My husband is something of a genius. He would say he just works hard. I met him at 18; he was in the Air Force. He told me on our second date that he was going to marry me and four months later he did—that was 1978.

Over my lifetime I have spent many hours/days in strange people’s backyard waiting on that one item I can’t live without. Usually I never get that item but end loading my car with boxes of strange musty unidentifiable objects that I have no use for. My greatest fear is what will crawl out of those boxes as I race down the highway to get home before my husband finds out I’ve done it again.

I’ve made a great deal of new friends attending these auctions since my particular addiction seems to be very common among the masses.

All he was looking for was a white photo album that contained the pictures from his wedding 55 years ago. The album was tattered and worn, but it was all there. The bride in her hand made dress, vale just draped over her shoulders. Sitting on the bench under the alter. Her smile, large and beautiful. He saw her again, and was still in love. She had passed across Heavens gates 5 years ago, but he had not forgotten her. I found the album in a back bedroom, under some clothes. He was so excited. His sight was failing, but not his love. I checked on him later to see how he was.

It was by chance that I discovered the timeless beauty of vintage chenille bedspreads. I was watching one of the many home interior makeover shows where the designer had purchased two of these vintage bedspreads. These were to be used for the spare bedroom in a rustic log cabin. When the finished bedroom was revealed at the end of the show, I was hooked! Those twin beds looked so colorful and so cozy and the texture of the raised pile added a layer of luxury that can't be matched by even the nicest modern duvets. Who wouldn't wanted to snuggle up in such an inviting bed!

When I was 11 years old my older sister took me to Sandusky, Ohio to visit her friend Betty. When Betty was setting the table she went to the china cabinet and pulled out her fanciest dishes. My sister told her not to bother and Betty asked, "If I'm not going to let family eat off these plates then what good are they?

QUESTION: I have a Fender Mustang guitar in its period case. It has a red body and was purchased in the 1960s. What is it worth? – DK, Denver, PA, E-mail Question

ANSWER: The six pictures attached to your e-mail helped identify your guitar type and its condition. Unfortunately, you did not provide the patent dates on the headstock, the most critical information essential to determining the year your Mustang guitar was made.

Visiting home means visiting the local antique stores. After moving to Montana so many years ago, it was a real treat to go back to some of the shops in my home state of Wisconsin. My brother, Tom, was acting as my guide, taking me to some of his favorite haunts. He was stopping at furniture, pottery and small advertising pieces along the way. I spotted a large bookcase in a corner covered with various milk glass dishes. I lit up in delight and quickened my step over to it. Picking up piece after piece, I was in heaven.

As a small child, I can remember well the many visits to my grandfather's modest little home. It had only three rooms with the main area being a combination kitchen, dining and TV room. Off to the left were two doors, one to a small bedroom, the other to a small bathroom. Along the back wall was a row of built-in cupboards with an old square porcelain sink on one end and a refrigerator on the other.

I often hear remarks from both dealers and collectors alike which refer to the undesirability of Crystal in the trends of the collectibles market today. While it is true that many pieces of vintage art glass can add splashes of color and sparkle to your life, we must not forget the quiet elegance and subtle class that a delicately placed piece of fine antique cut glass can add to a home or office. Not to mention the rainbows and sparkles that the light will
refract around the room.