Yes, I know I have to get back to my Christmas TV Movie-Joint. I also have to finish a blog about Nick Offerman and his wood and working my wood with him....ah, yeah. And lots of other stuff. However, The Muse often hits and you must listen to her; especially if she keeps planting the seeds in your brain over and over. And this time it's an elephant.
So, the other night I had a dream about an elephant. I would've forgotten about it; but not just the Muses were working against that. The Universal Synchronicities were as well. So, we need to speak of Elephants.
So, the other night I had a dream about an elephant. I would've forgotten about it; but not just the Muses were working against that. The Universal Synchronicities were as well. So, we need to speak of Elephants.
I'll admit it. I'm kind of a lazy person. Physically anyways. I can lay "abed" or couch potato with near Olympic skill. In the past, when I've joined gyms, lets just say I paid a lot of money to basically sit on padded benches, wander past Nautilus equipment and half-heartedly "cruise" locker rooms. When I was on the cross-country team in high school, I would stop in the woods for a smoke. For the past several years, however, my husband has pressured me to accompany him on "walks." These walks are daily and are usually for a few miles or an hour or so or whichever comes first. I still drag my feet, re: these walks. And I know if he didn't kind of force me to do it, I wouldn't. And you know, I just made another synchronic connection. The Elephant Walk. It's a thing, right? Isn't there even an old school song about it? Let's ask HAL.
Hey, HAL...is there a song about "Elephant Walks"?
Hey, HAL...is there a song about "Elephant Walks"?
Henri Mancini, no less.
So, on these walks, of course, we converse; which is natural. I mean, if these miles long walks were done in complete silence, we'd probably have to reexamine our relationship. On a recent walk, the subject of tattoos came up. I don't have any but he does. Just a couple of small ones. And he was a super early adherent. He got one back in the early 80's, well before it was a cultural trend and certainly before it became as ubiquitous as it is now. So ubiquitous, in fact, you're kind of "weird" if you don't have one. He got one of his fraternity letters. He was in SAE. Yes, I'm married to a former Frat Bro. SAE claims Mr. Jeff Bridges as a brother...oh, no, wait...Jeff's bro Beau was a Frat Bro-Bro. Well, they're both Sagittarians, so they're both OKAY in this bro's book!
So, on these walks, of course, we converse; which is natural. I mean, if these miles long walks were done in complete silence, we'd probably have to reexamine our relationship. On a recent walk, the subject of tattoos came up. I don't have any but he does. Just a couple of small ones. And he was a super early adherent. He got one back in the early 80's, well before it was a cultural trend and certainly before it became as ubiquitous as it is now. So ubiquitous, in fact, you're kind of "weird" if you don't have one. He got one of his fraternity letters. He was in SAE. Yes, I'm married to a former Frat Bro. SAE claims Mr. Jeff Bridges as a brother...oh, no, wait...Jeff's bro Beau was a Frat Bro-Bro. Well, they're both Sagittarians, so they're both OKAY in this bro's book!
He graduated from high school in 1959, which is a favorite year of mine and he was in the Coast Guard, like a character in my forthcoming novel: 84 on the Floor; so, more synchronicity! Oh, Jeff was in the Coast Guard too. Who knew? As was their dad, Lloyd. Double who knew?
Bridges covered and crossed!
So, the subject of tats came up and we were talking about how back in the day, tattoos were literally, in a way, taboo. They were illegal in Massachusetts. I had an uncle who had a tattoo on his arm and it was highly unusual. Not the tattoo, which was a simple anchor, but that it was on his person. In a way, he seemed almost ashamed of it, When he was ever asked about it, all you got was a terse "I got it in the Navy." You had to go to Rhode Island to get a tattoo; and this was always uttered as though Rhode Island were some kind of Sodom and/or Gomorrah (and just what exactly did go on in Gomorrah?). In Tennessee, you could only go to two places to get a tat: Nashville or Memphis and each town had like one desginated place; which is where Joseph had to go to get his letters. The story went on; and here's where the Elephant enters the room. The tattoo artist, whose name was Adam West(!) had tattoos which of course, as a tattoo artist were to be expected. Joseph tells me his friend, John, who was with him started asking about Adams tattoos and his elephant came up.* Apparently, Adam had a tattoo of an elephant's face in his nether regions, wherein his own appendage was incorporated as the elephant's trunk. Kinda like this?
