You're right Justalurker. Not long ago I started a thread here about wanting to buy a Deere riding mower. I said then that I always wanted a Deere even though I have been happy with other brands in the past, including my present Craftsman, which still runs good and has given me no problems during the past five years. I commented that I have saved up around $3000 and can now afford a John Deere. Some posters to that thread thought I was trying to "impress" my neighbors which could not be further than the truth. I can get by with any mower really because my yard is flat and less than an acre. I have no garden and no snow here in Texas. I just cut grass. I have always wanted a Deere for personal pride and to say that once in my life I owned one. It would go a long way in making my grass cutting "chore" much more enjoyable than it is now just to be on top of a John Deere. At least that is what I thought. I went to two dealers right after Thanksgiving to start pricing a 300. I was not impressed with either one. One showroom was messy with crap everywhere (even with old parts). The yard in the back looked worse and like a "you-pull-it" car junk area. The salesman seemed okay and a good guy but I did not like the looks of the place. The second dealer was much better appearance wise but it was obvious this dealership was far more concerned with big equipment and serving ranchers and farmers than a guy looking for a lawn mower. Make a long story short, I finished the day rethinking my John Deere position. Then a great sale ("friends and family") took place at Sears. They had the Sears 42" Professional model with specs to match and beat the John Deere at what appeared to be an all time low plus extra percentage off for this special sale. On top of that, I could get 10% cash back by using my Discover card and buying it on-line. It was a steal! Half of what the Deere would have cost although I must admit, it only has half the warranty period too. Well, it was too good to pass up, especially after my less than satisfactory experience shopping at the Deere dealerships. That John Deere value is down, as the OP suggested a couple years ago, is as true now as it was then.

Sorry to add your Hummer post, but I can't find a post about about china in the post. It looks like young people are not interested. I have a beautiful set of Lenox Westwind for 8. I am thinking about sending them to a Stock for sell but I know that they are just not interested in young people. I have sent others items just recently and curious to see what also that but I doubt anything will be really be sent. I have the set of 8 us much too heavy to try to mail anybody but I think it would sent by one plate or one dish. In that one Somebody needs a plate, Not pieces of that by one cup or dish, etc., I have a coffeepot Stangl perfect have again know if anybody is interested. Stangl used to be very popular but it went south like some other china.

It is likely from the 1960's when things with "brass stands" were popular....and often the stands were either brass plated or colored aluminum. Most likely made by one of the ulility glass makers perhaps Libby ( but that would be marked). I have seen one like it....years ago...it was very very inexpensive...but perhaps it has become collectable? I don't really know. But it cost very little when new. Linda C

Like T. c. Boyle, since neither my husband or I can go out of the house without something to read, after all, he might have to wait for me in the car, while I have to stand in line and read there Paul Watson has brought so much attention on the battle for healthy oceans, but as Lilo said, who listens. I love this quote by him: "We live on the most incredible planet, and yet we abuse it, and we abuse it merciless". I often wonder what Earth would look like if humans had not evolved.