The Bowl, and a Surprise

Is this a Novemberish picture or what? I came across this scene while walking to work yesterday morning. It seems like all the leaves in the city plummeted to the ground over the weekend. The street sweepers have a lot to keep up with.

Some of you asked for a closer look at all the items in the bowl on my desk -- as well as the bowl itself. I did this once before, back in 2021, but some of the objects were different then! So yesterday I laid everything out on a piece of blue posterboard -- I'm sure the kids were wondering what the heck I was up to -- and took a photo.

As you can see, there are random game pieces, bits of jewelry, guitar picks, coins from Hungary and Romania, some friendship bracelets and one of those interlocking puzzles, among other things. The glass "candy" came from my previous boss, who brought it from Prague. When I leave next April, I'll keep that, as well as the plastic bee, which I found years ago while walking Olga on the high street.

I may save a few other items for my bowls of miscellany here at home -- that silver bird-shaped earring at the top, above the unicorn, is very cool and clearly handmade, and was also found on the street near our flat. (It wound up on my desk because I was walking to work at the time.) Everything else, including the bowl, will be passed on to my successor, in all likelihood.

Out of the blue, a mysterious package arrived for me yesterday. It had no return address and when I opened it I found this elaborate leather-bound album with an Egyptian motif. Inside were black-and-white photos and a card:

Dear Mr. Reed,
     I hope that all is well with you? Please find enclosed a photograph album that was rescued from a skip. There was a plan to research the photographs! As you are a patient man with vast knowledge and keenness, I thought you might be interested. If not, please feel free to recycle them as you wish. Your blog is a pleasure to read. Thank you. Regards, C.

Well, this is the BEST THING that has happened to me for a long time! Thank you, C., whoever you are, for passing along this treasure. I can't believe someone threw away such a beautiful old album full of memories. You greatly overestimate my knowledge and patience, but maybe not my keenness, and I will do my best to deliver some information about the contents in a future post. (Maybe as soon as tomorrow, if I manage to promptly scan the pictures.) Just glancing through, I can tell already that they involve travel to Australia -- so readers Down Under may be particularly interested. More to come!