Goal for the Day: Know Your Neighborhood

Many communities have a “Neighborhood Watch.”  Many don’t.  Regardless, you should make a point of knowing your neighborhood.  Try to get a sense of the people and vehicles you see on a daily basis.  Everyone has a daily pattern.  Get to know your neighbors’ patterns.  If something seems out of place, for example a car parked too long where it shouldn’t be or unknown people lurking around, keep your eyes open.  Should you feel that there’s a problem, never hesitate to call the police.  It’s up to us to protect our communities.  Very often, our instincts are correct.  If something seems wrong, it usually is. 

Object of the Day: A Paperweight From Correia Studios

Correia Studios is responsible for some of the most exciting art glass produced in the last thirty years. Their collection of vases, sculptures, and paperweights is unrivaled in ingenuity, composition or color.


This paperweight entitled “Emerald Elite,” was created by glass artist Welgrio and features a crystal bubble encased in layers of glittering, striped green glass. The whole of the weight is surrounded by emerald and amethyst-toned sparkling crystal which has been infused with minerals to make it shimmer. This method of layering different types of glass is one of Correia’s hallmarks and one of the reasons their creations are so celebrated.

The weight has been faceted so that the face of it comes to an angle. When viewing the piece from the front, your eyes are tricked into seeing two crystal bubbles when there’s only one. I call this piece, “The Owl,” because when viewed straight-on, the illusion is that of an owl’s countenance.

Film of the Week: “The Sisters,” 1938

Warner Brothers

In 1938, following her second Academy Award win (for Jezebel), Bette Davis hoped that all of her troubles with Warner Brothers were behind her. After all, she had sued them a few years earlier, stating that she wasn’t getting the quality parts and scripts that she deserved. Things, she hoped, were changing and she was on her way to being treated with the respect that she rightfully deserved.

Not so much.



Warner Brothers

After Jezebel, Bette Davis was offered scripts for parts in films which she considered, “stinkers.” She was furious! After having been offered the leads in melodramas such as Comet Over Broadway and Garden of the Moon, she decided that she’d rather go on unpaid suspension from her Warner Brothers contract than act in mediocre pictures.

Her attitude changed when she was offered the lead in The Sisters—based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Myron Brinig. The property was initially purchased as a vehicle for Kay Francis. However, by 1938, Warner Brothers had tired of Miss Francis and had decided to start pushing her out by assigning her to decidedly “B Pictures.” Irene Dunne was also offered the part of Louise, but turned it down. The execs at Warners thought the part would be enough to drag Bette out of her suspension. They were correct.

Warner Brothers

Bette was equally thrilled to learn she was to star with Errol Flynn. She would begin to feel otherwise after the production began. But, initially, she was excited. What didn’t excite her was the fact that Warner Brothers was going to give Flynn top-billing. Bette insisted that since she was the Oscar winner and the star, her name should come before the title. The producers complied. Her name did appear above the title. However, so did Errol Flynn’s—not only above the title, but above Bette’s. As you can imagine, she didn’t much appreciate the studio’s attempt to teach her a lesson.

The film concerns three sisters from a Montana Family, who find romance at a ball held for the 1904 presidential election. Tragedy and circumstance separate the sisters who eventually find their way back to one another on the eve of the 1908 election. In the meantime, Bette’s character, Louise, has a lot to deal with after marrying and moving to San Francisco—not the least of which was the devastating 1906 earthquake.

Warner Brothers

Director Anatole Litvak spent over $200,000 (a large sum in 1938) and spent three weeks shooting the earthquake scenes which only took about three minutes of film time. The results were extraordinary, however, and add an element of excitement to the film.

Along with Bette Davis and Errol Flynn, the film stars Anita Louise, Ian Hunter, Donald Crisp (Bette’s frequent co-star), Beulah Bondi, Henry Travers, Jane Bryan, Alan Hale (“The Skipper’s” father), and Lee Patrick. With music by Max Steiner, it’s an interesting and enjoyable film. It’s not quite as memorable as Bette’s greatest achievements, but it’s a fine film, and definitely worth watching.

Humanitarian of the Week: Prince William of Wales

With today’s official announcement of the engagement of Prince William of Wales to Kate Middleton, it’s the perfect chance to remind ourselves just how much the prince has followed in his famous mother’s footsteps as a humanitarian.


His Royal Highness’ first forays into the world of humanitarian work came as a child alongside his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. She would take both of her young sons with her to clinics and hospitals to visit patients suffering from painful illnesses so that her children would know that there were people who needed their help. As a young man, Prince William took his mother’s lead and became a patron of people with HIV. In 2005, Prince William worked alongside many other volunteers to pack relief kits for people who had been affected by the disastrous tsunami. The prince has worked as a volunteer in various departments at The Royal Marsden Hospital, and has worked with and is a patron of the Mountain Rescue of England and Wales.

In 2007, Prince William launched a 5000 mile bike ride across the continent of Africa as part of his official duties as a patron of The Tusk Trust—an organization dedicated to protecting the wildlife and fostering community growth in Africa.

In addition to his royal duties and his military duties, Prince William of Wales has proven to be a very conscientious and courageous person. I’m sure we look forward to all he has to offer the world in the future as well as offer our congratulations on his recent engagement.

Remember, you still have a chance to submit your nominations for “Humanitarian of the Year” through the month of November.

Her Majesty’s Furniture: The Cradle of Princess Louise

Cradle for Princess Louise
William Gibbs Rogers, 1850
The Royal Collection

In 1848, Queen Victoria commissioned a cradle for the infant Princess Louise. She selected William Gibbs Rogers to create the piece. Rogers carved the cradle from boxwood to Queen Victoria’s specifications, designing the piece in the Italian Renaissance style based on images from paintings.


