Texas Decoration

Texas Art

My mom is always working on DIY crafts and crafts that she comes up with on her own. She's made all kinds of beaded decorations, "dream catchers," and more. She's not limited to beads. She's done a lot of woodwork over the years. When I saw her Texas decoration and commented on it, which I think is red in color, she offered to make me one. I finally decided that I would like one in blue, with a white border. The blue color is made of a plastic grid-type of material. The white border is made from 1/4" bias tape. I may need to find a better way to hang it, but I'm very happy with it.

Flea Market Finds

Flea Market Finds

Last Sunday, we went to a flea market and picked up a few things (pictured). We picked up a CD, two Christmas decorations, the Pet Sematary book, and another book called Phantom Felines. I got the Stephen King book and the Santa Claus Christmas tree decoration for my daughter. I paid five dollars for everything.

Today I had to go on an errand. It was misting rain and 37 ℉ outside. I passed by some utility workers, working on water lines (I think). They were bundled up from head to toe: Gloves, face coverings, and heavy garments. I felt sorry for them having to be out in that weather.

Later, my wife had to go to the office after hours to look into some paperwork. By that time, it was raining slightly harder, and it was still in the 30s outside. If the temperature falls a bit more, we might get some sleet. And no, I don't look forward to it. As I heard somewhere the other day, I'd rather fry than freeze.

Stele of Hathor

Stele of Hathor - Author's Collection

The pictured stele/stela appears to be of the goddess Hathor featuring horns with a sun disk. It measures about 5" tall and 2.5" wide. It was once housed in a shadow box, but the frame broke. I threw the frame away, but I kept the artwork. I have no clue what the hieroglyphics say or if they say anything at all. They may just be for decoration. However, the top left symbol is an inverted glyph that, when turned in the opposite direction, can be read as "Hathor."

1939 Dodge Airflow Tanker

1939 Dodge Airflow Tanker - Author's Collection

This toy truck is an Esso Standard Oil Newark, NJ 1939 Dodge Airflow Tanker replica. It is a toy bank with a coin slot on top. Unfortunately, the bank's bottom seal hatch is missing. I don't think this is all that old. I found some on eBay, ranging in price from $7 to $35. The bottom text also says that Chrysler licenses it.

The Lament Configuration

The Lament Configuration - Author's Collection

This is a re-post focused exclusively on a puzzle box called "The Lament Confirmation." The Lament Confirmation is loosely based on Clive Barker's The Hellbound Heart, which is an interesting read. It's probably most well-known from the Hellraiser movie franchise. Solving the puzzle opens a dimension inhabited by "Cenobites," creatures who do not understand the difference between pleasure and pain. Fortunately, my box doesn't open anything; it just sits on a shelf. I removed it to dust it and decided to take a quick pic. The rest of the time, it's in a curio cabinet.

Hathor Statuette

Hathor - Author's Collection

The pictured figurine is Hathor or possibly Isis, seated. I'm leaning more toward Hathor, as I would assume that Isis would be pictured with wings. The figure has an ankh in her right hand, the sun disc above her head, as well as two horns. There are hieroglyphics at the base of the statue. I tried to use an online translator to decipher them, but I was unsuccessful. They may say something, or they may be just for show.

Canopic Jars

Canopic Jars - Author's Collection

I bought a set of Egyptian miniature canopic jars from Amazon in 2008, I think. I went back and tried to refresh myself with their symbolism, but it was so long ago that I (naturally) got a 404. So, I went digging and found the information for which I was searching.

Canopic jars were in use as far back as the Old Kingdom (2700-2200 BC). They held the embalmed internal organs of high-ranked individuals. The canopic chest and miniature images found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun are perhaps the most famous examples.

The jars in the picture, which are topped with stoppers, represent, from left to right, protective deities called the four sons of Horus. They are:

Duamutef, the jackal-headed god representing the east.

Qebehsenuef, the falcon-headed god representing the west.

Hapi, the baboon-headed god representing the north.

Imsety, the human-headed god representing the south.

The figures are approximately 3.5 inches tall. I keep them, for now, in a small wall-mounted curio cabinet.

Cthulhu Statuette

Author's Collection

Cthulhu is supposed to be sleeping in "the nightmare corpse-city of R'lyeh," but it looks like this guy is awake and sitting amongst random structures that might be non-Euclidean in nature. Of course, I don't know for certain because I'm not a mathematician.

