Goal for the Day: Remember that Life’s not a Race

Why are we always in a hurry? It seems that “finishing” has become more important than “getting there.” For those of you who live in areas that have been affected by winter weather, have you noticed that drivers are still speeding and rushing even on unsafe conditions? What’s so important that they need to risk their lives and yours to get there in a hurry?


Life’s not a race. While some things are time-sensitive, most everything else can happen naturally. The only deadlines we really have are those we make ourselves. Don’t forget the importance of the journey and to take the time to learn and enjoy yourself along the way. We don’t need to sacrifice our quality of life in order to reach a spurious deadline. Crossing the finish line isn’t important as what you see along the track.

Object of the Day: Beat the Clock, circa 1950

Beat the Clock was a popular television game show on CBS from 1950-1958 and on ABC from 1958-1961. In recent years, the show has been resurrected several times in updated versions. The show’s original host was Bud Collyer assisted by a most-silent model named Roxanne. Contestants on the show were challenged to complete simple physical feats (called “problems”) before sixty seconds ran out. The time was kept on a giant clock which featured the name of the show’s sponsor. For much of the run, Beat the Clock was sponsored by Sylvania.

As was often the case (and still is), game shows usually produced a home version on the form of a board game. Here’s the Beat the Clock home version from between 1950-1953. The box features photos of Collyer and Roxanne as well as a prominent reference to Sylvania. I’ve never played the game, but it has a lot of complicated little pieces which would allow the home user to recreate some of the stunts seen on the show.

If you’ve not seen Beat the Clock, enjoy this clip from an early broadcast of the program.

Pets of the Belle Époque: Cat and Dogs Belonging to Queen Victoria, 1885

Cat and Dogs Belonging to Queen Victoria
Charles Burton Barber, 1885
The Royal Collection

Throughout her entire life, Queen Victoria was a known animal lover and always enjoyed the companionship of her dogs and the occasional cat and parrot. As often as she had portraits painted of her human family, Victoria commissioned paintings (and photographs) of her beloved pets.


This 1885 painting by Charles Burton Barber shows three scrappy dogs and a rather well-mannered cat belonging to the queen. I’m not quite sure which of the Royal dogs these were, but, they were no doubt very loved.

Mr. Punch in the Arts: “Pulcinella” by Jean-Ernest-Louis-Messionier

Pulcinella
Jean-Ernest-Louis Messionier
Circa 1860

French Classicist painter and sculptor Jean-Ernest-Louis-Messionier was best known for his monumental scenes of battles, military figures and of Napoleon. However, he did the occasional genre painting and sometimes painted other artists.


This painting of Pulcinella shows one of Messionier’s rare non-military subjects. An actor is dressed in the guise of Italy’s “Pulcinella,” Mr. Punch’s ancestor. In a brightly-hued costume against a theatrical backdrop, the subject looks cheerfully out at the viewer, resting his hands upon his grotesque stomach.

Messionier seemed to have a fascination with the idea of “Pulcinella.” This theme appears also in some of the artist’s attempts to create engravings.

Antique Image of the Day: Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, c. 1890

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Circa 1890
Dutch
The Royal Collection

At the age of ten, Queen Wilhelmina succeeded to the throne following the death of her father, William III.  Five years later, at the age of fifteen, the young Dutch queen traveled to England where she was introduced to Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle.  Victoria was so impressed by the teenage monarch that she acquired this photograph of Wilhelmina that year. 

Friday Fun: Last Year’s May Fayre in Covent Garden

The Punch and Judy Fellowship

Each year, Punch & Judy Professors from around Britain gather in Covent Garden (Punch’s U.K. Birthplace) to celebrate all things Punch and puppetry in general. My friends at the Punch & Judy Fellowship have videos from May Fayre’s past on their Web site. Take a look at last year’s event. It’s an interesting glimpse at several different Punch performers including an interesting French Pulcinello.


