Birthday Bath & a Silver Giraffe (among other things)

Over the Fourth of July weekend I visited my son (Louis, 21) in Iowa City. (He had a summer research job at the University of Iowa.) We went on several hikes and toured
​the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library—and just before I left, we struck gold at the Salvation Army. (Louis was very patient with me. Some moms spend hours shopping for the just-right pair of shoes or draperies or lamps or whatever. I'm not one of of those moms.) Here are some of my big finds:
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​Birthday Bath! It's a snow globe AND a music box. It's a clown in a tub with a rubber duck, a boat, lots of bubbles, and a faithful dog companion. 

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I'm not making the "Birthday Bath" part up. 

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Here is another inexplicable music box. This one didn't come with a name, but when I look at this mysterious couple I hear "Androgynous" by the Replacements. 

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​I'm not sure what bothers me most about this earnest gal. Is it the missing piece of arm? Or is it the idea that if she were standing up, her arms would probably hang well past her knees?

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I don't know what this is. But I do know it was carved by hand in Norway. If you're familiar with Norwegian folklore and can tell me the story behind this guy, give me a shout!

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A rooster/polar bear that was NOT hand carved by anyone in any particular country. Which makes it all the more confusing.


That does it for the Iowa City thrift store adventure, at least for now. (I'm saving a few special seasonal treats for later.) But here is a local find:

Remember that episode of Friends when Phoebe wants to give Rachel and Monica this 3-D wall art gem named Gladys?

At least my fancy girl comes with a useful box!
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I promised you a silver giraffe, didn't I...

On a super-hot day in early July, I discovered a menagerie across from the Shopko in Windom (MN). 

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Of course I had to take a closer look. 

​And there you go. A silver giraffe.