“In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.” - H.P. Lovecraft, The Call of Cthulhu

"Johansen’s voyage had begun just as he told it to the vice-admiralty. The Emma, in ballast, had cleared Auckland on February 20th, and had felt the full force of that earthquake-born tempest which must have heaved up from the sea-bottom the horrors that filled men’s dreams. Once more under control, the ship was making good progress when held up by the Alert on March 22nd, and I could feel the mate’s regret as he wrote of her bombardment and sinking. Of the swarthy cult-fiends on the Alert he speaks with significant horror. There was some peculiarly abominable quality about them which made their destruction seem almost a duty, and Johansen shews ingenuous wonder at the charge of ruthlessness brought against his party during the proceedings of the court of inquiry. Then, driven ahead by curiosity in their captured yacht under Johansen’s command, the men sight a great stone pillar sticking out of the sea, and in S. Latitude 47° 9′, W. Longitude 126° 43′ come upon a coast-line of mingled mud, ooze, and weedy Cyclopean masonry which can be nothing less than the tangible substance of earth’s supreme terror—the nightmare corpse-city of R’lyeh, that was built in measureless aeons behind history by the vast, loathsome shapes that seeped down from the dark stars. There lay great Cthulhu and his hordes, hidden in green slimy vaults and sending out at last, after cycles incalculable, the thoughts that spread fear to the dreams of the sensitive and called imperiously to the faithful to come on a pilgrimage of liberation and restoration. All this Johansen did not suspect, but God knows he soon saw enough!" - H.P. Lovecraft, The Call of Cthulhu

Read The Call of Cthulhu at the H.P. Lovecraft Archive. 

Collectible Knife

Author's Collection

Author's Collection

I got this knife many years ago. I was friends with a family who had a kind-hearted daughter with a sweet spirit. She was about 15 years old. They knew I collected knives. They went on a vacation somewhere and the girl saw this knife and just had to get it for me. I don't know where she bought it. She's now grown and has two children of her own.

I kept the knife displayed in a curio cabinet at one time, thinking it was just a weird-looking showpiece. Later I realized it could be something right out of a Lovecraftian adventure, so now it's on a shelf with other mythos-related items. I get the distinct sense that it could be some island-themed weapon, though I'm not sure. I was thinking Polynesian, but I can't find anything from that culture that looks like this. So, I don't know what it is. The blade is flimsy, but after all these years, it's still surprisingly sharp. I could probably put an edge on it if I wanted to (I don't).

Ruko Hunting Knife

Ruko Hunting Knife - Author's Picture

Product Dimensions: 10.24 x 0.98 x 2.16 cm; 217.72 g

Item model number: ‎NK924-9SH

Blade Material: Stainless Steel.

Color: Black handle. The handle is ABS (plastic). Does not appear to be full tang.

Sport: Hunting

Item Weight: 218 g

The cost of this item is approximately $35. It might be good for occasional camping or as a tool in the tacklebox. It's made in China. I haven't tried to sharpen it, but it's reasonably sharp right out of the package.

Ruko Survival Kit Knife

Ruko Survival Kit Knife

Ruko Survival Kit Knife

I couldn't find a price for this knife online. It's made in Taiwan. It comes with a dull blade, a too-thick saw on the back, and a bottle opener that seems serviceable. It has two key rings and a whetstone. I did use the stone to make an edge on my kitchen knives, before following up with smaller grained stones. I don't know what grain the stone is, but it's the most valuable part of the kit.

There's a compass in the handle. I don't know if it works. The handle is advertised as watertight. It has matches. It also has a 20" wire saw in the handle that seems flimsy. The set also has fishing hooks and lead weights. It's supposed to have nylon line, but this one doesn't.

The kit has needles that can be used for a variety of purposes. It has a poor-quality fake leather sheathe. The knife is obviously not full tang. I advise you not to buy one of these. You'll be wasting your money, whatever it ends up costing you.

Edit: I found one online for $26.50. It's not worth it.

Winchester 2007 Knife Collection

Winchester 2007 - Author's Collection

"Winchester. 2007 Limited Edition Wildlife Series Ersatz Scrimshaw Knife Set." Ersatz Scrimshaw. Presentation Box. Stainless Steel Blades."

I found a set like this on eBay for 28 dollars.

Note: Ersatz means artificial or imitation.

Uncle Henry Gift Set

Uncle Henry Knife - Author's Collection

Uncle Henry, Schrade. Limited Edition Gift Set. Schrade SCPROM-13-9CP. The set includes the knife, a sheath, and a whetstone. One seller describes the knife as "Schrade Uncle Henry Pro Hunter Fixed Knife 5.38" Stainless Blade Staglon Handle." Staglon is a form of plastic used by Schrade. I found one of these online for $33.

The Guardian II by Frost Cutlery

Guardian II - Author's Collection

"17-inch overall Bowie knife. Features stainless steel blade. Black pakawood handle. Stainless steel guard and pins. Comes with a nylon belt sheath."

I like this knife, and I like Frost Cutlery. It's fairly inexpensive. I looked around online and found one of these for sale on eBay. The asking price was $32 and some change. If nothing else, you could use this big knife as a warclub.

Star Trek Pez

Star Trek Pez - Author's Picture

I bought this a long time ago, years ago. Each dispenser is made in the likeness of the crew from Star Trek The Original Series. I wouldn't advise eating the candy. 😬😬

Cthulhu Idol

Cthulhu Idol - Author's Collection

I'm not sure if this was advertised as being Cthulhu, but it sure has Cthulhu "vibes." I ordered it online at (I think) Temu.

Collectibles

Mythos Collectibles - Author's Collection,

I have many collectibles that don't pertain to Star Trek or Star Wars. My curio cabinet was overflowing so I moved some of my things onto a shelf in my bookcase. I'm thinking about building a wall shelf to hold it all. That's what I did with my Star Trek stuff.