The Boy in the Thicket Hancock County, Georgia By Chad Patillo I’ve always been bad about rabbit holes. Not the kind where you forget what you were looking for. The real kind — where you find one small thing that doesn’t sit right with you and you keep pulling the thread until it either makes sense… or it owns a piece of you. Years ago, I was flipping through a stack of old Georgia newspapers — the kind that leave ink on your fingers and slow your breathing down — when I saw

PROFOUND REFLECTION ON MORTALITY & MASKED PAIN People ask me how I’m doing, and I give them the lines. "Two feet on this side of the dirt is better than six feet on the other.” “I’m on the right side of the dirt.” Someone says, “Good to see you,” and I fire back— “Better seen than viewed.” It sounds witty. It sounds strong. It sounds like a man who’s made peace with the fragile thread we all walk on. But the truth is… sometimes those words are nothing but patchwork over a wou

Every breath we take is borrowed from a silence that will one day reclaim it. That thought hit me hard the first time it crossed my mind. Life is fragile, fleeting, and deeply temporary. We walk around as if the clock will never run out, but the truth is we’re all living on borrowed time. Each inhale is a gift, each exhale a debt paid back. I’ve stood in rooms filled with the remnants of lives — estates where the laughter has gone quiet, where the voices that once filled the

Don't Run from the Rain: Embracing Life's Storms Years ago, my mother shared a piece of wisdom that has stuck with me like a comforting refrain: "Find a person who won't run from the rain." The deeper meaning behind that simple phrase is something I've come back to time and time again. In life, there really are two kinds of people: those who brace themselves and embrace whatever storm may come, and those who run and hide at the first sign of a downpour. I've tried to weave th

The Morning Sun Has Just Begun The morning sun has just begun, and I am still here to meet it. Not whole, not empty— Just present enough to stand in its light and let it find me where I am. I don’t ask it to fix anything. I don’t ask it to stay. I only ask that it touches what remains and reminds me I am not finished. There are days I wake carrying yesterday’s weight, the kind that settles into the bones and whispers that rest is surrender. But the light never agrees with tha

When Nightfall Comes When nightfall comes, I don’t fight it anymore. I let the edges soften, let the day loosen its grip on everything it asked of me. The light has done what it could. What remains is mine to carry— or finally set down. Night doesn’t demand explanations. It doesn’t ask me to be strong, or brave, or anything other than honest. It arrives without judgment and covers what couldn’t be fixed. There are thoughts that only speak after dark. Memories that wait until

The Psychology of Buying: Understanding Your Customers' Motivations Understanding why customers buy can make a significant difference in your success as an antique reseller. While price and quality are important, the emotional and psychological factors behind purchasing decisions play a crucial role. Let’s dive into the psychology of buying and explore how you can tap into your customers' motivations to enhance their experience and boost your sales. 1. The Desire for Nostalgi

Ok...So I have a story to tell. This happened last week, and I've debated on sharing it. Those that know me personally know that I have a rather dark and snarky sense of humor, and I like to say things just to get a reaction. That being said, let me tell you what happened. I'm in Jacksonville, working to set up the estate I've been posting about. I needed a few things like trash bags, spray bleach, rubber gloves, scrubby sponges, and tape—the essentials. To do what I do is a

This is for the younger members: don't be fooled by someone's age. Do you realize that people in their late 60s and early to mid-70s were the teenagers and young adults attending Woodstock? They were the generation that marched in protest against social injustice and inequality. They staged "sit-ins" to fight to have their views heard. They were the generation that watched the space race as it was happening, and they shaped the music industry with icons like the Beatles, Bob

Thrive in Silence, Let Success Be Your Noise In a world where everyone is vying for attention, it can be tempting to shout about our achievements from the rooftops. Social media platforms are filled with announcements, accolades, and highlights of success. However, there’s an understated power in embracing the opposite approach: thriving in silence and letting success speak for itself. The Power of Quiet Achievement Silence doesn’t mean inaction. On the contrary, some of the