The craftsmanship of the cradle was so fine and precise that, in fact, it took Rogers two years to complete the project. The Queen was thrilled with the result which Rogers signed on the reverse, “W.G. ROGERS FECIT ANNO 1850.” Queen Victoria praised Rogers’ incorporation of the emblems of The Royal Houses of England and Saxe-Coburg as well as the imagery of flowers and plants which were associated with sleep. She wrote in her journal of the piece that it was, “finer than anything of the kind, either antique or modern.”

This cradle can be viewed as part of the Royal Collection.

The Belle Epoque Today: The Art of Susan Ryder, RP, NEAC



View to Turquoise Room
Susan Ryder





A member of the New English Art Club and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters (of which she served as vice president from 2002-2008), Susan Ryder is a painter of gorgeous portraits and interior scenes.


Miss Ryder’s work bristles with life, light and color. Her pieces are exuberant and narrative. Her inviting interiors tell the tale of the people who live in them and her portraits capture the essence of the subject. She often paints people with their pets, reminding us that animals are an integral part of life. Her fine mastery of light gives us the impression that we’re viewing each scene through a bright mirror. At once literal and impressionistic, Susan Ryder’s canvases are both idealized visions and clear interpretations.

To learn more about Susan Ryder’s work, visit her Web site.

Phoebe with Molly and Mungo
Susan Ryder

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 98

Walking slowly to the fireplace, Mr. Punch yanked the bell-pull.


“Calling for one of the servants?” Miss Evangeline chuckled.

“Never mind what I’m doin’.” Punch grunted, rocking the baby in his arms.

“So, how long have you been like this?” Iolanthe asked.

“Been like what?” Mr. Punch narrowed his eyes.

“’Toe-kay,’ as the Creoles say. Crazy.”

“I ain’t crazy.” Mr. Punch said. “I just make my way different than the rest o’ ya. Don’t mean I’m any worse nor better. Just means, I’m different.”

“Ain’t that just what a crazy person would tell himself?” Miss Evangeline chuckled.

Gamilla entered the room, out of breath. She saw Miss Evangeline and was visibly startled.

“We got a visitor, Gamilla. Two of ‘em. There’s another upstairs with Dr. Halifax. Would you please go and tell Mr. Halifax that we got some people here what want to make trouble.”

“Yes, Sir.” Gamilla said. “Should I take young Fuller with me to the kitchen? That’s where his mama is.”

“Good thinking.” Mr. Punch gently handed the child to Gamilla. “Take Toby, too, would ya. I don’t want him having to see none of this.”

“Course, Your Lordship,” Gamilla nodded. “Come on, boy!” She said. Toby looked at Mr. Punch.

“Go on. Go with Gamilla.” Mr. Punch said gently to the terrier who trotted off after the woman.

“Now,” Mr. Punch said firmly. “I ain’t got any innocent ears nor eyes to witness what I gotta say to ya.”

“I am supposed to feel threatened?” Iolanthe laughed.

“Don’t care what you feel just so long as ya listen to me.” Mr. Punch said. “You come in here with evil in your heart, wantin’ to hurt the people what’s always been kind to me. They ain’t done nothin’ to you.”

“I beg to differ, Lunatic.” Iolanthe grinned, pulling the shoulder of her gown down to expose her wounded flesh. “I have a scar here that tells otherwise.”

“So, Cecil shot ya.” Mr. Punch said. “You lived, didn’t ya? Didn’t you have it comin’? All the things that you’ve done to cause pain for these kind folks. Didn’t you deserve to have some of that pain returned to ya?”

“Pain that I’ve caused them?” Iolanthe rose from the settee. “What about the pain they’ve caused me. Your Cecil took one of my finest girls.”

“Helped her escape from you, more like.” Mr. Punch said.

“They’ve done nothing but interfere in my personal business for years! Now, they’re continuing to be in my way by involving themselves with your sister. You know, she didn’t arrive as promised?”

“I know.” Mr. Punch said. “She were here, she was. Stole a buncha stuff, too. What makes you think you’re owed loyalty? You seem to feel like you’re entitled to it.”

“You can be quite well-spoken when you want to be, Lunatic.” Iolanthe laughed.

“I’ve listened to the things me master says and thinks. I know how to speak.” Mr. Punch frowned.

“So does your man, I’ve noticed. What’s his name? Naasir. You’d best watch your back with that one. You should have let me burn him. Those men are dangerous. Their ways are false. Their power is old.”

“What’s going on here?” Cecil demanded as he stormed into the room. “You are not welcome in my house.”

“Oh, even jus’ to pay a little Christmas call?” Iolanthe cooed. “I’ve got a desire, Mr. Halifax. I wanted to return the little gift you gave me.” She exposed the scar on her shoulder.

“Leave the room,” Cecil said to Mr. Punch.

“I can’t Brother Chum.” Mr. Punch shook his head. “I’m not going to leave you alone with her.”

“Listen to me,” Cecil said firmly. “I wish to be alone with this woman.”

“Cecil…” Mr. Punch argued.

“Mr. Punch!” Cecil ordered. “Go see to Robert!”

Mr. Punch shrugged. “If that’s what you want.”

“Go now.” Cecil said sternly, not taking his eyes from Iolanthe who continued to grin at him. “And close the doors behind you, please.”

Mr. Punch nodded. He exited the room and closed the pocket doors behind him.

And ran through the foyer and hurried up the stairs to find Robert. As he did, he heard a loud shot from the front parlor.

“Dear God!” Mr. Punch shouted, turning around. However, as he did, from upstairs, he heard a woman’s scream and the shattering of glass.

Frozen in place, Mr. Punch was unsure of which direction to go.

“Robert!” He shouted. “Chum?”

But, there was no answer.



Did you miss Chapters 1-97? If so, you can read them here.