Goodwill, Badwill, Questionable-will — Cash, Clowns & Cremains

by Katy on June 25, 2013 · 26 comments

Sometimes I think about how Goodwill is the most very perfect location for “thing watching.” (Like “people watching” for those who wish to remain uncreepy.)

There’s just so much wonderful and unexpected stuff!

Like targeted savings banks. Remember these?

Collage-of-banks

I may have to put together a new grid, as there are now two new additions.

Fresh Flower Fund:


Fresh Flower Fund

And Summer Vacation Fund:

Summer Vacation Fund

And of course there’s always unexpected and secretly tempting items like a vintage clown lamp:

Clown lamp

Not at all creepy. Not at all like it wants to take a melon baller and scoop out your eyeballs while you sleep:

IMG_2803

But if banks or clowns aren’t your thang, you can always bring home the cremains of some stranger’s cat!

And yes, it sounded chunky when I shook it.

I just had to know if it was empty or full. Full. Very full.

Cat cremains

Ahh, Goodwill . . . will your wonders never cease?

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }

Sue Robinson June 25, 2013 at 10:08 am

Hahahaha! Just this morning I was hoping you would post another one of these soon. I go every week and it never ceases to amaze me what is there. That clown was super creepy!

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Denise Arneson June 25, 2013 at 10:26 am

The clown is way creepier that the cat remains.

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Katy June 25, 2013 at 11:04 am

How about clown cremains? 😉

Katy

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Diane C June 26, 2013 at 10:54 am

I think that would be a good thing…

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Maureen June 25, 2013 at 10:32 am

What, no re-painted Mrs. Butterworth bottles?

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Tina June 25, 2013 at 10:47 am

1. why is the clown lamp flipping me off? 2. why didn’t you buy the clown lamp for me?

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Katy June 25, 2013 at 11:04 am

The clown is flipping you off because you moved away!

Sheesh . . .

Katy

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AnnW June 25, 2013 at 11:13 am

I think someone needs to have a board on Pinterest for Creepy Clown Things found in Thrift Stores. You have to love this piece of Americana. I wonder if the Indian culture and Chinese culture have similar creepy things. Maybe that Elephant God and strange Mao things?

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Sadye June 25, 2013 at 6:16 pm

Agreed! Who keeps making all of these creepy clown things, anyway?

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Elaine in Ark June 26, 2013 at 7:30 am

Buddah with a clock in his tummy.

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Lisa June 25, 2013 at 1:38 pm

I gotta know how much used cat cremains go for in Portland. Also, when will they be half off?

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Katy June 25, 2013 at 3:48 pm

$4. And unsure.

Katy

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Lisa June 26, 2013 at 12:00 pm

Crap. I paid $30 new. That’ll teach me.

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Carla June 25, 2013 at 1:50 pm

I just had to share the Kitty Cat Cremains with my husband. You never know what you will find…

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Pat June 25, 2013 at 2:38 pm

You realize that clown looks like it is flipping someone off don’t you.

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Katy June 25, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Aren’t they always?

Katy

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Muriel June 25, 2013 at 2:57 pm

I have two of my beloved cats’ ashes – I guess maybe I better start thinking of their future when I’m gone!

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Elaine in Ark June 26, 2013 at 7:33 am

You really should.

You can’t count on someone respectfully scattering their ashes in a special place if you don’t arrange for that to happen.

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Michelle June 25, 2013 at 3:43 pm

I don’t know if I’m more creeped out that the cremains got donated — or that someone looked at them and actually priced them and put them on a shelf.

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That Other Jean June 25, 2013 at 4:34 pm

I rather like the Fresh Flower Fund bank. I’d save for something like that, maybe even in something like that. And I’d consider buying the cremated cat just to give the poor thing a decent burial; but you can keep the creepy clown lamp===far, far away from me.

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dusty June 26, 2013 at 3:28 am

I can’t believe someone at Goodwill didn’t sprinkle the cat ashes somewhere before putting that on the shelf. Also, years ago I was traveling to Boston and an old friend and his wife invited me to stay with them. When I arrived at their apt the entire decor was clowns, his wife collected them and they were everywhere. It was really creepy. Fortunately it was only 1 night, had a hard time sleeping though with all those sad eyes watching me.

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Kim June 26, 2013 at 7:49 am

Words to live by:
When being attacked by clowns, go for the juggler!

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Katy June 26, 2013 at 8:27 am

Love it! 😀

Katy

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Christy January 18, 2016 at 7:43 am

I recently purchased a Navajo vase at Goodwill. The top was covered in packing tape and there was something inside, but thankfully, it was only sand!

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Amy Johnson January 18, 2016 at 7:59 am

There should be a like button for the clown and cat comments.

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Betty Winslow January 18, 2016 at 11:20 am

Cat cremains?? 0_o

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