Wednesday 4 January 2012

'hugh heifer'

I have had this cow skull for a lot of years. Actually, found it while on a trip in Baja Sur. It was just laying out there in the desert. I was with a couple of friends and we had all decided we were going to get us some skulls and so we were all scanning the sides of the hi-way as we cruised along. Each time someone saw a glint of white bones, we stopped the car and checked them out. Back then, there was hardly anyone on that Baja hi-way so just stopping anywhere was no problem, as you could see for-ever in either direction. We ended up finding several cow, goat and horse skulls, but my 'hugh heifer' was perfection in every detail. Although, it was a little stinky, and really, really dirty. So, when we got back to the cheap hotel we were staying in, I decided I needed to clean up this thing before taking it on the plane with me . Yes, I fully intended to 'carry-on' as there was no way I was going to check Hugh as 'baggage' and risk losing him. So, we showered together and that was even stinkier, if you can imagine. But, there was improvement. He still smelled, a little, even after a few more days....but what the hey? I wrapped him in a beach towel and a few days later-- off to the the airport we went. Seriously, we only got amused snickers from the Mexican airport staff when he went through the x-ray machine. There were no restrictions on size or dimensions of carry-on stuff at that time (way before all that nonsense) so, if you could carry it, you could bring it. I settled into my seat with Hugh on my lap still wrapped in his beach towel. We took off and no one was the wiser until Hugh started smelling. You see, he was still a bit damp. Rumblings from the other passengers like, 'what is that smell?' were ignored by me, for the next few hours. Well, we made it safely home and Hugh has been part of my home decor (!) for all these many years. Not the end of the story though. Here you see his latest incarnation. He is now a light fixture! Yup. I made him into my kitchen light! I am so excited and pleased and every time I turn him on I remember that whole, long story of how Hugh Heifer came to be. I know, I know....long. story.

5 comments:

Joey Boshart said...

I know that he is honored... and I'm sure very, very, very happy to NOT see beef being cooked in your kitchen. :)

Love you like a LOUD AMERICAN!

xoxo

kevel88 said...

Could you take a picture in context of the kitchen? Are you getting just a little bit carried away? Now you can hang your throw over him. . . or under him. . .

i am glad you are so resourceful!!

kj

ingrid said...

wow! I love found stuff turned gold. This is awesome albeit a tad gross, but you endured for what is now an obvious reward.
Looks great!!!

cheers!

ingrid said...

Et, merci beaucoup mon amie! :)

Cartoon Characters said...

So cool! I too, brought a cow skull with horns home from Texas and it's hanging on my office wall. I brought it on the plane in a Victoria Secret bag with the two horns sticking out both sides of the bag....it did get a lot of snickers. I like the back light idea and might just steal that for my own skull!

Mine wasn't stinky because it must have been already processed...it was also painted - bought it at one of those "flea market sales"-