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If you missed Part 1 of this series, you can find it here:Backyard Oasis Courtesy of the Sky Mall, Part 1
But here's a brief recap: The acreage behind my house will soon be turned into a 170 home subdivision, and since our yard is not much to look at (unless you like wide open spaces), I thought I would treat our new neighbors with a visual delight with some help from our friends at the Sky Mall. Option 1 was African Safari Oasis.
If you've read this blog before, than I'm sure you're aware that I am a Christian. But I thought to myself, do I have the right to publicly proclaim my faith to those who don't share my belief system? I don't recall reading anywhere in the Bible that I should be doing this. (Oh wait...maybe I did...But I digress...)
The Houston area is vastly diverse, with all cultures living in harmony. Why not have a backyard oasis to reflect this fact? Ladies and gentlemen, I submit for your approval Option 2,
The Garden Oasis of Tolerance and Diversity:
I thought I would start with a few Greek gods scattered about the property. Sadly, Zeus is not available, but this guy is:
Poseidon: God of the Sea $350.00
The muscular god of the sea holds his famed trident and stands astride his symbolic triple dolphin in our exclusive, grand-scale sculpt. This Italian-inspired, 18th-century replica exudes the power attributed to one of the fabled gods of mythology.
We don't have a pool as pictured, but sometimes we get some puddles after a heavy rain.
Goddess Aurora Statue (Estate) $450.00
Balancing atop her grand plinth, our statue is based on a classic 19th-century sculpture of the goddess Aurora that once crowned an elegant garden fountain.
"Hebe, the Goddess of Youth" Statue $395.00
Artist Bertel Thorvaldsen truly captured the eternal beauty of youth with his sculptural likeness of Hebe, cupbearer of the Greek gods. (She's probably fun at keggers, too.)
And speaking of ancient civilizations, I thought it would be a good idea to have my Asian ancestors represent:
The Enlightened Buddha Statue $135.00
Floating on a stylized lotus, this nearly 3 1/2-foot-tall Buddha sculpture arrives like a refreshing breeze with his calm countenance and endless serenity.
Who among you couldn't use some endless serenity? I'd be all up in that. But some prefer a happier, jollier Buddha, so I thought I throw this guy in, too:
Jolly Hotei Buddha Statue $115.00
What better friend to have than one who changes all the sorrows of the world into happiness? It is tradition to rub the belly of over two-foot-tall Asian work of art for joy, his ear lobes for wisdom, and the gold in his hands for wealth.
Then I figured, if one jolly fat guy makes you smile, the more the merrier:
"Basho the Sumo Wrestler" Sculpture $95.00
Basho crouches in his mawashi (Sumo belt) in these intricate sculpts with wide stances.
I'm gonna be honest. My Japanese is a little rusty, but I'm pretty sure "Basho" loosely translates into "Tons of Fun".
"Easter Island Moai Monolith" Statues $98.95
Inspired by the 380 A.D. originals
Assumed to be depictions of local chiefs, heroes or gods, the giant statues on Easter Island are some of the world's most intriguing archaeological artifacts.
I'm not exactly sure anyone still worships these giant heads, but I've always been a fan of the unibrow.
Rhiannon the Archer Fairy $295.00
In a classic sculptural pose, our traditional work of European garden art depicts a beautiful archer drawing back to let her arrow fly.
What's that you say? People don't worship fairies? You've obviously never been to the Renaissance Festival...
And just because I wanted to add a little mystery and whimsy to the vignette, you know him, you love him:
"Bigfoot, the Garden Yeti" Statue $98.95
With alleged Bigfoot sightings the world over, from the Himalayas to the Americas, this elusive, mythical legend has been captured for Toscano in a quality designer resin statue and hand-painted for startling realism.
Startling realism? Did Sasquatch pose for this statue? Hmmm....
This brings today's Garden Oasis Option grand total of $2,032.90. But seriously, can you put a price on tolerance and diversity? Me thinks not...
Tomorrow I will conclude this series with one final option. I know...you're welcome.
24 comments:
At under $100, that Garden Yeti is a steal.
$2,032.90 is a very small price to pay to bring such high culture to your new neighbors. You could even place the Jolly Hotei Buddha statue on a tall pedastel or platform so that as many of your neighbors as possible could enjoy it. And offer free tours of the "Katdish Statue Garden."
