Indian Lacquer Hand Painted Cylindrical Box - India circa 1980

Indian Lacquer Hand Painted Cylindrical Box  -  India circa 1980

Small decorative boxes of different types and materials can be found throughout the world. Sometimes the boxes are purely decorative with no particular function required.  When the box is filled, the contents can be valuable or almost worthless - from jewels to trinkets depending on the owner.   A box may give value and privacy for special objects in life.  The decorative box showcased in today's post was purchased by me in India for its beauty and unique cylindrical shape.

China Han Dynasty Chop (or Seal) 206 B.C. - Postage Stamp Taiwan

China Han Dynasty Chop (or Seal) 206 B.C. -  Postage Stamp Taiwan

Here is another Taiwan postage stamp sent on a letter from a friend to me after I returned home from travel abroad in 1978.  This postage stamp celebrates the history of the Chinese chop (or seal)  used as a signature in China.  The use of the chop in Chinese culture dates back thousands of years.  The stamp shows the red ink calligraphy created with the chop and the carved handle on the top of the chop along with a date of 206 B.C. from the Han dynasty period.

Diana's Personal Mementos - British Royal Heritage

Diana's Personal Mementos  -  British Royal Heritage 

The video at this link from the Today show http://www.today.com/video/today/51786508 provides a look at some of Diana's personal mementos which will pass to her sons Prince William and Prince Harry when they reach age 30, according to the narrative in the clip.  The clip shows letters, tiaras, and even a set of ballet toe shoes.  These are all wonderful reminders of personal royal history.  And these mementos bring thoughts of the new royal George Alexander Louis.  Welcome to the new baby and congratulations to the new parents Kate and William.

Calligraphic Brush Set

Calligraphic Brush Set 

The Chinese brushes in this set are simple examples which reflect the high stature of calligraphic writing and the practice of this art in Chinese culture.  This set, similar to the purpose of the western pen and pencil set, was purchased to highlight the owner's interest in the fine craft of beautiful writing.

Travel Log Photo 3 - China circa 1979 - Two on Bridge with a Tricycle

Travel Log Photo 3 - China circa 1979 - Two on Bridge with a Tricycle

Decorative Paper Butterfly Kite - Travel Memento

Decorative Paper Butterfly Kite  - Travel Memento

The pictures show a decorative kite that was brought back as a gift to a young family member by a close relative returning from travel in Asia.  Kites are one of life's most joyful and delightful artifacts.  The mere sight of a colorful kite might bring to mind breezy days of spring when there is time to pursue the task of getting a flying contraption up and wind driven.  Perhaps the best kites will reach their true destiny released to the winds when the kite strings break, and the kite is freed to the sky.  The decorative example in this post is a bit too beautiful and fragile for such an escapade. This purple butterfly serves instead as witness to both the pleasures and artistry found in these fanciful tributes to flight.

Martial Arts Belts

Martial Arts Belts

                                                 





















The focus of achievement is the black belt but before the highest levels of achievement "karate kids" receive other tokens of success.  After the standard white belt of the novice other brightly colored belts of yellow and orange demonstrate publicly that there has been a successful learning progression by the wearer.  These mementos are saved as fond symbols of early athletic success in the martial arts.  For a discussion of the complete belt progression go to http://www.wmacenter.com/index.cfm?page=17.

Pins - Think Global Act Local

Pins -  Think Global Act Local

The message speaks for itself.  Have a good day readers.

Travel Log Photo 2 - China circa 1979 - Suzhou Garden Door (Moon Gate)

Travel Log Photo 2 -  China circa 1979 -  Suzhou Garden Door (Moon Gate)

The Notebook

The Notebook

The notebook and the locked diary or journal contain the thoughts and dreams of the owner. Even with our laptops and tablets, the use of the handwritten note or journal entry has a special sentiment and value that makes these books into mementos. They reflect thoughts and feelings expressed silently and privately. They are also a great way to store up a personal history and pass on our family history to the next generations.

Portfolio of the Architecture Student (Second View)

Portfolio of the Architecture Student (Second View)

The previous post presented some of the designs and models in the treasured portfolio of the architecture student.  A few more elements of the portfolio are highlighted in this second presentation of the artist's work.

And for more on portfolios by architecture students go to http://hawkinsarch.com/arch-student-portfolios-my-top-3-tips/.

