Goal for the Day: Lighten Your Load

Every day, new responsibilities creep into our lives on silent, muddy feet and leave trails across our existence. With every hour, something new arises that requires our attention. We each carry these burdens (both large and small) with us all day and we tuck them into bed next to us very night. Some of those responsibilities are important—things that require our immediate attention so that we can go on living. Others are mild irritations. Others still, are things we can do nothing about.


This week, we all should consider lightening our loads. We cannot change some of the issues that bombard us every day. All they do is divert us and steal our focus. No one can function in a blurry world. Let go of the things that cannot be changed. Learn to accept them. And, beware those people around you who would have you take their burdens as your own. While we should always be sympathetic to the people in our lives, we cannot fight the battles of others for them. Encourage them to fight for themselves, give them the friendly support they need while recognizing that you have your own litany of challenges to attend to.

If you can free yourself from one unmalleable worry each day, when you tuck yourself in at night, you’ll find you have more room for a comfortable night’s sleep.

Object of the Day: Paperweight by Daniel Salazar

Some little boys collect bits of string and toads. Some ask for action figures for Christmas. I wanted paperweights. When I was a lad, we would go to Gumps and I would marvel at the locked cabinet of crystal which glittered under halogen light. I was enthralled. I started my paperweight collection when I was thirteen. This was one of the first. And, it remains one of my favorites.

Signed by Daniel Salazar for Lundberg Studios, 1988, this remarkable paperweight is a hand-crafted work of the art glass of the highest caliber. Forever caught in a bubble of crystal, an amethyst-colored fish with flowing rose-colored fins is suspended over a glittering ocean floor with millefiori sea creatures and delicate coral branches. You can look at this paperweight for hours and get lost in its depth and detail.

Lundberg Studios in California still produces the finest crystal and art glass. Their meticulous work and beautiful craftsmanship remind us of the quality and love of Belle Époque artistry. Lundberg glass is an excellent addition to any collection.

Sunday Viewing: Star!, 1968

Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952) was one of the most talented, beautiful and celebrated stars of the West End and Broadway stages. Her illustrious career was the stuff of legend. She worked with the most notable people of her time including Noel Coward and Moss Hart. Her life was marked by both fabulous success and personal tragedies.


In 1968, Robert Wise directed a magnificent Technicolor film about the life of Gertrude Lawrence starring Julie Andrews. Star! was a lavish musical with gorgeous sets and magnificent costumes which chronicled the life of Lawrence as she struggled to make her mark in the theater and, afterwards, as she dealt with a series of blows. Daniel Massey gives an outstanding performance as Noel Coward (who was, in real life, Massey’s godfather). The cast also includes Richard Crenna and Robert Reed.

With opulent numbers including “Burlington Bertie from Bow” (a clip of which I featured yesterday), “The Saga of Jenny” (see below), “Has Anybody Seen Our Ship?,” “Oh, It’s a Lovely War,” and many others, the picture is enjoyable from start to finish. Strangely, the film was not a commercial success at the time, however, later it was appreciated for its brilliant performances and rich settings.

This is an ideal film to watch on a cozy Sunday afternoon. You’ll leave the experience with your toes tapping and your soul enriched from a glimpse at the magnificent creature that was Gertrude Lawrence.

Reminder: Punch's Cousin Will Return on Monday

On Monday, August 23, Chapter 25 of Punch’s Cousin will be posted. One of our readers, Shawn, asked me the other day if Lord Julian has a friend in the world. It would appear that he doesn’t. If he does, he’s not aware of it. Is Robert really Julian’s “champion?” We’ll get some more insight into that question as the story unfolds this week. And, what about Nanny Rittenhouse? She holds a secret about Julian’s past that could potentially destroy him. The journey from England to America is a long one. What awaits Lord Julian and Robert in New Orleans? We’re about to follow these two men (and the awful Arthur) into a world of monsters that neither of them could have imagined. Voodoo, wax museums, and, of course, a few more appearances from “Mr. Punch” all await in the next week of Punch’s Cousin.

Goal for the Day: Break Free from Your Routine

Nobody likes sticking to a daily pattern more than I do. I’m a fan of keeping to my schedule. However, I recognize that sometimes, it’s a good idea to mix things up a little bit. So, today, my goal is to do something out of the ordinary, something that diverts from the usual plan. Why not? It’s healthy to keep life a little exciting. While we don’t want to shirk our responsibilities, why not take a couple of hours to go somewhere new and different? Visit a museum. Go shopping at a new place. Take a walk around the neighborhood. Let’s all try to do something different today. We’ll be richer for the experience, and we’ll also appreciate the comfort of our routine a little bit more when we’ve finished.

Object of the Day: French Ormolu and White Marble Clock

While most black “marble” clocks are actually crafted of slate, this mid-Nineteenth-Century French beauty is constructed of white marble. Gently carved into a neoclassical shape with volute-shaped handles, this clock sports ormolu figures which flank the clock face. The two figures depict a shepherd and shepherdess in Eighteenth Century attire, surrounded by sheep and foliage. The plants which “grow” around them rise up to create a corona just above the enamel clock face.

The sheen of ormolu against the glow of the white marble is a striking contrast, especially evident in the decorative mountings on the body of the clock itself. A decorative chain is swagged just below the figures, playfully catching the light with each swing of the pendulum. The whole piece is given more importance by the ebonized wood and ormolu base. A non-chiming clock, a piece such as this would have graced a bedroom’s mantle or dressing table. I’m particularly fond of this delicate French clock for its artistry and the sense of peace it radiates.

Coming this Week at Stalking the Belle Époque

We’re gearing up for another fun week at Stalking the Belle Époque! We’ll be exploring the world of antiques with some more beautiful paintings, furniture and other unusual objects. A virtual trip to Brussels will reveal the ingenuity of Belgium. And, we’ll take a look at some exceptional films and books that will put us in mind of gorgeous times and places. In Punch’s Cousin, Julian’s journey on the Hyperion continues. Will Robert Halifax reveal the presence of Mr. Punch? We’ll also discover the real reason Nanny Rittenhouse is on the ship. As Julian gets closer to New Orleans, will he be able to endure the machinations of the people around him? We’ll also have an opportunity to discover some more ways to make your home safer and more comfortable, along with a glimpse at some delicious foods, interesting facts and magnificent gems. I’m really looking forward to it.


I’m so appreciate of all of you who have been reading and showing your support. And, I’d like to offer a special thanks to those of you who have added The Garnet Red to your book collections and who have purchased items from our online store.

Here’s wishing everyone a terrific Sunday!