Simple Woman

Just looking at this mug makes me smile, because, even though my friend lives on the other side of the world, if I listen very carefully, I can hear him make a snorting sound... followed by a not-so-subtle rolling of both eyes... as in his world the words simple and woman do not belong in the same sentence. My rebuttal: men are as complicated as women,  has, by default, been met with a cynical smirk.

The question, whether being simple depends on gender or not, is one, a second question arises too:  what is the connection between coffee and hippos? I have 2 paintings and 1 salt and pepper shaker set, suggesting there is indeed one, but I still can't think of what it actually could be. Coffee and hippos both come from Africa? I honestly have no clue. The second question becomes even more intriguing, when you take into consideration that this mug was a gift of a very dear coffee-hating hippo-loving friend, for both me and a fellow we-count-coffee-consumption-in-gallons hippo-collecting sister (you know who you are :-)).

Whatever it is... it works for me. Simple? That, apparently, is debatable.... Coffee? Hippos? O YES!

Lu

This post is a link to an article of the the Tampa Bay Times, written by Jack Evans. For those familiar with Lu's story and or this article, I felt my blog would not be complete without it. For those of you not familiar, enjoy reading. This is such a nice article, a real treat for all hippo lovers.

lucifer-americas-oldest-hippo-confronts-his-age-in-homosassa-springs

Abbas

How do you name a hippo, that is given by a friend, who already gave you several hippos and already has a hippo named after him? Well, in this case, the question was answered very easily. My friend told me that he bought this beauty in a store called: Abbas (link to the store is in Dutch). A store in my home town Utrecht (The Netherlands), where one can buy Middle Eastern carpets and many other exotic items. My friend had a discussion about this hippo with the owner, and learned that it was hand carved in Togo (West- Africa). 

When he gave it to me, he told me that if I did not like it, he would keep it himself, as he had grown attached to it. So sorry, I really could not lie, and pretend not to like it. So it came home with me. 

But I will promise you this Marius: if you ever find another hippo, you like as much as this one, and you want to keep it, I will give this one back to you, so you can start your own hippo collection. Pinkie square!

Feel the Love

Whenever I am looking at this pendant,  I can't help but smile. When I am wearing it, it makes me feel loved, thankful and happy, all at the same time.

This pendant is designed by a very talented Mongolian artist (see post: Byambajav), and made by her equally talented husband. When I received it (Dec 2018), I was speechless. Even now, I really don't know what to say, so maybe that is exactly its purpose: making people lost for words. You just need to look at it, and let the feeling of love find its way. Oh well, it works for me!

Henri

It is not the first time this happens. Sons and or daughters of infected friends falling victim to the "looking-for-hippo-for-Lien" virus. In some cases, the symptoms are even worse than those of their parents. Judging from the number of times I have heard the "we have been looking for hippos" comment, I foresee a rather serious case developing in the near future. 

Proof? Here it is! A lovely hippo from the shop of the San Diego Zoo. How nice  is that? The carbon footprint is impressive. Being made in Africa, sold in the US and brought all the way to Mongolia... but anything for hippo love (and world peace).

Dear Henri, thank you for thinking about me and for asking your lovely mom to get it. I am already looking forward to your next find :-).