A Totem Christmas

My RV is too small for a tree, but I did manage to add some festive whimsy by decorating my Totem Pole with a beaded tie.  Recently retrieved from storage, I didn't want to put my friend outside for it to split any more than it has over the past 30+ years.  Some day I may stain or varnish it, but I always liked it natural.

I can't attach the Raven's wings nor can I see the Beaver on the bottom, but he's very special to me, and one thing I'll keep until I drop.

Tino and I picked up Totem during our 1993 round-the-country-trip to find a new place to leave.  I believe it was along 101 in Oregon that we spotted this chain-saw carver, the size of a mountain with a bear claw necklace, hawking his carvings while working on a new one.  (My totem's wingspan resembles the tall one in this photo.)

It was hard to pass up a sight like this, especially for Tino, who'd become fond of All-Things-Western.  The artist was friendly and funny, and happened to have a 4-foot carving which fit perfectly in Trigger, our Honda Civic.  His body fit perfectly between the front seats with his wings propped on the back seat.

We must have been a sight to the Colorado State Trooper, planted behind a billboard, who stopped me for speeding.   He looked at my 'Jersey license, Tino's Dutch passport and Totem lounging against the back seat.

"Tourists, huh?"  he asked and it was all I could do not to be sarcastic; but Tino's VISA had expired and we didn't need any additional attention.  The officer waved his hand, told me to slow down and enjoy the rest of our trip.

Tino passed in 1994 and Totem remained in storage in Oregon while I lived on Ruff Life, but once I returned, out he came.  As time wore on the splits and aging began, which only add character; but too much character can be a bad thing.

After a couple of years my travelling began, so  I had a bracket made which attached to the bumper of my 16-foot travel trailer (below).  The wings had to be mounted backwards and a pillow shoved behind for stability, but he hung on.

At some point I left Totem at my mother's house with the rest of my stored treasures; then transferred everything to a storage locker to await my eventual retrieval...which I finally accomplished last April.

And so I'll cap this story off by wishing everyone a (belated) Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Joyous Kwanza!