A crowd of people charged straight at me when the garage door opened for my big sale. Helpers jumped behind tables loaded with "good stuff"-and the fun of garage sales began.

The season of yard sales is upon us with signs around town and front yards overflowing with yesterday's gotta-have merchandise. Most folks face it eventually when "keen treasures" we've successfully accumulated must go.

For me, the revelation came when my empty-nest house had more grass to mow, more energy-consuming maintenance, and not enough of me to go around.

A smaller downtown Des Moines water-view condominium stole my heart and 32 years of "good stuff" had to go.

I zeroed in fearlessly, cleaning out nooks and crannies piled high with boxes and dusty stuff, some of which I hadn't seen for ages. Then the sorting began. Something I kept, however, are these useful tips that I learned from my yard sale.

Do you remember when your kids moved out years ago, leaving things for you to store "just for a little while?" Well, it's probably still in the same spot and even the kids wonder why they kept it. Tell them to come and get it, lock, stock and barrel.

This is also a good time for them to take items you intended for them that you won't need.

Listen to the music of their laughter and memory-talk as they sort the items. Gain some help, too, by arming everyone with a grease pencil, price tags, 409/Windex and paper towels. Clean stuff sells best.

No matter if the thing looks ugly, put it out. Toss odd items in a box marked, "Your choice-All one price." It's amazing what people buy. Donate leftover items to charity.

Good advertising and clean, bold, clear direction signs in black or blue waterproof ink on poster board is key to success. Put the address in large letters with directional arrows.

Limit details-"3 blocks east/Tools, Antiques." If you can't read the address driving by at 30 mph, neither can buyers. Keep it simple. Line the route with signs. And remove them when done.

Watch for aggressive professional garage sale junkies asking to be let in early so they can snap up all the goodies. I found they tend to badger sellers for lower prices, verbally devaluing your stuff.

Don't take it personal or give in, especially early in the sale, unless you're dying to dump that item, Bargaining is part of the fun. Be realistic and know the value. If you overprice, guess who gets to keep and dust it for another 20 years.

A real shocker was people stealing. Watch closely in the rush of opening and distractions. Station your people with identification tags or aprons everywhere.

Be alert for thieves wearing bulky clothing who sweep things in their pockets in the wink of an eye, like the guy who stole my jewelry. I wondered if he gave that watch to his mom for Mother's Day and how he answered when she asked where he bought it.

The last weary day ended with unexpected, absolute delight when a pixie-like little girl suddenly broke out in song: "Tinkle, Tinkle little star, how I wonder what you are...."

Yep, she said "tinkle," not "twinkle."

When she saw a small toy horse she stopped singing and picked it up for a hug. I gave it to her and her whole face smiled. Flipping back her blonde curls she continued the sales-stopping performance, belting out loud and clear, verse-by-verse, "Tinkle, tinkle, little star...."

People clapped and sang along. Thankfully, there are wonderful people at garage sales too.

When the last bargain seeker left I closed the garage door and collapsed in a nearby chair wondering was it really worth doing? Oh, yes. That good stuff made someone happy and the piggy bank for my condo paint job got a boost.

Time has passed yet the mystery remains. Do you suppose all these "keen treasures" give birth? So much good stuff, so little room!

And the beat goes on.

Today's thought: "He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help.-Abraham Lincoln.