Brass Peacocks

Peacock

We received Brass Peacocks for a wedding gift, from third-tier relatives. Look at the bird in the picture, and then think "less useful and more of a space hog than the real thing." Wife and I were 20-somethings and still in college at the time, and these brass peacocks didn't fit anywhere or with any of our decor. In a pressboard and milk-carton apartment, the flamboyant metal birds fit in like a Rolls Royce at a Wal-Mart.

They were heavy, awkward, fell over easily, were garishly designed, and probably made by six-year olds in Asia. The dead eyes stared at you, creating a feeling a guilt by doing no more than reading the newspaper. They were cold to the touch; remember that touching them wasn't a good idea anyway because they would fall over at any hint of movement nearby. It felt as if we could be on the other end of the room, and have one of the peacocks tumble because I picked up a cup of coffee.

We did finally try using them on each side of a fireplace when we were out of college, but they took up so much space on the hearth that they got in the way of everything. And, of course, if I lit the fire they would fall over. They eventually got boxed back up and put in the garage.

About 15 years after the wedding, they were donated to Goodwill.

Two DeLuxe, Fry, and a Large Coke please.

More meat, less bread. A serving of fries is ample and the burgers are more flavorful than McDonald's. The value is not only in the prices but also in the speed of service. Added benefit is the funky ambiance and birds jumping around looking for snacks.