Welcome to another episode of Nature Friday where we join those cuties from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others have shared for their Nature Friday blog hop. Wilson here…oh dear…I guess today is Friday the 13th. Mum says the date is associated with bad luck in Western cultures and can occur up to three times a year. She thinks I’ll likely suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia, which is derived from three Greek words – Paraskevi (“Friday”), triskaideka (“thirteen”), and phobos (“fear”) to describe the fear individuals experience relating to the date and to diagnose those who suffer from it. This fear is also sometimes referred to as friggatriskaidekaphobia, the joining of Frigg (the Norse goddess for whom Friday is named) with the term triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13). Mum started off my day by telling me that I’m getting a bath today {gasp} even though I was just groomed 3 weeks ago. Apparently my once white feet paddles aren’t so white now. She said I’m going to be a guest at a fundraiser for the rescue hosted by Kendra Scott, a jewelry store who will donate a percentage of each sale to the Rocky Mountain Old English Sheepdog Rescue. The store is located in Cherry Creek (you can read about the last Kendra Scott Give Back event that Angel Norman participated in here). She told me it’s a big honor to participate since a portion of their sales tomorrow will go to the rescue. Mum said peeps can order online or go to the store in person and any sale will count toward the give back fundraiser. I’ll be going for the treats while you humans can shop for your Valentine’s day sweetie.
The Mum: Listen, I realize you despise baths, but just think about the yummy treats you’ll receive. We’re going to our favorite self-wash, Lily’s Bath and Biscuits and I’ll be picking up another bag of those yummy dehydrated buffalo treats you like so much…
Wilson: {interrupting and drooling} Wait…did I hear you say “dehydrated buffalo treats?” Ok, count me in…I can endure a bath for those kinds of treats. Those are my absolute favorites.
The Mum: {smiling} I thought you might see it that way.
Wilson: Anywho…let me share a few slices of Nature that we encountered this past week including this sunset. We missed the brightest part of it but it still has some pretty color on the clouds and the nearby western foothills.
Wilson: Mum says she saw a new neighbor early one morning but she’s only seen him/her in the window. She thought it looked like some kind of Doodle and we hope to meet the owner and pup in person soon.
The Mum: We were lucky to catch the same view of sunset a few days later.
Wilson: So I heard DIA’s Blue Mustang sculpture, often referred to as “Blucifer,” located just outside the entrance to the airport, had a birthday a couple of days ago. Hard to believe it turned 18 on Wednesday. It’s been a controversial piece of public art since it was created by Luis Jiménez, who tragically died in 2006 when a piece of the sculpture fell on him as he was working on it. Members of his family and staff eventually completed the sculpture. The statute is 32 feet tall, and weighs 9,000 pounds. It’s made of blue fiberglass with glowing red eyes which are said to have been a tribute to the artist’s father who owned a neon sign shop. Located along Peña Boulevard, it’s been a prominent but immensely controversial art installation. Originally a buffalo stampede had been proposed but abandoned after the developer deemed it a poor choice due to the near extinction of buffalo in the West. Jiménez who was known for his fiberglass sculptures that are brightly painted, proposed a mustang as a more appropriate symbol of the West. It was partially modeled after Jiménez’ own horse and designed to welcome travelers to the gateway to the U. S. West.
The Mum: I know a lot of people despise it and it has often lambasted, but I’ve always thought it was an impressive piece of public art, because of its scale and appearance. It is particularly extraordinary at night. What do you think of this sculpture?
Wilson: Whoa…that night view is…gosh, I don’t know…kind of creepy, Mum.
The Mum: I wouldn’t say creepy but it definitely makes you think how you feel about it and isn’t that what art’s supposed to do?
Wilson: Hmmm, you make a good point. Ok, let’s just say it’s just not my favorite. How’s that?
The Mum: I can respect that. So what plans do you have for the Valentine’s Day weekend? Doing anything special for your sweetheart? We hope your weekend is fun and special. Happy Valentine’s Day from us and we send our best wishes for a great weekend.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Yore Sunset fotoss are lovelee Miss Monika!
Blucifer iss amazin! OKay a bit scare lookin butt so artistick an WOW!
Furabuluss Mustang! Happy 18th Birfday Blucifer…..
