenware, clothing and jewelry.
>> When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, with many items from Friday’s sale marked down 50 percent.
>> Where: White-Pool House barn, 112 E. Murphy.
>> Call: White-Pool House at 333-4072.