Books and Bones

Wishing all a New Year full of books and bones and other such wonders. Live long and prosper.

Apothecary Museum in Virginia

The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum in Alexandria, Virginia was a detour in our travels south to the Outer Banks of North Carolina last September. If you have an interest in the history of pharmaceuticals or old bottles or vintage medicine, you need to visit this place. It's perfectly preserved in all it's rich, aged glory. The staff was so sweet and informative and waited patiently while I snapped a million images. I highly recommend a trip to this little gem if you are anywhere near this area. It won't take up your entire day, but will be a memorable few hours.

Night Guard [Memory]

In Norse mythology, the god Odin was known as the Raven God, because he kept two ravens as messengers, Huginn and Muninn. These birds were sent off each day to fly around the world to observe and bring back information to Odin. It was said that Odin gave his two ravens the ability to speak so that they could keep him informed about important events in the world.

Muninn is Old Norse for "memory."

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Thinking about warfare and lost soldiers through the ages. This image is the result.

Donating a large print of this image to the Veteran's Sanctuary in Allentown PA. This is a brand new facility housed in an old church building in the city where vets and their families go to heal. Each state, each city needs one of these. Our vets have been so overlooked in this country. If you can, make a donation to aid these amazing men and women. We owe them so much more than what they are currently receiving.

Edwin Countertop McGraw And His Attendant View A Cathedral

Some days were worse than others. It was on rainy days Edwin felt the effects of gravity most of all, and his above average sized head would list to one side or the other causing him to take on a perplexed appearance to those unaware of his condition. It was for this reason he was forever seen in public with his attendant, Melchior, who, when things got really bad, would walk behind Edwin and hold his head upright until such time as he could get himself home and into a horizontal position.

The Sentinel

Salvage Baby

Spent a day in Philly yesterday. First stop was Provenance, an architectural salvage company in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia.

The light inside the place was beautiful. A huge, dirty, cold warehouse with a southern exposure, it's packed with beautiful, old treasures scavenged from historic structures slated for demise. Thanks to people like these, some enchanting architectural elements will live to see another day--maybe another life completely. As we looked around, it was quiet, seemingly out of respect for the objects--as doors and stained glass windows, hinges, tiles and vintage bottles, door knobs and locks whispered their stories.

And then, in a ray of sunlight, was this beauty. I don't know who it's creator is, probably one of the guys who runs the place, but it was a perfectly lit, beautifully executed example of the goodness that is recombinant vintage salvage, and it looked completely at home in that strange warehouse.

If you're in Philly, go check them out.

Shuuzahn, Warrior Queen

Upon returning home from months of violent battle in the North Country, Shuuzahn is able to whisper but two words to her attendant, "martini...dry."

Glass Sarcophagus

Something came over me this afternoon. There was this tiny old wasp's nest I had saved in a ziploc, and a few pieces of ex-wasps with only one whole one. I set to work soldering together this permanently sealed home for him. It's only 1" x 1" x 1". Want to do more of these, want to use some of the bugs I've collected through the years. The wheels turn.

A Most Reluctant Specimen

"I don't choose this. Know that I'd rather be free. Send for help."

The Lower Deadhorse Fall Festival Nonchalant Balancing Competition of 1892

"I can do this. I can DO this. Good god, I've been up here 311 of the last 321 years. It should come easy to me. Just...need.......to focus."

Edward and Higgins

Yes, I will protect you. Always. Put your little hand in mine and know you are safe. Safe as planets in their orbits, safe as mitochondria nestled inside a cell, safe as the double helix configuration of a DNA strand, safe as a world without end. Or....wait.

The Harshound Sisters

Elegia and Epithia Harshound were sisters, at least in name, though their genetics differed to an extent unbeknownst to all save Mrs. Harshound. Luckly for her, DNA was still but a mystery, and her secret remained safe from all. While Elegia was the golden child--smart, beautiful and talented though tragically stoic and unable to smile, Epithia was the dreamer--the one who had an active and most creative mind. They are seen here with accompanying spirit animals--for Elegia, a giant grasshopper named Gareth, and for Epitheia, a beautiful, black crow she called Drear.

My New Website - Take a peep!

I'm finally quite satisfied with this little website I've created to showcase all of my goodies in one spot. Check out www.haggisvitae.com/ and take a look at my paintings, photographs, illustrations, artist trading cards and other assorted strangnesses. Also, while there, find links to my flickr, my Etsy store, my biography and a special place to contact me with any questions, comments or inquiries.

Go visit, please! I'd be so thrilled to have you all take a look. www.haggisvitae.com/

Lady Binki

Esmerelda P. Binki, wife of the legendary sufi master and acclaimed dervish, His Holiness The Bahbra Binki, was herself quite famous in certain circles. She not only started the first all-female chapter of the Whirling Dervishes in 1894, but was also recognized by the Anti-gravitational Society for her ability to levitate to such extreme heights as to be barely visible to the naked eye. Madame Binki was also terribly fond of carrots. Upon her death in 1911, six acres of the Binki estate were designated as the Lady Binki Memorial Carrot Farm and Educational Center, and to this day some of the world's finest carrots can be found growing there.

The Girl Who Read To Birds

A book is coming soon. www.theGIRLwhoREADtoBIRDS.com/

A darkly beautiful fable written by Michael Titus and illustrated by me, HaggisVitae (Julie Miller) is at this very minute being manipulated and formatted and bedazzled by Lydia Marano of Babbage Press and turned into something you will all want to see--a story that's made everyone from 12 to 80 emotional to the point of possible tears. It's the story of an unconventional girl, Avery Street. She loves books and writing and isn't like the rest of the kids her age.

I hope you check this spot in say, mid November for a link to purchase a copy of your own. Michael Titus has written a gorgeously dark fable that will be adored by all for generations to come.

Something's in the wind.

Go take a peak at our website @ www.theGIRLwhoREADtoBIRDS.com !!

Lady of the Lake

On rare occasions when crossing through the mists, there were accidents--collisions with other boats due to low visibility, lives lost overboard as a result of sheer horseplay, etc. Always, the team was assembled to recover the lost, and always she insisted on leading the mission. They were patient and tolerant despite her doing nothing more than swinging her sword dangerously in all directions chanting, "viva Avalon."

Ménagerie à Trois

From the Lemur Godsmith archives, dated 1902 and signed L.G.-- In this rare and precious photo we glimpse yet another facet of the complex and often misrepresented relationship the poet had with the animal kingdom. It was during this time that for his wife, Normalina, Godsmith purchased a kitten which she promptly named Noneelia. Soon thereafter, he brought into the Godsmith household a baby eel, stating it was strictly for the amusement of the kitten. Though his wife was suspect of his motives, she consented. Sadly, within a fortnight the eel would die of ennui, wishing only for the company of others like it. Also seen here is a portion of Godsmith himself accompanied by his faithful friend Percy the mouse.