Putting the lead in:

A Major Award

I was almost employed by the same company for 20 years. (The company changed names about six times that I can remember and grew a little each time. So it was almost the same company in that respect. Then it shrank dramatically after a series of layoffs reduced the number of employees to about 10% of what it had been. I was caught in one of those layoffs, so I almost worked for the same company for 20 years in that respect.)

Before the layoff ax swung on my neck, I was given the opportunity to select a lovely 20th anniversary gift. It arrived after the ax fell, so I got a former car-pooler to pick it up for me. I didn't get around to getting it from him until the ax fell on him as well. But now I have it—a lead crystal decanter set.

Its visual appeal is somewhat diminished by a small plastic medallion attached with adhesive. The simulated gold or brass plastic bearing the company's logo (at the time of issue) looks incongruous stuck there about the facets in the glass, especially because there is a small simulated diamond set in the elongated-diamond-shaped medallion.

The company for which I almost worked 20 years is now headquartered in Great Britain. Headquarters have been in several different United States over the years. But I've always reported to a Texas location. The crystal decanter came with a small envelope labeled: WARNING For California Residents. I decided to read it anyway. The envelope contained a small card bearing the following:

Drinking beverages that have been kept in this leaded crystal decanter exposes you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Leaded crystal decanters should be used for pouring beverages or decorative purposes only.

I can only wonder why the State of California has not told the State of Texas what it knows. Even though it's in Texas, I'm leaving the decanter empty—for decorative purposes only. Cheers.