Portfolio of the Architecture Student

Portfolio of the Architecture Student

 






Most college graduates have stacks of textbooks along with written exams and papers as the primary documentation of an education earned through hard work and labors.  A prominent exception to this rule of the written record is the body of work created by the artist or architect in training.  In this case the record left is not just written but also visual and typically presented in the form of a treasured portfolio.  Long after classes are ended and workshops closed for the last semester, the creative works of these students endure to demonstrate a dedication to their craft. The portfolio encapsulates inspirations and dreams realized and sometimes recognized too.   In this post with the architect student's permission, I exhibit some of the designs and models of an education in the arts.

Travel Log Photo 1 - Taiwan circa 1977 - Hotel at Night

Travel Log Photo 1 - Taiwan circa 1977 -  Hotel at Night

I have decided to post sometimes one of my photos from my travel experiences. The photo will form part of a travel log. For most of the photos just an introductory title will be provided for explanation.  Below is the first photo for the log.

Peace (He Ping) Calligraphy

Peace (He Ping) Calligraphy

This piece of calligraphy shows the Chinese words ( the characters for "he ping") meaning peace and was presented as a gift to me by a close family member.  It is significant to me and maintains a place of honor in my home. The gift ushered in a lengthy era of peace in my own life and is a symbol of an important family bond.  I wish the same peace and blessings to my readers symbolized by this work of calligraphy set in its gold frame.

The Glass Horse (the Rewards of Mentoring)

The Glass Horse (the Rewards of Mentoring)

One special type of memento honors the contribution of one individual to another's ambitions and career goals.  In these cases, it is frequently just the thought that counts; the mere acknowledgement of your contribution is more than adequate recognition. A thank you note would suffice many times over. When you mentor and a person gets that job or promotion or entrepreneurial opportunity, you are more than fulfilled by the knowledge of their success.  A gift simply serves as a beautiful reminder of the victory won.

Chinese Peonies and Hydrangeas

Chinese Peonies and Hydrangeas 

Chinese watercolor paintings like the red peonies in this post can be painted in minutes even though acquiring sufficient skill to create such a painting can take many years to achieve mastery.  The other artwork featured in this post shows white hydrangeas and while similar in theme shows a more western version of a flower.  The more western rendering is in a metallic medium and gives a detailed botanical view.  The two pieces reflect different perspectives on realism.  One focuses on almost photographic precision, and the other highlights to a greater degree the expressive spirit of the flower subject.  For me both of the paintings are cultural artifacts reflecting fine artistic traditions.

Amazing Memento Found - The Story of the Titanic Violin

Amazing Memento Found - The Story of the Titanic Violin


The love of music is symbolized in the story both tragic and uplifting of the violin played by a young musician on the Titanic.  

Find the full story at this link http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/23/titanic-violin-authentic-wallace-hartley_n_3326466.html.

Teddy's Art (cubism followed)

Teddy's Art (cubism followed)

This painting was created during the 1970's by a family friend who blended the spirit of the times with an understanding of the features of cubist art.  I had studied Picasso's works including Guernica by the time this original and unnamed piece of art was gifted to my family.  In my youthful perspective, this painting made quite an impression as a boldly colored self portrait of the young man who created it.  There was passion and grit, hard lines with bold curves and those strangely placed teeth and eyes humanizing the animal nature of the image.  This memento, an artifact too in its following of the cubist artistic tradition, taught me about art in a very personal way. It transformed my early study of art as a living breathing presence - a creative force in my home environment.  So-called "amateur" artists who grace our homes with their work can create the finest of mementos linking us to a time period or era in our personal artistic history. For more background on cubism see http://www.pablopicasso.org/cubism.jsp and http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/collections/collection-online/movements/195210?page=3 and http://arthistory.about.com/od/modernarthistory/a/cubism_10one.htm.

Time Capsules - Testaments to the Value of Mementos and Artifacts

Time Capsules - Testaments to the Value of Mementos and Artifacts

One ultimate way to recognize mementos and artifacts of significance is the time capsule. See a great description including photos of what was contained in a century old time capsule from 1913 at this link http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/this-is-what-they-found-inside-a-100-year-old-time-capsule-from-1913.

Bill Clinton Presidential Souvenir - Candy Boxes from the White House

Bill Clinton Presidential Souvenir - Candy Boxes from the White House

In our food obsessed nation is it surprising that foods serve as markers of important events. The birthday cake rivals the birthday card and presents for attention.  Witness the attention given to the wedding and bachelor's cakes.  Our favorite dishes, desserts and candies become the symbols of the special moments of a lifetime savored in both our minds and our mouths.  These are the treasured indulgences and memories of a foodie culture.  This trend to celebrate and mark events with commemorative foods has in recent history been epitomized in souvenirs of candy distributed to tourists privileged to visit America's very own White House.  In the Reagan years lucky visitors might receive as gifts the famous brightly colored jelly beans.  During the Clinton Administration treasured souvenirs for visitors included gifts of the simple boxes of candies featured in the photos with this blog post.  As you can see from the opened box below these sweet treats were good to eat too.  

