Always take advantage of a golden opportunity.

Happy Fifth of July to those of you who think today is a big hoo-hah because the banks are closed and there’s no mail delivery. Sam and I didn’t really have any specific plans so we decided this might be a fine time to liquidate some old jewelry for cash. I wouldn’t joke about this. In case you’ve been living in a cave, gold prices are at an all-time high right now, which means there are lots of good reasons not to clog up your jewelry box with stuff you don’t need. I hauled out several pieces I haven’t worn in at least 25 years (a cocktail ring, two gold chains and several pendants with 14K mountings and semi-precious stones); Sam contributed the wedding ring from his first marriage. We made a list of three gold and diamond merchants in the Dallas area and headed for the freeway.

Actually, there isn’t much of a story at this point. We accepted an offer from the first place we visited, walked out 15 minutes later with nearly $500 cash, ate a couple of burgers at Scotty P’s and then enjoyed a nice drive in Preston Hollow (our favorite upscale Dallas neighborhood) before heading home. That’s it. Except I should also add that I plan to use part of my jewelry money on Saturday to buy us a first-rate dinner at Lefty’s Lobster and Chowder House. We LOVE Lefty’s.

One more thing. Please do NOT be tempted to use any of those “mail us your old jewelry” scams you see on late-night TV. They have to be a bunch of crooks, and it’s definitely not smart to mail a sack of valuables to people you don’t know. Instead, search online for a few reputable local merchants who buy scrap gold and estate jewelry, read the customer reviews on Google and and then drop in to get a price.

This was your Howdygram public service announcement for July. Thank you for paying attention.