Goal for the Day: Record the Commonplace

A studio shot, young and bespectacled
with "Wishbone," 1996

Though you may do the same things every day, and though your daily routine may not seem very special right now, in twenty years, you may yearn to remember what occupied your time. I remember, years ago, working on the set of the PBS show Wishbone. I wish I had taken more time to document that period of my life. Now, almost fifteen years later, I look back and realize I should have taken more photographs of the sets, of the people with whom I worked, of Soccer, the dog. I wish I had been more careful about absorbing the action that unfolded around me. Now, looking back at the memories of the beginning of my career, I find that they are somewhat murky. Had I been more vigilant in recording what was happening at the time, I could have created a greater historical record—not only of my own experiences, but also of a much beloved television program of the mid 1990’s. I thought it would last forever. But, nothing does.

So, today, as you go on about your business, snap a few photos with your cell phone of the world around you. Record the places, the people, the activity which to you may seem dull right now, but in the future will be a fond memory. Time brings many changes—most of them for the good. But, that doesn’t mean that we don’t want to look back from time to time to see where we’ve been. That’s the only way to know where we’re going.



Object of the Day: An Antique Pencil Drawing

A pensive woman sits at a table, reading a book with which she is utterly engrossed. She rests her body against her folded arms, unaware that her hair has become loose on one side. Who she is, we don’t know. What she’s reading, only she knows. Yet, there she sits—for over a century, enrapt in her book.

This antique drawing is something of a mystery. Her costume suggests that this work of pencil on paper dates to the early 1900’s. The provenance is murky. When purchased, I was told it was French in origin, however, I am more inclined to assign it to the hand of an English artist. Her collar and scarf seem more the outfit of a working-class Englishwoman than that of a French woman of the period.

Someone took the time to frame this drawing with a large, dramatic mat. Clearly this sketch meant something to someone. It is unsigned and undated—at least evidently. I am hesitant to remove it from its frame to check for more information since it has remained undisturbed—still backed in the original framer’s paper.

Regardless of her provenance, she’s a lovely figure. The lines of the drawing are free and filled with life. I don’t care who she is or where she comes from. The simple fact that she still exists is enough for me.

Humanitarian of the Week: David Walliams

Known as the taller half of the comedic team of Walliams and Lucas, David Walliams has achieved great fame and success playing characters such as Emily Howard, Ann, Desiree DeVere, Sebastian Love, Lou Todd and Des Kaye on the hit BBC television program, Little Britain. Little Britain seemed to quickly become a sensation in the U.K. However, Matt Lucas and David Walliams toiled many an hour to bring the show to television. The two met as young men at a theater camp and a lifelong friendship and artistic collaboration followed.

Walliams and Lucas

When not wearing a dress or fawning over the “Prime Minister,” David Walliams devotes a considerable amount of his time and energy to charitable works. Along with Matt Lucas, Walliams has performed for “Comic Relief” benefits on numerous occasions. His most impressive efforts, however, came from furthering his long-time passion for swimming.

During the stressful run of Little Britain Live—the wildly successful and long-awaited traveling stage version of their hit television show—Walliams volunteered to swim the English Channel to raise money for Sport Relief (part of Comic Relief which provides services for people in the U.K. who are suffering from poverty). Despite their rigorous rehearsal and performance schedule, Walliams trained for nine months to swim the channel. He completed the swim of twenty-two miles in 10 hours and 34 minutes. In doing so, he raised over one million British pounds for Sports Relief. His triumph is recorded in the documentary, Little Britain’s Big Swim.

Walliams as "Emily Howard,"
the "rubbish transvestite."

In 2008, Walliams once again donated his efforts to Sport Relief when he swam the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain to Morocco in a little over four and a half hours. Again, through his efforts, a considerable amount of money was raised for the foundation Walliams’ work to raise funds to contribute to the dignity and quality of life of people in the U.K. make him this week’s “Humanitarian of the Week.”

