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December 05, 2006
Today's folklore lesson
So, I write you a great entry yesterday about elephants, PT Barnum, and the Brooklyn Bridge, and all you want to do is talk about the Vikings. Well, I don't want to talk about the Vikings! I'm sick of those boring stiffs. So, you are going to get a post about the Hodag. Deal with it.
The Hodag is a mythical creature (seen to the right) that supposedly lives in the woods of northern Wisconsin. As you can see it has long teeth, claws, and spikes coming out of its back. Apparently the myth of the Hodag grew up around the lumberjack community in the vicinity of Rhinelander, WI. While it is described as being "ferocious" I'm not sure of any documented cases of Hodag attacks. Of course, Wikipedia has a great entry about the mythical Hodag if you are interested in reading more.
Have you ever heard of the Hodag? Well, until yesterday I had never heard of the Hodag either which is strange given that 1) I grew up in River Falls, WI, and 2) my traveling basketball team used to get creamed by the Rhinelander team (whose team mascot was the Hodag). And just like yesterday, where I read about 21 elephants, PT Barnum, and the Brooklyn Bridge in a children's book, I again read about the Hodag in a children's book I picked up at my local library. I love children's books!
In addition, apparently a Hodag replica can be seen at the Park at MOA. I have literally been to the MOA hundreds of times and I have never seen this display. Needless to say, I am now on a mission...
So there! No Vikings talk! Stupid Vikings ... long live the Hodag!
Posted by snackeru at December 5, 2006 08:48 AM
Comments
Oh c'mon Shane, your allegories are so transparent! Obviously the Hodag is the threat of the Vikings leaving with it's northern Wisconsin origin started by some Packer fans who want the Pack to rule over the entire upper midwest, much like they did prior to 1961.
Fine, you think the threat of the Vikings leaving is a big farce. Just come out and say it.
Posted by: Freealonzo at December 5, 2006 12:10 PM
Sigh ... you got me. The Vikings leaving is indeed a big farce (I really do believe this), and the Hodag is my veiled attempt at voicing this opinion. Good one, freealonzo...
Posted by: Shane at December 5, 2006 03:32 PM
Hey Shane - check out this web site and my book all about the Hodag!! I never heard of a Hodag replica at the MOA, but I will check it out (I live in the south metro).
Posted by: Kurt Kortenhof at December 14, 2006 08:37 AM
opps - I forgot to leave the URL - www.hodagpress.com
Posted by: kurt kortenhof at December 14, 2006 08:38 AM
