Although I've made my fixation with moose quite clear, I think I've only mentioned in passing that I have a moose collection. It started several years ago, when I went to craft fairs in Maryland with a friend and felt aimless in looking around. I made it my goal to never go home from one without a moose. This was prompted when I saw the most obnoxious moose shelf. It's around here somewhere; I'll try to get a picture of it. (Snappy has fallen off the wagon, though, so no promises.)
Anyway, today I received an unexpected package from cranky, about whom I've felt very badly for a couple days now. (Turns out my "fun" tag the other day was dredging for her, given that her 23rd post was on September 11, 2001.) Given that she's been sweet on saying that her visits here have cheered her up lately when she has had some crazy bad days at work, my heart sank to hear that I had -- even inadvertantly -- caused her any grief.
In the package was a thank you for my sponsorship of her when she rode a horrendous distance (23 miles?? I can't remember) to raise money for Parkinson's research and the bloveliest note that made me teary. How sweet are you!? She also included this cute little critter:
His name shall be Daphers. Thank you Daphne!!
That moose is ready for his peri-bottle blast. He's all spread eagle. That perv. =)
Posted by: ScottyGee | 2005.09.29 at 11:15 PM
ScottyGee - That's just wrong. Daphers is no perv.
Posted by: mrtl | 2005.09.30 at 01:49 AM
I have a moose collection too. But i've never been given a moose by cranky. Mrtl you must really be special. And cranky, feel better!
Posted by: Hänni | 2005.09.30 at 05:48 AM
All I am saying is you never know with moose. =)
He's a cute little guy though. Congrats on a new member of your menagerie.
Posted by: ScottyGee | 2005.09.30 at 07:27 AM
Aw, I love that little moose. (What is wrong with Snappy?!)
Posted by: kalki | 2005.09.30 at 08:01 AM
...and I will hug him and squeeze him and call him Daphers.
Hee.
He's adorable.
Posted by: LadyBug | 2005.09.30 at 08:51 AM
Hänni - ooooooh - Cranky's in trah-baaaaaaal!
ScottyGee - You just say that, then. Daphers is a sweet, CLEAN little moose.
kalki - Nothing's wrong with Snappy, per se... he's just not taking pictures as often as he said he was going to.
LadyBug - Elmyra?
Posted by: mrtl | 2005.09.30 at 09:26 AM
that moose is a great addition to any moose collection.
Posted by: jana | 2005.09.30 at 09:48 AM
I never thought of anyone having a moose collection. But that little critter is just darling.
Posted by: Nina | 2005.09.30 at 11:38 AM
Oh man, Daphers is sure photogenic. And it was more like 203 miles than 23 but you probably knew that.
Now: STOP feeling bad. It was a cathartic post and I've been feeling better!!! I shoulda emailed you in response (not that you'd've gotten the email apparently) rather than replied to your comment so you could stop feeling bad about it.
Oh and I was biting my tongue because I read your post from 9/24 about finally seeing the real moose(s) right after the little moose made it into the mail. It's super cool that first class mail makes it up to AK so fast from here!
Posted by: Daphne | 2005.09.30 at 11:45 AM
Very cute little moose.
Posted by: Von Krankipantzen | 2005.09.30 at 12:21 PM
jana - I agree!
Nina - There are a lot of moose out there. It's quite the collectible.
Daphne - 23 - 203 - What's the difference? lol
no longer feeling bad, no ma'am.
Kranki - Thank you!
Posted by: mrtl | 2005.09.30 at 12:26 PM
I'm so glad you like the moose. Another reason to be happy today! Too bad about this dumb headache, then.
(oh and I just double-checked my spelling of "cathartic"--for a moment I wanted another "c" in there--and am really enjoying the definition:
Main Entry: ca·thar·sis
Pronunciation: k&-'thär-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ca·thar·ses /-"sEz/
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek katharsis, from kathairein to cleanse, purge, from katharos
1 : PURGATION
2 a : purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) primarily through art b : a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension
3 : elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression)
so glad it's Friday/pie day!
Posted by: Daphne | 2005.09.30 at 12:47 PM
Daphne - Word of the Day! Thanks for sharing it. :)
Pie is in my consciousness right now. mmmm...
Posted by: mrtl | 2005.09.30 at 01:26 PM
My mom's obsessed with moose too. They live in Minnesota, so they see one occasionally. But when they visited Alaska... wow. She actually has a bag of real moose droppings she got there. (???) I think she planned to make something crafty out of them, but never did.
Posted by: Adrienne | 2005.09.30 at 03:59 PM
Moosey Happiness = Mooseyness
Not to be confused with messiness. Can somebody tell ScottyGee that Daphers is a moose, not an eagle?
Posted by: ieatcrayonz | 2005.09.30 at 08:18 PM
Adrienne - They sell moose droppings as a tourist item here. They make them into swizzle sticks (for a most appealing drink I'm sure), paint them gold for earrings or Christmas tree decorations. (I sent a few to yonzie down yonder that were impregnated with flower seeds.) ugh
yonz - melikes "mooseyness." Mister mrtl called me today to let me know he saw a big ol' male right by base. Bug and I missed him though. I think I need to affix Daphers to my dashboard to be my lucky charm.
Posted by: mrtl | 2005.09.30 at 10:17 PM
I think that's what my mom planned to do - collect her own and paint them or something, instead of buying them. Now she has a bag full of crumbling moose poo...
Posted by: Adrienne | 2005.10.01 at 11:53 AM
Adrienne - Ugh!
Posted by: mrtl | 2005.10.01 at 02:44 PM
Ugh? You're the one that mailed me moose shit. Okay, so it was so very cleverly packaged. You done good.
Posted by: ieatcrayonz | 2005.10.01 at 07:21 PM
yonz - What I sent you was prepared and packaged moose shit, not pick-it-up-yourself, who-knows-where-this-moose-has-been shit.
duh
Posted by: mrtl | 2005.10.01 at 08:00 PM