So, the subject of tats came up and we were talking about how back in the day, tattoos were literally, in a way, taboo. They were illegal in Massachusetts. I had an uncle who had a tattoo on his arm and it was highly unusual. Not the tattoo, which was a simple anchor, but that it was on his person. In a way, he seemed almost ashamed of it, When he was ever asked about it, all you got was a terse "I got it in the Navy." You had to go to Rhode Island to get a tattoo; and this was always uttered as though Rhode Island were some kind of Sodom and/or Gomorrah (and just what exactly did go on in Gomorrah?). In Tennessee, you could only go to two places to get a tat: Nashville or Memphis and each town had like one desginated place; which is where Joseph had to go to get his letters. The story went on; and here's where the Elephant enters the room. The tattoo artist, whose name was Adam West(!) had tattoos which of course, as a tattoo artist were to be expected. Joseph tells me his friend, John, who was with him started asking about Adams tattoos and his elephant came up.* Apparently, Adam had a tattoo of an elephant's face in his nether regions, wherein his own appendage was incorporated as the elephant's trunk. Kinda like this?
That's a still of some kind from Family Guy. I have no idea what's going on (and really don't care); but that gives you an idea of the "Elephant Trunk" tattoo. When Joseph was telling me this tale; an image from a dream the night prior flashed into my head; as vivid as it had been in the dream. You know how that can happen? Like, nothing else from the dream except that one thing? In the dream, it was night and I was in the parking lot of some kind of restaurant. The building had white clapboard. I think maybe it was this place in Saugus where I worked once as a teenager. It was called Russo's Candy House. They made and sold the candy on the premises; as well as ice cream. I worked on the ice cream side. The candy side was very tres elegant in that old-fashioned 40's kind of way and was the sole domain of The Candy Ladies, who wore white uniforms and had hair that was just-so and were kind of uptight and prissy as you might imagine ladies who worked in a candy house might be:
On the far left of the photograph, you can see a set of three windows with a counter below. Not a drive-thru, because when this place was built, they didn't really have that. Not even the drive-in, yet, really. This was a walk-up. You drove there, parked and then walked up to the window to order your ice-cream; although you could of course come inside to order. Needless to say, extremely old-school. In fact, walk up windows like that were so out of fashion in the 80's that I can barely remember them even being open, let alone waiting on anyone through them. The concept has made something of a come-back nowadays. But it's kind of moot, since the building was torn down to make way for a bank in the same exact spot. So they tore down a building that already looked like a bank to put up another bank. Here it is today.
Actually, if this bank goes out of business, they could just move an IHOP in there and nobody'd be the wiser.
But back to the dream.
The elephant was in the drive-thru lane and there was only one window. I think someone told me about it and I went out to look. The elephant was facing away from me, with it's head inside the window. I walked up to it and reached up and tapped it on the shoulder. It pulled it's head out of the window, turned to me and regarded me for a moment. I held my breath. I didn't know how the elephant was going to react. It could've gone either way, as I suppose any encounter with an elephant could. They are known to be gentle...even kind. Yes, but they also have the power to kill you more or less instantly if they so choose. Not many survive or come back from an elephant attack. The next thing I remember I was looking into it's inky, yet soulful eyes and it was touching my face with the tip of it's trunk. It didn't have tusks, so I guess it was a female. I clasped her trunk just below the end. I vividly recall looking at her nostrils, which were pink and wet. That's all I could remember.
Later that night, I was reading out loud to my husband at bedtime. It's another of our rituals that he is more insisitent on than I am; but I do it, as it's good mental practice and I enjoy doing the voices of the characters. I have only one condition. The book must be trash. Or on the trashy side. Pulpy. Pulp fiction. Dime store novels. I don't want to have to think about weighty issues or ponder serious literature. I particularly enjoy the trashy novels of the 70's and 80's like Scruples, Lace and The Insiders; the last by Rosemary Rogers, which was particularly sleazy.
But back to the dream.
