love #2

Taxidermy

For as long as i can remember, I have been intrigued by taxidermy. I wondered- how does the figure stay so realistically intact? Why use glass eyes? Are real eyes non-preservable? Why is it called TAXidermy?

Lately- since our cross-country trip last summer- I have been obsessed with all things drained, stuffed, and mounted.

During a pit stop at Prarie Dog Town in Kansas

(where we would hope to see the 80lb prairie dog advertised along route 70), Emily and I stretched our legs, sought shelter from an acsending storm, and met a very very strange woman in love with the shellacked poop they sold (along with fossilized bolo ties and “fuck PETA” bumper stickers). We paid our $5 in hopes to meet our 80lb friend and ended up getting much, much more.

After the woman strapped plastic bags over our feet (so we wouldnt get our “nice shoes” muddy), we headed for the outdoor freak show.

First we passed a cage of hissing rattle snakes. We gasped and giggled and then i saw it. A taxidermied, two-headed calf. I was in silent awe. Here it is behind Larry the owner:

Just a beauty right? Well anyways, we never saw the 80lb prairie dog, but we did see some jacked-up badgers, a six legged steer, and got chased by rabid turkeys.

SO, this leads me to this:

Possibly the most beautiful taxidermied cobra i have ever seen. My dream is to have this cobra, and make it into a ashtray/lighter to place on my desk forever and always. how you ask? Well in the coil would be an ashtray, and by a slight pull of the tail- a flame spits from the ferocious mouth. Brilliant right?

The problem is- taxidermy is expensive. This beauty is $159.00 on eBay. So help me live happily by sending me some dough to fund this project. Or send me a taxidermied cobra. Your choice.