Recommended Reading: Art and the Power of Placement by Victoria Newhouse

The Tribuna of the Uffizi
Johann Zoffany, 1780
The Royal Collection at Windsor Castle

Architectural historian, Victoria Newhouse has assembled a fascinating study on what could best be described as exhibition criticism. This interesting book tackles not only art, but the placement of art within the context of a space. Whether it’s an epic installation or a beautiful antique vase, the energy of a piece of artwork can be fed or depleted depending on how it is displayed. In your home, a museum, a palace or a gallery, the setting in which the art is placed has a tremendous influence on how it looks and how it is perceived by viewers.


Newhouse approaches the subjects of “how place affects perception,” “art versus archaeology,” “the placement of modern art installation pieces,” and the best ways to display different kinds of art and objects. This thorough and beautifully illustrated book will sure to interest you if you’ve an interest in art, museums, history or decorating. Her observations are spot-on, and she clearly knows her business.

Question of the Week: What’s Your Favorite Room?

We all have a favorite room in our homes.  If you’re like Bertie, your favorite space in the house might be the kitchen—the heart of the home.  Maybe you have a fondness for your bedroom.  Or, perhaps you favor your living room because of the many happy times you’ve spent there.  I’d like to know about your favorite room.  Why do you like it?  What makes it your favorite spot?  I look forward to reading your comments!

Film of the Week: Summer and Smoke, 1961

Tennessee Williams was responsible for writing some of the most beautiful, and bleak, dramas in American theater history. Many of his plays were made into feature films which continue to move and startle us to this day.


In 1945, Williams began work on a play that he called, Chart of Anatomy. He later changed the name to Eccentricities of a Nightingale and later, to Summer and Smoke based on a line from the Hart Crane poem, "Emblems of Conduct.”

Summer and Smoke centers around the residents of the town of Glorious Hills, Mississippi at the turn of the Twentieth Century. True to his usual Southern Gothic themes, Williams has woven a tale of repression, manners, debauched behavior and betrayal.



Geraldine Page

 At the middle of the story is neurotic Alma Winemiller whose religious-nature and tragic home life make for a difficulty in forming relationships. She has an unrequited affection for Dr. John Buchanan, Junior—a young doctor whose passions and wildness continue to be a disappointment to his family. Alma cares for her mentally ill mother and fills the role of “wife” with her father. She’s the grudging head of the household upon whose shoulders the burdens of the family rest. By the end, constant disappointment and a growing addiction to tranquilizers lead Alma away from her true nature, or, perhaps toward a path of truth for which she was unprepared.

The film starred Laurence Harvey(as John Buchanan) and Geraldine Page (as Alma Winemiller) with Rita Moreno, Una Merkel, John McIntire, Thomas Gomez, Pamela Tiffin, Malcolm Atterbury, Lee Patrick and Earl Holliman. Produced by Hal Wallis and directed by Peter Glenville, the film received four Academy Award nominations including Best Actress for Geraldine Page’s performance and Best Supporting Actress for Una Merkel’s portrayal of Alma’s off-kilter mother.

This beautiful Technicolor film features accurate Victorian sets and turn-of-the-century costumes which create a wonderful setting for this story of despair and confusion. No, Tennessee Williams never offers up a laugh-riot, but his drama is top-notch. This is further proof of his brilliance.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 44

Naasir smiled as Iolanthe Evangeline’s henchmen tied the ropes tighter around his wrists.

“Look at him,” The larger of the two men laughed. “He’s done and started grinnin’. Don’t you know you’re gonna get yourself hurt, boy?”

“You cannot hurt me.” Naasir answered. “I am protected.”

“Ain’t nothin’ gonna protect you from Miss Evangeline.” The other man chortled.

“There are things in this world that are greater than ‘The Elegant Ogress.’” Naasir responded.

“Now, now, boy, them’s not words we like to use ‘round here.” The larger man growled.

“I speak only the truth.” Naasir said bravely as his face was stung by a strong, sweaty slap.

“You want me to hit you again?” The large man howled.

“I care not.” Naasir smiled.

The man struck him again—this time more fiercely and sharply.

