If you ever find yourself south of Nashville with time to kill, antiquing in Murfreesboro is just the ticket.

For dreaming of circus ponies. 

The timely collectible. (See Off the Wall, below.) 

Howdy Doody to you, too. 

I could use one of these at the cottage. 

Always true. 

Speaking of buying it when I saw it. . . This bear is a must have, ready for anything.

Reminders of the racks of Zane Grey novels my grandfather had in his livingroom in my childhood. 

I can't imagine.  Party favors? 

Early collective karaoke.  Follow the bouncing ball. 

Pretty sure our first TV looked a little like this.  Pre-MTV.  For singing along with Mitch.

Florida kitsch, my favorite.   

Not so politically correct these days.  

World War II hats and medals.  Who knew one of those officer's caps could fetch nearly $400? 

Franciscan Desert Rose.  What my mother wished my grandmother had. 

Franciscan Apple.  My grandmother's dishes, which my mother passed down to a niece.  Sigh. 

Someone's long ago and faraway dream. 

Someone else's long ago dream.  Wondering about the letters penned there, the Great American Novels not written. 

Bonus:  Best fall colors on our drive south from Wisconsin to Florida are in southern Tennessee near the Georgia border, from Murfreesboro south. 

Near Nick-a-Jack Reservoir. 

Always a good idea. 

More just past peak. 

Off to Georgia.