The Robo Pope

Feng Shui is an art of setting up your indoors so as to optimize the circulation of chi. It originated in China and its direct translation in English is wind and water. The Chinese originally utilized it to create auspicious graves for their ancestors and kings. With cultural progress, the sensitive artwork was being applied in designing palaces for kings, government agencies, and important city-points. It its final phase of development, full cities were being built with the sacred feng shui principles.

Majority of buildings in Hong-Kong are designed and developed with feng-shui precepts. The importance of feng shui principles and its applications is reflected from this fact. A legendary myth is that Bank of China was sued by the businesses in its locality because of its intentional anti-feng-shui architecture.

By late twentieth century, feng shui began acquiring popularity in US culture. By the 1990s, feng shui turned into the buzz news among the elite members of society in New York and San Francisco.

Slate fountain is one of the most common feng shui components. Especially, a comforting slate fountain is proverbial for its multitude of feng shui applications. Slate typifies the element of ground. Earth represents Yin, so it is womanly by nature. Component of earth also reflects stability and reliability because of its solid frame.

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1The Muttering Souls

I awoke from a dream, dark and somber

(I was back in the arctic again)

profound it was, to find out a single

arctic door, with a cryptic murmur

(muttering souls)

stubbornly opened upall filled with pillars

and ice cold floors: adorned me evermore.

Layer, upon layer: laid, stood, and paced,

were the dead!…

(With folded arms and sunken in chests.)

Half frozen in the halls of hell; and thus, I

feared the wisdom of each silent shape!

(For I knew my life was complacency.)

#1084 1/18/2006

2O Quiet Dust

And so we changed at last!

Ah! From changeless years

we seemed to have had

noisy with life, we grew old).

O quiet dust, have you settled yet?

Life gnawed at heart and soul,

And you bore the pain (if so).

Are we not all a mystery?

Here comes the: day, hour, minute

Ah! who will meet me at the

Pathless gate…?

#1084 1/18/2006

3The Land of Forever More

[Dedicated to the aging with dignity group]

Wholesome snowflakes of winter blow

And squirrels hide avoid the snow,

In this city I roamed as a boy,

Carefree and many years ago.

Strange even to myself, am I!

For the lads that roamed with me,

(Years ago); are changed I see

Like megray and some are dead.

And now as I look out, from my porch

Memories haunt the hollow past,

And yes, I still hear voices, echoes,

Old dreams, old friends vibrating back.

I wait now for the path and sunrise.

I who will journey, beyond the stars;

I notice the light is not so very far:

I see it now, in a land calledforever more!

#1083 1/18/06

The Poet’s House

1A Lone Poet

A poet is a gift from God

(I heard said once);

listen to him said Jeffers

(back in ‘63); but for the sake

of God, let him be…do not

kill his art, his play, like you

did to Keats and Hemmingway.

A poet is one who has learned

and whispers back what

Faulkner dare not say! And thus,

lost his way.

#1083 1/18/2006 [Inspired by Robinson Jeffers]

2The Basalt Hunchback

Death, the black basalt hunchback

(The Poet of Volcanic realism):

Strolls through the countryside,

City pathways: servant to no man,

Avoided by all men who want to live?

You sits and watches us laborvictors

go home, while others stay.

No one but death knows their fate:

Except Christ!

#1083 1/19/2006

See Dennis’ web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

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Collectible silverware is one of the great joys of the antique world. There is something uniquely personal about it. Unlike many antique collectibles silverware is not just for show and safekeeping. Silverware is a valuable antique you can use. The simple practicality of silverware adds to the beauty of its elegant materials. There is a life to objects meant for daily use that connects the collector with the past.

One of the very best characteristics of silver is the fact that handling and polishing can actually improve its appearance. Over time pieces of silver will develop patinas that make each set distinctive and uniquely beautiful.

Unfortunately, silver tarnishes quickly and can take on very unappealing shades of brown or even purple. If a set of silverware is stored in an environment where there is a lot of salt in the air this process can happen with alarming speed. Careful care of silverware is vital to keeping your silverware’s value and long term beauty.

Washing your silver after every use may seem self-evident but simply tossing them into a soapy sink full of water simply won’t do. Each piece should be washed one at a time with great care. Acidic foods such fruit juices and salad dressing can cause stains to appear on silver and special care should be taken when cleaning antique silverware of these types of foods.

You should clean each piece completely with hot soapy water. Rinse with hot water and dry thoroughly before moving on to the next piece. Resist the urge to set the silverware aside to air dry or to be dried all at once. Letting silverware dry on its own will leave water stains and make your polishing chores that much harder.

Everyone has seen a movie where the butler puts on white cotton gloves before polishing the master’s silver. Those gloves aren’t an expression of prissiness or an attempt to protect the polisher’s delicate hands. The gloves are meant to protect the silver from the polisher. Bare hands can lead to fingernail scratches and the oils in human skin can tarnish newly polished silverware.

While there are many types of polish available and nearly all work fairly well. A novice collector should probably experiment until they find a polish they like best. There are creams, pastes, and liquids. Look for a polish that is described as a long-term polish as these are usually the best bet for antique silverware. Make sure to have a plentiful supply of clean polishing clothes, as you will want a clean spot on the cloth for each new piece.

Once the polish has been applied use a clean polishing cloth to remove excess polish and bring the shine to its zenith. Use a toothbrush or other small soft brush to clean any textured or raised surfaces on the silver. Now you must repeat the soapy water cleaning in order to remove any last traces of excess polish.

In order to store silverware for an extended period of time wrap each piece in paper. If the silver is allowed to come in contact with other silver it will increase the rate that the silver develops silver sulphide, the primary cause of tarnish. Be sure to use acid free paper, as this will best protect your silver. If you place the wrapped silver in a sealable plastic bag and add a small package of silica it will be kept dry and sparkling. Make an effort to remove as much air from the bag as possible.

Obviously the key to keeping your silverware beautiful while in long-term storage is keeping it dry and as far from salt and other environmental impurities as possible. With proper care and cleaning your investment and personal treasure will last a lifetime and far longer.

Silas Finch is a free-lance writer who specializes in articles related to antiques, collectibles, and similar historic topics. His work can be seen at http://www.collectibleantiquesetc.com

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