The mildew stench was so strong in this south-suburban ranch it almost made my nose slam shut. "Sorry about the smell, folks," the man running the sale said to everyone brave enough to venture more than three steps inside the door. "Everything is half off!"

It had rained prettily heavily the day before, so naturally, the smell was coming from here. And for some reason this was the first place we went.

What we discovered -- aside from an unfortunate amount of water on the floor -- was a fine collection of toys and games and decorative touches and what-have-you from the sixties and seventies. This was obviously home to a family who enjoyed the fun and excitement that only a night of board games can provide.

We'll get into that in a moment. But first, this awesome Robin Hood lamp.

Along with his mate, who obviously knows a thing or two about the most fetching way to pose against a tree. Question: What do you call a female Robin Hood? Answer: Robin Hood.

And now, on to the games. Right here, you've pretty much got any local TV channel's afternoon line-up from 1972-1979.

I like that this game is named after what was a common expression of surprise at the time, and that the type treatment is so expressive. Note, too, how flummoxed the men seem, while the women appear to be coolly enjoying an evening's entertainment. I can only imagine the marital spats this thing incited.

This game promises fun in the form of a race to find the tri-number code... before the second coming of Christ and the arrival of the End Times!

Of course they bowled. How could they not? All this fun has worn me out. What do you say we call it a day?

But not before stopping to admire this lovely tableaux.