Al Gatore

Yes, this picture is creepy, I know. It's an aligator foot (or is it a claw???) that has been the center of a lot of laughter in my family. I think it's supposed to be a back scratcher for some lonely, desperately itchy person who perhaps also has a strange love for alligators.

Somehow, my mom thought she needed one of these things years ago. As teenagers, we were repulsed at how it was always laying out for all of our friends to see! Eventually, I think my sister cracked and the "claw" thankfully disappeared.

Ironically, my sister was vacationing in Florida a few years ago when she happened upon a new batch of claws! So this lovely fellow made his way into our lives, and began showing up whenever we least expected. He's been spotted in luggage, hiding in beds, cars, closets . . . you name it. "Al" recently came out of a few months of hiding (my brother misplaced him, I think), and ever so politely made a home in my bed for a few hours until I climbed in, ready to crash, and was reunited with my old friend. And the fun continues on.

Last night we all decided to give Al his own facebook page and surprise my mom in Virginia with a little visit from an old friend. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when she opened that friend request! Now our new mission is to see how many people will accept him as a friend on facebook. If you'd like to check out his page, just search for "al gatore" from florida. Leave him a message, or just check out his profile! And watch out! You never know where he might just pop up next!