The elephant was in the drive-thru lane and there was only one window. I think someone told me about it and I went out to look. The elephant was facing away from me, with it's head inside the window. I walked up to it and reached up and tapped it on the shoulder. It pulled it's head out of the window, turned to me and regarded me for a moment. I held my breath. I didn't know how the elephant was going to react. It could've gone either way, as I suppose any encounter with an elephant could. They are known to be gentle...even kind. Yes, but they also have the power to kill you more or less instantly if they so choose. Not many survive or come back from an elephant attack. The next thing I remember I was looking into it's inky, yet soulful eyes and it was touching my face with the tip of it's trunk. It didn't have tusks, so I guess it was a female. I clasped her trunk just below the end. I vividly recall looking at her nostrils, which were pink and wet. That's all I could remember.
Later that night, I was reading out loud to my husband at bedtime. It's another of our rituals that he is more insisitent on than I am; but I do it, as it's good mental practice and I enjoy doing the voices of the characters. I have only one condition. The book must be trash. Or on the trashy side. Pulpy. Pulp fiction. Dime store novels. I don't want to have to think about weighty issues or ponder serious literature. I particularly enjoy the trashy novels of the 70's and 80's like Scruples, Lace and The Insiders; the last by Rosemary Rogers, which was particularly sleazy.
There was nothing "tender" about this story. It's only saving grace was it's brevity. The novel I'm currently narrating is Rage of Angels by Sidney Sheldon.
This is the saga of one Ms. Jennifer Parker: Lady Lawyer, Single Mother, Mobster Moll! There was a mini-series in the 80's with TV Angel Jaclyn Smith playing Ms. Parker. Let's take a look!
Well, anyways, that night, after the Elephant Walk, I'm reading and come to this part where Jennifer is remembering taking her son to the zoo to see the elephants. And then, later that evening, I decided to check out an old color episode of Bewitched on Hulu to check out the print quality (which was amazing) and in this random episode, Samantha's mother Endora was trying to involve Sam in some witchy shenanigans and when Sam said "no," Endora zapped herself out of the room and then Sam sort of broke the fourth wall (so she was kind of speaking directly to me, in that moment) and she said something like: "Getting mother to agree to something like that is like trying to get an elephant not to remember." Things that make you go "Hmmmmmmm."
So, the next day, I looked up elephants and in particular, their symbolism. It was a lot of what I was expecting: stuff about rememberance and so forth:
So, the next day, I looked up elephants and in particular, their symbolism. It was a lot of what I was expecting: stuff about rememberance and so forth:
Then I thought to look up what it means when an elephant appears in a dream, as this distinction is often made by those who dabble in the esoteric. And apparently those who dabble in psychotherapy. No less than Carl Jung came up in a search about dreams. Now, this is not surprising. But he came up specifically in dreams about elephants. He was also kind of HOT when he was young! Here he is with his wife:
He kinda looks like Matt LeBlanc!
Be that as it may...
So, Jung posited that--well, let's let HAL explain it. Hey HAL, what did Jung say about dreaming about elephants?
So, Jung posited that--well, let's let HAL explain it. Hey HAL, what did Jung say about dreaming about elephants?
So Jung also put forth the idea of dreaming about elephants in the second half of life; and I'm certainly in that category! And Jung was also pretty HOT in the second part of his life. He's totally giving off GILF vibes!
I wouldn't kick him out of bed for taking Prevagen; or getting Toblerone crumbs in the sheets! Although I might have to draw the line at a bed-in featuring a Tilsiter fondue.*
But I stray...
Yes. Jung specifically said/wrote that if you dream of elephants later in life, the elephant represents your "Self"; which I take to mean "the true self" and that you are growing into that Self or you've arrived at that self. I guess, sort of like the concept of "Self-Actualization"?
But I stray...
Yes. Jung specifically said/wrote that if you dream of elephants later in life, the elephant represents your "Self"; which I take to mean "the true self" and that you are growing into that Self or you've arrived at that self. I guess, sort of like the concept of "Self-Actualization"?
I'm not sure if Jung meant the same thing as Maslow; but that's how I'm looking at it. I mean, I've never had a dream about an elephant; one that I can remember. And certainly not one as vivid as though I actually had been up close and personal with an elephant (I can still feel the wetness of her nose!). Also, this caught my eye:
So, I suppose I should have a conversation with the elephant and ask her some questions...
CHRIS R.
Hello, elephant from my dream.
ELEPHANT
Hi.
