The Helmet Stash

This Relic was a Goodwill find that Brenda brought home for me.

It is a Knights Helmet with a hidden mini-bar inside!

It proudly sits on my bar!

 --Come on over and have a drink with me!

The Mirror

This Relic was a wall mirror that was originally my great grand mothers.

Then my grand mothers.

Then my fathers.

And now mine...

This mirror first came to my attention when I was about 9 years old. My brother Eric and I made a secret fort in the attic of one of our barns. There was a ton of things stored there from my fathers parents place. We ran an extension cord up there and had a nice craftsman style lamp, radio, oriental rugs and pillows.

In one of the trunks there was this mirror.

--The frame is made of plaster and has taken a beating over the years. But I still love it.

The Cold Mountain Violin

This Relic was a movie prop used in the movie Cold Mountain.

If you watch the violin scene closely you can see that the violin has a unique cobra carved into the head of the violin.

I have the whole thing. The case, the fiddle, the bow, resin and a damn good story.

--I love movie props!

The Bronze Shishi Lion

I have several Shishi Lions in my collection.

This one is a bookend and part of a pair of lions but I only have the one. I purchased it at an antique mall a decade ago while on my honeymoon.

The first one I had my brother Russ brought back from Taiwan.

--I don't know how many I have...

The God of Fisherman

This Relic is another statue brought back from Tiawan by my brother Russ.

It is know as Ebisu or called Hiruko or Kotoshiro-nushi-no-kami is the Japanese god of fishermen, luck, and workingmen, as well as the guardian of the health of small children.

He is one of the Chinese Seven Gods of Fortune, and the only one of the seven to originate from Japan.

--I have multiple examples of this guy too.

The Wire Dancer

This Relic is another piece art created by my daughter Cady.

It's made of simple materials from around the house. A wire hanger and some copper wires from the garage.

The photo does not do it justice. There is a butterfly on her outreached hand.


--Love the sculpture, and that girl!

The Most Recent Shou Xing

I have several examples of this Chinese God in my Relic collection. You have seen multiple versions already. This was my most recent one. I found it in an antique mall I visited with Brenda on the way back from Buffalo.

Shou Xing - God of Longevity

This character represents 'long life'. According to Chinese folklore, Longevity is described as wise, knowledgeable and capable of ruling the world. During festivals, a Chinese family normally worships the symbols or pictures of Longevity to express gratitude for granting the elders in the family a long life.

When old people celebrate their birthdays, families and friends love to use the drawings of Shou as gifts. Pictures of Shou were often drawn on birthday cakes. Such a gesture would embody the filial wish that family elders or birthday person might live as long as the legendary mountains of the south, with health and good fortune to match.

The God of Longevity is the 3rd god of the Gods of Good Fortune. The God of Longevity was originally a stellar God, Shou Xing or the Star of Longevity

--I could use some longevity. That's why I have so many!

The Drilling Casing

My friend Newbius died this February 2012.

I went shooting with him on multiple occasions. 

He had a Drilling from Deutschland, pre-WWII.  It was beautiful. This gun is a triple barrel. It has two 16 gauge and a single 9.3x74mmR, with exposed hammers. 


--It was a piece of Art. As was Newbius...

The Oragami

In the mid 70's my brother Russell came home from his service in the air force. He was stationed in Taiwan and came home with a wife and son.

His wife, Hsiu made this for me. She told me it was good luck.


--I have had it over 30 years.