I generally pay more attention to my collection in the winter months. That's when shows are far and few between and the fall London, Ohio show is but a memory. The cold nights and short daylight have me lapsing into beliefs that I should whittle down the collection. I methodically inspect each piece. Over the course of January, February and March, I usually single out four or five pieces that can go "on the block."

The first piece isn't of much value as I found it in a farmyard while "working" near Norwalk, Ohio in 1979. I could use the shelf space for something of higher value and beauty. The 1871 patent aqua bullet led me to do a lot of talking and squirming. I was apprehended by a farmwife while in my Bell truck taking an insulator without permission. The best (or worst) part was I was in GTE territory! Somehow I escaped with my quarry after an excruciating long five minutes of explaining. I did leave two other common insulator I had in my truck...in swap. I'd better keep that one!

I could move a common aqua CD 133 W. Brookfield. I removed that insulator on a cold snowy day while "working" near the long abandoned Toledo National Airport. One of the hangars is still being used by Chrysler Corporation as an office that coordinates the shipping of brand new Jeeps...on second thought, who'd want that com on piece?

I could sell the CD 133 sun-colored amethyst bullet I got on the return trip from the Hershey national. I found it in the 57th antique ship I stopped at. The wife and kids really enjoyed that trip ! ! #! !@?!! I may hang on to that for a few years.

I could move the ice blue California Electric. I bought that from "Marshal Dick" at the Kansas City national. I purchased it from him before he became a "marshal", of course. I spent every dime I made at that show (and then some) for that gem. It was the nicest one at the show. I don't recall much about the show except it was hot and I got food poisoning Saturday and was sick the rest of the show. Heck, nowadays nobody would spend good money on an aqua Cal....they'd want one of those cobalt ones.

I know, I could sell my CD 127.4 patented 1871. I think it came from Jerry Turner? He got three of them for 25¢ each a long while back. I traded him "God knows what" for it. I'd better set tight on that. I haven't seen another since.

I could free up two spots by getting rid a pair of LAC P&W's I got from Paul Houpt's estate. Why would I do that??? Anyways, he'd see me sell them.

By the time I've almost singled out the misfits, the days are getting longer, spring is around the comer and the shows are getting nearer. I then decide to make a real decision -- in the spring. Because then I'll have more time to really decide. Maybe by next year I'll have forgotten the stories behind the "crown jewels", and I'll dispose of them then!

So much for "thinning" the insulator collection!!