As youss’ nose; wee had Mistur R heer Furiday THE 13th, our lucky day an then Valentine’ss Day, our other lucky day this yeer!!!
Hope youss’ had a lovelee day twogether there!
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an {{hugss}} BellaSita Mum
Aww, you’re too sweet to say that. The Blue Mustang does scare some folks but I think he’s pretty amazing too. An impressive sculpture for sure. Glad you had the company of Mr. R. He sounds like a great neighbor. 💞
Blucifer is so pawsum; Peepss are awe-struck Miss Monika 😉
Wee aRE blessed to nose Mistur R. an bee guud frendss <3
Blucifer is quite the eye catcher! But those red eyes…hope he doesn’t scare peeps away, LOL! We used to have a 2-d horse in our downtown region…also quite controversial, though I kind of liked it. Eventually it got moved to a nearby park…it does fit in better there. It has no red eyes, and is NOT 32 feet tall, LOL! Us pups would bark our heads off at either of those horses.
Those were such pretty sunsets, and I hope your fundraiser went well.
As is typical with public artwork, people’s reactions here are mixed. Some love him, others are terrified of the eyes. As art goes, I think it’s successful at making people think about the piece.
Thanks, we had a good outing at the fundraiser and we overcame limited and expensive parking and having to transverse a No Kings demonstration. Everyone was well behaved and kind. Wilson was a star at Kendra Scott’s and seemed to enjoy all the attention (and treats 😁). Hope you had a great weekend and that your temps are heading upward.
Lulu: “I don’t like baths either, Wilson! But I know how humans are about wanting to tidy up before going to big events. I guess they figure the same applies to us dogs …”
Java Bean: “Ayyy, our Dada says he has heard of Babe the Blue Ox, but not the big blue horse! But maybe he belongs to Paul Bunyan too …”
I think the Blue Mustang is way too big for Paul Bunyan, Bean! At 32 ft. tall, he’s a big-un.
The whole bath thing is clearly lost on Wilson. I swear he could easily be a barnyard animal!
A new Doodle friend is exciting… hope it all works out for you.
Not sure about Blucifer, but art is supposed to evoke a reaction, right?
Hope your Vday goes well and lots of $ is raised for the Rescue and you get lots of treats, too! 💖
There’s lot of art out there that doesn’t appeal to me but it always makes me think which I feel is part of point of art.
We’ll see about the new Doodle neighbor. Wilson tends to be overly protective of the space around me and may not appreciate Doodle advances, but another dog owner is the ‘Hood is always welcome.
Looks like a new Doodle neighbor has moved in!! That statue is a little “unusual” – it has a menacing appearance in many ways but ART is ART and sometimes it doesn’t fit into our individual idea of “beauty” but it IS very interesting!!!! HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
Thanks, you’re so very right about art and I love that people can each have widely different opinions about it. I thinks that’s what makes art, art. Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day.
That is beautiful art. XO
Thank you! Hope you have a swell weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day.
What a pretty Valentine’s heart hanging at the end of your post! Personally, I hate that sculpture. Everything about it, but especially that it looks like you can see the inside of the horse – the ribs and veins. And those creepy eyes. It’s already killed it’s maker!
Lucy: Wilson, we think you’re going to be a big hit and help lots of other dogs like you at that fund-raiser!
Thanks. It was such a cute heart, I couldn’t help but take a photo of it having from a door. It’s made from Edelweiss flowers and means a lot to me.
A lot of people had the same opinion about the horse. I always thought it was an amazing piece. We hope you have a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Valentine’s Day❣️
A squeaky clean Wilson is gonna rock the guest list, and with treats to enjoy on the flip side? This is win meeting win. Temps up this weekend so Imma just bathe in this glorious “heatwave” while it lasts.
I love that sculpture. During the day it’s impressive but at night, the real magic happens. It comes alive with those eyes. Wow!
Your thoughts on the Blue Mustang totally resonate with my own! I couldn’t have said it better.
Thrilled your area is getting a break on temps this weekend. Totally enjoy it! Wilson cleaned up nicely yesterday and is a total handsome floof today. I’m hopeful he has a good outing and brings a lot of smiles to folks. Happy Valentine’s Day!
