Way back when, these colorful glass deck prisms distributed light to a ship's lower decks. The prism tip pointed downward from the lower deck ceiling, and the flat bottom faced flush to the upper deck. Light would refract through illuminating the lower quarters. Knowing this authentic reproduction was a small piece in the workings of ships of yesteryear reminded me of my Grandfather's sailing adventures. He left home in England at 16 and spent 30 years sailing Tall Ships across the Atlantic, eventually attaining Square Rig Master Mariner title. Later, if he wasn't surly from his grandkids' noisy Church antics (stop being a silly goat) his Sundays, our Sundays were spent with him enthusiastically sharing shipping tales and gripping our thighs with "the claw" — his steely hand grip forged from years of hard sailing. As I remember it, the claw could make a small human faint if he was so inclined to engage its power ...

...I do remember he used to say that On the ship you had two hands, you see, one for your job, one for your life. Both were equally important.

One memorable tall ship tale involved a wild storm that caused the 220 foot mast to tip 180 degrees side to side. He was atop that mast to ensure the rigging was properly fastened. The mast would touch the starboard waters, then swing over and touch the wave tops on port side. Back and forth, it was a category five metronome clacking days on end, as Grandaddy's one hand did his job and his other kept him alive.

It's a curious thing, discovering small things that stir up long ago memories. I think that in and of itself makes that little discovery worth a look. I've never even seen these deck glass prisms before but they certainly plugged me into an important memory, plus they're really cool; carrying weight and heft that harkens to their original use and design. Back when proper function took precedence. So even if they're now part of the latest interior designer's nautical theme execution, you'll know there's more to the story. You can find these colorful deck prisms at the artsy Wildberries on Jackson St. in the heart of Cape May's shopping area. The store features unique handmade items for the home. Shop owner Valerie says her customers use the prisms to bring a fresh new creative light into their Cape May rooms. I guess, in a way, like the old days.