I was a college student back in the day when my university had a live cougar as the mascot. I arrived in the dorms not like most people on Sunday afternoon, but on Saturday so I could get adjusted. I met my suite-mate Carolyn who invited me to a Cougar Guard party. The Cougar Guard was NOT a dance team. This was the crazy group of people that took care of 2 live cougars, Shasta III and IV. III was kinda mellow, but IV was known to be a biter. She almost bit the foot off another Carolyn. That Carolyn was on crutches for a long time as her leg healed from her cougar bite injuries.
(Note: I do not condone using wild animals on a college campus. I am simply retelling a story that occurred while I was a student years ago. The university stopped keeping a live cougar in the 1980’s. I think most of us students would have preferred the cougars to be set free. We didn’t make the decision to have live cougars there, it was simply our job to care for them, and we did the best we could. All of us were there because we were animal lovers.)
Now let me say, I don’t think cougars belong at university; they belong in the wild far from me. But this was long ago when the world wasn’t so politically correct. (They no longer have a live cougar.) So we took turns putting the collar on the cougars every day so we could take them for a walk. That’s right, we took them all over the campus, using two leads to keep them away from people they might attack; you heard correctly they are wild animals and you cannot tame wild animals. I remember being kicked out of the library one day because someone said that animals weren’t allowed in there.
So one day I was told it was my turn to go in the cage and collar III. What? I thought I was there for my fun antics and amusing story telling skills, and to pick up the cougar poop of course.
After much stalling, I walked into the cage with a leather collar in my hand and shut the door. I was in a cage alone (unarmed) with a wild cougar. Did you catch that part? In a cage with a live, wild cougar, capable of ripping me into bite-size pieces.
This is not something I would even consider doing now. I wonder if I had to sign something saying my parents wouldn’t sue the school if I was mauled to death. I am pretty sure I told my parents what I was doing. And yet I don’t remember them ever saying, “This is dumb. Are you flippin’ crazy?” I don’t recall any concern about my safety. I think my dad may have looked up from his paper, and said, “Oh that’s nice Dear, I’m glad you’re getting involved in your school.” If my kid said, “Hey mom, I’m going to hang out with a wild cougar in a small confided space,” I would say, “Are you CRAZY? Of course you aren’t going to spend time with a wild animal that could kill you.” Go to your room! I know you are 19, but clearly you need to go rethink your decisions.Don’t come out until I tell you to!!”
I do remember being very nervous as Shasta paced back and forth. I walked beside her, holding the collar over her head, waiting for just the right moment to slip it over her head and tighten it up. The problem was that she would try to bite you as you slid it over her head. I just cringe when I think about it now. She snapped at me a couple of times as we walked together back and forth. My hands got sweaty and the leather collar began to slip. Finally I got it on, without incident. I may have been a little light headed as I walked out of the cage.
So why did I go into a cage with a live cougar? Because I was going along with the crowd, to fit in. I didn’t feel like I could say no.
Don’t do that.
With design we sometimes feel we have to do something because everyone else is doing it, and we feel pressure to fit in. That’s fine if you like the trend, but if you don’t, then let it go. Good design has an element of uniqueness to it. Sure it’s great to get inspiration from others; I do that all the time. But try to insert something that is unique to you. Do what you love, not what you feel like you should be doing.
For example, let’s talk about my dining room table here. Ironstone is something many people have, and cloches are also widely used. I like them, so I am going to incorporate them. But I tried to add some unusual elements here with two vintage hand-painted creamers, and a silhouette tag. The tag is a wooden one that I painted white. Then I used a stamp to add the black silhouette. The trophy is vintage. The sacred heart (I love them!) is available in my shop. The tablecloth is vintage linen.
Do you have examples of French arm chairs that you have redone? Just bought two and looking for inspiration.
Jackie I have a lot that have been redone. Here are just a few. https://cedarhillfarmhouse.com/city-house-tour
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe you did that! Great story!