CHRIS
Do you mind if I ask you some questions?
ELEPHANT
Sure. But make it snappy. I've got a veldt to cross and I'm not getting any younger.
CHRIS
What's your name?
ELEPHANT
Jolinda.
CHRIS
That's a nice name.
JOLINDA THE ELEPHANT
Thanks. I like it.
CHRIS
So, you're a lady elephant?
JOLINDA
Well, I'm female; but I'm no lady. (Starts SINGING) That ain't no way to treat a lady, no way to treat your baby, your woman, your friend...
CHRIS
You have a lovely singing voice!
JOLINDA
Thanks.
CHRIS
So, why were you in my dream?
JOLINDA
I'm not sure. What would Jung say?
CHRIS
Probably that I summoned you for some kind of guidance.
JOLINDA
Well, I can guide you across the veldt; but other than that, you're really on your own.
CHRIS
In a way, we all are. So, what were you looking for at the drive through window?
JOLINDA
Ice cream.
CHRIS
What flavor?
JOLINDA
Peanut butter and chocolate.
CHRIS
Oh, that's one of my favorites! I love how the peanut butter gets weird.
JOLINDA
Oh me too! I love weird peanut butter! 'Memba this: Hey, you got your peanut butter in my chocolate!
CHRIS
You got your chocolate on my peanut butter!
JOLINDA
Cue the commercial!
CHRIS R.
Hello, elephant from my dream.
ELEPHANT
Hi.
CHRIS
Do you mind if I ask you some questions?
ELEPHANT
Sure. But make it snappy. I've got a veldt to cross and I'm not getting any younger.
CHRIS
What's your name?
ELEPHANT
Jolinda.
CHRIS
That's a nice name.
JOLINDA THE ELEPHANT
Thanks. I like it.
CHRIS
So, you're a lady elephant?
JOLINDA
Well, I'm female; but I'm no lady. (Starts SINGING) That ain't no way to treat a lady, no way to treat your baby, your woman, your friend...
CHRIS
You have a lovely singing voice!
JOLINDA
Thanks.
CHRIS
So, why were you in my dream?
JOLINDA
I'm not sure. What would Jung say?
CHRIS
Probably that I summoned you for some kind of guidance.
JOLINDA
Well, I can guide you across the veldt; but other than that, you're really on your own.
CHRIS
In a way, we all are. So, what were you looking for at the drive through window?
JOLINDA
Ice cream.
CHRIS
What flavor?
JOLINDA
Peanut butter and chocolate.
CHRIS
Oh, that's one of my favorites! I love how the peanut butter gets weird.
JOLINDA
Oh me too! I love weird peanut butter! 'Memba this: Hey, you got your peanut butter in my chocolate!
CHRIS
You got your chocolate on my peanut butter!
JOLINDA
Cue the commercial!
JOLINDA
That was fun.
CHRIS
So, what's it like, being an elephant?
JOLINDA
I don't know. What's it like being a human?
CHRIS
I think, on the whole, for most of us it's a challenge.
JOLINDA
Try being an elephant.
CHRIS
But you're the largest terrestrial creatures on the planet. I would think you wouldn't have to worry about much.
JOLINDA
Yeah, you would think. Except for humans.
CHRIS
Now, Jolinda, in defense of humans, let me just say that there are a lot more nice ones than bad ones.
JOLINDA
I'm listening...
CHRIS
It just seems that the bad ones are really great at fucking it all up for the good ones.
JOLINDA
Profound. How about global warming, which is really fucking it up for animals right now? I mean, that's because of all the humans. ALL.
CHRIS
Well, we need energy, which I would say is the worst offender. That and the 1 percent of people who feel a need to shit in a golden-mega yacht-toilet.
JOLINDA
Yeah, that golden toilet thing is a problem.
CHRIS
Do you have a gift for me?
JOLINDA
What now?
CHRIS
Jung says I should ask you about what gift you have for me; or what you have to tell me...
JOLINDA
Hmmmmmm. Well, I was gonna get you a Louis Vuitton gift card but the Nairobi store was closed.
CHRIS
They have a Nairobi store?
JOLINDA
No, they don't. That's what I was going to tell you.
CHRIS
You're funny!
JOLINDA
Yeah, a lot of people don't know that about us elephants.
