Cranky, cranky, cranky. Car insurance stuff, new car decisions, sister's husband's health, twisted ankle, and a lot of my time redirected from what I planned to do to stuff I "needed" to do.

So, I've been to the Antiques Roadshow now. Sister No.2 was supposed to go with Mom to this, but the BIL was ill; it was at her incentive that I put my e-mail into the random draw for tickets. Wouldn't you know I'd be the one to win? Do I watch it? No. Will I start watching it? No. If you do, when the Seattle episodes air, I'm the one with the long hair in the background during the segment discussing the two Rodin-esque stauettes.

We found out some interesting things. I didn't know that the ceramic jar that Mom calls the Ugly Woman was a tobacco jar; great-grandmother used it to hold match sticks. Mom's little charm bracelet made of Cracker-Jack prizes is actually collectable, although in a less-than-$100 way.

In the catagory of very useful things: Mom's "bookstore" necklace* is an 1890 pate de verre pendant and had the beading added in the 40s or 50s (much to the appraiser's disdain). Presumeably it wasn't specifically done by Almeric Walter (I'm sure he checked the back for a maker's engrave), but it is very much in his style. It's a pretty piece with its own merit, and it's nice knowing what would need to be done to restore it to its Arts and Crafts glory.

Was it worth missing La Belle Storm's ballet performance? When I step back and look at it, yes, probably. But it's taking some time and perspective to come to that conclusion.

Now to find the car title...



*Dad found it in a KC bookstore in 1954 or 55.