Great story, it showed we all did some things we would definitely rethink now. It sure does relate to some of my decorating most scary things. Mauve and country blue, mixed with wood hearts, ducks and bunnies still make me cringe. What was I thinking? Well now I have you to keep me in line, to rethink my choices. Buy what you love, keep it simple and neutral and mix it with great accories. I love you taste and classic elegant style.
Funny story, love your style.
Oh my – the things we did to go along with the crowd. I am so glad that with maturity comes a little more sense! I love your style – even if it won’t fit into my own home – and I ordered a signed copy of your book as soon as you posted it! Can’t wait to get it and browse through what I know will be beautiful pages. Have a wonderful weekend Anita!
Love reading your blog ! .. so often I see things similar to my own home!
Oh, yeahhhh, the stupid things we did when we were young! I’m so grateful that wisdom comes with age. That cougar thing…. really crazy!
Wow!!!!!! Just Wow!!!!!! What a crazy story……and yes the things we did when we were young!!!!! ( I have a friend who was attacked by a Cougar in Colorado while hiking in the mountains…..he has written a book about his experience) So your story really makes me go WOW!!!!! Love how you have tied in decorating with this….following what others do….or trends….I have always gravitated towards the things I love….knowing it’s not the latest trend….but I’m the one who will be living with it!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!! Great story!!!!
Roxann ?
Loved your cougar story and how it connected to decorating – not everyone would be able to come up with that one. 🙂
Also, thank you for reminding me that not “going along with the crowd” is okay when it comes to decor. For example, while I love your home, your decorating ideas and your suggestions, your style doesn’t work for me. It’s beautiful and I read your blog every day to see what new thing you’ve done, but while my style may be different, I’m very interested in yours – so interested, in fact, that I ordered your book and love it (and your blog) because I just may pick up something I can use that will stand out as “special” in my very contemporary decor. Thanks for all you do and for your common sense approach …..
Anita, I just can’t believe you were putting a collar on a cougar! Also enjoyed how you went from collaring the cougar to reigning in your own design style that is pleasing to you!
I have always been a “country” style gal and love everything blue, white and farmhouse!
Enjoy your day!
Hi Anita, I love your perfect style of decorating. When I look at your beautiful rooms, I think to myself that I would never think to put some items together, and yet everything fits together beautifully. What an inspiration you are to so many of us.
Anita, what is the name of the French beverage you have shown in a few pictures? I think it is a soda. The first time I saw it you had placed it on the brass side table from Soft Surroundings. Another photo had it standing with other bottles of the same beverage in your kitchen, I think. I wrote the name down a while ago, but the note has since disappeared. I love everything French, including beverages!
Thank you,
Louise
Thank you so much Louise! Those are French lemonades, some from Sprouts and some from World Market.
Thank you Anita for getting back to me. I really can’t tell you how much I enjoy Cedar Hill Farmhouse. You have inspired me to use all the things I love that are put away “until I can find a use for them.” I love cloches and when I saw you put a little teacup under one, I knew you were genius!
Thank you,
Louise
What a great crazy story. And yes if I was you back then I would have probably done the same thing only to fit in along with the rest. As for the house decor every persons house decor is their signature . and yours is perfect.I love everything you do.
Thank you for sharing your college story. I’m impressed that you did that. It’s hard to stand up and say no when most everyone else is saying yes. I really like the way that you use the cloches in your home. They just make anything underneath them look better 🙂
Shocked, I just read your story of the cougar. My palms were sweating thinking of all the reasons you shouldn’t have been in the cage. You must be blessed and evidently the cougar wasn’t hungry. I will look forward to your decorating tips and possibly another great anecdote. Thank you, Deborah
Looking back, it wasn’t the smartest thing I ever did!
I was holding my breath as I read your story. i’m glad Shasta didn’t hurt you.
I went to TCU in the 70s, and there was a guy who had a pet cougar. I remember that he rode around with it on the hood of his sports car, with no problem from the police. I’m so glad we’ve become more enlightened about those things. Better for all creatures concerned!
Good analogy regarding going along with the crowd, though. It’s been easier to do that, the more I’ve aged.
Love the new shop!
Connie