Entry

[alt_rodolphus]

- Today worked on Item #677, sent in by Joseph Hegarty of Alderley Edge, Cheshire. The specimen is a wrist cuff (12 cm circumference, 1 cm thickness) of pewter, set with four stones of mineraloid gel (colloquially know as opal). Water content of mineraloid is 15 percent, rather high, and the colour is variable, verging on reds and magentas. Hegarty received the cuff as a gift for his 50th birthday and claims to have experienced severe gout ever since. Folklore still holds a suspicious eye to opals, but I detect more anomalies in the pewter. Hegarty doesn't want the item back, so it goes into the personal collection. Not sure if it's worth further study.

- Breakfast with the Missus, who reminded this one of book and quill, seemingly untouched until this moment. Have in fact been reading with what one might call fervour. So many fascinating observations to make, were one so inclined. Clearly a good medium for social chit-chat, too, if one fancies such a thing. I myself do not, generally, but the distance between self and small daughter inspires a more proactive approach. Owls have their uses, but ours are so overworked as is.

- Son, even smaller than aforementioned daughter, is doing well, but runs the house ragged with his new sleeping schedule. May need to hire Mrs Baylock an assistant of her own, should it continue.

- Been pissing rain off and on all day. Afternoon tea was a wash. No matter as now I've the mood for something stronger.

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

One wonders what was running through the mind of poor Mr Hegarty's gift-giver, or what she or he was told about the item's properties!

I'm sure you remember that the first weeks with a new baby are the most difficult. He'll soon settle.

[alt_rodolphus]

That would be Mrs Hegarty, who was bilked by a village shopkeeper who claimed the gift was a rare and valuable item once belonging to Paracelcus, and the shopkeeper in turn was bilked by a traveling peddler in Wales.

Memory's slightly fogged but clearing. Twas eleven years ago, after all.

[alt_hydra]

Hello Daddy, will you be able to read what I write now?

From,
Hydra

[alt_rodolphus]

That's right, duckie. Did you eat your veg tonight?

[alt_hydra]

I tried to.
Is potato veg?

From,
Hydra

[alt_rodolphus]

In my day it was. Not sure about now. But have a munch of the green stuff now and again, when they serve it. Rabbits love it and so should you.

[alt_hydra]

Allright, Daddy, I will try.

From,
Hydra

[alt_hydra]

I miss you!

From,
Hydra

[alt_rodolphus]

Miss you too, Duckie.

[alt_bellatrix]

Mrs Baylock was hired largely because there's no need for further assistance when you have a Mrs Baylock. Let her do her thing, Rodolphus.

Won't be home for another hour yet - meeting with Rufus and Dolores for a nightcap.

[alt_rodolphus]

Hm. On my third nightcap now, and in better company than that. See you anon, then.

[alt_bellatrix]

And whose company is that?

[alt_rodolphus]

The usual crowd of me, myself, I, etc.

[alt_bellatrix]

So droll, dearest.

And you'll see me tonight if you're clever enough to wait up.

[alt_rodolphus]

The next hour will tell.