That was fun.
CHRIS
So, what's it like, being an elephant?
JOLINDA
I don't know. What's it like being a human?
CHRIS
I think, on the whole, for most of us it's a challenge.
JOLINDA
Try being an elephant.
CHRIS
But you're the largest terrestrial creatures on the planet. I would think you wouldn't have to worry about much.
JOLINDA
Yeah, you would think. Except for humans.
CHRIS
Now, Jolinda, in defense of humans, let me just say that there are a lot more nice ones than bad ones.
JOLINDA
I'm listening...
CHRIS
It just seems that the bad ones are really great at fucking it all up for the good ones.
JOLINDA
Profound. How about global warming, which is really fucking it up for animals right now? I mean, that's because of all the humans. ALL.
CHRIS
Well, we need energy, which I would say is the worst offender. That and the 1 percent of people who feel a need to shit in a golden-mega yacht-toilet.
JOLINDA
Yeah, that golden toilet thing is a problem.
CHRIS
Do you have a gift for me?
JOLINDA
What now?
CHRIS
Jung says I should ask you about what gift you have for me; or what you have to tell me...
JOLINDA
Hmmmmmm. Well, I was gonna get you a Louis Vuitton gift card but the Nairobi store was closed.
CHRIS
They have a Nairobi store?
JOLINDA
No, they don't. That's what I was going to tell you.
CHRIS
You're funny!
JOLINDA
Yeah, a lot of people don't know that about us elephants.
CHRIS
Is there anything you want to ask me?
JOLINDA
Well, I've really gotta run. I'm meeting the girls at the watering hole for drinks. But, is there anything you can do about the Republican Party?
CHRIS
...what do you mean?
JOLINDA
About them using us as their logo?
CHRIS
I mean, I can try. What's the problem? You've been their logo for like, 150 years.
JOLINDA
Yeah. But why? We're kind, gentle, intelligent creatures who remember the past, you know what I'm saying?
CHRIS
Yes, definitely. I think you became their logo kind of randomly.
JOLINDA
I'll wait while you do a little research. We're also known for our patience. I'll hold...
Is there anything you want to ask me?
JOLINDA
Well, I've really gotta run. I'm meeting the girls at the watering hole for drinks. But, is there anything you can do about the Republican Party?
CHRIS
...what do you mean?
JOLINDA
About them using us as their logo?
CHRIS
I mean, I can try. What's the problem? You've been their logo for like, 150 years.
JOLINDA
Yeah. But why? We're kind, gentle, intelligent creatures who remember the past, you know what I'm saying?
CHRIS
Yes, definitely. I think you became their logo kind of randomly.
JOLINDA
I'll wait while you do a little research. We're also known for our patience. I'll hold...
CHRIS
Okay Jolinda, I'm back. So, back during the American Civil War, there was a slang term used by soldiers who saw combat first hand and they called it: "Seeing the elephant."
JOLINDA
Why?
CHRIS
I guess because in the 19th century, actually seeing an elephant was a rarity; or a kind of earth-shattering event. Here's more on that:
Okay Jolinda, I'm back. So, back during the American Civil War, there was a slang term used by soldiers who saw combat first hand and they called it: "Seeing the elephant."
JOLINDA
Why?
CHRIS
I guess because in the 19th century, actually seeing an elephant was a rarity; or a kind of earth-shattering event. Here's more on that:
CHRIS
And then, an image of an elephant was used in a political cartoon by Nast.
And then, an image of an elephant was used in a political cartoon by Nast.
JOLINDA
Political cartoons were a lot more involved back then...
CHRIS
Yes. But the elephant is labeled "Republican"; so, the two became married, as it were; and so: the logo.
JOLINDA
My take-away is that the elephant is destroying things, which we don't do, as a general rule.
CHRIS
Yeah. The elephant is really, when you think aobut it, the totally WRONG symbol for the G.O.P. But then, the donkey is all wrong for the Democrats.
JOLINDA
Maybe we should propose some new ones?
CHRIS
Yeah! It could sweep the nation! Nay, the globe!!!
JOLINDA
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. What do you propose?
CHRIS
Well, actually, two creatures just popped into my head right away.
JOLINDA
And?
