And then there was a piece of paper in my hand, standing at the top of the hill

[sovay]

I have inherited some early twentieth-century editions of mid-nineteenth-century novels. The Erckmann-Chatrian come from a six-volume set published by Charles Scribner's Sons in 1901; I have translations of Madame Thérèse (1863), The Conscript (Histoire d'un conscrit de 1813, 1864), Waterloo (1865), and The Blockade of Phalsbourg (Le Blocus, 1866). The Frederick Marryat I have less information about, except that they are much cheaper editions from the Federal Book Company and comprise Newton Forster (1832), Olla Podrida (1840), and Percival Keene (1842). All belonged to my father's grandfather, who signed his name and address on their flyleaves in 1901 and 1904. I imagine they will end up on the same shelf as the Yiddish editions of Sholem Aleichem that I inherited from my grandmother and the contraband Ulysses that belonged to her father.

I had plans for the day that included trying to write a poem out of one of last night's dreams, but I did a lot of walking and a lot of further grocery shopping and seem to be somewhat wiped out. I unpacked our Paleozoic plushies and placed them appropriately, however. I've seen weirder-looking medieval whales.

Comments

[thawrecka]

What an excellent tableau.

[sovay]

What an excellent tableau.

Thank you!

[hyarrowen]

That's alovely model ship.

I have a cuddly blue whale, named Dougls, who I'm sure woul;d get on well with your whales!

[sovay]

That's alovely model ship.

Thank you! (I did not build it; it came from a secondhand shop in Gloucester.)

I have a cuddly blue whale, named Dougls, who I'm sure woul;d get on well with your whales!

I would love to meet your cuddly blue whale.

[hyarrowen]

I'll post a pic of him when I've finished the current picspam! :)

[sovay]

I'll post a pic of him when I've finished the current picspam!

Yay!

Your picspam of late has been excellent.

[cmcmck]

These sound interesting especially as I do read French.

What a super model!

[sovay]

These sound interesting especially as I do read French.

I've never read Erckmann-Chatrian, although I had heard of them. I don't know who did the translations for this set.

What a super model!

Thank you! It has to live out of reach of the cats.

[isis]

All ship model displays should include sea creature plushies.

[sovay]

All ship model displays should include sea creature plushies.

I am glad you approve!

[starlady]

I have that same dunkleosteus plush! I got my friend the ammonoid at the same time.

[sovay]

I have that same dunkleosteus plush! I got my friend the ammonoid at the same time.

Excellent! In recent years, we have been acquiring them for my niece.

[ashlyme]

Nice plushies, nice ship - I feel you should have one in a bottle, too!

I hope you can find that poem.

[sovay]

Nice plushies, nice ship - I feel you should have one in a bottle, too!

Thank you! I would love a ship in a bottle. I never have had one in the house.

I hope you can find that poem.

Fortunately—

[pameladean]

That is great decor. I hope that ship has never angered any whales.

P.

[sovay]

That is great decor. I hope that ship has never angered any whales.

Thank you. I think it should be safe.

[troisoiseaux]

Current Music: The Trials of Cato, "Tom Paine's Bones" / And then there was a piece of paper in my hand, standing at the top of the hill

Love this song (and band)!

[sovay]

Love this song (and band)!

I was completely unfamiliar with them until three days ago!

[ada_hoffmann]

I love the Dunkleosteus plushie!

[sovay]

I love the Dunkleosteus plushie!

It was my introduction to the PRI's Paleozoic Pals! I discovered them with its Kickstarter in the spring of 2016. It has been a beloved member of our household ever since the fall of that year.

[rushthatspeaks]

Those particular spirits of the vasty deep definitely come when you do call for them, and look extremely chuffed about it.

[sovay]

Those particular spirits of the vasty deep definitely come when you do call for them, and look extremely chuffed about it.

Prrrt.

[rinue]

I haven't checked this out myself yet (which I shall), but I think there's currently an exhibit of tons of model ships at the US Constitution museum (now until like Feb 25 or so). Seemed potentially relevant to your interests.

[sovay]

there's currently an exhibit of tons of model ships at the US Constitution museum

That is very cool! Thank you for telling me about it.