I admire your sacrificial spirit.
So my heart is still in Africa. But if this theme wins out, be sure to include the Goddess of Youth for sure. And Bigfoot on patrol.
Hilarious!
Fortunately, I made sure I wasn't drinking any coffee at the exact moment I looked the jolly Buddha. My keyboard would have never been the same, I assure you.
Diversity.
You crack me up.
Hey, my brother is bald (like the jolly Buddha) and has a t-shirt that says, "Rub My Belly For Luck" - If you promise to feed him 3 square meals a day, he would probably come be the tour guide in the Katdish Statue Garden for you.
My favorites are the happy Buddha and Poseidon. My wife is really into Percy Jackson right now and you could have knocked her over with a feather when we saw the huge statue of Neptune (aka the Roman name for Poseidon) at VA Beach this weekend. She would love that statue.
Happy Buddha just makes me smile. It also makes me want to rub every fat belly I find. People are never as happy when you do that as happy Buddha.
Please tell me the "intricacies" of Basho mean his sumo belt is true to life....because a chubby little sculptured butt might just be too much for me this morning :)
Does the Easter Island head say "Dumb dumb give me gum gum?" 'Cause if not it's not worth the money.
My pick.
The Enlightened Budha ~ Because he's cute.
The fat one is too creepy. He'd always steal my cheeseburgers off the grill.
Oh, and the Yeti is priceless! Could you have him sneaking into some trees?
Ok, the sumo wrestler and the yeti crack me up but I'm still liking option #1 better!
You must put Buddah in your yard! How could you not smile first thing, every single day if you had that to look at while kicking back with your coffee? Definitely, must have Buddah! And the Giraffe. Why not mix it up a bit.
I'm so excited for part III!
Okay, just to be difficult, I'd vote for you going for a combination of these ones and the Africa ones. Picture this with me: A Roman colosseum with the mythical gods all around it. Throw in some of the lions for good measure. And hey, does Sky Mall sell any statues of Christians we can toss in there for the lions? Or do you think Bigfoot is a Christian?
The yeti would keep me from trespassing...if that's something you've been worried about. And Jolly Buddha made me day. I must have him.
Wendy, if Sky Mall sells Christian statues, I'm buying a replica of Michaelangelo's David. Who WOULDN'T want his nekkid "majesty" in their yard?
Marni - yes, that would be lovely! I'd much rather look at David's hind quarters than PCB's.
I'll reserve judgement until the 3rd installment, although I'm leaning towards the Jolly Hotei Buddah, the Easter Island heads with an option for Bigfoot.
I like eclectic - keep 'em guessin'.
I like the Big Foot statue, but the rest... meh. Pick something you'll be happy with. You just don't seem like a Greek-god-statue-in-the-yard kind of person, but I could be wrong!
I like the short, stout, happy Budha. Funny stuff.
I like little fat Buddha...for selfish reasons though.
If I ever come across the sumo guy, you can bet I'm buying him for my yard!
Are divorces very expensive?
I must have Aurora the Goddess. Frankly, I bear a striking resemblance.
(I have to add that I'm kidding...just in case someone thinks I'm not).
My kids and I love to look at Sky Mall when we're traveling -- we try to pick one item from each page that we'd buy if we had millions and millions of dollars. Or we argue over which of the worst items we'd buy for Daddy. It's a good way to pass the airtime with a 5-yr-old and 8-yr-old. That and massive m&m binges.
My favorite was Hebe for those kegger parties. ;)
I still vote for Africa, because I prefer a more realistic garden setting. These mythical beings are just not grounded in reality enough for me.
(Archer Fairy? PLEASE. Now Sniper Fairy, I could support.)
I believe that a Texas yard must contain lions and monkeys, just as God intended.
♥ Kathy said "Yeti crack"
He he.
Helen filled me in on you posting skymall! What a refreshing surprise to my day. =)
I have to say...you'd think my heart would be in Africa, but I think I'm going to have to go with this diverse and oh so tolerant option out of the three. Budha, Greek Gods and Goddesses, and a yeti all in the same area without religious intolerance?! Not only is this an attractive set of scultpures but inspiring as well. Thank you Skymall...
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