#Blog365 Day 7: A bit about the rabbit...

One of my first photographs of Moffat. Notice Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak in the background.  HOME!!

My photography has come a long way!

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You can read about my long-eared companion on my webpage under the About page, but I thought I would begin by sharing a bit more.  This is important information as Moffat is just a part of me these days.  Ask my family, friends and teaching colleagues and they will agree.  I was even referred to recently as "that rabbit lady."

SO, with that being said, I think it is best I share as the pictures will undoubtedly come in!

My idea for using Moffat came into perspective 9 years ago.  I can date it by the dates in my photographs on my computer.  At the time, we enjoyed traveling as a family (something I will forever be grateful for), however, our kids were growing up and becoming less tolerable of mom taking their photos around every corner.  At the same time, I also discovered the power of the museum bookstore, still one of the first places I make a bee line to on my travels.  Additionally, I had come across a copy of the book with Felix the Rabbit and his world-wide adventures.

BAM!!  Here comes Moffat!  I labored over his name for quite a long time.  I wanted the name to have historical significance, yet be kid friendly at the same time.  As a native of Colorado, I looked to local historical names that might fit the bill for both.  I played around with Elliot (Charles Elliott Perkins gave Garden of the Gods to Colorado Springs) and Jackson (General William Jackson Palmer was the founder of Colorado Springs).  Neither worked.  I then discovered David Moffat, a railroad man in Colorado (originally from Washingtonville, NY).  The name worked for me and Moffat the Rabbit was born.

To date, I have over 10,000 pictures across the country with Moffat.  Many of them I have taken myself, but many have been taken by dear friends and family.  I use these photographs in my classroom almost daily to teach geography and history to my kindergarten and first grade students and I can't imagine teaching without my long-eared friend!