"And ver vil you be hanging da greyface?" she asked between sips of coffee. I knew this question was coming; I am surprised she took this long to get around to it. She has wanted to ask it since she came into my office a few days ago. I called her in to look at the three European mounts I placed over my desk. At the time she didn't say anything. She just looked at me with that "are you out of your mind" look I have seen thousands of times over the course of our lengthy marriage and walked out. I knew it was not the end of it. It never is.
"Da office looks ridiculous you know," she offered. I smiled. She had taken the bait. "Ya, I think you might be right," I replied. She knew right away that something was afoot. It was not the response she expected. She went on full alert and stared at me trying to get clues as to what road I was trying to take her down. The fact that I agreed with her statement immediately told her there were ulterior motives at work here. I took a long sip of my coffee, put down the newspaper and said "I think I may have a solution."
I have been thinking about it ever since Crazy posted his thread and picture of the little trophy house. It was obvious to all that CF had rounded the bend. His antler addiction set his course and he weighed anchor. His sanity ship had sailed. He was going to extremes to feed his addiction. He was planning on building a shrine. It was brilliant.
"I think we need to move my office," I told her. "We could use the space when the kids and grandkids are here and it would provide an additional bedroom. I know you don't like it with all the mounts as you tell me it is over the top. I think we should add on to the building and relocate my office out there."
I could smell the freedom. I was within inches of obtaining the ultimate man cave and it would not even be in the same dwelling with the female. It was Shangri-La. It was the Promised Land. I could be out there with my cars and my mounts. The guys could come over and we could drink beer, belch and tell lies. Oh the glory!
"Not a chance," she responded without any show of emotion. "Da building is already too big, ve vil not make it bigger. Ve jus need to unclutter yer walls."
It was more of an execution then a position being stated. She was not saying this to place her stake in the sand for the ensuing discussion. There was to be no discussion. My idea was dead on arrival. There would be no formal burial. The ultimate man cave was toast. Shangri-La lost.
Things should come to a head this spring. That is when the grey face is scheduled to come home. There is absolutely no wall space available in this office. I am going to hang him when she is not at home. Imagine the look on her face when she walks into her living room and sees greyface hanging over the fireplace mantle. I expect to revisit the building expansion issue within minutes of her discovery. Wars are not won by battles. Wars are won by attrition.
Crazy, I understand you just might have a cot in that little shrine you are going to build.
Will it be finished by spring?
A picture of my old roll top with the European mounts above.
I'm not even thinking man cave yet. For now I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to sneak the purchase of the new fly rod I'm wanting. 
Mighty nice of you Laura to offer to house Mike`s mounts 
