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Borrego Springs, CA

Sunday, July 24, 2011

And now, for the rest of the story…

Besides wanting to see the cranes and taking a break from the road, there was another reason I stopped at the International Crane Foundation on Thursday.  Back about 8-10 years ago, my mother and I made a trip to the ICF and she purchased a hand-crafted crane ornament while we were there.  It hung for several years from the light fixture over the dining room table of my sticks and bricks in Kasson, MN.  When I hit the road five years ago, I hung it from the passenger’s front window sun visor.  It traveled many miles with me as a talisman of my taking flight.

Fast forward to Emma adopting me, and becoming my traveling companion.  She was only about 5 months old when she got dumped at the volunteer pads at Anahuac NWR, and still was into a little bit of chewing.  In my old rig, she’d hop up onto the large dashboard to watch the world go by while I was at work volunteering.  One day I came home to find the crane had somehow lost it legs.  Hmmm… I guess it was just too much of a temptation hanging there in front of her face.

Eventually over the next couple of years, the crane became more and more disheveled, and I had to throw it out.  I kind of missed the crane as it flew around on it’s string as I drove down the road.  So, what would the chances be that ICF would still have some of those cranes for sale?  I had to find out.

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Amazingly, I found them still in stock.  They are made in China out of wheat, and assembled with tweezers individually.  Cranes are revered in the far East as harbingers of good luck.  Who doesn’t need good luck?

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When I got home to the rig on Friday, I immediately hung my good luck crane where it belonged!  With my new rig, Emma can’t get on the dashboard, so it should be safe for many more years.  Smile

I was at Robyn’s house today doing laundry, and she gave me some mail that had been delivered to her house.  In it was a package from my sister with a gift for my birthday.

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She had read about my struggles with the license bureau in South Dakota after having forgotten to bring my passport with me. 

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She had also given me a birthday card, and you’ve probably guessed that when you open the card the buxom Nordic Opera singer belts out a high C!  What a hoot!  I do need to point out, however, that my OLDER sister is 455 days older than me, and the opera singer would actually sing an entire aria for her.  Smile with tongue out

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

20 comments:

  1. Funny card and gift from your sister. Aren't sisters just the best? I have so much fun with mine.

    Let's hope your crane ornament stays in one piece this time.

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  2. Glad you found your crane good luck charm. My sister and I try to top each others cards every year. I think she won this year. That was a cute one.

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  3. Ooooo...I need some of those cranes for my Christmas tree.

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  4. I can only imagine that your 455 day older sister is already plotting the next move after reading that last comment:)

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  5. did we miss your birthday?..if so..Happy Birthday Judy!!!

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  6. Cool that you found the same ornament. I also think that it would look great on a Christmas tree!

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  7. Happy birthday, Judy. The new crane ornament is a good present to yourself!

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  8. The Crane is a nice way to personalize your rig with it's symbolic memories regrding your Mother. Great idea to hang it from the visor where it is always visible & flying whenever you are.

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  9. Happy birthday...and what a wonderful story of the good luck Crane...And what a coincidence that they still had them..Chances of that were nil to none....Enjoy the Crane on the Pane!!

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  10. Amazing that they still sold the same crane. That's good luck right there. May it fly proudly over your dashboard for many years to come.

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  11. In our stationary home, we had the Southwestern decor and brought our favorite, smaller dreamcatcher with us...so far it has been catching most of our dreams!

    Hope your new crane gives you the same feelings that the old one did...enjoy!

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  12. Happy Birthday whenever it was. Nice gift from your sister.

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  13. They all said it: happy birthday, wonderful to find that crane, and sisters can be fun. Neither of us has a sister, but our two daughters are forever teasing each other with birthday cards and the like. It's fun to catch up with the and see their exchanges!

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  14. Happy birthday! Glad it was a good one.

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  15. LOL ~ way to get a jab in at the sister!! I love it!!

    Now, for the sentiment of the crane... that is simply so sweet and fitting for you! Shame on Emma for taking the treasure of your Mom's from you, but I'm sure glad you were able to get a replacement!!! AND, that she can't get this one!

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  16. Happy Birthday to You! How nice that you could treat yourself to the new crane! May he enjoy many happy travels with you and Emma.

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  17. It's a shame the crane was assembled in China.
    I don't suppose the original one was.
    People in the US don't seem to have the time to make intricate things like that anymore, doesn't pay enough!
    Wonderful that you found it to carry on your memories.
    Happy Tails, and Trails, Penny, TX

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  18. Those cranes are amazing.. and so glad you were able to get a replacement one!

    I have a beaded hummingbird that *flies* in our rig... made by a fellow fulltime RVer. She makes eagles too.

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/ontheroadcreations

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  19. Glad you found and purchased the Crane to be back in your rig. I bet it has a dual meaning for you. Happy belated birthday to you!

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  20. I LOVE your crane, and I'm glad you found a new one. Now all your luck will be good. :)

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