Providing balance for success. In both business and personal life, we often hear the advice to "play to your strengths." It sounds straightforward, but what does it truly mean? More importantly, how can we apply this principle to not only leverage our strengths but also to overcome our weaknesses? Embrace What You’re Good At The first step in playing to your strengths is to identify them. What are you naturally good at? What do people often compliment you on? For some, it mig

Hug for as Long as Needed: The Power of Connection in a Fast-Paced World In our fast-paced, constantly evolving world, it's easy to feel disconnected. We rush from one task to another, barely stopping to catch our breath. Amidst this whirlwind, there lies a simple yet profound act that can ground us, offer solace, and strengthen our bonds with others: the hug. "Hug for as long as needed." This phrase, though brief, carries a depth of meaning that transcends the physical act o

Listen as the Wind Whispers: A Reflection on Nature and Life** In the quiet moments of dawn, when the world is still waking up and the air is filled with the promise of a new day, there is a voice that speaks to those who are willing to listen. It’s a voice that carries the wisdom of the ages, a gentle murmur that flows through the leaves, dances across the water, and rustles through the fields. This is the voice of the wind, whispering its secrets to anyone who pauses long e

The Art of Selling in the Antiques World: Why "I Don't Need the Whole Pie, Just Give Me a Bite" Matters As an antique broker and reseller with decades of experience, I’ve seen the market evolve, trends come and go, and countless dealers make both fortune and folly. One key principle I've always adhered to, and which has guided much of my success, is encapsulated in a simple phrase: "I don't need the whole pie, just give me a bite." This phrase isn't just a catchy saying; it r

Mastering Reselling: Effective Pricing Strategies for Sustainable Success In the fast-paced world of reselling, pricing is a critical factor that directly impacts the success and growth of your business. Pricing your products effectively requires balancing customer attraction, profit maximization, and competitive positioning. In this guide, we will explore proven pricing strategies to help you navigate the complexities of reselling, empowering you to make confident and inform

Write Your Own Story: Don’t Be a Footnote in Someone Else’s In life, each of us holds the pen to our own story. We have the power to write a narrative detailing our dreams, aspirations, and unique experiences. Yet, too often, we find ourselves drifting into the margins, becoming mere footnotes in the stories of others. It’s time to reclaim our narratives and assert our presence in the world. Here’s why you should write your own story and ensure you are the protagonist of your

How to Build a Loyal Customer Base for Your Antique and Reselling Business In the world of antiques, where every piece tells a story and every customer seeks a unique connection, building a loyal customer base is key to long-term success. As someone with over 40 years of experience in this field, I’ve seen how relationships can turn one-time buyers into lifelong patrons. Here are my top tips for cultivating a dedicated customer base for your antique business. 1. Create Memora

Understanding Provenance: Why an Item’s History Matters In the world of antiques, provenance is a term you’ll often hear, but what exactly does it mean, and why is it so important? Provenance refers to the history of ownership of an antique item, including its origin, previous owners, and any significant events it may have been part of. This history can significantly impact the value, authenticity, and desirability of an antique. Here’s why provenance matters and how you can

Chicken à la king is one of my fan favorites and very easy to prepare on the stove or in a crock pot. It's a great way to use leftover chicken, grocery store rotisserie chicken or leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Green peas and red peppers make this a coordinated dish to serve at Christmas or anytime. Serve over potatoes , cooked rice, toast, biscuits or noodles. This is a great cold weather comfort food. Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: (Pan)20 mins, crock pot (2-4hrs) Total Time:

Rearview Reality is what I call the truth that only shows up after the moment has passed. Like a rearview mirror, it doesn’t show you what’s coming. It shows you what’s already behind you — what you drove through, what you survived, what you misunderstood while you were in motion. Because when you’re in it, you’re emotional. Hopeful. Hurt. Blinded by love, ambition, fear, ego — whatever happens to be riding shotgun that day. You don’t see clearly because you’re gripping the w