We once had a cabin in the tiny village of Idyllwild, California, where my sons and I would spend most of the summer. My husband could only join us weekends due to work.

A day camp at the tiny town hall was a wonderful find for my sons. The time my boys spent there, however, left me with stretches of hours alone. I craved adult company as well as involvement in this little community. When I learned the church we attended quite regularly had a thrift store out back and that they were always in need of volunteers, I decided to pitch in.

Several wonderful things happened as the result of my offering time to the church thrift store in Idyllwild, CA. I got to know the fabulous, dedicated women who have run that store for years and years and still do. I also got to know regular shoppers from the area. Perhaps best, I learned the fine art of treasure hunting. Well, maybe not art. Finding exciting treasure at a good thrift store hardly takes skill or effort.

When we moved into our home in Castle Pines Village summer 2005, I was at a loss how to fill shelf after shelf built into a front room. I decided the most practical and least expensive way to decorate those shelves would be with lots of nice, old books.

I needed a thrift store.

I did not have to ask around much or look far. I made my way to the local Task Force Thrift Store at 416 Jerry Street (303-688-1114) in downtown Castle Rock toot-sweet. To my glee, they were offering hardback books for a mere $3.00 per bag on my very first visit. I loaded up. I was careful to check publishing dates inside the books. For decorating purposes, I wanted only aged books published prior to 1960.

Among the books I carted home that day, and on days of subsequent blow-out book sales, are first editions of classics by authors Ayn Rand, John Steinbeck, Charles Webb, John Irving, Irwin Shaw and more. The crown jewel is mint condition The Story of the Railroad by Cy Warman, published in 1898!

At the Task Force Thrift Store, treasure hunters find vintage clothing, antique furniture, antique jewelry, sets of old china, gorgeous old glassware and home furnishings from mid-century and before. I try to swing by at least once per week, sometimes for only a few minutes, just for the thrill of the hunt. Some days I leave empty-handed. Some days I walk out puffed up as a lottery winner. Yesterday was one of those days.

In the very back of the back room where the furniture is sold, I spied an odd shape peeking from behind a bed frame. Something very pointy and colorful beckoned. I made my way through the wild assortment of chairs, tables, sewing machine cabinets and book shelves until my eyes rested on a beauty of a lamp. It was gorgeous and oh-so retro. My guess is this baby is early 1950's and was very, very chic then, as now. It is virtually unblemished, has original wiring, and even included the bulbs. $5.00. I snatched it up, made it my own.

This royal lamp now graces an end table in our family room. The base is black, the metal parts a brass color, and the shade, the same pointy oval shape as the base, appears to have gold, tan, and greenish paint thrown across it in a Jackson Pollock sort of way. Maybe he decorated it.

The Task Force of Douglas County makes thrift store shopping fun. But, their primary purpose is to raise money for the community. They operate a food bank and provide clothing and home furnishings to residents of Douglas County in need.

Donate and shop at the Douglas County Task Force Thrift Store. It's a heck of a lot of fun. For our community, it's good business.