pink

I have loved the pink flamingo since the '80's when it made a come back. How can you not love an awkward, knobby-kneed pink bird?!?

​The plastic pink flamingo considered tacky in the late '60's had a resurgence and became kitsch in the '80's. I love the '80's! Big hair, fake tans (sometimes real with the help of baby oil), Sun-In, pastel coloured clothes, Cyndi Lauper, Miami Vice, Sixteen Candles, $2 Tuesday at the Village Tree Mall Theatres... I dug through some old photos for your viewing pleasure.

Spotted in Ontario in 1986 on a family trip

1988 - me with perm and fake tan but note the poster on the right...Cpt. Morgan with flamingos.

But enough about me and my love of the '80's. The flamingo has been used in decor for many centuries.

In 1957, the plastic pink flamingo lawn ornament was created by Union Products Inc. employee, Don Featherstone. That first pink plastic bird's name was Diego. Some fun facts about Don Featherstone: He kept 57 flamingos on his front  yard, him and his wife dressed the same (we have seen people on cruise ships who do this) and he won an IG Noble Art Prize for the creation of the flamingo.

Don & Nancy Featherstone

I was thrilled when the flamingo came back in a couple years ago and have quite a collection of items with images of my fav bird. Dog bed, phone cover, shirts, pj's, cookie cutters, socks, salt & pepper shakers, pens, throw pillows, mugs, trays, a plant stand, notebooks, stickers...

But what does the flamingo have to do with Airstreams? A lot. There is a culture that goes with Airstream owners - we love shiny objects, we name our trailers (and receive official certificates from Airstream), there are caravan clubs to join, we despise hail and we display plastic pink flamingos. Airstreamers for decades have travelled with the flamingos and display them outside their trailers as a way to call out to or connect the Airstream community. It's kind of like a welcome mat.

One of the first things I bought for our site in 2016 when we set up Phoebe were Ned and Fred - our first flamingos. They are from Wal-mart and they have lost their pink colour over the years. However they still do a tremendous job guarding our wood pile. Not to sound elitist but they are not Featherstone flamingos. Many knock offs have been made but the originals have his signature. 

Ned and Fred brave the weather year round to guard the wood pile

We wanted to add some original Featherstone flamingos to the site so James went on Amazon to order a pair. Finally, the Amazon delivery arrived but I was perplexed because the package fit in our mailbox. Turns out James ordered a coffee table book. It's an odd book and we are not sure what to do with it. 

Round two of Amazon ordering and our flamingos arrived. I LOVE the box.

And here our the girls...Midge and Madge. They don't stay out over the winter.

I also love seeing the real live flamingo. I've seen them in the Caribbean, Sardinia and at zoo's. Even West Edmonton Mall used to have some on display. 

I recently asked James if he thought I would:
1. be around and
​2. be interested the next time flamingos are back in "style".
​He said 'yes'. Whew!
​

Even though we are not camping for the foreseeable future  because of COVID-19, I made a cocktail to enjoy on our patio. Here is the review and recipe for the Blackberry Basil Mojito 

CHEERS!