Go Diggin'!

A lot of people think Forrest's recent SB (175) was a shout out to Diggin' Gypsy, because how can we forget the SB of John Wayne, Diggin's formidable rooster (RIP)?

And Diggin' has a solve, and I think it's pretty solid, although she hasn't told me the specifics yet, and I haven't asked. She has told me where to look, but I haven't had the chance yet. I hope she gets that chest! If anyone deserves it, she does! Go get it, my friend, and don't let anyone or anything stop you!

Speaking of roosters, though, I did spend a few minutes researching various things relating to yesterday's SB. First, I wanted to Google "70 pound rooster." That seems like a really over the top heavy piece of cast iron. The first result hit the exact weight, but wrong species. I got a pic of these happy guys with this monstrous 70 pound rooster...fish.

I also got this sorta cool pic of a ferocious looking "Rex Goliath," a 47 pound grouch that might eat kittens like Skittles--just popping them in that savage beak, one by one. I should get me a Rex Goliath. He's royal, by the way (H.R.M. = His Royal Majesty), and "Rex" means "king."

Then, I googled "Cast iron 20th century Spanish rooster," and could not find a single one. I did, however, find a couple French ones that looked very similar to Forrest's. And I found one on Ebay, but this rooster has been sold.

I thought the description of this rooster was interesting...

Circa 1900 Cast Iron Rooster Doorstop. It had 3 screws along the side to hold it together. They were removed and filled in, and the seam was welded and ground down. Very well done, I might add. No disrespect to anyone, but they were not as nice as this one. Has its original patina. He stands 22″ tall and approximately 10″ at the base, and he weighs a hefty 30 lbs. The item “Antique Large Heavy Cast Iron Rooster Doorstop Chicken Door Stop Folk Art Statue” is in sale since Saturday, May 28, 2016. 

So, Forrest's rooster is "almost 2' tall" (probably the same height as the roosters pictured) and a full 40 pounds heavier! Wow! I wonder what kind of iron would have that kind of mass to be so much heavier than these similar ones?

Anyway, here's another that looks very similar. This one sold for a whopping $2400!

And here's Forrest's rooster, by comparison:

So, not exact, but similar. It's interesting that Forrest says, "They’re probably 20th century Spanish or from over there someplace."

Spain borders France, and everyone knows French animals speak a different language than American animals. French roosters don't say "cock-a-doodle-doo," they say "Cocorico."

But maybe Forrest meant Spain when he said Spain, because Spanish roosters say, "Quiquiriqui!" (By the way, I have to apologize for a mistake I made on Dal's--I think I said the French rooster said, "Quiquiriqui," but I meant Spanish.) Some websites say Spanish rooster talk is "Kikiriki."

So maybe it's a shout out to Ricky, or maybe a hint to the Quiriva, or maybe even Abiquiu. Who knows? The next SB should be interesting!

One thing I want to add: Jim and Joe Anna are both very talented artists! 

Here's an awesome painting in subtle brown hues of Mesa Verde:

And here's one of Mesa Verde by Joe Anna:

But, I've got a busy day at work, so I've gotta get in gear...