jakorte's blog

Blame it on anthropomorphism - the tendency to ascribe human attributes to inanimate objects. Anthropomorphism is a primary driving factor leading people to collect objects. It brings sentimentality and memories together in one place. For example, I could pretty much tell you where, when and who I was with for when I acquired each piece in my mostly Boyd glass hen flock.

Sometimes you have to let go of things to be healthier. Under stern self-direction, I faced a choice: cows or chickens. There was just as much (if not more) APMistic value in the flea market chicken treasures as there was with the store bought cow collection. I chose to keep chickens.

That meant 23 Cow Parade cow figurines, 4 Cow Parade magnets, and a Cow Parade book found themselves on the Home Care Services silent-auction block for Haiti Relief last week. At first, I suggested the herd be sold as a set, but then people began expressing interest in certain ones. There was some semi-bullish but mostly good-natured competition over some of the more unusual and amusingly named pieces.

Alas, when the bids were culled, the cattle competition left a few still fielded, without bids. I approved the overhead announcement that the remaining cows were free to good homes. On my way down the hall to my office as the offer came over the intercom, a mini-stampede formed for the free-roaming leftovers. All were adopted; some were later traded.

I’ll miss the bevy of bovines, but am certain that they will be loved and cherished in new homes. The cute critters helped reach the HCS silent auction goal of raising over $300.00 in relief funds. Judging by the enthusiastic reactions, they have probably already been anthropomorphized by new owners, who in years to come will view them in delight as they recall the means by which they were attained.

Interestingly, while it’s true I have 23 less cows, I still hold the essence of their cultivation.
Our hearts and minds are very capable of storing and guarding thirst quenching memories of loved ones. A revelation of comfort comes from knowing for certain that those we miss may be out of our sight, but they have been firmly bid on, and are loved and cherished - in a new home: GOD’s home.

(PS. I kept the Chicken Cow and the Nas-Cow, for what should be semi-obvious anthropomorphic reasons.)

In this issue: CowParade, Content, Automated Cow Milking, Happy Cows, and Anthropomorphism
Now Posted: New Orleans, Oct 2009, Action Plan: Skills Assessment
& Humor, That's Random, Distress Signals