Finding A Motherload In Boulder

Now I am very particular in selecting animistic additions to inhabit Casa Claire. First off, they need to be stone or concrete, so that they can survive the winters here in NoCo. Then they need to be cool.

Yesterday, after completing my chores, I stumbled upon an add in FB for a magnificent Dragon Skull. Rare indeed.

The only problem was that it was in Boulder, which requires a drive through the foothills and which I try to limit to once a year when we go to see Shakespeare performed at CU during the summer.

But I also know how rare it it to find a dragon skull of this size and quality. I had only seen one since my arrival in NoCo.

When I mentioned the find to Lisa, she suggested we make a day of it and grab lunch on Pearl Street. So off we went.

Well, we arrived at the location at 4705 Broadway Street shortly after entering Northern Boulder. We entered on a dirt road and were met by a beautiful Goldy-Shepherd mix who was absolutely delightful.

I heard a man’s disembodied voice from among a field of the coolest statuary I’ve ever seen, and a moment later Josh appeared. He was of slight frame and stature, but with a strong handshake from a lifetime of sculpting and shifting large mythical and classical creatures in concrete, stone and rebar. He was welcoming and friendly. And we immediately engaged over the dragon skull and some of the other excellent creatures.

Lisa took advantage of the male gabfest to wander around the property, including across a small wooden bridge to another back area.

So just as I was concluding my dragon skull transaction, I heard her call for me to follow.

It seems she had spotted a couple of large flower planters she fancied,

and given that she had accommodated my treasure, what could I say. But then she sweetened the deal, and drew my attention to a large Gargoyle sitting on a nearby pedestal. She mentioned that it looked a lot like the one we saw on the roof during our Parisian tour of the Notre Dame Cathedral – pre-fire.

Now to find a decent sized gargoyle not made of resin is just mystically short of spotting an actual gargoyle – which I should mention spend most of their time perched, stone like, on some parapet, until otherwise summoned or needed.

Well, of course once Josh explained that this Gargoyle, named Emmet, was the mystical guardian of Libraries and Literature, I knew I had to have him.

After that disclosure, I mentioned to Josh that I was writer, and then asked him what he charge for the four items. He offered me an amazing deal, compared to some of the comparable retail selections over the years, so in return, I pulled out that spare copy of TWA out of my Toyota – yes, the one from TCS – and inscribed it for him (and his son Trent). Lisa snapped a photo.

Josh then marshalled the treasure trove for us while Lisa and I enjoyed a quick lunch of Penne a la Vodka on Pearl Street, and an hour or so later our collection at Casa Claire welcomed Emmet and our newest dragon (and pots).

Given his provenance, we wanted the 80 pound Emmet to be the first greeter as one enters the Jack The Spruce Grotto, so we shifted Boots, one of our friendlier dragons to a more enjoyable and socially engaging spot among his mystical brethren in the JTS grotto.

Then we installed Emmet on his forever perch. He immediately added more gravitas.

Where, I discovered a few hours later, Emmet enjoys exchanging nocturnal knock knock jokes en français all night long across the garage entrance with his new found buddy, and Casa Claire mystical security partner, Henri the Lion.

Mon Dieu!

But before we left Boulder, Lisa asked Josh if he would be making any other copies of those planters – as we now have three that will be replaced – and he agreed to have his mother, who makes those items and who is coming for a visit – make another one.

So we placed the two we purchased next to the existing pots while she awaits the third.

Lisa will install Autumn flowers once we pick up number three next weekend.

So, the mystical energy at the entry portal of Casa Claire has just been kicked up a notch.

And the dragon skull that initiated the odyssey – now named Ancalagon the Black (from JRRT’s The Silmarillion) – now sits besides the gravel pathway raising the Casa Claire Dragon mojo to a whole new level.

I may relocate him to a even cooler spot under JTS, by the three faeries, when I purchase a cool stone bench Josh has on his site that would just complete the picture. But that’s another negotiation with my boss, maybe when we go to pick up her third pot.

Until then, Ancalagon looks very cool illuminated by the fairy lights Lisa placed along the gravel path.

He looks like he’s ready to leap out of the shadows.

Well, yesterday’s adventure brought me immense pleasure to match the pain in my back from lugging those mystical and heavy creatures to their forever home. Thank God for Aleve.

Well, my fine, five readers, I hope you all shared an equally enjoyable conclusion to your weekends.

The M day is again upon us, but if you just engage in your duties without making eye contact you will soon be saved by a far more pleasant Tuesday. Soldier on.

And no matter what else we may get up to, let us make today a great one.