CHRIS
For the G.O.P. I immediately thought of the wild boar:
Political cartoons were a lot more involved back then...
CHRIS
Yes. But the elephant is labeled "Republican"; so, the two became married, as it were; and so: the logo.
JOLINDA
My take-away is that the elephant is destroying things, which we don't do, as a general rule.
CHRIS
Yeah. The elephant is really, when you think aobut it, the totally WRONG symbol for the G.O.P. But then, the donkey is all wrong for the Democrats.
JOLINDA
Maybe we should propose some new ones?
CHRIS
Yeah! It could sweep the nation! Nay, the globe!!!
JOLINDA
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. What do you propose?
CHRIS
Well, actually, two creatures just popped into my head right away.
JOLINDA
And?
CHRIS
For the G.O.P. I immediately thought of the wild boar:
JOLINDA
Yeah, I totally get that one.
CHRIS
And for the Dems, I was thinking of something more...oh, I don't know...the word "flighty" comes to mind. And the mythical "Jackalope" came to front of mind.
Yeah, I totally get that one.
CHRIS
And for the Dems, I was thinking of something more...oh, I don't know...the word "flighty" comes to mind. And the mythical "Jackalope" came to front of mind.
JOLINDA
So, kind of something fleet of foot, prone to magical thinking, capable of defending itself with it's horns but reluctant to do so?
CHRIS
Yeah. That.
JOLINDA
But what about the people in the middle? People who aren't so right or so left? The people just trying to get through life patiently, put food in their mouths and a roof over their heads and have a little fun sometimes?
CHRIS
Sounds like you elephants! How about you guys?
JOLINDA
No thanks. Time to pass the torch. How about frogs? They kind of fit that description.
CHRIS
Hmmm. The humble frog. I like it. I'm kind of frog-like.
JOLINDA
You look like one, anyways.
CHRIS
Are you being funny again?
JOLINDA
You totally get me!
So, kind of something fleet of foot, prone to magical thinking, capable of defending itself with it's horns but reluctant to do so?
CHRIS
Yeah. That.
JOLINDA
But what about the people in the middle? People who aren't so right or so left? The people just trying to get through life patiently, put food in their mouths and a roof over their heads and have a little fun sometimes?
CHRIS
Sounds like you elephants! How about you guys?
JOLINDA
No thanks. Time to pass the torch. How about frogs? They kind of fit that description.
CHRIS
Hmmm. The humble frog. I like it. I'm kind of frog-like.
JOLINDA
You look like one, anyways.
CHRIS
Are you being funny again?
JOLINDA
You totally get me!
JOLINDA
Okay, gotta run. Nice talking to you! Let's do luch some time!
CHRIS
Yeah, sounds great Jolinda. Oh, before I forget. The other day we were driving and we saw this:
Okay, gotta run. Nice talking to you! Let's do luch some time!
CHRIS
Yeah, sounds great Jolinda. Oh, before I forget. The other day we were driving and we saw this:
JOLINDA
When was this?
CHRIS
Just yesterday!
JOLINDA
Things that make you go hmmmmm...
CHRIS
I know, right? You can't make this shit up!
JOLINDA:
When was this?
CHRIS
Just yesterday!
JOLINDA
Things that make you go hmmmmm...
CHRIS
I know, right? You can't make this shit up!
JOLINDA:
CHRIS
Bye...and, she's gone. Boy, you really never know where these blogs are gonna go!
Ciao for now!
(Chris looks at himself in a mirror and pats the underside of his chin).
CHRIS
I really kinda do look like a frog. Oh well. Ribbit.
*Yes, John asked to see the tattoo and Adam West obliged. I said to Joseph: "Well, I suppose that's something that once seen would not be soon forgotten..." He did not disagree.
*Switzerland's "stinkiest" cheese! Let's have a whiff!
Bye...and, she's gone. Boy, you really never know where these blogs are gonna go!
Ciao for now!
(Chris looks at himself in a mirror and pats the underside of his chin).
CHRIS
I really kinda do look like a frog. Oh well. Ribbit.
*Yes, John asked to see the tattoo and Adam West obliged. I said to Joseph: "Well, I suppose that's something that once seen would not be soon forgotten..." He did not disagree.
*Switzerland's "stinkiest" cheese! Let's have a whiff!
CFR 9/14/25