Retro Saturday

The past two weeks I have found a few things that caught my attention at two local 'thrift' shops.

Florals seemed to be a theme as can be seen in the first two pics: a pretty little Bavarian plate.

This very little fella (about 3 inches tall) is made by Blue Mountain Pottery in Ontario, Canada. I have been seeing pieces by them frequently lately.

Made by the same company as Mr.Owl above, I had seen these mugs for a while now at one shop and thought it was time for them to 'come home' to papa!

What did I tell you, another floral pattern, this time on a Sadler tea pot.

It is in perfect condition and looks brand new.

I NEVER pass up a Pyrex piece and this coffee carafe is proof ! It originally came with a 'candle warmer' and was made in the 1950's. It is SO that era! This too was in really good shape. I've already 'posted' this on the Pyrex Collective blog....check it out here.

I am a sucker for some S & P's......like these guys!

Their noses need a 'touch up' but other than that......they are in good shape. They were made in Japan and distributed in Montreal.

The above 'juice glass' was just sitting there and wanted to be part of the ever-increasing collection in the kitchen. Love the bright, floral pattern!

This last floral piece, I promise, is VERY attached to its 'serving stand'. I wouldn't want to try to separate them.......what a way to damage the plate. It was made in Japan.

Since next Saturday is Christmas I will not be posting a Retro Saturday blog. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season.

A Quiet Friday

                    Ron took these photos yesterday at the beach.

As I sit here listening to Chris Botti on his December CD, the snow is gently falling.....our first here along the coast.

Funny how something so simple as falling snow can set the mood for the day. The three of us, Ron, Sophie and myself just sat there looking out the windows as it floated out of the sky onto the shrubs and trees below. Everything seemed quiet as if the snow was mesmerizing us.

Hopefully enough will stay around so I can get a few pictures later today.

Real story: one child's most exciting day

Thought this was very telling and touching. We get so wrapped up in what we have and have not especially this time of year.


Time for some perspective.

To The Back Of The Bus!!!

I have noticed on a couple of blogs recently a 'link' to a very worthy cause....that of adoption for Down's Syndrome children from around the world. Check it out here.


This is an area that is 'close to my heart'. For the first ten years of my teaching career, I worked with kids who had Down's Syndrome. It was the best ten years of my career.


With no intentions of pursuing an adoption of any sort, I followed the links on this site to see what the 'terms' were. I read the history of the creator of the organization and was very impressed with her intentions.


I read the criteria necessary to those who were considering to partake in the adoption process. There was the usual financial stability, a background check, health history that may be pertinent, and the next criteria that slapped me right in the face.


Same-sex couples could not adopt. It said that there are no foreign countries at this time that allow or will consider same-sex adoption.


Was I surprised? Yes. I am always taken aback when I am jolted into the realization that 'minorities' in this world are not readily accepted.


 I guess we, in Canada at least,  have taken for granted that to be homosexual is not an obstacle any longer when it comes to our 'rights and freedoms'. And anything to suggest so is unconstitutional in Canada, not to say that bigotry and prejudice has disappeared because of this.


I was immediately taken back to the 50's and 60's when African Canadian/American peoples were blatantly treated like second-class citizens. I couldn't believe that human beings were being treated like this. But they were.


I am not suggesting that the aforementioned adoption agency is not worthy of your attention. It is! And I strongly recommend anybody who does qualify to consider this worthwhile cause. 


I just find it difficult at times to be constantly reminded that I was born 'different'  from the majority in this world and therefore am considered not equal or worthy in some areas on this planet. Should I have wanted to adopt from another country, I couldn't because I am a homosexual.


I do not presume to know what it is like to grow up being an African Canadian/American in this culture of ours. But, if I may, I have an inkling.

Contemplative Monday

" A tradition, I thought, is like an old man: it must be taken care of; taken with a grain of salt; taken for what it is: precious, limited, a window into the past and, properly plumbed, a door to the future. There we stand at the hinge, making it all happen----or not...."

While reading an article by Shozan Jack Haubner, a Zen practitioner who lives in the U.S., from which the above quote is taken, I couldn't help but think of my father.

The article, in the Shambhala Sun magazine,  was about the author's experience looking after a very old Zen master, his teacher.

Sunday's Selection

Back in the late 1970's when we were living in Vancouver, British Columbia we discovered someone in the music world that literally blew us away.


Her name is Kate Bush. She was, at the time, very popular and in demand. She is from England.  She has had a very successful career and produced and managed herself.


Her style is unique and haunting, in a good way. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did revisiting this great artist.

Retro Saturday

I want to share with you all a couple of bronze/copper urns that have been in Ron's family for a long time.

I can only surmise through 'family stories' that these urns were payment for work rendered by Ron's maternal grandfather back in the 1920's.

Grandfather Regan was a tailor in the town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia.  He had a very good reputation and worked for the 'prominent' people in the town.

It was said that he got these urns in lieu of payment for some work he had done.

Usually on urns/vases you can find some kind of 'identification' mark or signature. In the above photo of the first urn, all I could find was this 'face' which isn't on the second urn as you will see. I suspect this is the artist's 'stamp'/signature.

                  Urn number two......


We got these appraised a few years ago at a local 'Antiques Roadshow'. The appraisers thought they were very old but couldn't pin-point how old and where they came from.

I really like the detail.

The 'signature' (below) on this urn as far as I can tell is this 'bird'. It is the only 'bird' at the very base.

The bottoms are no longer intact but we have them. They need to be soldered back on.

As you can see, they have different design scenes and have something written on them on the left side. The 'characters' look identical, maybe this was the company that produced these?

Not being familiar with any of the Asian languages, I am uncertain if it is Japanese or Chinese. Only because of the art work depicted (bamboo and cranes), do I suspect that these urns are Japanese. But I cannot say for certain.

Maybe they were originally 'umbrella /cane' urns. Probably put by or near the front door. Then again, maybe not! Like most urns, they could have been for floral arrangements and the like.

Ron's Mom used them during Christmas and filled them with Pine boughs and Red-berried twigs......they made for a very effective and stunning seasonal display.


They are heavy and stand approximately 18 inches tall.


We have always liked these and have them visible around the house. And since it is Christmas we will follow in Ron's Mom's tradition and fill them with Pine boughs.