🌍 Dreamin’ and Schemin’: Turning Your Property into Paradise
Lions are majestic. They are the King of the jungle—regal, magnificent, and impossible to ignore. Duncan loved lions, and if you were to visit me, you’d find them scattered throughout our home: bronze, brass, resin, wood, and who knows what other materials. Each one is a treasure, a piece of art that sparks joy and conversation.
The Lion That Stole Our Hearts
Sometimes, I play hide-and-seek with the children, tucking our lions—whom we affectionately call Aslan, after The Chronicles of Narnia—into nooks and crannies around the house. But the lion that truly captured our imaginations stands in Allenstown, New Hampshire. A life-size cement lion, perched on a three-foot pedestal, overlooks the road and valley from the front yard of an old farmhouse. It’s the most marvelous cast lion I’ve ever seen.
Duncan and I would dream about that lion. We imagined it in our own yard, with the flags of Scotland and the USA flying beside it. Duncan guessed it would weigh over a thousand pounds! We’d laugh and scheme about how to make it ours. Would the owners sell it? We never stopped to ask, but we did joke about pulling up in the middle of the night and hauling it away—Jason Statham style, of course. (Don’t worry, we’d never actually do that… but it was fun to imagine!)
Art That Takes Your Breath Away
Recently, I discovered the work of Fred Hoppe, a Nebraskan sculptor who brings figures to life. His creations include a magnificent lion now living in New Hampshire—and I saw it today. His female eagle, moose, horse, and other pieces are so lifelike, they take your breath away. It’s incredible how creative people can be. We all have the innate ability to create, though some take their talents to extraordinary levels.
Dream Big for Your Property
Think about your own property. Dream and scheme to turn it into your paradise. Maybe it’s a bronze statue, a custom fence, or a cozy fire pit. Fred Hoppe has only cast one full-size lion so far, but he still has the mold and could make more! It might not be in my budget right now, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.
And if you’re dreaming of a fence, call Terry. She’s our fabulous fence expert and always ready to help you bring your vision to life!