I LOVE that sculpture.
Me too. It was BALMY yesterday. I actually went out to my car without a jacket . . . what? Yes! It’s true!
He’s so naturally handsome, so of course he cleans up nicely. He’s the man.
It was sensational mama, hope you’re enjoying your holiday weekend.
I really like it too but know a lot of people think it’s ugly and/or evil. I think they take some things (i.e. art) a bit too serious. I like that it makes you think.
Glad the weather has improved for you. It’s practically late spring like here. Great for peeps enjoying the warm temps but not so great for the water table. Sigh. Wilson had a good time at the fundraiser and was quite the hit with the store patrons and sales staff. Enjoy your Sunday!
Me too. And I just don’t get the evil ideas these people put out there. It’s fascinating how some perceive art.
I walked outside without a jacket a couple times. Not for long but still, it counts!
And of course the handsomest goodest boy was a hit. He da man!
Thanks mama
Glad to hear the weather is turning up a bit. Let’s hope it keeps heading in that direction. Spring is just 31 days away. Woohoo!
Woot!
You’re too sweet about Wilson. He and I both appreciate it. If people weren’t so freaking serious maybe they’d ‘get’ the whole purpose of art.
He’s the best.
These people just don’t let the art come to them. They have to control it in some way and that’s so not the point.
I love that sculpture. It is bold and daring like the original settlers of the West. Your sunset photos are both lovely. Happy Valentine’s Day to both of you, and I hope you enjoy the fundraiser.
Many thanks, John. I love it too. That sculpture is so iconic and perfect as a welcoming beacon. We hope you have a fantastic weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Good ‘ole Blucifer, my landmark to tell when I was nearing the car rental return at the airport. That airport should have its own fear word and yes, it should start with frigga maybe a slightly different pronunciation.
When you see ole Bluie, you know you’re there. I always liked it-blue is my favorite color and it matches the sky most days.
Other that the size of endless walkways, DIA is kind of a cool airport. Unless you consider the wonky baggage system. 😉 Have a great weekend and a Happy V-Day.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Love the face of the doodle in the window. “Some kind of doodle” is how I describe about 1/2 the dogs I see out and about, LOL. I do love to pet them because they’re so soft.
Thanks, Lisa. Doodles are extremely popular here in any numerous ways/ Golden Doodles, Berner Doodles, Aussie Doodles, Sheep-a-Doodles. It’s practically dizzying with all the combos out there! We hope you have a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Valentine’s Day❣️
Aww, doodle in the window 😀
I think ‘Doodles’ are the most common breed of dog in the metro area! They are EVERYWHERE. But I couldn’t help but start humming that old song…”How Much is That Doggie in the Window?” https://youtu.be/Aqwq4AgMiik?si=qzSDHRzycuqY2aSh
Haha!! I bet. I hope you meet him/her soon. My wife’s parents have just taken on a new rescue dog. It’s a cross between a Norfolk Terrier and Jack Russell, we think. He has fitted in very well 😀
Rescued dogs are the best. Best wishes to your inlaws’ new addition.
Gorgeous sunsets and hey, with treats like that, a bath is not so bad, is it?
That sculpture is impressive. The red eyes, though….
Thank you! Yeah, treats seem to be the cure all for whatever ails the boy. I know those red neon eyes are a bit off-putting but I thought it was a nice homage to the artist’s dad. Have a great weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day. 🩷
Can you blame him? Don’t certain treats work for you, too? 😉
And yes, it s a very nice homage. Happy Valentine’s Day to you! 💞
It’s good for me that he’s so food motivated. Whew. 😂
No kidding!!
Hi Monika – thanks for coming over and bringing Wilson with you … enjoy the weekend … I think mine will be quiet – suits me!! Cheers Hilary
Thanks for swinging by, Hilary! We 💙 visitors. We hope you have a nice quiet weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Love the sunset shots! You’ve got a great view.
I’ve always wondered what message Blucifer is sending to first time visitors to our fair city. It doesn’t seem to be a positive one… But it is an impressive if diabolical piece of work. Actually, my husband and I have always thought that Blucifer should be swapped with the white stallion sculpture on top of Mile High stadium — it would send the right message to the opposing teams.
Have a great weekend!