Naasir continued to smile.

“Miss Evangeline will be down in a minute.” The second man said.

“I will wait for her.” Naasir nodded. “Undaunted.”

“Ain’t got no choice, have ya?” The large man chuckled as the two of them left Naasir in a dimly lit room.

Naasir looked around. The room was devoid of furnishing except for a large wooden altar which had been constructed at the farthest end. Idols and sculptures supported flickering candles around the perimeter of the great table which had been draped with multi-colored silks. The skull of some animal—some large animal with curving teeth—sat squarely in the middle of the altar. The walls of the room had been painted black—the color of the soot from a thousand fires.

Naasir smiled. “Those who watch over us, keep a careful eye on Mr. Punch and elevate him. Elevate him so that Lord Julian will be safe.”

His smile broadened as he sniffed the air. “He’s here.”

Meanwhile, upstairs, Iolanthe Evangeline walked silently in circles around her private parlor. Mr. Punch refused to look at her.

“Think you can ignore me?” The Elegant Ogress spat as she walked around and around the chair where Punch had rested Julian’s weary body. “Well, I don’t want you thinkin’ that you can?” She paused and knelt down in front of Julian, looking him squarely in the face. She smelled of roses—like Nanny Rittenhouse.

“Look at me!” She hissed.

“I see you.” Punch responded.

“Who are you?” She asked.

“You know who I am.” Punch smiled.

“I know who you look like, but I’d say it’s a damn sight different than what you really are.” Miss Evangeline leaned closer.

“You got nothin’ to say?” She asked.

“Not ‘specially,” Mr. Punch chuckled.

“What is your man?” Iolanthe rose angrily.

“He’s a man.” Punch answered flatly.

“No. He’s something else. He’s some kind of priest, isn’t he?”

“He’s a human man.” Punch shook his head.

“On the surface. But, he’s got somethin’ in him.” Iolanthe began to pace again. “I can smell it.”

“We all have something in us. Haven’t we?” Punch answered.

“You got somethin’ in you, too.” Iolanthe shouted. “Somethin’ I’ve got to destroy. I’ll tell you this. I did not go to this lot of trouble to fetch that fine Englishwoman here only to have my plans ruined by some madman and his priest! Oh no, I got too much at stake. I done made a deal and I aim to see that it goes off without a hitch!”

She stopped pacing again and narrowed her eyes. “Do you know how much a human life costs?”

Punch didn’t answer because he didn’t know what to say.

“A fresh, new life?” Iolanthe continued. “Plenty! I done spilled a lot of blood. I will not let that go to waste! I’m gonna be paid what’s owed me! And, I won’t have no African man nor his tetched master get in the way of that.”

“I beat the Devil.” Punch whispered.

“What’s that?” Iolanthe cackled.

“I beat the Devil!” Punch shouted. “I ain’t afraid of you.”

“You are strange.” Iolanthe smiled. “I could almost like you if it didn’t serve me better to hate you.”

“I love me master.” Punch said loudly, “But, I got to protect me-self. See? You can destroy his body, but, you can’t destroy me. I’ll find a new master. You can’t destroy me.”

“Quiet!” Iolanthe barked. “Stop your chatter.”

Iolanthe smoothed the gloves which clung to her long, thin arms. The door to the room creaked open and the homely woman called Mala entered.

“Is the man ready at the altar?” Iolanthe asked.

“Yes’m.” Mala nodded. “But, we got some trouble.”

“What?” Iolanthe groaned.

“The other one is downstairs. The other Englishman.” Mala pointed at Julian/Punch. “That one’s companion.”

“The good doctor.” Iolanthe Evangeline smiled. She turned her head quickly and growled at Punch. “Do you think he’ll tend to your wounds? Perhaps he’ll put salve on your man after I’ve burned him at my altar!”

“What’ll I do with him?” Mala asked.

“Show him up here.” Iolanthe Evangline chirped. “He can watch me get rid of this annoyance.”





Did you miss Chapters 1-43? If so, you can read them here.