“That’s the way to do it.”

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 180

Mala stumbled backward and grunted as Ulrika shoved her. “Now, you listen to me, you little troll, I want to see Iolanthe.”


“I ain’t gonna let you nowhere near Miss Iolanthe,” Mala hissed like a cornered animal.

Ulrika thrust Mala against the wall of the plush hallway and pinned the woman with her arms.

Mala shrieked.

“Unhand my creature!” Iolanthe shouted as she came down the stairs.

Ulrika released Mala from her grip.

“Mala!” Iolanthe bellowed, “Go to your room and wait for me to call for you. On your way, send two of the boys to me.”

Mala nodded and skittered off.

“It isn’t very nice of you to be so rough with such a pitiful soul.” Iolanthe sighed as she descended the stairs.

“You? You’re going to tell me what’s ‘nice’?” Ulrika grunted. “Where’s Arthur?”

“Oh, you want your man back?” Iolanthe grinned.

“You know that I do!” Ulrika spat.

“That can be arranged,” Iolanthe laughed. “Did you bring what I asked for?”

“The diamond? No!”

“Well, then, clearly you don’t want your man back that badly.” Iolanthe shrugged. “Them’s the terms of the trade.”

“Where is he?” Ulrika shouted.

“Where’s the diamond?” Iolanthe chuckled.

“You’ll never get it.” Ulrika answered firmly.

“It’s a good thing, then, that your man has strong arms.” Iolanthe winked. “He’ll do well at sea.”

Ulrika raised her knife and lunged toward Iolanthe who howled with laughter, raising her leg and kicking the knife out of Ulrika’s hand.

“Girl, spilling my blood ain’t gonna get your man back. There’s only one way to do that. You just gotta decide what’s more important to you.”

Ulrika rubbed her hands together and squinted at Iolanthe.

“Stupid child,” Iolanthe grinned. “You stole somethin’ precious from me, and I took somethin’ precious from you. It’s only fair.”

“I’ll find him.” Ulrika growled.

“You could save yourself a lot of trouble if you’d just cooperate.” Iolanthe responded plainly.

“I loathe you,” Ulrika whispered.

“That’s not helpful.” Iolanthe smirked. “You thought you could get the better of ol’ Iolanthe. I don’t want you thinkin’ that you can. No one can. I always win.”

“You would think so.” Ulrika shook her head.

“I don’t just think it.” Iolanthe winked. “It’s true.”

“I’ll give you want you want,” Ulrika answered softly.

“I knew that you would.” Iolanthe laughed.

Meanwhile, Charles Van Eyck made his way into Julian’s room.

“Hullo,” Mr. Punch nodded. “Did Dr. Halifax tell you ‘bout your duties?”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Charles smiled.

“Good. When will you be startin’?”

“First thing tomorrow.” Charles said. “I’ll need to take my leave at my previous place of employment.”

Punch took a deep breath. “That’ll be fine. Here, this is me dog. His name is Toby. And, this is me puppet. His name is ‘Puppet.’”

“And, what’s your name?” Charles asked.

Mr. Punch smiled. “You been introduced to me already.”

“I was introduced to the Duke of Fallbridge.” Charles grinned. “But, I suspect that’s not who you are.”

“You’re perceptive.” Punch answered. “But, Barbara already told you ‘bout me, didn’t she? You know that sometimes I’m not always the same person.”

“You alluded to it yourself.”

“True.” Punch laughed.

“So, what do I call you?” Charles asked.

“Robert would say that it’s only right to address me as you would any man with a title. He’d say that you should call me, ‘Sir,’ and ‘Your Grace.’”

“What would you have me call you?”

“Mr. Punch. That’s me name.” Punch sighed. “Now, I got a question for you. You ain’t no Dutchman. Your name ain’t really ‘Van Eyck.’ What’s your real name? What did your mama call you?”



Did you miss Chapters 1-179? If so, you can read them here.