The Lure of the Banana Box

I don't really like bananas. Maybe some banana nut bread, but just a plain banana? I'll pass.

But what I absolutely CANNOT pass is a banana box.

I'm not sure what trend-setting junker or flea market fanatic first decided that using banana boxes was the best way to pack and store her collection of treasures, but she should have patented it. She'd be sitting on a beach somewhere attended by an army of cabana boys with cold drinks.

But I digress.

When you have been to a lot of flea markets, or when you go to a couple regularly, you learn to be purposeful as you walk through the rows. Cheap sunglasses? Stacks of socks and underwear? Keep moving.

But there--THERE is a collection of neatly arrayed banana boxes! And that's where I want to be!

Sometimes vendors can trick you, and they fill their rows of banana boxes with cheap tchotchkes from China, and you beat a hasty retreat. But if you're lucky? Oh, joy!

Boxes of Schtuff. Junque. Auction flotsam and jetsam.

HEAVEN!