Thursday - 2008-0522-0700 - Rain - U.S. Capitol - 1919; Monday Pottery; Homeopathic Medicine Box and a Brief History of Homeopathy ; Seeking Repairs for Homeopathic Medicine Box

Rain - U.S. Capitol - 1919 Larger Image Courtesy of the Library of Congress Capitol at night in rain, c. 1919. One of those curious images that could have been shot anywhere within the last 120 years.

Monday was a most peculiar today for I tried to accomplish about a dozen tasks.

Many years, I bought several pieces of pottery at the Canton Flea Market Arts & Crafts Show from a local potter. (This was when the emphasis of the Market was more on formal artistic endeavors rather than the borderline-kitschy items of later days. See snitty comments of contours provocations - journal - 2006-1022 - sun 2100.)

By a strange coincident, he and I went to the same high school. He was a couple of years ahead. Rare it is that I meet someone from that era.

Alas, most of the items of pottery in my house have suffered the vagaries of the felines. One of the potter's items suffered a fall, and the small top was snapped off. It is 12-inch tall dark gray piece with a gloopy surface. (Gloopy - thick gooey liquid-like substance; frequently applied to the appearance of the work of Antoni Gaudí. Structures that seem to follow Salvador Dalí concept of surrealism as applied to architecture.)

None the less, I'd wondered for some time if he could repair or modify it.

I've also possessed an unglazed wind chime of Boris, god of the north wind, by another artist, whose chimes were approximately three feet long. I had bought it in the late 60s, and during the period of ownership, it has most unfortunately suffered a great deal of damage. The chimes were clam shells partially covered in clay. Inside of that was a ring of six short clay cylinders. I'd tried saving parts as they came off, if I could. At this point, the only portion left was Boris' head and even that had a chunk missing from the front.

I was also curious if the potter could do ANYTHING with it. Much to my surprise, he immediately recognized the maker. They both had been at one of the state universities at the same time. He said the maker was a genius at creating designs and drawings, but indifferent to implementation.

After considerable discussion, I left Boris with him with the understanding that he had a totally free hand to go in whatever direction he choose. I find this a very exciting and anticipatory proposition

His shop was like a place of magic. It is in an old house that has been converted. Filled with pots of every variety in every stage of completion. And there was that wonderful clay smell. It was akin to stepping through a portal to a 19th century store.

Also on my list of items was to seek repairs to an Homeopathic Medicine box. These were boxes in which samples were displayed. Mine in a flat mahogany box 10-inches wide, 7-inches deep and roughly 5-inches high. (Alas, I'm unable to find a decent photo on the web.)

(Homeopathy - "a system of medical practice that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in healthy persons produce symptoms similar to those of the disease."

In particular, the box I have has a label on the inside cover that states "Humphrey's Homeopathic Specifics" with a list of 35 aliments. Some example are #4 - Diarrhoea - Loose Bowels or Summer complaints of Children or Adults; #13 - Croup - Hoarse Coughing, Oppressed Breathing; #22 - Ear Discharge; #25 - Dropsy; #28 - Nervous Debility; #34 - Diphtheria.

Although the samples are no longer available, no doubt there was a sample for each problem. An interesting article is available at FREDERICK HUMPHREYS, M. D.".

Homeopathy: The Ultimate Fake disputes the claims of the homeopathy claims. (Note the pithy comments at the bottom.) I thought that homeopahty remedies were a thing of the past, but they are still available Humphreys.

So there are still very strong advocates of the remedies; no doubt, the same people who believing in bleeding as a sure-fire remedy for all that ails you.

Several months ago, the cats knocked the box onto the floor breaking the hinges. But who to you go to have such an item repaired. First stop was a jeweler. Who said he unable to help. The staff acted liked they had never received such request. The the owner made the fatal mistake of stating a imperative sentence - one of those that tells you what you should do. "I'd call around and save myself some gas!." Call who, dipshit! Imperative statements are always an irritant; it's a direct implication knows far more than you do. My intense dislike is a strong indication of my innate problem with authority figures. (No doubt, due to the still unresolved post traumatic feelings toward my parent.) However, a customer suggested an antique repair shop, of which only two are listed in the phone book; and they both specialize in reupholstering antique chairs. I only visited one, and he suggested a wood repair place, of which there are none in the yellow pages.

A fruitless, but singular, venture.

(In Thursday - 2008-0522-0700 / Out - 2008-0523-0800) This entry was written in multiple settings.

Pax! Erin go braugh! Je accuse...