When I was biking to the post office the other day, I came across a sight that brought back a lot of childhood memories. It was a lemonade stand! 

Probably any kid who grew up in the U.S. has bought lemonade from a lemonade stand at least once. Many of us have set them up ourselves! All you need to do to make a few extra bucks is find a table, make a sign, make a pitcher or two of lemonade, and start calling out to potential customers. When I was a kid, I sold lemonade with my best friend from elementary school. We had a glass jar where people could put in their money. We charged maybe 50 cents for an ice-cold glass of lemonade. Perfect for a hot day! 

Another thing you'll see in the U.S. in the spring and summer is garage sales. Have you ever wondered what to do with all that stuff in your house that you don't really use anymore? A garage sale is a great way not only to make a little extra cash, but also to meet neighbors! When I was a kid, I used to go on garage sale hunts with my grandma. We would look for cardboard signs taped on utility poles or sitting out on street corners. You could buy CDs, toys, clothes, plants, musical instruments... pretty much anything! And you can get really great deals sometimes. One of my favorite blankets (which I still use today) cost me only a couple dollars at someone's estate sale. 

Are garage sales and lemonade stands common where you live? Let me know in the comments!

Vocabulary and expressions:

 

1. the other day =  先日

 

2. come across = 遭遇する

 

3. bring back memories =  懐かしい、思い出を呼び起こす

 

4. set up = 準備する、設ける

 

5. bucks = ドル（スラングの言い方）

 

6. potential = 見込み、潜在的

 

7. charge = 請求する

 

8. cash = 現金、お金

 

9. a hunt = 探し、狩り

 

10. a utility pole = 電柱

11. a deal = お得な取引

12. an estate sale = 住宅を一般公開して、故人の遺品を売ること (この定義は英辞郎からです)