First, a hearty thanks to the inquisitive Leonard Lane who commented in yesterday’s post about my puzzlement over the purpose of the pipes, astutely suggesting that “the Pipe columns are supporting the structure added above the existing roof.”

I was skeptical because they look sort of flimsy but then he did what I should have done myself and walked around looking at the other sides:

Case closed but I would note that they don’t look very nice.

Next, let’s go charging off in a wildly different direction. Another loyal reader sends this photo of two small pieces of jewelry that were found among a relative’s possessions. I’m fairly sure but not absolutely certain that they aren’t just generic Rice but instead are related to the Owen Wister Literary Society

My reader is wondering more or less the same things I am :“Other than the fact that they were in a box together, I believe these pieces functioned together because there is a very short delicate chain hanging from the larger piece. The pin on the back of the smaller one will go through the links of that chain. I suppose I have a 50% chance of being correct about the fact that they were worn together. It would be interesting to know the symbolism of the elements on the larger piece. I can’t figure out whether that’s a book in the center or something else.”

If anyone can shed light on this it would be most welcome. I know there are still OWLS alumnae around so if you are or know one please chime in. If nobody knows I’ll have to turn to the OWLS scrapbooks.

Bonus: When decades collide.