Monday, June 4, 2012

Coco-nutty

coconuts

Sometimes I really wonder about myself.  And my sense of style, whether I have good taste or not.  The sensibilities I posses often seem to be more appropriate for say, a six year old, than the grown up I thought I saw the last time I looked in the mirror.

I spied a coconut monkey bank at the thrift store Friday, and, defying any rational explanation, the attraction was instantaneous.  I bet they sell these monkey banks in Hawaii, and I could have gotten one there.  Still. This little guy was only .99 cents and I didn’t have to worry about packing him in my carry-on bag.  (Can a coconut monkey bank be used as a weapon?  These days, you just never know.)

I showed my prize to my daughter Amy.  What’s that thing sticking out of his neck?  She was puzzled. And frankly, so was I.  I ventured several guesses.  The tassel to the monkey’s hat, perhaps?   An earring-missing its mate?  (Do monkeys wear earrings?  And for that matter, do monkeys wear hats and little round glasses?) 

The truth is, I didn’t know.  My rule of thumb is that when the price tag on something you love is a penny shy of a buck, you don’t ask a lot of questions.

monkey 1

As I often do when I find a treasure like this, I go to the internet for more information.  And so I decided to search online for some coconut monkey bank enlightenment.  I learned that the mysterious object in question is a pipe.  And despite the surgeon general’s warning that smoking is a bad habit that might harm my coconut monkey, I am ecstatic.  That pipe dates this fellow to the 60’s, and that means my coconut monkey bank is now, instead of merely a second-hand tacky tourist souvenir, a cool iconic piece of vintage Hawaiian kitsch.

monkey 2 

For ninety-nine cents! 

Happy Monday, and here’s wishing all of you a lucky week!

11 comments:

  1. ...a find like this would elevate one to a six-year-old, too! I'll just have to contend with being my normal four-year-old self till I find something this cool!!! :-D

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  2. Dawn-thanks for that! I'm glad I'm not the only one out there with a juvenile way of looking at the world:) It's a fun perspective though, isn't it?

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  3. And his pipe has been right there since the 60s! I bet the monkey was glad you finally gave him his smoke back. Fun find, Valerie!

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  4. Lisa-I was surprised his pipe hadn't gotten lost over the years. The 60's monkey I saw online had the pipe stuck like that too-it must be how they were displayed and people knew to put the pipe in the monkey's mouth. So much for what I know:)My monkey was overjoyed to have his smoke back after so long! I guess I'll let him keep that pipe:)

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  5. Hahaha! You crack me up! This little guy is cute, though. And for that price, he's quite a bargain!

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  6. Absolutely Cool!!! That is what make you such a wonderful lady .. you not only are talented you have a terrific sense of humor & great sense of life! Always loved what Woody Harrelson said ... a grownup is a child with layers on. ..... so true!!!

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  7. Who wouldn't fall for "a cool iconic piece of vintage Hawaiian kitsch"? I love that line! And as other readers have commented, you certainly aren't alone in your love of kids' stuff. I too gravitate toward the kind of knickknacks that seem like they've dropped right out of a cartoon! I think life would be pretty boring without such whimsy :)

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  8. Thanks Melissa!! :) When I find something like the monkey a little voice always whispers that old adage about "one man's junk is another man's treasure." So true:)

    Lisa-thank you so much-and I love that Woody Harrelson quote!

    Tracy-pretty boring is so true!! I'm glad you have the same sensibilities that I have! :)

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  9. Oh Valerie, You are too funny. Thank you for my morning chuckle!
    I think your coconut monkey bank is super cute, so I guess I have the same kitsch-lovin taste. lol

    Kimberly :)

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  10. Thanks Kimberly! And I'm awfully glad to be in such good company:)

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  11. Love it and you know what, I love that it's hand carved. It's original and so you!

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