Woe is me.

So, I was already in a financial pickle about the hotel for Portland, luckily, my sister, saved my ass. Again. So we'll be okay. But then I went and spent money I didn't have on something I really wanted.

For the past 3 months I have been going into our local oddites shop, Overcast. Perfect for Eugene, Oregon.
I have seen many things that I wanted. The first thing I bought was my dead baby shark in a jar. I have since learned they are mass produced and felt great guilt for owning it. But since it was already done I kept him and named him and he is one of my most beloved pieces. The next thing I wanted was a baby taxidermy duckling. But, this being the home of the Oregon Ducks, a morbid duck fan snatched the fuzzy little thing up before I could. I then set my sights in the beloved toad. Displayed in the window for all to see, he is a redish color, hollowed out, nothing but skin and a zipper on his belly. He is a wonderful toad coin purse. For awhile now I kept going back to browse the shop. It is the one of the few places that makes me feel at home. Everytime I browse, the toad waited. So, this time I finally decide, enoughs enough. I am getting that damn toad purse! I go in and to my horror he is missing from the window. I thought I had lost my chance. I glance over and see his sitting atop the glass display case. Squealing with joy I rush over and scoop him up. The shop owner laughs and I march to the counter. He says, "I'm glad somebody came back for him. You and a few others had eyes on it. I was going to play a trick on you all and hide him somewhere else in the shop." I laughed it off and told him there was no need. This toad was mine. He rang me up and chuckeld at me as I hugged the toad and wandered about the store seeking my next piece.

I am so happy I have my little friend for The Devil's Carnival in May. I imagine the faces of Portlanders as I pull out my toad and remove money from his hollow belly. Looks of disgust, intrigue, and even understanding. It will make it alot easier to find the like minded. After the carnival he will go back on my shelf, next to my shark waiting for another special occasion.

While at Overcast I saw the skull of a small cat in the display case. I wanted an articulated cat skleton. But while I wait for the whole cat… A skull will be a nice start.