Back in the late 1980’s we spent our summers painting historical murals far and wide. One of those murals was in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. When we were painting in the city I was asked to do a presentation at a gala promoting the idea of painting murals and creating a city which tourists would want to visit. During my presentation I talked about the unique things I had observed throughout the city. One example was the many decorative fire hydrants I had seen. I suggested that they perhaps could be painted by local artists to beautify the city, along with the murals. After my talk a fellow approached me. He was a city worker and he told me he was pleased I liked the fire hydrants. The next day as I worked on the mural he dropped by to watch. He asked where I was staying. I told him we were staying in our travel trailer on the outskirts of town. Just before quitting time he dropped by once again. He told me with a sly smile that one of those beautiful, antique fire hydrants had ‘fallen’ off his truck behind our travel trailer. It had a small but almost invisible frost crack in it (making it unusable) but was otherwise perfect. When the mural was finished Janis & I loaded the extremely heavy artifact into our trailer and took it home as a rather unusual souvenir. It’s been on display in my studio ever since. When we built the new studio eighteen years ago I moved it outside by the front porch. It can easily handle the weather. I had intended to bolt it to the concrete but that job is yet to be done. Each time I walk by it makes me smile and remember our adventures of so long ago. The artifact also comes in handy. Whenever we renew our insurance we are asked how close the studio is to the nearest fire hydrant. I can truthfully say the closest one is right outside my studio door. The next closest fire plug is across the street, which is near enough to get a discount.