Animal Prints

I love all animals, especially exotic jungle animals. Even though, I’ve never been to a wildlife Safari, I have a particular fondness for the big cats of the jungle. I adore the cheetah with its distinct tear mark and long slender body; or the mysterious and solitary leopard and jaguar with their gorgeous rosettes, and ah yes, the magnificent tiger with its precise patterns of dark vertical stripes. As I shift my thoughts away from the feline family, I can’t help be mesmerized by the beauty and grace of zebras and giraffes.

So what’s the point to all of this? Simply put, I’ve always had an aversion to animal prints. I don’t mind it in small doses, be it a scarf or a blouse. However, I find the “savage look” to be overpoweringly déclassé.  I tend to associate the look with women who are into tanning sprays, giant boobs, and big lips! Maybe my aversion to this trend is Peggy Bundy’s fault; or maybe I should blame the so-called celebs that drape themselves in “savage!” As for home furnishings, an animal print motif is not my cup of tea either.

The inspiration for fashion can come from many things. The animal print trend, which seemingly is representative of sensuality, success and confidence, will always be in demand. Unfortunately, the widespread trend/fad usually gravitates towards outlandish and ghetto, versus demure and classy styles.

I let you be the judge based on the photos that I’ve selected to make my point. 

The Home Across The Street

My bedroom faces a traditional/hacienda style home.  From outside, it has an understated charm.  I had never paid much attention to the place until the open house signs went up about two years ago. One Sunday afternoon, I felt compelled to walk across the street to go to its open house. I entered the gate, passed through the front yard, and onto the living room. I found the interior to be drab and dreadfully functional. Dowdy furniture had been left behind and the place smelt stale and medicinal. This was an awkward 5-bedroom home! It would’ve been a perfectly nice 3-bedroom house, but walls had been added to divide a couple of the rooms in two, which created two small adjacent rooms fit for a twin bed and a nightstand/drawer.

There’s a simple explanation behind the peculiarity of this home, as it once served as an elderly hospice care. As fate would have it, new owners bought the home for the same purpose – a waiting station for one’s final days! Shortly after, new occupants took up residency, but they all checked out within a few weeks! Since its operation, I have seen a host of nurses and caregivers come and go at all hours of the day and night. I now recognize them and sometimes wave hello. The television in the reception area is on 24/7.  When I wake up in the middle of the night, I find the strobe light like flashes of the TV stretching across – creating faint dancing images on my bedroom wall. On a December morning, as I was getting in my car, I saw paramedics roll a neatly wrapped body out of the front gate. To be quite honest, the whole scene gave me the heebeegeebees!

Occasionally, expiration occurs when the world is sound asleep! I have found myself awaken from the humming sound of the engine and the EMS lighting of the ambulance.  The rapid blink and twirl of the red light can be jarring, but it also makes the street look like a giant disco!  I guess I love the 70’s!

Well, I suppose this is life! We are born; we live our lives through various stages…and off we go!  Where to though?