Thanks Amy. Yes, we have wonderful views for sunrises and sunsets. I think had the eyes not been red neon the message of welcome to the gateway to the West might more easily get through but those red eyes definitely give off scary/creepy vibes especially at night. Jiménez is well known for his vibrant pieces. This one is the largest of the five he did when he was alive. Hope you have a great weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day.
I like the statue! We still have a lot of “white” here. Looking forward to a melt so I can see the gray and brown again! (Never thought I’d say that!)
Thanks, I do too but you’d be surprised how controversial it’s been over the years. We hope you have a great weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day. Here’s also hoping the great thaw and melt begins.
I kind of like the statue. If you want outcry, visit Hartford where they paid almost $100,000 in 1977 for 37 rocks to be arranged to create The Stone Field Sculpture. Seriously, just rocks placed on the ground.
Wilson, be a good boy and gobble down those treats.
Thanks, Dan. I’ve always liked it despite it’s history. The Blue Mustang was $300K (Denver has an ordinance that mandates 1% for Artwork must be budgeted on projects over $1 million with 1% of construction costs for art but I think it was worth it. It’s quite the landmark that welcomes travelers. I think you may be right on the $100K for arranging 37 rocks but I guess that’s the thing with ‘art’ – it’s always subjective. Have a great weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Gorgeous sunsets. I am starved for color with all the white, gray, and brown of the season. Days have been gray as well lately, but the sun is out today and temps may hit 40 degrees, so woo hoo! The dogs will be glad to walk without their coats.
Hurray on a bit of a break on the cold temps. It’s so drab here as well so a colorful sunset or sunrise is something to get excited about. Enjoy a coatless day with the dogs! Have a great weekend and a very Happy Valentine’s Day.
Poor Wilson…a bath! Certainly not a good Friday 13th for you….
He’ll survive and will appreciate the attention when he’s clean and sweet smelling instead of smelling like dirt. 🙂 Have a great weekend, Helen. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and the Thug sweeties.
Blucifer is powerful. I don’t know that i like it but i respect its space. Maybe Wilson will have a new girlfriend just in time for Valentine’s Day! Have a great day with the big fluffy boy (and soon to be clean and fluffy!)
Thanks Martha. It’s a stunning piece of art with a sad history. I think Wilson is one of those contented bachelors like Oscar Madison from Oscar & Felix. LOL Have a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Valentine’s Day with sweetheart Chester.
That is an impressive Mustang and a pretty sunset. Enjoy those yummy treats Wilson!
Thanks, Terry. People too often malign the Blue Mustang but I’ve always liked it. It’s quite distinctive! Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day to you and the kitties!
we love your blucifer, what a cool name for a wonderful mustang… and we love this colors… mother nature has a hand for colors… but currently not for the weather… happy weekend
Thanks. Are you guys still in rainy mode? We’d give anything for some moisture here. We hope the weekend is wonderful even if nature is less than kind and you all have a Happy Valentine’s Day.
We are with you both, the statue is amazing but also creepy. Sorry about the bath but for dehydrated buffalo, it might be worth it. Mom has been talking about baths here but then says there is not point with this lousy melting weather. Even our car hasn’t had a bath and it really needs one. Mom refuses to wait in line behind ten cars for a two minute wash. Have fun at your fundraiser party, maybe there will be a cutie there for you since it is for your breed?
Even though we haven’t had hardly any snow this winter, Wilson still seems to get dirty when walking on the trail that we frequent. I’ve never seen such a piglet who seems to be a dirt magnet!
No cuties other than Wilson at Kendra Scott’s though we suspect there will be a lot of uprights making last minute purchases. We hope It will be a fun couple of hours. Have a great weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Loving the blog today and thank you. Blucifer is unusual to be sure. I rather like it and won’t read anything into it.
Thanks, Carole. It’s such an impressive piece and seems like an appropriate piece to great visitors and I’ve always been a fan of it. The backstory was heartbreaking but it’s a very unique piece of art. Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day. Wilson sends a soft but sloppy kiss.
Can’t wait to hear more about the new neighbor and the bath!
Thanks Jacqui. We keep looking for him and hope we’ll see them outside walking about soon. We hope the weekend is ‘pawsome’ and you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.