Fourth of July Celebrations

Fourth of July Fireworks, an Essay and Tips on Fighting Off the Mosquitos

Fireworks are an artifact going all the way back to no less than the Chinese emperors.  This artifact produces memories which last a lifetime...what would the Fourth of July be without fireworks. Check out below my own personal memories from my essay on stadiums and cook-outs and fireworks viewed sitting on the grass.  Feel free to leave your comments and share your personal memories on these historic emblems of Independence Day.

Fourth of July holiday weekend always means fireworks.  It more likely also means steamy hot and humid.   I love summer it is my favorite season and the summer holidays were special when I was young - Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.  The trio of patriotic celebrations covers the summer months.  The celebrations are all about good citizenship, a very important attribute for a country and its inhabitants.  We are celebrating work, freedom and sacrifice.  The trilogy stands in opposition to the laziness of the long hot summer.  We get a vacation in the languid peace of a long summer day to look at the harvest of our patriotism. 


From my grandparents’ home you could see the baseball stadium in the distance.  The fireworks would rise from the stadium walls seeming to explode over the crowd sitting on blankets and metal folding chairs.  We gathered together and sat on the soft grass and you could feel the closeness with all your neighbors, and America truly seemed a great nation.

Back then sports teams were not so glorified, they were simply loved.  The joy of a home team was in the home town spirit not the star players..  You knew your team colors and the ultimate banner was red, white and  blue.  Everyone could recognize the beauty and power of the flag unfurling across a summer sky and the glorious sound of the Star Spangled Banner being sung.  Team USA was as real as the neighborhood softball league.  

Fast forward to 2000 and the new millennium.  The trilogy looks different some days. 
Internet connections sometimes overtake the virtues of hard work.  The values of the fifties have faded some and washed out like old blue denim jeans.   Yet, our holidays are still here and perhaps again briefly under the fireworks we are still neighbors and friends in real life.  And we celebrate what is good about living in a country where we can still gather round and remember to believe in each other one more time.

And those tips-

A friend suggested that it would be useful to add to this post some tips on fighting the summer bugs that sometimes invade to spoil our summer celebrations.   So I did some investigation on-line and offer the following links leading to recommendations for a natural defense against the pesky bugs of summer for my readers.   Jane Fonda's daughter Vanessa Vadim at the Mother Nature Network gives some hints on how to repel or "attract" mosquitos at http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/questions/how-can-i-safely-repel-mosquitoes.  These other sites also recommend some approaches http://www.curbly.com/m/1930-top-10-ways-to-repel-mosquitoes-low-tech-style and http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/04/5-easy-to-grow-mosquito-repelling-plants/.

I make a full disclaimer regarding the effectiveness or negative reactions from any of these suggestions so try at your own risk.  Herbal scents like peppermint that protect your skin and home territory are discussed at these links along with ways  to trap or deter mosquitos.  Again to my friends and neighbors -wishing you many happy and safe celebrations. 

Top Ten List - Mementos of a Summer Vacation (Part Three - 3 to 1)

Top Ten List - Mementos of a Summer Vacation (Part Three - 3 to 1)

 
3.Books (especially Cookbooks). One of my favorite  summer vacation mementos is a cookbook of New England favorite dishes gifted to me by a young family member returning from one of her first summer trips away on her own.  The cookbook is treasured for both its pretty photos and the thoughtfulness of the giver who took time to recognize her travel and the family who was missed during the summer trip away.

2.Photos (with a waterproof camera).   In this day and age when everyone carries a digital camera it can be surprising that a throw away camera might still have some use.  I recommend one to create great summer action photos as mementos of either at home or away summer fun.   Waterproof cameras can be bought for a little money and make for carefree photos of many water related activities from super soaker water toy play, to sprinkler fun, to underwater swim escapades.  No problem if you get these cameras wet - that is the goal wet and wonderful pleasure and photos.

1.Tee Shirts.  Here is the ultimate summer memento an artifact of the great American vacation quietly granting bragging rights and summer community allegiance with a few words or pictures pressed, printed or knitted into a simple cotton shirt.  Perfect in its simplicity; everyone in the family can appreciate and wear one.  The price is usually right too.  Enshrine your favorite summer memory.  Buy a tee shirt  - the number one memento of a summer  "vacay."