. . . and then I looked behind a door!

 

and I found this chap standing there, covered in dust.  This is definitely something that Keith bought - NOT my style at all.  It's very heavy, an African tourist piece made in Ebony, but it has fallen over at some point and had a broken head-dress/hair glued back together.  He probably didn't notice, or paid the right price for a broken piece.  It is now sitting on top of the Treen box in the kitchen whilst I ponder how to price it . . .

In the spring, when I had a sinusy cold, I lost my sense of smell.  It is only just starting to return, in little bits, but if I sniff to smell, I don't get anything.  Which is how I overlooked (or rather didn't smell) the big bag of two sheets - to cover tables - and a pile of lace curtains which I use at Fairs to cove over the stands at night when it's the big Antiques Fair I do.  Some cat/s had been peeing in there, repeatedly. The sheets at the bottom were soaking.  How no-one smelt that I cannot say.  So, they've all been through the wash and are out in the sunshine of a hot summer's day.  

I spent the morning researching and listing things on Ebay.  Mostly Keith's good Militaria books, some of which are very desirable.  I dropped the prices of some books I'd had listed on there for ages, just to get rid.  I have prices for other books.  Some I'll just take to the Fair.  I want to get rid of two bookcases in the Library - the one with Keith's books in is huge. It's one he made from a solid oak double wardrobe, so I shall get rid of the similar one that doesn't have turnings on it that he turned.  

I also listed the two Arnhem Land Aboriginal carvings - one is a canoe with paddles and the other is a Pelican, both carved from wood and decorated with ochre pigments.  They need a bigger audience than a two day Fair twice a year.

I was absolutely DELIGHTED to find that a coppered bronze bowl with foot (and maker's mark) and a pretty prunus tree pattern in relief, was actually older and a LOT more valuable than I had realized. Thankyou again, Google Lens!

I've just emptied a corner between two bookcases and taken out half a dozen gun slips to pass on next month, and the hockey stick bag which I had overlooked and has knobkerries, swords etc in.  At some point in the next few months I want it tidied in there and MANY fewer books so I can get a new carpet laid. A little bit at a time to be moved, now NOT helped by emptying the coffer so that it can go down to D in the West Country.  There were 6 of Tam's bags of ex-charity shop clothes and good leather shoes.  Where the hell can I put THOSE now?

I cooked up the Rhubarb (to freeze) - it gets chopped, washed and sprinkled with sugar, then into the oven to cook for 15 mins.  Then I can freeze it for when I have time to make the Rhubarb and Custard cake. Another little job well done.

I awarded myself an hour off to watch Escape to the Country (Cheshire today), and have been pottering since.  I only had a short walk today as it is so close and humid out there, but have got plenty of steps in outside, hanging washing out, bringing it in and starting to get the car boot boxes out of the car and stacked NEATLY in the stables.  I must soon go into the end stall and sort through the barrels of "small useful bits of wood" . . . and offer them to Ed who's doing up his house.

By way of a breather, I have been cleaning off two lovely period newel post finials.  One is Beech and has a flat back (to go against the wall) and the other is pitch pine, very chunky and not flat backed.  Once cleaned and polished they will hopefully attract a buyer.  

I feel good just for getting things organized, and I know Keith would be pleased that I am sorting stuff out - even if some of his bits of wood will soon be going.  A friend of Gabby's needs some wood (and furniture) for their house, so hopefully will be able to satisfy some of their needs here.  Having had a chaotic life for certainly the past year, caring for Keith, it is good to be able to be in control of things again.  To do things on a whim, to plan for the future.  

Right, off to take two more baskets of sewing things up to the front bedroom, and hopefully I may even find time to cut out the two borders for the Baltimore quilt.  We shall see.

I AM resting in between the activities, and only hoiking a heavy box and a heavy table were anything like a challenge.  My short walk was more of a challenge because my lungs weren't at all keen on hot moist air to breath. Bring on the cooler weather.